Using AWK to pull multiple rows [closed]

Question

For example if I have a file with multiple rows and columns is it possible to pull specific rows and columns?

for example

1 4/8/2016 4/7/2016 4/6/2016
2 john_doe jane_doe sarah_test
3 26 45 20
4 4/8/2015 6/8/2016 8/26/2016
5 5:15 2:30 6:00

Desired Output

1 4/8/2016 4/7/2016 4/6/2016
2 john_doe jane_doe sarah_test
4 4/8/2015 6/8/2016 8/26/2016

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible to pull specific rows and columns.

This concludes answering the exact question you asked.

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However, let me offer some general advice:

awk is built on a simple condition—action model.

Provide a condition and then provide an action to go with that condition.

Let's say the condition is "third row" and the action is "print the first two fields of that row." This would look like:

awk 'NR==3 {print $1, $2}'

Let's say the condition is "Row contains the letter 'a'" and the action is "Print the whole row."

awk '/a/ {print}'

Since printing the whole row is such a common action, it is the default action:

awk '/a/'

Let's say the condition is "every row" and the action is "print the second field". You can omit the condition:

awk '{print $2}'

For more, read a proper tutorial.

Answer 2

awk '$2 ~ /^[abd]$/ { print $2, $3, $4 }'

for lines where the second field is a, b, or d, print the second, third, and fourth fields.

You weren't at all specific on your selection criteria so I had to guess based on the difference between the input and the output you provided.