awk Advanced: Complex Text Processing

Advanced awk uses arrays. Functions. Control flow. Reports.

Here's the thing: Advanced awk is powerful. But complex. Learn basics first.

Arrays

awk '{count[$1]++} END {for (i in count) print i, count[i]}' file.txt

My take: Arrays in awk are useful. Use them.

awk '{print length($0)}' file.txt

My take: awk has functions. Use them.

awk '{sum+=$2} END {print sum}' file.txt

Now that you understand advanced awk, let's talk about cut, sort, uniq.

Personal note: Advanced awk seemed too complex. Then I learned it gradually. Now I use it when needed. It's powerful. Learn it.