zgrep +awk trouble

[Vercy]

Hi,

now ive got a problem i have to take out some info from files, its text data, so shouldnt be easy, but files are on linux server, and are over 500mb in size..

i was advised to use zgrep first, but it have its problems, as it doesnt discern string but a line,

ie. if line have page break and/or enters within, it will break it up, and if you use zgrep "-A X command", you will end up sucking in lots of unwanted content, as it will, say, take from the phrase you look for, and for example 5 next lines, 3 of which you didnt want,

now i was advised to write a bash -awk, and make such command, that it copies out from line containing x phrase untill mark given

ie. from "name_of_transaction" untill "name_of_transaction_finish_sentence"

which should logically copy out all the data i want without unwanted content,

i ask here, is there another way? i cannot write awk script, i tried to learn how, but my knowledge of programming is abysmall, and all the tutorials i have seen are still too confusing, as they are written for people who already knows whats it all supposed to do :/

any advice appreciated.

example:

i need a command that would: copy to a separate file everything from:

line containing <transaction_id=xxxxx>

untill:

<transaction=end>

[Irithori]

Hi,

Sorry to say, but I stopped reading on the 3rd line.
Can you please rewrite your question by using
- paragraphs
- examples
- and CODE tags?

[Vercy]

sorry i have edited, hop it will make more sense.

[Vercy]

bump? bump? anyone?

[atreyu]

irithori tried to nudge you already - post a copy of your text file, and then explain as specifically as possible what it is from the file that you wish to cull. what you want do is fairly straight-forward, though. a quick awk ought to get you there. something like this maybe:

awk '/transaction_id=xxxxx/,/transaction=end/' your_file