

            block (3) --- convert text to block letters              01/13/83


            _U_s_a_g_e

                 block [ -c <char> ] [ -w <width> ]


            _D_e_s_c_r_i_p_t_i_o_n

                 'Block'  reads  lines  of text from standard input, converts
                 them to large block letters, and  writes  them  on  standard
                 output.   Each character produced is 5 columns in width by 9
                 lines in height, with 2 blank  columns  between  consecutive
                 block letters and 3 blank lines between consecutive lines of
                 block letters.

                 The  character  used  to  construct the block letters may be
                 specified  with  the  "-c  <char>"  argument  sequence;  the
                 default character is an asterisk (*).  Similarly, the length
                 (in regular characters) of the lines produced by 'block' may
                 be  specified with the "-w <width>" sequence.  If omitted, a
                 default width of 75 columns is assumed.   Input  lines  that
                 will not fit on a single output line are broken into as many
                 consecutive lines as necessary.

                 Normally,  'block'  ignores  control characters in the input
                 stream.  The two exceptions to this rule are NEWLINEs, which
                 force a new output line, and BACKSPACEs, which may  be  used
                 to produce underlined, boldfaced or other overstruck charac-
                 ters.


            _E_x_a_m_p_l_e_s

                 echo "@n@n  In Use" | block
                 cal 1981 | block -w132 >/dev/lps


            _M_e_s_s_a_g_e_s

                 "Usage:  block ..."  for invalid argument syntax.


            _S_e_e _A_l_s_o

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