number subtraction of multiple columns

Shell Programming and Scripting
1

I get the point of number subtraction in one column

awk 'NR==1 {n=$1; next}; {n-=$1} END {print n}' inputfile

but I cannot figure it out how to do this to multiple
columns.

awkward.

2

FIle1

a 1
b 2
c 3
d 4

File 2

a 9
b 44

File3

c 5
d 8
c 4
d 0

Output

a b c d
1 2 3 4
9 44 5 8
4 0

3

I am not a programmer or a student so it looks like I do not understand fully your reply
to my post.
Actually I meant that one file consists of multiple columns and subtraction must be done on each column in turn.

4

Its better if you could post sample inputs and outputs

5
  1. Use while loop to read the columns.
  2. store the result of each column in a variable and subtract that.

Am not sure whether is this right or not but if you send a sample file, i can say u

6

Yeh, we'll need some sample files (sample input and desired output)

7

@awkward:
Double or cross posting is not allowed, read the forum rules:
The UNIX and Linux Forums - Forum Rules

@bogu0001:
Stop hijacking threads from other people.

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