Which linux tool is best for parsing multiple files simultaneously

Question

I know bit of all sed, awk , python , but not perl.

I need to parse around 100s of different files , find patterns , match multiple columns with each other and put in new files.

and i have to do that on regular basis.

I just want to know which tool will be best for that scenario. based on that i will buy that books and get more advanced knowledge on that subject

Maybe [What are the differences between Perl, Python, Awk and Sed](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/366980/what-are-the-differences-between-perl-python-awk-and-sed/) will help. Given that you know Python and not Perl, I'd have to recommend Python to you (unless you're looking for an excuse to learn Perl). — Jonathan Leffler, Jan 11 '13 at 05:03

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Jan 11 '13 at 04:40

This thread is going to start a war on which is best :)

As you know python, you should definitely go with that. I myself have done a lot of text manipulation using python, where everything else tend to become complex.

Even though awk can do what you need, you won't like what you see in the code.

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited May 23 '17 at 12:27

0

Perl is the best language for text manipulation. The task you want to do can be done easily and very fast using Perl.

Start with either "Learning Perl" book or the official documentation "perldoc". More sources are mentioned here.

And make sure you search CPAN to avoid reinventing the same wheel :)

edited May 23 '17 at 12:27

Community

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answered Jan 11 '13 at 04:37

Chankey Pathak

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Sounds a bit subjective to me... – Makoto Jan 11 '13 at 04:38
Well Perl was designed around parsing text. Python may work just as well. – Ilion Jan 11 '13 at 04:40
`based on that i will buy that books and get more advanced knowledge on that subject`. I took it as he's willing to learn new things. – Chankey Pathak Jan 11 '13 at 04:43

Which linux tool is best for parsing multiple files simultaneously

2 Answers2