Strings (Unix): Difference between revisions

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In [[computer software]], '''strings''' is a program in [[Unix-like]] [[operating system]]s that finds and prints text [[string (computer science)|strings]] embedded in [[binary files]] such as executables. It can be used on object files and [[core dump]]s.

<code>Strings</code> are recognized by looking for sequences of at least 4 (by default) printable characters terminating in a NUL character (that is, [[null-terminated string]]s). Some implementations provide options for determining what is recognized as a printable character, which is useful for finding non-ASCII and wide character text.

Common usage includes piping its output to <tt>[[grep]]|<code>grep</ttcode>]] and <tt>[[Fold (Unix)|fold]]</tt> or redirecting the output to a [[Computer file|<code>file</code>]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Kiddle|first=Oliver |author2=Jerry Peek |author3=Peter Stephenson|title=From Bash to Z Shell |year=2005 |___location=New York, NY |publisher=Apress|isbn=978-1-590-59376-9|page=413 |oclc=57450917 |url=http://www.apress.com/9781590593769}}</ref>

It is part of the [[GNU Binary Utilities]] (binutils), and has been ported to other operating systems including [[Microsoft Windows]].<ref>[[cygwin]]</ref>

==Example==

Using ''<code>strings''</code> to print sequences of characters that are at least 8 characters long (this command prints the system's [[BIOS]] information; should be run as root):

<source lang="bash">

dd if=/dev/mem bs=1k skip=768 count=256 2>/dev/null | strings -n 8 | less