sort decimal numbers from csv file in bash

Question

I have this csv file:

A,0,10
B,20,.66
C,2,.72
D,1,.42
E,0,0
F,0,0
G,2,.56

I need to sort that based on the 3rd column so it will look like this:

A,0,10
C,2,.72
B,20,.66
G,2,.56
D,1,.42
E,0,0
F,0,0

I have tried with:

sort -t, -V -k3 input.txt

but its not giving the correct result. Any suggestion?

Based on below answer I have tried:

sort -t, -nr -k3 input.txt

but that gives:

C,2,.72
B,20,.66
G,2,.56
D,1,.42
A,0,10
F,0,0
E,0,0

which is not the expected result as I provided above.

Based on this: https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/292087/how-do-i-get-bc-to-start-decimal-fractions-with-a-leading-zero

I am now prefixing with 0 and that gives the correct result when sorting.

Your locale might've messed the sorting, trying using LC_ALL=C sort .... — PesaThe
– PesaThe, Commented Aug 27, 2018 at 8:46
u123, Have you checked that your original file is unchanged from the original to be sorted state with your trial of the suggested answer, numeric sort. Should not make any difference, but just check answer with a correct original file afresh. Otherwise, try PesaThe in their comment above. If that works, let us know. Interested. — Cam_Aust
– Cam_Aust, Commented Aug 27, 2018 at 9:24
@u123 just before executing sort in the terminal before sort use LC_ALL=C — Inder
– Inder, Commented Aug 27, 2018 at 9:39

Inder · Accepted Answer · 2018-08-27 08:38:49Z

4

using numeric sort will do the trick:

sort -t, -nr -k3 1.txt

You are using Version sort which is why you are getting the ouput that you are getting.

answered Aug 27, 2018 at 8:38

Inder

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5 Comments

Cam_Aust Over a year ago

In OSX, copy and paste original text for sort to Text Edit. Convert to plain text. Change .txt to .csv. Then in Bash run this answer, I get the correct desired result. That which OP seeks.

Inder Over a year ago

@Cam_Aust Thank you for the information, I got the result OP wants with .txt as well , are you getting a different result when you are doing it with .txt ???

Cam_Aust Over a year ago

Confirm yes. Same result when a .txt file.

Cam_Aust Over a year ago

Running: GNU bash, version 3.2.57(1)-release (x86_64-apple-darwin15) OSX 10.11.6.

Inder Over a year ago

@Cam_Aust Most like I think OP is facing the issue that PesaThe suggested.

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