Re^2: Grep'ping on Unix without perl-compatible gnu grep - can you do it better?

[Anonymous Monk]

Indeed, the -E switch (aka egrep) does activate a modern regexp syntax, and is found in a boatload more systems than where -P is. It does not come with all the Perl features, but it is way more comfortable than the basic 1980s dialect grep & co default to.

[parv]

You could (have) try(ied) awk on systems that has(had) a lacking grep.