Doesn't have to be Bash either, Python is pretty good for this too: sorted(set(foo.strip.split(' '))) #although we need to open the file first just to be o

Doesn't have to be Bash either, Python is pretty good for this too: sorted(set(foo.strip.split(' '))) #although we need to open the file first just to be on the safe side Perl's not too shabby either for this kind of stuff :)