Help for record (2 dimensional array.)

Shell Programming and Scripting
1

I am going to develop a address book using the shell scripting commands without sed, awk, .... I am thinking to apply the concept of 2 dimenstional array. Can I create a two dimensional array for the insertion/updation/deletion of record in unix. If yes then tell me plz or recommend me some material. If any other solution then also tell me.

2

Most shells do not have arrays, and those that do, have only one-dimensional arrays.

You can simulate 2-dimensional arrays using eval.

setv() {
    setv_var=$1
    eval "$setv_var=\$2"
}

_getv() {
    eval "_GETV=\$$1"
    case $# in
        2) eval "$2=\$_GETV" ;;
    esac
}

getv() {
    eval echo "\$$1"
}

Sample run:

$ setv q_1_2 "Something here"
$ getv q_1_2
Something here