can I replace text with the result of "wc" using sed?

BrianK · 04-21-2004, 12:28 AM

I'm trying to send an automated report.

I have a file I want to mail to myself. In that file, I want to replace xxxx with the result of "wc -l somefile". I've tried:

sed s/xxxx/`wc -l somefile`/g message

but I get the message:

sed: -e expression #1, char 7: Unterminated `s' command

Am I missing a flag? Should it not be a s///g type of sed?

Thanks.

david_ross · 04-21-2004, 01:15 PM

What about putting the expression in quotes:
sed 's/xxxx/`wc -l somefile`/g' message