Data processing with the Linux tools
Computers were originally developed to perform computations, so it makes sense that they come equipped with all the tools you need to solve a variety of simple computation problems. A number of diverse and widely available scripting languages can manipulate data and deliver the information you need.
To demonstrate Linux tools at work, I use three common scripting languages, Perl, Python, and Tcl, to address an everyday problem: calculating the total distance driven based on entries in a driver's logbook. I also solve the same problem using the database management system PostgreSQL and the open source LibreOffice Calc spreadsheet program.
The Problem
Drivers often have to keep a logbook as a job requirement or for tax purposes. Sometimes, the only number needed in the end is the entire distance driven. The question becomes how to compute this number from the log entries with the least amount of effort. Creating and installing a special program to do this would be a bit over the top, so the solution presented here demonstrates how to solve this problem using the tools you can find on a Raspberry Pi.
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