---
name: "gawkbug"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "gawk"
version: "5.4.1-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/gawkbug"
---

# gawkbug(1)

report a bug in gawk

## NAME

gawkbug - report a bug in gawk

## SYNOPSIS

**gawkbug** \[*--version*\] \[*--help*\] \[*email-address*\]

## DESCRIPTION

**gawkbug** is a shell script to help the user compose and mail bug reports concerning **gawk** in a standard format. **gawkbug** invokes the editor specified by the environment variable **EDITOR** on a temporary copy of the bug report format outline. The user must fill in the appropriate fields and exit the editor. **gawkbug** then mails the completed report to *bug-gawk@gnu.org*, or *email-address*.  If the report cannot be mailed, it is saved in the file *dead.gawkbug* in the invoking user's home directory.

The bug report format outline consists of several sections.  The first section provides information about the machine, operating system, the **gawk** version, and the compilation environment.  The second section should be filled in with a description of the bug.  The third section should be a description of how to reproduce the bug.  The optional fourth section is for a proposed fix.  Fixes are encouraged.

## ENVIRONMENT

**gawkbug** will utilize the following environment variables if they exist:

- **EDITOR**

  Specifies the preferred editor. If **EDITOR** is not set, **gawkbug** attempts to locate a number of alternative editors, including **vim**, and if it must, **emacs**. If **gawkbug** cannot locate any of the alternative editors, it attempts to execute **vi**.

- **HOME**

  Directory in which the failed bug report is saved if the mail fails.

- **TMPDIR**

  Directory in which to create temporary files and directories.

## SEE ALSO

- [*gawk*(1)](/gawk/1.md)

  ## AUTHORS

Brian Fox, Free Software Foundation\
 bfox@gnu.org

Chet Ramey, Case Western Reserve University\
 chet@po.cwru.edu

Arnold Robbins\
 bug-gawk@gnu.org