UNIX for Advanced & Expert Users

Hello -

QUESTION:
Is there a way to override the default record length limitation over awk in Unix?
Or, is there a better way to do what I am trying to do than the way I am trying to do it now? (See BACKGROUND and CURRENT PROCEDURE below...)

BACKGROUND:
In a Kornshell script, I have to search a file using variable criteria and produce a range of records from within the original input file. I am piping the file from Unix Kornshell commands to an awk procedure. I basically want to extract a range of records out of the original file, based on input criteria.

PROBLEM:
Awk is relaying to me that the record is too long to process.

CURRENT PROCEDURE:
To overcome the length problem, I am "cut"-ting the records as I pipe them to the awk procedure, and that is working OK - - I do get the expected output from the procedure.
But then I have to use a Unix "grep" with the output of the awk procedure against the original file to put the selected records from the file 'back together' with the original. Consequently, the "grep" is taking too long (it is an interactive script).
Is there a better way to do this?
- -
FYI:
The original records are a bit over 7000 bytes in length.
The "cut" records passed to and output from awk are 50 bytes.
- -
Thanks,
Jim

I know this is rather late considering your post date.

You should be able to use the ulimit command. Do something like this:

ulimit 99999

This should open up your limitations to allow your script to run.

If that doesn't work, try using the xargs option with the grep command

Do a man on xargs. It is very useful.