NAME
gpp - Bash-based preprocessor for anything
gpp: General Preprocessor
SYNOPSIS
gpp [OPTION]...
DESCRIPTION
gpp lets a developer embed directives written in GNU
Bash into any text document. These directives are used
to automate the writting of parts of the document.
The preprocessing directives start with a symbol
(or text string) specified by the developer. By default
this symbol is @ (at).
Any line starting with @< (where @ is the selected
symbol for preprocessing directives) or @>, or is
between a line starting with @< and a line starting
with @>, is parsed as a line, written in Bash, that
is executed during preprocessing.
A @< line must have an associated @> line somewhere
after it, all lines between them are parsed as
preprocessing directives. A @> does however not need
an associated @< line somewhere before it, making
@> suitable for single line directives.
Preprocessing directives can also be inline. For this,
use @(COMMAND) where COMMAND is the Bash code to run.
Additionally, gpp supports variable substitution.
@{VARIABLE} will be replaces by the value if the
variable (possibility environment variable) VARIABLE.
gpp supports all modifiers thats Bash supports. For
example, if you want the value to be included but
uppercase you can write @{VARIABLE^^}, or @{VARIABLE,,}
for lowercase.
Everything that is not preprocessing directives is
threaded as echo(1):ed lines.
OPTIONS
-s, --symbol SYMBOL
Set the prefix symbol for preprocessor directives.
Defaults to @.
-e, --encoding ENCODING
Specifies the encoding of the file.
-n, --iterations N
The the processing N times. Defaults to 1 time.
-u, --unshebang
Clear the shebang line, remove it if this flag
is used twice. If used twice, an empty line
will be inserted after the new first line.
-i, --input FILE
Select file to process. Defaults to /dev/stdin.
-o, --output FILE
Select output file. Defaults to /dev/stdout.
-f, --file FILE
Equivalent to -i FILE -o FILE.
-D, --export NAME=VALUE
Set the environment variable NAME to hold
the value VALUE.
-D, --export NAME
Set the environment variable NAME to hold
the value 1.
-v, --version
Print program name and version and exit.
-c, --copying
Print copyright notice and exit.
Short options must be joined. The value of a flag must
be in a separate argument from the flag itself.
RATIONALE
Programmers need more automation when we write software
and documentation. An unrestricted preprocessor lets
you automate just about anything. Of course, it can be
used for anything, must just writing software and
documentation. Preprocessing can be used for more than
automation, it can also be used to increase the flexibility
of the work.
C is one of the few languages that includes a preprocessor,
some times it is not enough; and all languages need
preprocessors.
SEE ALSO
bash(1), jpp(1), cpp(1)
Full documentation available locally via: info '(gpp)'
