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ex command in Linux with examples

Last Updated : 31 Jul, 2023

ex (stands for extended) is a text editor in Linux which is also termed as the line editor mode of the vi editor. This editor simply provided some editing commands which has greater mobility. With the help of this editor, a user can easily move between files. Also, he/she has a lot of ways to transfer the text from one file to another. A user can quickly edit blocks of text larger than a single screen and also can make substitutions throughout a file for a given pattern by using the global replacement.

ex [options] [filename] 

The 'ex' command supports a wide range of options, allowing users to customize its behavior according to their preferences and requirements.

Note: The prompt for the ex command is the ':' character.

There are two ways to edit a file, either we can use an old file or we can create a new file.

Syntax:

% ex oldfile

Example:

Syntax:

% ex newfile 

Output:

This is the one of the most basic commands, p for print (to the screen). Suppose if you will type 1p at the prompt, then you will notice the first line of the file:

Syntax:

linenumber p

Example:

You can leave off the p because a line number by itself is equivalent to a print command for that line. Here, you can put a range of line numbers (e.g 1, 3) means the two numbers separated which are by commas. Here, the space is optional.

Syntax:

Starting LineNumber, Ending LineNumber

Example:

Allows you to substitute one word for another.

Syntax:

:LineNumber s/CurrentWord/NewWord/

Example:

To enter text in a new file we use a (short for append) command and the command i is used to inserting the text before the current line.

Syntax:

For Append

:a
This is the text
 

For inserting text before the current line.

:i
This is the text

Example:

The command w (short for 'write') is used to save your data.

Syntax:

w [filename]

Example:

This is used to delete the lines.

Syntax:

[line_range] d

Example:

Note: If no line number is given the current line will be deleted. It is possible to give a range of lines. For example 1, $d will delete the entire file.

Searches are carried out by including the search string in slashes ('/'): Note: The special characters '^' and '$' can be used to assist the search. For example /^This/ will find a line beginning and 'This'/file$/ will find a line ending in 'file'

Syntax:

/string/

Example:

Generally, these are executed in question marks ('?') by including the search string. The search will start at the current line and search backward through the file.

Syntax:

?string?

Example:

The command q (short for 'quit') is used to quit the editor.

Syntax:

quit! or q!

Example:

It will navigate you back to the bash

The g command (for 'global') is used to make multiple substitutions on a line.

Syntax:

s/old/new/g

Example:

Print a brief help message.

Syntax:

h

Example:

The j command (for 'join') is used to join the text. We can also add! to prevent whitespaces.

Syntax:

[starting LineNumber, ending LineNumber]j!

Example 1:

1, 5j!     Join first five lines, preserving whitespace

In this article we had a detailed explanation of the 'ex' command and its commands provides readers with a solid understanding of how to utilize this powerful text editor in Linux. The examples we have discussed provide help in illustrating the practical usage of each command, making it easier for users to apply them in their own text editing tasks.

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