grep: Syntax error near unexpected token `('

Question

I have this problem: I'm looking for a string inside file . Syntax is:

grep -E ‘( ^ |  [[:space:]] )[A-Z]{2}[[:digit:]]{2}((- | [[:space:]] )[[:alnum:]]{4}) {3} ’  (filename)

When I run this command inside ubuntu I get this error:

Syntax error near unexpected token `('

Why?

it look like a copy/paste from a word-like document, quotes, double quotes are often turn to a fancier quote, but no longer work in linux. — Archemar, Apr 7, 2015 at 13:59
grep -E ‘( ^ | [[:space:]] )[A-Z]{2}[[:digit:]]{2}((- | [[:space:]] )[[:alnum:]]{4}) {3} ’ (filename) run correctly: it was a stupid character question. But now I have an error grep: memory exhausted when I try to run this statement inside a dd file (very big file). Do You have some indications about this ? — fergiu, Apr 8, 2015 at 7:28

apaul · Accepted Answer · 2015-04-07 13:23:03Z

6

sounds like you're not using proper simple quote ('). Try to copy and paste this one:

grep -E '( ^ | [[:space:]] )[A-Z]{2}[[:digit:]]{2}((- | [[:space:]] )[[:alnum:]]{4}) {3} '

(I have the same error in bash if I copy and paste your script, which use ’ instead of ')

answered Apr 7, 2015 at 13:23

apaul

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Thanks: it run correctly BUT I have a new problem. I have a dd file that is very big. When I run this statement I have an error: grep: memory exhausted. Have You some indications for this problem ?
– fergiu
Apr 8, 2015 at 7:23
Hi, dd is for Disk Dumps, thus contains binary data. It's unlikely you have to grep such a file... If you really want to, you may try to find only characters strings in that file then grep them: strings file.dd | grep ... If your file is actually only text, you may split it in several smaller files, for instance: split -n 500000 file.dd (man split) then grep the generated files (which are by default aa, ab, ac, ...)
– apaul
Apr 8, 2015 at 9:49

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