

PL (1)                       9/18/79                       PL (1)




NAME
   pl - print specified lines/pages in a file

SYNOPSIS
   pl [-pn] numbers [file ...]

DESCRIPTION
   Pl  prints the specified lines from each of the named files on
   the standard output.  If no files are given, or  if  the  name
   "-" is specified, pl reads the standard input. 

   The  "numbers" argument is a list of line numbers separated by
   commas, e.g. 

      pl 4,5,26,55 foo bazrat

   prints lines 4, 5, 26, and 55  in  file  "foo"  and  "bazrat".
   The  line numbers may be given in any order.  Repeated numbers
   cause  the  specified  lines  to  be  printed  once  for  each
   occurrence  of  the  line number.  Line number ranges can also
   be given, e.g. 4-15. 

   The "-p" option causes pl to print  pages  instead  of  lines,
   and  the numbers refer to page numbers.  If an integer follows
   the "-p", it is taken as the page size;  the  default  is  23.
   Repeated  numbers cause the specified pages to be printed once
   for each occurrence of the page number. 

DIAGNOSTICS
   bad page size
        Invalid page size specified after '-p' flag
   bad number
        Invalid number given as argument
   bad range
        Invalid range given as argument
   too many numbers
        Number of lines/pages specified  overflowed  the  buffer.
        Maximum  number  of  lines  is determined by the MAXLINES
        definition in the source code. 
   ignoring invalid argument
        An invalid flag was specified.   Processing continues. 

AUTHORS
   David Hanson and friends (U. of Arizona)

BUGS/DEFICIENCIES
   There is a limit to the size of pages which can  be  buffered.
   This is set by the MAXBUF definition in the source code. 











