LOOK(1) LOOK(1)
NAME
look - find lines in a sorted list
SYNOPSIS
look [ -dfnix ] [ -r endkey ] [ -tc ] [ string ] [ file ]
DESCRIPTION
Look consults a sorted file and prints all lines that begin
with string. It uses binary search.
The following options are recognised:
-i Interactive. There is no string argument; instead look
takes lines from the standard input as strings to be
looked up.
-x Exact. Print only lines of the file whose key matches
string exactly.
-d `Directory' order: only letters, digits, tabs and
blanks participate in comparisons.
-f Fold. Upper case letters compare equal to lower case.
-n Numeric comparison with initial string of digits,
optional minus sign, and optional decimal point.
-r endkey
Limit the range of matching values, to include the word
endkey but no larger values.
-t[c]
Character c terminates the sort key in the file. By
default, tab terminates the key. If c is missing the
entire line comprises the key.
If no file is specified, /lib/words is assumed, with collat-
ing sequence df.
FILES
/lib/words
SOURCE
/appl/cmd/look.b
SEE ALSO
sort(1), grep(1)
DIAGNOSTICS
The exit status is "not found" if no match is found, and "no
Page 1 Plan 9 (printed 10/28/25)
LOOK(1) LOOK(1)
dictionary" if file or the default dictionary cannot be
opened.
Page 2 Plan 9 (printed 10/28/25)