GNU awk
The GNU implementation of awk, a pattern-matching language for extracting and reformatting text data.
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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
- Categories
- CLI tools, Developer tools
- Last verified
- Added
- Sources