I need to split a file into n separate files of about the same size. The way the file will be split is at every nth row, starting with the first row, that row will be cut and copied to it's corresponding new file so that each file has unique records. Any 'leftovers' will go into the last file. e.g.
'Run command' with n=4
Desired output:
# sample4.txt picked up the "leftovers".

Thanks in advance.

split -l 4 sample.txt <prefix>

The problem with the split command is that it takes sequential rows from the target file. It does not pull every nth line from the file as requested. This won't work.

Your required output is not consistent.
Try this solution:
Use gawk, nawk or /usr/xpg4/bin/awk on Solaris.

Thanks Danmero. This works perfectly. If you could unpack this part of the Awk statement for my learning benfit, that would be extremely helpful and appreciated.