shuf

generate random permutations

TLDR

Randomize the order of lines in a file and output the result

$ shuf [path/to/file]

Only output the first 5 entries of the result

$ shuf --head-count=[5] [path/to/file]

Write the output to another file

$ shuf [path/to/input] --output=[path/to/output]

Generate 3 random numbers in the range 1-10 (inclusive)

$ shuf --head-count=[3] --input-range=[1-10] --repeat

SYNOPSIS

shuf [OPTION]... [FILE]
shuf -e [OPTION]... [ARG]...
shuf -i LO-HI [OPTION]...

DESCRIPTION

Write a random permutation of the input lines to standard output.

With no FILE, or when FILE is -, read standard input.

Mandatory arguments to long options are mandatory for short options too.

-e, --echo: treat each ARG as an input line
-i, --input-range=LO-HI: treat each number LO through HI as an input line
-n, --head-count=COUNT: output at most COUNT lines
-o, --output=FILE: write result to FILE instead of standard output
--random-source=FILE: get random bytes from FILE
-r, --repeat: output lines can be repeated
-z, --zero-terminated: line delimiter is NUL, not newline
--help: display this help and exit
--version: output version information and exit

REPORTING BUGS

GNU coreutils online help: <https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/>
Report any translation bugs to <https://translationproject.org/team/>

Copyright © 2022 Free Software Foundation, Inc. License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later <https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>.
This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.

AUTHOR

Written by Paul Eggert.