Toying with Text

Searching for text and creating reports from large text files in windows can be a bit of a pain. In Unix you can use GREP and EGREP with limited success. So here we have 2 free tools to find and replace text and to create reports from large and multiple text files. I wrote RAMPART REPORT to help me do my job (check it out below). I use EDIT PLUS for most of my text manipulation needs but here is a free solution for find and replace which you will find more difficult in Vista and Windows7.

http://www.digitalvolcano.co.uk/content/textcrawler

TextCrawler is a fantastic tool for anyone who works with text files. This cool utility enables you to instantly find and replace words and phrases across multiple files and folders. It utilises a powerful Regular Expression engine to enable you to create sophisticated searches, preview replace, perform batch operations, extract text from files and more. It is fast and easy to use, and as powerful as you need it to be.

Also:

http://rampart-ssh.com/

http://rampart-ssh.com/downloads/download_report.asp

Rampart Report
A program that allows you to do Boolean searches of log file. This is really a much more powerful GREP for windows.

You can search for lines in a file containing any combination of up to 5 search terms. You can search any combination of AND / OR. You can also filter your search.

The program allows you to search multiple files in a directory. You can specify which lines you would like to pull above and below the line you are searching for. You can do 3 layers of sub searches. Search and filter any combination to get the results you are looking for.

Now GREP on Steroids (Windows Only)