Nested backticks in bash script not working

Question

I'm trying the following in a bash script:

COUNT=`cat "$NEWLIST" | wc -l | awk \' { print $1 } \` `

where NEWLIST is a string containing a list of files, one per line. But I get this error:

command substitution: line 74: unexpected EOF while looking for matching `''

Why is that failing? How do I use nested backticks?

(basically I'm trying to strip whitespace from the result of wc, but I'd also like to know how to use nested backticks anyways)

Answer 1

You're mixing ' and `

COUNT=`cat "$NEWLIST" | wc -l | awk ' { print $1 } ' `

Answer 2

That's one reason you should use $() instead of backticks.

Also, there's no need for cat or AWK:

COUNT=$(wc -l < "$NEWLIST")

Answer 3

That second "escaped backtick" should actually be a single quote, just like the first one. Also, be careful with the $1 there.