11.13 Syntax of ex Commands
To enter an ex command from vi, type:
:[address] command [options]
An initial : indicates an ex
command. As you type the command, it is echoed on the status line.
Enter the command by pressing Return. address is
the line number or range of lines that are the object of
command. options and
addresses are described in the following
sections. ex commands are described
in the alphabetical summary.
11.13.1 Options
- !
-
Indicates a variant command form, overriding the normal behavior.
- count
-
The number of times the command is to be repeated. Unlike vi commands, the count
comes after the command, not before it. Numbers preceding an
ex command are considered to be part
of the address. For example, 3d deletes line 3; d3 deletes 3 lines beginning with the current
line.
- file
-
The name of a file that is affected by the command. % stands for current file; # stands for previous file.
11.13.2 Addresses
If no address is given, the current line is the object of the
command. If the address specifies a range of lines, the format is:
x,y
where x and y are the first
and last addressed lines (x must precede
y in the buffer). x and
y may be line numbers or symbols. Using ;
instead of , sets the current line to x before
interpreting y.
11.13.3 Address Symbols
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1,$
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All lines in the file
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%
|
All lines; same as 1,$
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x,y
|
Lines x through y
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x;y
|
Lines x through y, with
current line reset to x
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0
|
Top of file
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.
|
Current line
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n
|
Absolute line number n
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$
|
Last line
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x-n
|
n lines before x
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x+n
|
n lines after x
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-[n]
|
One or n lines previous
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+[n]
|
One or n lines ahead
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'x
|
Line marked with x
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''
|
Previous mark
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/pattern/
|
Forward to line matching pattern
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?pattern?
|
Backward to line matching pattern
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See Chapter 9 for more information on using
patterns.
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