tool

Grep

Grep is a command-line utility for searching plain-text data sets for lines that match a regular expression. It is a standard tool on Unix-like operating systems (e.g., Linux, macOS) used to filter and find patterns in files or streams of text. The name stands for 'global regular expression print', highlighting its core function of pattern matching and output.

Also known as: grep, GREP, grep command, global regular expression print, gnu grep

🧊Why learn Grep?

Developers should learn and use Grep for efficient text searching in logs, codebases, configuration files, or any text-based data, especially in command-line environments. It is essential for debugging by scanning error logs, refactoring code by finding specific patterns, or automating tasks in shell scripts. Its speed and integration with other Unix tools (like pipes) make it a go-to for quick, powerful searches without opening files in an editor.