Sometimes there is a requirement of matching exact word using grep command for this grep function has one optional parameter and other wildcards to make sure correct word/string is picked.
eg : Let's say we have a file with names Jack and Jacky if we use :
$ cat names.txt |grep Jack
Jack
Jacky
Output would be both to avoid this and only output Jack we can use below 3 methods:
1: -w option
$ cat names.txt | grep -w Jack
Jack
2 : \b characters
$ cat names.txt |grep "\bJack\b"
Jack
3: \< characters
$ cat names.txt |grep "\<Jack\>"
Jack
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