replace the string

QWE123 · 08-05-2015, 10:28 AM

I have a file , the content as below ,

#vi file

Code:

aaa bbb ccc ddd

I would like to remove the string "bbb ccc" , I use the below command

Code:

sed -i 's/bbb ccc//g' file

the output file will be changed to as below

Code:

"aaa     dddd"

it seems works but there are space between "aaa" and "ddd" , what I need is cut the character but remove the space , the output should be as below , would advise what can I do ? thanks

Code:

"aaa ddd"

rtmistler · 08-05-2015, 11:17 AM

That's confusing. You're illustration shows a lot of spaces between the aaa and ddd, and adds a d to the term. And then you say it should show just a single space.

If you know you have "term SPACE term SPACE term SPACE term" then you account for those spaces in your sed search and replace term. You should use single quotes to surround the entire term and delimit your spaces with backslash.

Try:

Code:

sed -i 's/'\ bbb\ ccc\ '//g' <file>

and you should get just "aaaddd" and then it's a matter of what spaces you choose to delete versus not in that first term.

You can or can not use the quotes around the entire sed term:

Code:

sed -i s/'\ bbb\ ccc\ '//g <file>

QWE123 · 08-05-2015, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtmistler

That's confusing. You're illustration shows a lot of spaces between the aaa and ddd, and adds a d to the term. And then you say it should show just a single space.

If you know you have "term SPACE term SPACE term SPACE term" then you account for those spaces in your sed search and replace term. You should use single quotes to surround the entire term and delimit your spaces with backslash.

Try:

Code:

sed -i 's/'\ bbb\ ccc\ //g' <file>

and you should get just "aaaddd" and then it's a matter of what spaces you choose to delete versus not in that first term.

You can or can not use the quotes around the entire sed term:

Code:

sed -i s/'\ bbb\ ccc\ '//g <file>

thanks reply ,

your first example can not be run , it seems missing a quote , would advise what should be the command ? thank

Code:

sed -i 's/'\ bbb\ ccc\ //g' <file>

rtmistler · 08-06-2015, 07:07 AM

Sorry, edited my original to put the quote properly in.