Linux Shell Scripting Tutorial (LSST) v1.05r3
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Data manipulation using awk utility

Before learning more about awk create data file using any text editor or simply vi:

inventory

egg       order   4
cacke   good   10
cheese okay   4
pen       good 12
floppy   good 5

After crating file issue command
$ awk '/good/ { print $3 }' inventory
10
12
5

awk utility, select each record from file containing the word "good" and performs the action of printing the third field (Quantity of available goods.). Now try the following and note down its output.
$ awk '/good/ { print $1 " " $3 }' inventory

General Syntax of awk utility:
Syntax:
awk 'pattern action' {file-name}

For $ awk '/good/ { print $3 }' inventory example,

/good/	Is the pattern used for selecting lines from file.
{print $3}	This is the action; if pattern found, print on of such action. Here $3 means third record in selected record. (What $1 and $2 mean?)
inventory	File which is used by awk utility which is use as input for awk utility.

Use of awk utility:
To manipulate data.


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