we want to set variable that includes words as array
folder_mount_point_list="sdb sdc sdd sde sdf sdg"
ARRAY=( $folder_mount_point_list )
but when we want to print the first array value we get all words
echo ${ARRAY[0]}
sdb sdc sdd sde sdf sdg
expected results
echo ${ARRAY[0]}
sdb
echo ${ARRAY[1]}
sdc
how to convert variable to array?
It seems that you have (maybe unintentionally) changed the important shell variable IFS in the script. Restoring it to its usual value or unsetting it (i.e. activating its default value) solves the problem:
IFS=$' \t\n'
or
unset IFS
IFS doesn't restore its default value. I cannot find such statement in bash manual either. Where did you get if from?
$IFS contains non-empty data after being unset but after unsetting IFS bash behaves like IFS having its default value.
Commented
Dec 31, 2017 at 15:31
If IFS is unset, or its value is exactly <space><tab><newline>,. An unset IFS is functionally equivalent to the default, not equal though, as var=IFS sets var to null, not <space><tab><newline>.
$IFS?IFS=$' \t\n'to your script?IFSinstead of keeping it at its? UnsettingIFShas the same effect as setting it likeIFS=$' \t\n'