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Sort your problems😅✌🏼

Posted May 12, 2022 2022-05-12T00:00:00+03:00 by Stephen Kageche
Updated May 13, 2022 2022-05-13T18:53:23+03:00

Hey guys & welcome to this new segment where i’ll be sharing some Linux tips from time to time. For a long time i’ve wanted to learn how to use “Swiss Army applets of linux”, one of them being Sort.

sort is a command line tool used to sort lines of text files.

In my forthcoming blogs, i wish to cover more tools like

  • awk
  • sed
  • cut
  • grep
  • diff
  • head & tail
  • find
  • locate

Etc Etc…

Lets have a look at some sample text that we are going to use for this demo.

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root@oste:/home/ubuntu/sort# cat sample.txt
Malachi
Elisha
Trey
Nathanial
Zander
Harrison
Bryson
Kamden
Salvatore
Cael
Dale
Luis

The very basic way to sort text in alphabetical order is by running sort command without specifying any arguments as shown below:

image

You can also sort data and output it to another file as shows and still get the same results.

image

If you’d like the text displayed in reverse order, we can append the -r argument as follows:

image

image

where:

  • -r –reverse (reverse the result of comparisons)

Lets take this a step further. Assume we have the same data but this time round with a second column containing numbers.

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root@oste:/home/ubuntu/sort# cat sample2.txt
Malachi   45
Elisha    75
Trey      84
Nathanial 99
Zander    85
Harrison  84
Bryson    80
Kamden    68
Salvatore 75
Cael      96
Dale      100
Luis      87

If you would like to sort this data in order of the numbers compared to the alphabetical order, we can do:

sort -k 2n sample2.txt

image

where:

  • -n –numeric-sort (compare according to string numerical value)
  • -k –key=KEYDEF (sort via a key; KEYDEF gives location and type)

Numerical Sort

Demo text

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root@oste:/home/ubuntu/sort# cat numbers
43
45
67
67
98
87
78
54
44

Assuming you have such data, we can use the -n argument to numerically sort it as follows:

image

In reverse order:

image

Sorting Months

The -M argument is used to sort months of the year.

image

Random Sort

  • -R –random-sort

image

Removing Duplicates

Demo text

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root@oste:/home/ubuntu/sort# cat sample3.txt
root
root
root
admin
admin1234
jquery
robots
security
security
robots
redis
redis
redis
redis
toor
admin1234

Say you have several words that are duplicates in a file, and you want to sort them in alphabetical order removing the duplicates, you can run the following command:

sort -u sample3.txt

image

where:

  • -u –unique

Practical

auth.log
Sample Log file. We can concatenate sort command with other tools like grep, cut, awk, sed etc. 


    May  3 10:50:30 oste sudo: pam_unix(sudo:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 21:17:01 oste CRON[4073277]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 23:17:01 oste CRON[3430346]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 09:17:01 oste CRON[3722418]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 14:17:02 oste CRON[2465017]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 16:17:01 oste CRON[695121]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 14:17:02 oste CRON[2465017]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 05:26:01 oste CRON[1505321]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 03:10:01 oste CRON[2841595]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 18:17:01 oste CRON[3284292]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 17:17:01 oste CRON[113016]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 19:17:01 oste CRON[2610910]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 06:17:01 oste CRON[2230970]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 16:17:01 oste CRON[1822503]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 06:17:01 oste CRON[2934066]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 21:17:01 oste CRON[4073277]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 06:17:01 oste CRON[3634791]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 09:17:01 oste CRON[2318577]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 17:17:02 oste CRON[724370]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 03:10:01 oste CRON[2140141]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 12:17:01 oste CRON[2406092]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 22:30:56 oste su: pam_unix(su:session): session opened for user root by ubuntu(uid=0)
    May  3 10:50:30 oste su: pam_unix(su:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 07:17:01 oste CRON[2260298]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 00:17:01 oste CRON[928914]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 18:05:59 oste systemd-logind[692]: New session 5 of user ubuntu.
    May  2 23:17:01 oste CRON[394537]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 22:17:01 oste CRON[2698609]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 17:17:01 oste CRON[1150663]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 18:17:01 oste CRON[753570]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 07:17:01 oste CRON[792193]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 10:17:01 oste CRON[2347753]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 13:17:01 oste CRON[607450]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 18:17:01 oste CRON[2581643]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 05:26:01 oste CRON[2206242]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 07:17:01 oste CRON[2260298]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 09:17:01 oste CRON[891542]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 22:17:01 oste CRON[1997548]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 00:17:01 oste CRON[227288]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 23:17:01 oste CRON[2727917]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 18:17:01 oste CRON[1880872]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 20:17:01 oste CRON[245421]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 16:17:01 oste CRON[1121498]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 19:17:01 oste CRON[3313501]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 13:17:01 oste CRON[1735061]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 16:17:01 oste CRON[695121]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 03:10:01 oste CRON[587411]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 04:17:01 oste CRON[2172738]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 12:17:01 oste CRON[1705870]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 11:17:01 oste CRON[976142]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 09:17:01 oste CRON[891542]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 06:25:01 oste CRON[1108114]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 05:17:01 oste CRON[1075000]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 20:17:01 oste CRON[812031]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 10:17:01 oste CRON[941183]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 00:17:01 oste CRON[2055996]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 02:17:01 oste CRON[3517986]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 05:26:01 oste CRON[378063]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 06:17:01 oste CRON[1104270]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 11:41:08 oste systemd-logind[689]: New session 56 of user ubuntu.
    May  3 12:43:49 oste sshd[136876]: pam_unix(sshd:session): session closed for user ubuntu
    May  2 05:26:01 oste CRON[1079376]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 11:17:01 oste CRON[549130]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 10:17:01 oste CRON[2347753]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 15:17:01 oste CRON[54701]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 05:17:01 oste CRON[2201885]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 04:17:01 oste CRON[642709]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 03:17:01 oste CRON[3547176]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 13:17:01 oste CRON[607450]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 19:17:01 oste CRON[195766]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 06:17:01 oste CRON[3634791]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 14:17:01 oste CRON[25510]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 00:17:01 oste CRON[3459621]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 18:17:01 oste CRON[1179850]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 22:17:01 oste CRON[3401161]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 13:17:01 oste CRON[2435299]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 05:26:01 oste CRON[3609994]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 03:10:01 oste CRON[311407]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 16:17:01 oste CRON[1822503]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 02:17:01 oste CRON[285630]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 18:06:00 oste sshd[136876]: pam_unix(sshd:session): session opened for user ubuntu by (uid=0)
    May  2 05:26:01 oste CRON[1079376]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 03:17:01 oste CRON[1442653]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 16:17:01 oste CRON[3927307]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 03:17:01 oste CRON[1016564]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 03:17:01 oste CRON[2844985]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 14:17:01 oste CRON[1764146]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 03:10:01 oste CRON[1013170]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 11:17:01 oste CRON[1250843]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 10:17:01 oste CRON[3751632]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 08:17:01 oste CRON[2289431]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 04:17:01 oste CRON[1045765]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 01:17:01 oste CRON[958159]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 03:10:01 oste CRON[2140141]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 08:17:01 oste CRON[2289431]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 03:17:02 oste CRON[593109]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 06:25:03 oste CRON[2234896]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 05:17:01 oste CRON[2903403]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 02:17:01 oste CRON[1413480]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 06:47:01 oste CRON[417642]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 08:17:01 oste CRON[3693221]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 03:30:01 oste CRON[321134]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 16:17:01 oste CRON[2523366]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 13:17:01 oste CRON[2435299]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 05:26:01 oste CRON[2907795]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 21:17:01 oste CRON[2669336]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 00:17:01 oste CRON[1355067]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 05:26:01 oste CRON[2907795]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 03:17:01 oste CRON[1442653]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 11:40:14 oste systemd: pam_unix(systemd-user:session): session opened for user ubuntu by (uid=0)
    May  5 00:17:01 oste CRON[2055996]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 06:47:01 oste CRON[417642]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 00:17:01 oste CRON[3459621]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 10:17:01 oste CRON[1647060]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 12:17:01 oste CRON[2406092]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 20:17:01 oste CRON[4044082]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 07:17:01 oste CRON[2963261]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 20:17:01 oste CRON[1939126]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 11:40:14 oste sshd[1262149]: Accepted password for ubuntu from 192.168.1.22 port 1292 ssh2
    May  4 05:17:01 oste CRON[1500950]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 01:17:01 oste CRON[3488813]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 05:26:01 oste CRON[2206242]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 01:17:01 oste CRON[958159]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 05:17:01 oste CRON[2903403]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 09:17:01 oste CRON[3021639]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 18:05:59 oste sshd[136865]: pam_unix(sshd:session): session opened for user ubuntu by (uid=0)
    May  7 13:17:01 oste CRON[3839153]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 08:17:01 oste CRON[841829]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 07:17:01 oste CRON[1559516]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 11:41:09 oste systemd-logind[689]: Removed session 56.
    May  3 01:17:01 oste CRON[493822]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 06:17:01 oste CRON[402854]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 09:17:01 oste CRON[1192421]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 13:17:02 oste CRON[3138359]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 16:17:01 oste CRON[3225975]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 13:17:02 oste CRON[3138359]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 07:17:01 oste CRON[2963261]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 09:17:01 oste CRON[2318577]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 06:52:01 oste CRON[420073]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 03:10:01 oste CRON[1013170]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 17:17:01 oste CRON[2552504]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 09:17:01 oste CRON[3722418]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 19:17:01 oste CRON[782833]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 21:17:01 oste CRON[2669336]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 15:17:01 oste CRON[1092309]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 23:17:01 oste CRON[2026746]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 17:17:01 oste CRON[1851692]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 21:17:01 oste CRON[1968253]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 18:06:00 oste systemd-logind[692]: New session 7 of user ubuntu.
    May  7 03:10:01 oste CRON[3543783]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 15:17:01 oste CRON[1793314]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 11:40:15 oste sshd[1262191]: Accepted password for ubuntu from 192.168.1.22 port 1293 ssh2
    May  1 03:10:01 oste CRON[311407]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 23:17:01 oste CRON[4131682]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 04:17:01 oste CRON[1471862]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 14:17:01 oste CRON[3167526]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 21:17:01 oste CRON[841187]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 01:17:01 oste CRON[2085180]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 07:17:01 oste CRON[432249]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 20:17:01 oste CRON[2640090]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 18:17:01 oste CRON[1880872]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 22:17:01 oste CRON[870498]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 15:17:01 oste CRON[3897570]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 18:06:00 oste sshd[136876]: Accepted password for ubuntu from 192.168.1.6 port 1342 ssh2
    May  7 12:17:01 oste CRON[3810029]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 20:17:01 oste CRON[3342659]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 18:05:59 oste sshd[136865]: Accepted password for ubuntu from 192.168.1.6 port 1341 ssh2
    May  2 11:40:16 oste systemd-logind[689]: New session 55 of user ubuntu.
    May  1 06:25:01 oste CRON[406854]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 17:17:01 oste CRON[113016]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 12:17:01 oste CRON[3109160]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 21:17:01 oste CRON[295156]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 19:17:01 oste CRON[2610910]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 06:17:01 oste CRON[1530213]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 09:17:01 oste CRON[1617905]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 10:50:30 oste systemd-logind[692]: Session 5 logged out. Waiting for processes to exit.
    May  2 21:17:01 oste CRON[295156]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 06:52:01 oste CRON[420073]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 22:17:01 oste CRON[4102540]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 05:26:01 oste CRON[1505321]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 18:17:01 oste CRON[1179850]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 10:17:01 oste CRON[3050853]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 02:17:01 oste CRON[543524]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 12:15:46 oste sshd[975]: Server listening on 0.0.0.0 port 22.
    May  2 11:41:08 oste sshd[1263109]: pam_unix(sshd:session): session opened for user ubuntu by (uid=0)
    May  2 22:17:01 oste CRON[344846]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 11:40:14 oste sshd[1262149]: pam_unix(sshd:session): session opened for user ubuntu by (uid=0)
    May  7 17:17:01 oste CRON[3956491]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 06:17:01 oste CRON[742438]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 17:17:01 oste CRON[3956491]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 18:17:01 oste CRON[146173]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 05:17:01 oste CRON[373662]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 01:17:01 oste CRON[256431]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 06:25:04 oste CRON[1108114]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 15:17:01 oste CRON[2494193]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 13:17:01 oste CRON[1033848]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 02:17:01 oste CRON[2815834]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 23:17:01 oste CRON[3430346]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 18:05:59 oste systemd: pam_unix(systemd-user:session): session opened for user ubuntu by (uid=0)
    May  2 11:40:15 oste sshd[1262191]: pam_unix(sshd:session): session opened for user ubuntu by (uid=0)
    May  3 21:17:01 oste CRON[1267438]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 16:17:01 oste CRON[83834]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 19:17:01 oste CRON[1209034]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 11:17:01 oste CRON[1676227]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 12:17:01 oste CRON[578277]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 23:17:01 oste CRON[899741]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 02:17:01 oste CRON[987337]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 05:17:01 oste CRON[692819]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 18:17:01 oste CRON[3985692]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 21:17:01 oste CRON[1968253]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 11:41:08 oste sshd[1263109]: Accepted password for ubuntu from 192.168.1.22 port 1298 ssh2
    May  2 20:17:01 oste CRON[245421]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 21:17:01 oste CRON[1267438]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 01:17:01 oste CRON[2786768]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 21:17:01 oste CRON[841187]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 08:17:01 oste CRON[1588710]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 06:25:01 oste CRON[1534112]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 20:17:01 oste CRON[1238241]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 08:17:01 oste CRON[1162793]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 06:17:01 oste CRON[1104270]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 08:17:01 oste CRON[3693221]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 19:17:01 oste CRON[195766]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 01:17:01 oste CRON[2085180]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 08:17:01 oste CRON[461471]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 14:17:01 oste CRON[3167526]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 03:17:01 oste CRON[2143583]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 14:17:01 oste CRON[1764146]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 05:17:01 oste CRON[692819]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 07:17:01 oste CRON[3664018]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 00:17:01 oste CRON[444190]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 07:17:01 oste CRON[432249]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 09:17:01 oste CRON[1192421]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 21:17:01 oste CRON[3371963]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 11:17:01 oste CRON[3079998]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 20:17:01 oste CRON[3342659]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 06:25:04 oste CRON[2937969]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 08:17:01 oste CRON[841829]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 22:30:56 oste su: (to root) ubuntu on pts/0
    May  7 19:17:01 oste CRON[4014877]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 14:17:01 oste CRON[636688]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 18:17:01 oste CRON[3284292]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 02:17:01 oste CRON[2815834]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 03:17:01 oste CRON[2844985]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 02:17:01 oste CRON[543524]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 03:10:01 oste CRON[1439217]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 04:17:01 oste CRON[1471862]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 22:30:56 oste sudo:   ubuntu : TTY=pts/0 ; PWD=/home/ubuntu/ctf-temp ; USER=root ; COMMAND=/usr/bin/su
    May  7 05:17:01 oste CRON[3605638]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 01:17:01 oste CRON[2786768]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 03:10:01 oste CRON[1439217]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 06:25:01 oste CRON[3638689]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 17:17:01 oste CRON[2552504]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 05:26:01 oste CRON[378063]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 19:17:01 oste CRON[1910040]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 16:17:01 oste CRON[1121498]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 06:17:01 oste CRON[1530213]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 03:30:01 oste CRON[321134]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 23:17:01 oste CRON[2727917]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 04:17:01 oste CRON[2172738]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 08:17:01 oste CRON[2992456]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 12:17:01 oste CRON[1004867]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 13:17:01 oste CRON[1735061]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 12:17:01 oste CRON[578277]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 16:17:01 oste CRON[2523366]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 05:17:01 oste CRON[3605638]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 12:43:49 oste systemd-logind[692]: Removed session 7.
    May  2 12:15:46 oste sshd[975]: Server listening on :: port 22.
    May  1 09:17:01 oste CRON[490708]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 03:17:01 oste CRON[314793]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 11:17:01 oste CRON[3079998]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 22:17:01 oste CRON[4102540]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 02:17:01 oste CRON[1413480]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 12:17:01 oste CRON[1004867]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 05:26:01 oste CRON[700261]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 17:17:01 oste CRON[3255153]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 19:17:01 oste CRON[4014877]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 13:17:01 oste CRON[1033848]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 06:17:01 oste CRON[2230970]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 00:17:01 oste CRON[1355067]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 23:17:01 oste CRON[1325802]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 11:17:01 oste CRON[3780835]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 10:17:01 oste CRON[1221632]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 01:17:01 oste CRON[1384263]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 08:17:01 oste CRON[2992456]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 14:17:01 oste CRON[1063078]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 07:17:01 oste CRON[3664018]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 15:17:01 oste CRON[3897570]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 04:17:01 oste CRON[2874186]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 06:17:01 oste CRON[742438]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 07:17:01 oste CRON[1133607]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 16:17:01 oste CRON[83834]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 09:17:01 oste CRON[490708]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 02:17:01 oste CRON[3517986]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 23:17:01 oste CRON[899741]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 10:17:01 oste CRON[1221632]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 03:17:01 oste CRON[2143583]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 01:17:01 oste CRON[1384263]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 05:17:01 oste CRON[1075000]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 00:17:01 oste CRON[928914]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 19:17:01 oste CRON[3313501]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 06:25:01 oste CRON[2234896]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 11:17:01 oste CRON[549130]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 03:17:01 oste CRON[3547176]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 11:17:01 oste CRON[2376946]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 02:17:01 oste CRON[285630]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 05:26:01 oste CRON[3609994]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 09:17:01 oste CRON[3021639]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 10:17:01 oste CRON[3751632]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 03:10:01 oste CRON[3543783]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 06:25:03 oste CRON[3638689]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 03:10:01 oste CRON[587411]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 12:43:49 oste systemd-logind[692]: Session 7 logged out. Waiting for processes to exit.
    May  1 14:17:01 oste CRON[636688]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 05:17:01 oste CRON[1500950]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 19:17:01 oste CRON[1209034]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 00:17:01 oste CRON[444190]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 20:17:01 oste CRON[1238241]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 11:41:09 oste systemd-logind[689]: Session 56 logged out. Waiting for processes to exit.
    May  6 03:10:01 oste CRON[2841595]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 05:17:01 oste CRON[373662]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 06:25:01 oste CRON[749089]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 12:17:01 oste CRON[1705870]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 08:17:01 oste CRON[1162793]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 10:17:01 oste CRON[1647060]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 11:17:01 oste CRON[3780835]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 18:17:01 oste CRON[3985692]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 05:17:01 oste CRON[2201885]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 02:17:01 oste CRON[2114379]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 18:17:01 oste CRON[2581643]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 23:17:01 oste CRON[1325802]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 06:17:01 oste CRON[2934066]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 13:17:01 oste CRON[3839153]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 10:17:01 oste CRON[3050853]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 01:17:01 oste CRON[493822]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 22:17:01 oste CRON[1997548]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 03:17:01 oste CRON[1016564]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 23:17:01 oste CRON[394537]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 06:17:01 oste CRON[402854]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 22:17:01 oste CRON[1296667]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 15:17:01 oste CRON[665913]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 03:17:02 oste CRON[593109]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 17:17:01 oste CRON[1150663]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 17:17:01 oste CRON[3255153]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 12:17:01 oste CRON[3810029]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 18:17:01 oste CRON[753570]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 15:17:01 oste CRON[2494193]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 11:40:14 oste systemd-logind[689]: New session 53 of user ubuntu.
    May  6 15:17:01 oste CRON[3196752]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 11:41:09 oste sshd[1263109]: pam_unix(sshd:session): session closed for user ubuntu
    May  4 09:17:01 oste CRON[1617905]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 14:17:01 oste CRON[1063078]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 04:17:01 oste CRON[1045765]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 11:17:01 oste CRON[976142]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 11:17:01 oste CRON[1676227]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 04:17:01 oste CRON[3576410]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 06:25:01 oste CRON[2937969]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 08:17:01 oste CRON[1588710]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 22:17:01 oste CRON[1296667]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 06:25:22 oste CRON[406854]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 00:17:01 oste CRON[2757107]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 05:26:01 oste CRON[700261]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 11:17:01 oste CRON[1250843]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 14:17:01 oste CRON[3868360]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 01:17:01 oste CRON[256431]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 12:17:01 oste CRON[1292919]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 15:17:01 oste CRON[3196752]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 02:17:01 oste CRON[987337]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 14:17:01 oste CRON[3868360]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  3 10:50:30 oste systemd-logind[692]: Removed session 5.
    May  3 15:17:01 oste CRON[1092309]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 20:17:01 oste CRON[1939126]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 07:17:01 oste CRON[792193]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 15:17:01 oste CRON[54701]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 10:50:30 oste sshd[136865]: pam_unix(sshd:session): session closed for user ubuntu
    May  6 22:17:01 oste CRON[3401161]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 17:17:02 oste CRON[724370]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 20:17:01 oste CRON[2640090]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 22:30:56 oste sudo: pam_unix(sudo:session): session opened for user root by ubuntu(uid=0)
    May  2 12:17:01 oste CRON[1292919]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 22:17:01 oste CRON[870498]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 15:17:01 oste CRON[665913]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 16:17:01 oste CRON[3927307]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 10:17:01 oste CRON[519917]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 11:17:01 oste CRON[2376946]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 04:17:01 oste CRON[344468]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 10:17:01 oste CRON[519917]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 14:17:01 oste CRON[25510]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 04:17:01 oste CRON[344468]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 06:25:03 oste CRON[1534112]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  5 02:17:01 oste CRON[2114379]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 18:17:01 oste CRON[146173]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 17:17:01 oste CRON[1851692]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  6 16:17:01 oste CRON[3225975]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 12:17:01 oste CRON[3109160]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 20:17:01 oste CRON[4044082]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 19:17:01 oste CRON[1910040]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 21:17:01 oste CRON[3371963]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 20:17:01 oste CRON[812031]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 15:17:01 oste CRON[1793314]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 19:17:01 oste CRON[782833]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 01:17:01 oste CRON[3488813]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  2 12:15:45 oste systemd-logind[692]: New seat seat0.
    May  2 22:17:01 oste CRON[344846]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 08:17:01 oste CRON[461471]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 10:17:01 oste CRON[941183]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 00:17:01 oste CRON[2757107]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 04:17:01 oste CRON[642709]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  1 03:17:01 oste CRON[314793]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  6 04:17:01 oste CRON[2874186]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  7 23:17:01 oste CRON[4131682]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  4 07:17:01 oste CRON[1559516]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  4 23:17:01 oste CRON[2026746]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  1 00:17:01 oste CRON[227288]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  7 04:17:01 oste CRON[3576410]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)
    May  5 22:17:01 oste CRON[2698609]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  3 06:25:22 oste CRON[749089]: pam_unix(cron:session): session closed for user root
    May  2 07:17:01 oste CRON[1133607]: pam_unix(cron:session): session opened for user root by (uid=0)

Assuming you've been given the jumbled log file above to sort according to the date & time, we can do so as follows: `sort -k 2n auth.log` Basically, here we want to sort the second column which is the date column. This automatically aligns with the time column and CRON values. ![image](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/58165365/168168248-c062bf14-5a40-4ae2-8025-e839e1d11d4b.png) Now lets assume we've been told to sort the log file and and show all successful login attempts and their timestamps in the correct order.
  root@oste:/home/ubuntu/sort# sort -k 2n auth.log | grep "Accepted password for"
May  2 11:40:14 oste sshd[1262149]: Accepted password for ubuntu from 192.168.1.22 port 1292 ssh2
May  2 11:40:15 oste sshd[1262191]: Accepted password for ubuntu from 192.168.1.22 port 1293 ssh2
May  2 11:41:08 oste sshd[1263109]: Accepted password for ubuntu from 192.168.1.22 port 1298 ssh2
May  2 18:05:59 oste sshd[136865]: Accepted password for ubuntu from 192.168.1.6 port 1341 ssh2
May  2 18:06:00 oste sshd[136876]: Accepted password for ubuntu from 192.168.1.


Linux, Swiss Tools
sort
This post is licensed under CC BY 4.0 by the author.

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