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From: boykin@custom.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.unix.questions
Subject: Re: Append file commands for Unix & ex/vi
Message-ID: <115@custom.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 14-Jan-87 12:37:03 EST
Article-I.D.: custom.115
Posted: Wed Jan 14 12:37:03 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 16-Jan-87 03:45:01 EST
Organization: Custom Software Systems; Natick, MA
Lines: 18


>Is there a way to append a range of text to a file from vi/ex (as opposed
>to 'w' which writes or over-writes)?

Both UNIX and PC/VI accept the command:

	:[1,$]w>> filename

which will append the specified line range, with the entire buffer being
the default, to the named file.  Commands which use the shell escape, such
as:
	:[!,$]w !cat >> file

will work, but are very inefficient; why invoke another process when
VI can do it for you?!?

Joe Boykin
Custom Software Systems
{decvax, mit-eddie, tektronix}!frog!custom!boykin