Description
Assume that adjacent fields are separated by ONE or MORE spaces.
CASE 1
Delete FIRST THREE fields.
Raw Input Desired Output
aa bb cc dd ee ff gg hh
dd ee ff gg hh
Script and Comments
Script1 [sed]
[ 1] s/^ *\([^ ]* *\)\{3\}//
Script2 [perl]
[ 1] s/^ *([^ ]* *){3}//;
CASE 2
Delete the LAST THREE fields.
Script and Comments
Script1 [sed]
[ 1] s/ *\([^ ]* *\)\{3\}$//
Raw Input Desired Output
aa bb cc dd ee ff gg hh
aa bb cc dd ee
Script and Comments
Script1 [perl]
[ 1] s/ *([^ ]* *){3}$//;