Here is my problem.

I create a .lst file containing the following: (using an FTPls)

-rw-rw-r-- 1 dvpears prism 19040 Sep 25 10:56 dax_e_ic_20030828.csv
-rw-rw-r-- 1 dvpears prism 19042 Sep 25 10:56 dax_e_ic_20030829.csv
-rw-rw-r-- 1 dvpears prism 71 Sep 25 10:56 dax_e_in_20030828.csv
-rw-rw-r-- 1 dvpears prism 71 Sep 25 10:56 dax_e_in_20030829.csv

Then I want to cycle through the contents of the .lst file, record by record, assigning each column into a variable.

My loop would be:
for rec in $(cat $LIVE_WORK/serverfiles.lst)
do
.
.
.

The problem I have is that for the 1st row in the .lst file, $rec is returning the following:
-rw-rw-r--
instead of
-rw-rw-r-- 1 dvpears prism 19040 Sep 25 10:56 dax_e_ic_20030828.csv

I think it is because of the spaces between each data item. How do I get the whole row assigned in $rec?

Any help greatly appreciated

You also got an answer on Tek-Tips.
For the other users of this forum :

Well spotted. I actually sent on behalf of a user here and he's very happy now. The replies are sorted.