Using a bash variable in regex replace

Question

replace="bar"
echo foo123 | perl -p -e 's/(\d+)/${replace}456/'

Is there a way to use a pre-defined variable in your replacement string? Maybe even a better alternative to perl?

JRFerguson · Accepted Answer · 2016-06-09 21:50:56Z

4

replace="bar"  
echo foo123 | perl -p -e 's/(\d+)/$ENV{replace}456/'

This grabs the shell variable from the environment in which Perl runs. In some circumstances you might need to export first:

export replace="bar"

answered Jun 9, 2016 at 21:50

JRFerguson

7,5762 gold badges36 silver badges38 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

1 Comment

Alternatively, if you don't want to export replace to the environment, echo foo123 | replace="$replace" perl -p -e 's/(\d+)/$ENV{replace}456/'.