This is a common dilemma I think encountered with anyone who had worked with large software base. Single variable name or some change of implementation, and need to replace every occurrence of that name in every file in throughout the code base.

I am tasked with major overhaul and wondering is there any code/software or easy to use shell script can be made so that this can be done.

For example, I need to replace every <string1> with <string2> in every file, with extension .py, RECURSIVELY in certain directory.

2 members found this post helpful.

The solution by keefaz is generally applicable.

However, if we talk about symbols in program code, many IDEs have refactoring-capabilities. As you mention “the common dilemma”, I had often done this kind of refactoring in Java-code with the help of some Eclipse- or RSA-functionality and in C++/Qt-code with Qt-Creator. Even if I ignore the tools that are already invented for Python, there should be an established procedure for this language, too. Or you should take keefaz' command-example and store it as a macro, somewhere...

Each solution has its pitfalls.

thanks, my dev environment is very simple not using IDE, just using nano as text editor. So I will give a try on keefaze script.