ZPL is a simple configuration language. zq is a simple tool for processing streams of ZPL data.

Because we need simple configuration formats, and tools to work with them. ZPL is an excellent format, but lacks the convenience of a standalone tool for processing on the commandline.

Grab the latest version for your platform from the releases page and put it somewhere in your $PATH.

Given a ZPL file like this one (taken from the 4/ZPL RFC):

#
context
    iothreads = 1
    verbose = 1      #   Ask for a trace

main
    type = zmq_queue
    frontend
        option
            hwm = 1000
            swap = 25000000
            subscribe = "#2"
        bind = tcp://eth0:5555
    backend
        bind = tcp://eth0:5556
  

Using zq like this:

cat example.zpl | zq main frontend

Will output this:

option
  	  hwm = 1000
  	  swap = 25000000
  	  subscribe = #2
bind = tcp://eth0:5555

Using zq like this:

cat example.zpl | zq main backend bind

Will output this:

tcp://eth0:5556

zq is written in Crystal, with no external dependencies. Building it should be as simple as:

git clone https://github.com/colstrom/zq
cd zq
crystal build zq.cr

zq is available under the MIT License. See LICENSE.txt for the full text.

• Chris Olstrom | e-mail | Twitter