col

SYNOPSIS

     col [-bfx] [-l num]

DESCRIPTION

     Col filters out reverse (and half reverse) line feeds so the output is in
     the correct order with only forward and half forward line feeds, and re-
     places white-space characters with tabs where possible.  This can be use-
     ful in processing the output of nroff(1) and tbl(1).

     Col reads from standard input and writes to standard output.

     The options are as follows:

     -b     Do not output any backspaces, printing only the last character
            written to each column position.

     -f     Forward half line feeds are permitted (``fine'' mode).  Normally
            characters printed on a half line boundary are printed on the fol-
            lowing line.

     -x     Output multiple spaces instead of tabs.

     -lnum  Buffer at least num lines in memory.  By default, 128 lines are
            buffered.

     The control sequences for carriage motion that col understands and their
     decimal values are listed in the following table:

     ESC-7            reverse line feed (escape then 7)
     ESC-8            half reverse line feed (escape then 8)
     ESC-9            half forward line feed (escape then 9)
     backspace        moves back one column (8); ignored in the first column
     carriage return  (13)
     newline          forward line feed (10); also does carriage return
     shift in         shift to normal character set (15)
     shift out        shift to alternate character set (14)
     space            moves forward one column (32)
     tab              moves forward to next tab stop (9)
     vertical tab     reverse line feed (11)

     All unrecognized control characters and escape sequences are discarded.

     Col keeps track of the character set as characters are read and makes
     sure the character set is correct when they are output.

     If the input attempts to back up to the last flushed line, col will dis-
     play a warning message.

SEE ALSO

     expand(1),  nroff(1),  tbl(1)

HISTORY

     A col command appeared in Version 6 AT&T UNIX.