Learn Awk - 10 Code Examples & CST Typing Practice Test

AWK is a text-processing and pattern-scanning language designed for data extraction, reporting, and quick scripting on structured text streams. It excels at line-based parsing, field manipulation, and automating command-line data workflows.

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AWK Counter and Theme Toggle AWK Sum of Array AWK Factorial AWK Fibonacci Sequence AWK Prime Checker AWK Reverse String AWK Multiplication Table AWK Celsius to Fahrenheit AWK Simple Alarm Simulation AWK Random Walk Simulation

Learn AWK with Real Code Examples

Updated Nov 21, 2025

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Code Sample Descriptions

AWK Counter and Theme Toggle

BEGIN {
    count = 0;
    isDark = 0;

    function updateUI() {
        print "Counter: " count;
        if (isDark) print "Theme: Dark";
        else print "Theme: Light";
    }

    function increment() {
        count += 1;
        updateUI();
    }

    function decrement() {
        count -= 1;
        updateUI();
    }

    function reset() {
        count = 0;
        updateUI();
    }

    function toggleTheme() {
        isDark = !isDark;
        updateUI();
    }

    # Simulate actions
    updateUI();
    increment();
    increment();
    toggleTheme();
    decrement();
    reset();
}

Demonstrates a simple counter with theme toggling using AWK variables and functions.

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AWK Sum of Array

BEGIN {
    sum = 0;
    for (i=1; i<=5; i++) sum += i;
    print "Sum:", sum;
}

Calculates sum of numbers from 1 to 5.

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AWK Factorial

BEGIN {
    fact = 1;
    for(i=1;i<=5;i++) fact *= i;
    print "Factorial: ", fact;
}

Calculates factorial of 5 using a loop.

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AWK Fibonacci Sequence

BEGIN {
    a=0; b=1;
    print a;
    print b;
    for(i=3;i<=10;i++) {
        sum=a+b;
        print sum;
        a=b;
        b=sum;
    }
}

Prints first 10 Fibonacci numbers.

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AWK Prime Checker

BEGIN {
    n=13;
    isPrime=1;
    for(i=2;i<=sqrt(n);i++) if(n%i==0) isPrime=0;
    print "Is prime:", isPrime;
}

Checks if a number is prime.

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AWK Reverse String

BEGIN {
    str="HELLO";
    rev="";
    for(i=length(str);i>0;i--) rev=rev substr(str,i,1);
    print rev;
}

Reverses a string.

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AWK Multiplication Table

BEGIN {
    n=5;
    for(i=1;i<=10;i++) print n,"x",i,"=",n*i;
}

Generates multiplication table of 5.

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AWK Celsius to Fahrenheit

BEGIN {
    c=25;
    f=c*9/5+32;
    print "Fahrenheit:", f;
}

Converts Celsius to Fahrenheit.

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AWK Simple Alarm Simulation

BEGIN {
    temp=80; thresh=75;
    if(temp>thresh) print "Alarm: Temp Too High!";
    else print "Temp Normal";
}

Prints an alarm if temperature exceeds threshold.

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AWK Random Walk Simulation

BEGIN {
    pos=0;
    for(i=1;i<=10;i++) {
        pos += (rand()<0.5?-1:1);
        print pos;
    }
}

Simulates a 1D random walk for 10 steps.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Awk

What is Awk?

What are the primary use cases for Awk?

Log processing and analysis. CSV and text file transformations. Inline data filtering and extraction. Quick scripting and reports. Automating shell workflows

What are the strengths of Awk?

Extremely fast for text processing. Built-in regex and field handling. Ideal for command-line automation. Readable one-liners. Zero dependencies on Unix-like systems

What are the limitations of Awk?

Not suited for large-scale or complex applications. Limited data structures beyond associative arrays. Hard to debug very long one-liners. Not ideal for binary data. Lacks modern libraries compared to Python

How can I practice Awk typing speed?

CodeSpeedTest offers 10+ real Awk code examples for typing practice. You can measure your WPM, track accuracy, and improve your coding speed with guided exercises.

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Code Sample Descriptions

AWK Counter and Theme Toggle

BEGIN {
    count = 0;
    isDark = 0;

    function updateUI() {
        print "Counter: " count;
        if (isDark) print "Theme: Dark";
        else print "Theme: Light";
    }

    function increment() {
        count += 1;
        updateUI();
    }

    function decrement() {
        count -= 1;
        updateUI();
    }

    function reset() {
        count = 0;
        updateUI();
    }

    function toggleTheme() {
        isDark = !isDark;
        updateUI();
    }

    # Simulate actions
    updateUI();
    increment();
    increment();
    toggleTheme();
    decrement();
    reset();
}

Demonstrates a simple counter with theme toggling using AWK variables and functions.

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AWK Sum of Array

BEGIN {
    sum = 0;
    for (i=1; i<=5; i++) sum += i;
    print "Sum:", sum;
}

Calculates sum of numbers from 1 to 5.

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AWK Factorial

BEGIN {
    fact = 1;
    for(i=1;i<=5;i++) fact *= i;
    print "Factorial: ", fact;
}

Calculates factorial of 5 using a loop.

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AWK Fibonacci Sequence

BEGIN {
    a=0; b=1;
    print a;
    print b;
    for(i=3;i<=10;i++) {
        sum=a+b;
        print sum;
        a=b;
        b=sum;
    }
}

Prints first 10 Fibonacci numbers.

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AWK Prime Checker

BEGIN {
    n=13;
    isPrime=1;
    for(i=2;i<=sqrt(n);i++) if(n%i==0) isPrime=0;
    print "Is prime:", isPrime;
}

Checks if a number is prime.

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AWK Reverse String

BEGIN {
    str="HELLO";
    rev="";
    for(i=length(str);i>0;i--) rev=rev substr(str,i,1);
    print rev;
}

Reverses a string.

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AWK Multiplication Table

BEGIN {
    n=5;
    for(i=1;i<=10;i++) print n,"x",i,"=",n*i;
}

Generates multiplication table of 5.

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AWK Celsius to Fahrenheit

BEGIN {
    c=25;
    f=c*9/5+32;
    print "Fahrenheit:", f;
}

Converts Celsius to Fahrenheit.

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AWK Simple Alarm Simulation

BEGIN {
    temp=80; thresh=75;
    if(temp>thresh) print "Alarm: Temp Too High!";
    else print "Temp Normal";
}

Prints an alarm if temperature exceeds threshold.

Let’s Try →

AWK Random Walk Simulation

BEGIN {
    pos=0;
    for(i=1;i<=10;i++) {
        pos += (rand()<0.5?-1:1);
        print pos;
    }
}

Simulates a 1D random walk for 10 steps.

Let’s Try →

Frequently Asked Questions about Awk

What is Awk?

What are the primary use cases for Awk?

Log processing and analysis. CSV and text file transformations. Inline data filtering and extraction. Quick scripting and reports. Automating shell workflows

What are the strengths of Awk?

Extremely fast for text processing. Built-in regex and field handling. Ideal for command-line automation. Readable one-liners. Zero dependencies on Unix-like systems

What are the limitations of Awk?

How can I practice Awk typing speed?

CodeSpeedTest offers 10+ real Awk code examples for typing practice. You can measure your WPM, track accuracy, and improve your coding speed with guided exercises.