Commands Reference, Volume 6

wc Command

Purpose

Counts the number of lines, words, and bytes or characters in a file.

Syntax

wc [ -c | -m ] [ -l ] [ -w ] [ File ... ]

wc -k [ -c ] [ -l ] [ -w ] [ File ... ]

By default, the wc command counts the number of lines, words, and bytes in the files specified by the File parameter. The command writes the number of newline characters, words, and bytes to the standard output and keeps a total count for all named files.

When you use the File parameter, the wc command displays the file names as well as the requested counts. If you do not specify a file name for the File parameter, the wc command uses standard input.

The wc command is affected by the LANG, LC_ALL, LC_CTYPE, and LC_MESSAGES environment variables.

The wc command considers a word to be a string of characters of non-zero length which are delimited by a white space (for example SPACE , TAB).

Flags

-c	Counts bytes unless the -k flag is specified. If the -k flag is specified, the wc command counts characters.
-k	Counts characters. Specifying the -k flag is equivalent to specifying the -klwc flag. If you use the -k flag with other flags, then you must include the -c flag. Otherwise, the -k flag is ignored. For more information, see examples 4 and 5. Note: This flag is to be withdrawn in a future release.
-l	Counts lines.
-m	Counts characters. This flag cannot be used with the -c flag.
-w	Counts words. A word is defined as a string of characters delimited by spaces, tabs, or newline characters.

Note: If no flag is specified, wc by default counts the lines, words, bytes in a file or from standard input.

Exit Status

This command returns the following exit values:

0	The command ran successfully.
>0	An error occurred.

Examples

To display the line, word, and byte counts of a file, enter:
```
wc chap1
```
The wc command displays the number of lines, words, and bytes in the chap1 file.
To display only byte and word counts, enter:
```
wc -cw chap*
```
The wc command displays the number of bytes and words in each file that begins with chap. The command also displays the total number of bytes and words in these files.
To display the line, word, and character counts of a file, enter:
```
wc -k chap1
```
The wc command displays the number of lines, words, and characters in the chap1 file.
To display the word and character counts of a file, enter:
```
wc -kcw chap1
```
The wc command displays the number of characters and words in the chap1 file.
To use the wc command on standard input, enter:
```
wc -klw
```
The wc command displays the number of lines and words in standard input. The -k flag is ignored.
To display the character counts of a file, enter:
```
wc -m chap1
```
The wc command displays the number of characters in the chap1 file.
To use the wc command on standard input, enter:
```
wc -mlw
```
The wc command displays the number of lines, words, and characters in standard input.

Files

/usr/bin/wc, /bin/wc	Contains the wc command.
/usr/ucb/wc	Contains the symbolic link to the wc command.

Related Information

Files Overview and Input and Output Redirection Overview in AIX 5L Version 5.1 System User's Guide: Operating System and Devices.

National Language Support Overview for System Management in AIX 5L Version 5.1 System Management Concepts: Operating System and Devices.