awk-pattern scanning and processing language


awk [ –fprogram–file ] [ –Fc ] [ prog ] [ parameters ] [ filename...]

awk scans each input filename for lines that match any of a set of patterns specified in prog.


1   awk '{print $1, $2}' file

2   awk '/John/{print $3, $4}' file

3   awk -F: '{print $3}' /etc/passwd

4   date | awk '{print $6}'

EXPLANATION

Prints the first two fields of file where fields are separated by whitespace.
Prints fields 3 and 4 if the pattern John is found.
Using a colon as the field separator, prints the third field of the /etc/passwd file.
Sends the output of the date command to awk and prints the sixth field.