Hello,

I am just getting starting with awk and wondering if anyone could help with the following problem.

I have a large file of data, 50,000 rows x 6 columns. I would like to search in blocks of 500 rows for a maximum value in a specific column and compile an output file that prints the complete line for each maximum per 500.

Example, using a 10row x 3column, requested output for blocks of 5 rows:

1 L 3.2
2 F 6.5
3 J 8.4
4 E 5.1
5 A 4.2
6 U 2.2
7 O 6.9
8 H 4.5
9 D 2.3
10 R 21.3

Required Output:

3 J 8.4
10 R 21.3

Any help would be most appreciated,

Rob