col — filter reverse line feeds from input
col [options]
col filters out reverse (and half-reverse) line feeds so the output is in the correct order, with only forward and half-forward line feeds. It also replaces any whitespace characters with tabs where possible. This can be useful in processing the output of nroff(1) and tbl(1).
col reads from standard input and writes to standard output.
−b, −−no−backspacesDo not output any backspaces, printing only the last character written to each column position.
−f, −−finePermit half-forward line feeds. Normally characters destined for a half-line boundary are printed on the following line.
−h, −−tabsOutput tabs instead of multiple spaces.
−l, −−lines numberBuffer at least number lines in memory. By default, 128 lines are buffered.
−p, −−passForce unknown control sequences to be passed through unchanged. Normally col will filter out any control sequences other than those recognized and interpreted by itself, which are listed below.
−x, −−spacesOutput multiple spaces instead of tabs.
−V, −−versionDisplay version information and exit.
−H, −−helpDisplay help text and exit.
The control sequences for carriage motion that col understands and their decimal values are listed in the following table:
- ESC−7
reverse line feed (escape then 7)
- ESC−8
half reverse line feed (escape then 8)
- ESC−9
half forward line feed (escape then 9)
- backspace
moves back one column (8); ignored in the first column
- newline
forward line feed (10); also does carriage return
- carriagereturn
(13)
- shiftin
shift to normal character set (15)
- shiftout
shift to alternate character set (14)
- space
moves forward one column (32)
- tab
moves forward to next tab stop (9)
- verticaltab
reverse line feed (11)
All unrecognized control characters and escape sequences are discarded.
col keeps track of the character set as characters are read and makes sure the character set is correct when they are output.
If the input attempts to back up to the last flushed line, col will display a warning message.
The col
utility conforms to the Single UNIX Specification, Version 2.
The −l option is an
extension to the standard.
The col command is part of the util-linux package and is available from Linux Kernel Archive
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Copyright (c) 1990 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. This code is derived from software contributed to Berkeley by Michael Rendell. Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met: 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer. 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution. 3. All advertising materials mentioning features or use of this software must display the following acknowledgement: This product includes software developed by the University of California, Berkeley and its contributors. 4. Neither the name of the University nor the names of its contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written permission. THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE REGENTS AND CONTRIBUTORS ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE REGENTS OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. (#)col.1 6.8 (Berkeley) 6/17/91 |