awk syntax question

[hcclnoodles]

Hi there could someone explain what is happening in the following function/statement for me, im just a little confused

'BEGIN{FS=","}
{
printf ("%-11s,%s%s%s,%07.2f,%14s,%-3s\n",$1,substr($2,9,2),substr($2,6,2),substr($
2,3,2),$9,$10,$12)
}

this function is called later in the script by using

awk "$code"


any guidance would be greatly appreciated

cheers

 

[hcclnoodles]

sorry it should read

code = 'BEGIN{FS=","}
{
blah blah ....

 

[cdlvj]

'BEGIN{FS=","}
{
printf ("%-11s,%s%s%s,%07.2f,%14s,%-3s\n",$1,substr($2,9,2),substr($2,6,2),substr($
2,3,2),$9,$10,$12)
}

cat file | awk "$code"

Essentially is processing a comma delimited file.
and printing to stdout.

prints 1st element -11 bytes left justified.
2nd pos 9 for 2 bytes
2nd pos 6 for 2 bytes
2nd pos 3 for 2 bytes
9th floating #
10th 14 bytes
12th 3 bytes left justified

of each line in file
awk has to have something piped or just will wait for input on stdin.

 

[PHV]

And, as usual: man awk

Hope This Helps, PH.
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