How can fields be extracted in Splunk searches?

Fields can be extracted in Splunk searches through several commands designed for this purpose, including rex, spath, and table. The rex command allows users to extract fields from events using regular expressions, making it very flexible for various data types. The spath command is particularly useful for extracting fields from structured data formats like JSON or XML, allowing users to navigate and query hierarchical data effectively. The table command, while primarily used for formatting output, can also play a role in field extraction by helping to display extracted fields in a structured manner.

Relying solely on the eval command is limiting, as it is primarily intended for creating or modifying fields rather than extracting them from raw event data. Manual scripting, while a possible method to define complex field extractions, is not the most efficient or user-friendly approach for extracting fields in Splunk searches. Therefore, the combination of rex, spath, and table commands is the most effective and versatile way to perform field extractions within Splunk.