In bash... $(grep -i 'pattern' file | awk '{print $5}' | sed 's/^/cmd/g') ? Or surround in backticks `command which outputs text you want to run as

In bash... $(grep -i 'pattern' file | awk '{print $5}' | sed 's/^/cmd/g') ? Or surround in backticks `command which outputs text you want to run as a command` I prefer $() as they nest better. Or have I misunderstood your question?