GNU awk

The GNU implementation of awk, a pattern-matching language for extracting and reformatting text data.

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About GNU awk

gawk interprets the awk language, which is built for jobs such as changing text wherever a pattern appears or pulling selected fields out of lines while discarding the rest. Tasks that would take many lines in C can often be done in one or two lines of awk.

Beyond standard awk, GNU awk adds TCP/IP networking features and a persistent memory option, each documented in its own manual. Source releases come from the GNU FTP server, and development happens on Savannah.

Strengths

  • Compact one-liners for text extraction and reformatting
  • Extensions such as networking and persistent memory
  • Thorough online manuals

Limitations

  • Upstream distributes source code; Windows builds come from third parties
  • The awk language is terse and takes time to learn

Details

Pricing
FreeFree software from the GNU Project.
License
GPL-3.0-or-later
Developer
GNU Project
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line
How it runs
Downloadable app
Account
Not required
Works offline
Yes
Best suited for
Anyone processing log files, CSV and other line-based text from the command line
Last verified
Added

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