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awk

Historical general-purpose text processing and data extraction tool

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Text Processing linuxmacos C

Description

awk is a historical, general-purpose text file processor that implements a domain-specific language designed for text processing and typically used as a data extraction and reporting tool. This is the One True Awk maintained by Brian Kernighan.

AI Summary

The original Unix text processing and data extraction tool

Capabilities

  • + Process text files with pattern-action rules
  • + Extract and transform data
  • + Generate reports from structured text
  • + Built-in variables and functions

Use When

  • → You need to process structured text data
  • → You want the original, classic awk

Avoid When

  • x You need extended features (use gawk)
View AGENTS.md for awk