look [ -d ] [ -f ] String [ File ... ]
The look command searches sorted files specified by the File parameter and prints all lines that begin with the string specified by the String parameter. The look command uses a binary search, therefore files specified by the File parameter must be sorted in the C locale collating sequence.
The -d and -f flags affect comparisons as in the sort command. This means a file must be sorted using the -f flag in the sort command before using the look command with the -f flag.
If the File parameter is not specified, the /usr/share/dict/words file is assumed with the collating sequence specified by the -df flags. The sort is completed using the current collating sequence. This should match the collating sequence used to produce the dictionary file.
To search for all lines in the sortfile file that begin with the letter a, enter:
look a sortfile
/usr/share/dict/words | Contains the default dictionary. |
The grep command, sort command.
Input and Output Redirection Overview in AIX Version 4.3 System User's Guide: Operating System and Devices.