dc == `dc` can be used with pretty obscure expressions. Here is an example, nearly asking you a question! (second line): dc -e '[<!][P[ ]P]sr[|]30 4+[p]5[ ]500d+300dZ73 16d6-r[PnPnPnPP]sa[sz-=r2;h*7+++[know ]lax]sb vv:ha7 d0 [you] sp[eak?] lbx' >! Output: `I know 1337 5p34|<!` Edit: splitting original answer into three different ones (`bash` and haskell proposals in separate posts)