How to replace a full column in vi

procfs · 07-19-2006, 04:32 AM

Hi

How do I replace a full collum (each row is not identical) in vi

or

How can I delete files older than a date

Regards
Asanka

taylor_venable · 07-19-2006, 09:02 AM

As for changing columns, if you don't have to do it in an editor, you can use awk instead. Awk was created for just this sort of task.

To delete files older than a certain time, first create a dummy file which represents that time.

Code:

touch -t 200607191013.22 compared_time

Then you can use this as a comparison value in the find command.

Code:

find . -not -newer compared_time -delete

Please try this code in a safe place before using it to really delete files (e.g. replace -delete with -print in the find command).

tuxdev · 07-19-2006, 09:30 AM

In vim, you can use Ctrl-v in order to select a column.

lockpicker · 07-19-2006, 09:49 AM

Since you're going about with vim, try using vitutor to get your hands working properly with vim!!

koobi · 07-19-2006, 10:42 AM

well you can select a whole column by:

Code:

<esc>v}

then you can hit <esc>p to paste what's in your buffer like you would normally.

jlliagre · 07-19-2006, 11:22 AM

Good old vi can replace a column (space separated) by a constant string like this:

Code:

:g/^\([^ ]*\) \([^ ]*\) \(.*\)$/s//\1 new_column_2 \3/

procfs · 07-19-2006, 09:14 PM

Hay guys thanks

Regards

Asanka