How can I get the first string from a Bash list?

Question

I do have a Bash list (space separated string) and I just want to extract the first string from it. Example: ``` VAR="aaa bbb ccc" -> I need "aaa" VAR="xxx" -> I need "xxx" ``` Is there another trick than using a for with break?

Accepted Answer

Use cut:

```
echo $VAR | cut --delimiter " " --fields 1  # Number after fields is the 
                                            # index of pattern you are retrieving
```

How can I get the first string from a Bash list?

Solution

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