nl(1)
NAME
nl − line numbering filter
SYNOPSIS
nl [−btype] [−ftype] [−htype] [−vstart#] [−iincr] [−p] [−lnum] [−ssep] [−wwidth] [−nformat] [−ddelim] [file]
DESCRIPTION
nl reads lines from the named file, or the standard input if no file is named, and reproduces the lines on the standard output. Lines are numbered on the left in accordance with the command options in effect.
nl views the text it reads in terms of logical pages. Line numbering is reset at the start of each logical page. A logical page consists of a header, a body, and a footer section. Empty sections are valid. Different line numbering options are independently available for header, body, and footer. For example, −bt (the default) numbers non-blank lines in the body section and does not number any lines in the header and footer sections.
The start of logical page sections are signaled by input lines containing nothing but the following delimiter character(s):
Line contents Start of
\:\:\: header
\:\: body
\: footer
Unless optioned otherwise, nl assumes the text being read is in a single logical page body.
Command options may appear in any order and may be intermingled with an optional file name. Only one file may be named. The options are:
−btype Specifies which logical page body lines are to be numbered. Recognized types and their meanings are:
anumber all lines
tnumber lines with printable text only
nno line numbering
pexpnumber only lines that contain the regular expression
specified in exp (see ed(1))
Default type for logical page body is t (text lines numbered).
−ftype Same as −btype except for footer. Default type for logical page footer is n (no lines numbered).
−htype Same as −btype except for header. Default type for logical page header is n (no lines numbered).
−vstart# start# is the initial value used to number logical page lines. Default start# is 1.
−iincr incr is the increment value used to number logical page lines. Default incr is 1.
−p Do not restart numbering at logical page delimiters.
−lnum num is the number of blank lines to be considered as one. For example, −l2 results in only the second adjacent blank being numbered (if the appropriate −ha, −ba, and/or −fa option is set). Default num is 1.
−ssep sep is the character(s) used in separating the line number and the corresponding text line. Default sep is a tab.
−wwidth width is the number of characters to be used for the line number. Default width is 6.
−nformat format is the line numbering format. Recognized values are: ln, left justified, leading zeroes suppressed; rn, right justified, leading zeroes suppressed; rz, right justified, leading zeroes kept. Default format is rn (right justified).
−ddelim The two delimiter characters specifying the start of a logical page section may be changed from the default characters (\:) to two user-specified characters. If only one character is entered, the second character remains the default character (:). No space should appear between the −d and the delimiter characters. To enter a backslash, use two backslashes.
EXAMPLE
The command:
nl −v10 −i10 −d!+ file1
will cause the first line of the page body to be numbered 10, the second line of the page body to be numbered 20, the third 30, and so forth. The logical page delimiters are !+.
SEE ALSO
CX/UX User’s Reference Manual