Parsing array in Bash

Question

I want to "split" an array (in Bash) to a sub-array while retaining all the array-like properties. Apparently, what I have tried has reduced the array to a string.

myscript.sh

#!/bin/bash
A=('foo' 'bar' 'bat' 'baz')
B=${A[@]:0:2} # Get first half of array

for i in ${!B[@]}; do
  echo "B[$i]: ${B[$i]}" # result: B[0]: foo bar
done

The result of this code is:

B[0]: foo bar

But the result I seek is:

B[0]: foo
B[1]: bar

What can I do to retain the array properties in B that will allow me to properly loop thru its elements?

Please do not crosspost. See Is cross-posting a question on multiple Stack Exchange sites permitted if the question is on-topic for each site? — DavidPostill
– DavidPostill, Commented Apr 23, 2016 at 21:45

Cyrus · Accepted Answer · 2016-04-23 20:33:10Z

3

A=('foo 123' 'bar 123' 'bat 123' 'baz 123')
B=("${A[@]:0:2}")
declare -p B

Output:

declare -a B='([0]="foo 123" [1]="bar 123")'

answered Apr 23, 2016 at 20:33

Cyrus

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