retrieve lines using sed, grep or awk

learning_linux · #1 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009

Hi,

I'm looking for a command to retrieve a block of lines using sed or grep, probably awk if that can do the job.

In below example,
By searching for words "Third line2" i'm expecting to retrieve the full block starting with 'BEGIN' and ending with 'END' of the search.

Example:

BEGIN
Second line
Third line1
Fourth line
END
BEGIN
Second line
Third line2
Fourth line
END
BEGIN
Second line
Third line3
Fourth line
END

Output Expecting:

BEGIN
Second line
Third line2
Fourth line
END

Note: Block line size can vary & each block can have different line sizes from one other.

Thank you

Whiteboard · #2 (**permalink**) 03-11-2009

Can you post your desired output...

learning_linux · #3 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009

Whiteboard,
have updated the expected output. Thanks

Whiteboard · #4 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009

Code:

$ grep -B 2 -A 2 "Third line2" filename
BEGIN
Second line
Third line2
Fourth line
END

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