Shell Script for file manipulation

[sprasadh]

I have a file containing n table names and corresponding column name separated by white space(tablename fieldname).I want to traverse line by line taking each table name and corresponding field name and then execute an update query in the database.All I need is how do I read the file line by line.When I echo'ed the file in a for loop it seems it displays all the tables in one iteration.Can anybody help on this.

[aliov]

sed '52q;d' replace 52 with the line number you want. other combination is possible to loop other the file.

let me now if you need more information.

[sprasadh]

Thanks I used "awk" to accomplish the task.thx for the help