echo \c equivilent in awk? 2

[gawker]

I've an awk process that does a number of system queries to build up a line of data and write out to a file. The format of the awk process is:

awk ' { ... } ' >> work-file

Since it takes a long time to gather the data, I'd like to use a process indicator to show that work is progressing so that the user doesn't think the script is stuck.

In a "normal" shell script equivilent, I'd use an echo statement with a "\c" to suppress the new line character and allow me to build up a catipillar line of dots that grows with each pass. Ex: . then .. then ...

Is there a way to do this from within an awk process? I've tried using the system call with the echo command, but this doesn't work probably because it's a call outside of the immediate process.

Thank you.

Gawker

 

[vgersh99]

BEGIN {
   # print a counter for every 100 lines processed
   PREGRESSdiv=100
   stderr="cat 1>&2"
}
!( FNR % PROGRESSdiv) { printf("\rProgress->[%d] lines", FNR)  | stderr; }

vlad
+----------------------------+
| #include<disclaimer.h> |
+----------------------------+

 

[PHV]

Something like this ?
printf "." > "/dev/tty"

Hope This Helps, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ222-2244

 

[gawker]

Excellent!

Thank you.

 

[gawker]

Both solutions are great - One gives more control, the other is simpler. I'll have to decide which to use.

Gawker