Mjq

Mjq is a lightweight command-line utility designed for Unix-like operating systems, primarily used for processing and manipulating text streams. It is part of the GNU Core Utilities suite and is often employed as an alternative to more complex tools like awk or sed for simple text processing tasks. The name "mjq" is derived from the combination of "m4" (a macro processor) and "jq" (a lightweight JSON processor), though it is not directly related to either tool.

Mjq is particularly useful for filtering and transforming data in pipelines, allowing users to extract, modify, or combine information from text-based inputs. It operates by reading input from standard input (stdin) and writing output to standard output (stdout), making it highly versatile in scripting and automation workflows. The tool is designed to be efficient, with minimal memory usage, which makes it suitable for processing large datasets.

One of the key features of mjq is its ability to handle structured data formats, such as JSON, XML, or CSV, with relative ease. While it lacks the full functionality of dedicated tools like jq for JSON processing, it provides basic parsing capabilities that can be useful for quick data extraction. The syntax is inspired by similar utilities, ensuring familiarity for users already acquainted with command-line tools.

Mjq is often included in minimalist Linux distributions or custom environments where space and simplicity are priorities. It is not actively maintained as a standalone project but is sometimes bundled with other utilities or embedded in larger systems. For more advanced text processing needs, users are typically directed to specialized tools like awk, sed, or jq. The tool remains a niche but practical choice for developers and system administrators seeking lightweight solutions for text manipulation.