Batch editing files with ed

#1

Post by weinzierl » Sat, May 12, 2018, 12:31 PM UTC

Batch editing files with ed
jvns.ca

Re: Batch editing files with ed

#2

Post by [deleted] » Sat, May 12, 2018, 5:06 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Batch editing files with ed

#3

Post by tincholio » Sat, May 12, 2018, 5:20 PM UTC

?

Re: Batch editing files with ed

#4

Post by rav » Sat, May 12, 2018, 5:45 PM UTC

In practice I often use Vim instead.

    :args file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt
    :set autowrite
    :argdo norm /- baz/yypwCelephants

The commands set the argument list to a list of three files (by default, it is set to the filenames you passed to vim on the command-line). Then, autowrite is enabled which automatically saves each buffer after editing it. Finally, argdo runs a command on each argument file.

Re: Batch editing files with ed

#5

Post by simplicio » Sat, May 12, 2018, 6:05 PM UTC

When I first encountered the command-line in college my Prof introduced me to VI and the basic bash commands, but I wasn't familiar with any other scripting languages, (or even, if memory serves, the concept of a 'scripting language'). As a result, I ended up creating a pretty dizzying array of ed scripts until someone introduced me to sed and the fact you can use bash as a scripting language.

Re: Batch editing files with ed

#6

Post by zokier » Sat, May 12, 2018, 6:09 PM UTC

There is also ex, which is sort of cousin of ed, but also closer to nowdays more familiar vi(m).

Re: Batch editing files with ed

#7

Post by John_KZ » Sat, May 12, 2018, 6:19 PM UTC

I've recently used EDLIN from an 80s version of MS-DOS.

After spending 5 minutes with the manual, I realized it was the best line editor I've ever used.

ed is very similar, but it doesn't come with a nice manual. The info page is chaotic and doesn't start from the beginning. You can cover typical usage in 5 lines, but no, you have to read through 25 pages of stuff just to figure out a sensible command. I just use vim or nano.

Re: Batch editing files with ed

#8

Post by KC8ZKF » Sat, May 12, 2018, 6:23 PM UTC

  sed s/baz/baz\\nelephants/

Re: Batch editing files with ed

#9

Post by yjftsjthsd-h » Sat, May 12, 2018, 6:28 PM UTC

John_KZ wrote: post #7

I've recently used EDLIN from an 80s version of MS-DOS. After spending 5 minutes with the manual, I realized it was the best line editor I've ever used. ed is very similar, but it doesn't come with a nice manual. The info page is chaotic and doesn't start from the beginning. You can cover typical usage in 5 lines, but no, you have to read through 25 pages of stuff just to figure out a sensible command. I just use vim…

That seems to be the theme of all info pages, and most GNU manpages. I suppose it beats no docs at least.

Re: Batch editing files with ed

#10

Post by oblio » Sat, May 12, 2018, 6:40 PM UTC

rav wrote: post #4

In practice I often use Vim instead. :args file1.txt file2.txt file3.txt :set autowrite :argdo norm /- baz/ yypwCelephants The commands set the argument list to a list of three files (by default, it is set to the filenames you passed to vim on the command-line). Then, autowrite is enabled which automatically saves each buffer after editing it. Finally, argdo runs a command on each argument file.

You can even: https://stackoverflow.com/a/23237529