Computer Science Division
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, Ca. 94720
_A_B_S_T_R_A_C_T
_E_x a line oriented text editor, which sup-
ports both command and display oriented editing.
This reference manual describes the command
oriented part of _e_x; the display editing features
of _e_x are described in _A_n _I_n_t_r_o_d_u_c_t_i_o_n _t_o _D_i_s_p_l_a_y
_E_d_i_t_i_n_g _w_i_t_h _V_i. Other documents about the editor
include the introduction _E_d_i_t: _A _t_u_t_o_r_i_a_l, the
_E_x/_e_d_i_t _C_o_m_m_a_n_d _S_u_m_m_a_r_y, and a _V_i _Q_u_i_c_k _R_e_f_e_r_e_n_c_e
card.
_1. _S_t_a_r_t_i_n_g _e_x
Each instance of the editor has a set of options, which
can be set to tailor it to your liking. The command _e_d_i_t
invokes a version of _e_x designed for more casual or begin-
ning users by changing the default settings of some of these
options. To simplify the description which follows we
assume the default settings of the options.
When invoked, _e_x determines the terminal type from the
TERM variable in the environment. It there is a TERMCAP
variable in the environment, and the type of the terminal
described there matches the TERM variable, then that
description is used. Also if the TERMCAP variable contains
a pathname (beginning with a ////) then the editor will seek
the description of the terminal in that file (rather than
the default /etc/termcap). If there is a variable EXINIT in
the environment, then the editor will execute the commands
_________________________
The financial support of an IBM Graduate Fellowship and
the National Science Foundation under grants MCS74-
07644-A03 and MCS78-07291 is gratefully acknowledged.
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in that variable, otherwise if there is a file ._e_x_r_c in your
HOME directory _e_x reads commands from that file, simulating
a _s_o_u_r_c_e command. Option setting commands placed in EXINIT
or ._e_x_r_c will be executed before each editor session.
A command to enter _e_x has the following prototype:|-
The most common case edits a single file with no options,
i.e.:
eeeexxxx name
The - command line option option suppresses all
interactive-user feedback and is useful in processing editor
scripts in command files. The -_v option is equivalent to
using _v_i rather than _e_x. The -_t option is equivalent to an
initial _t_a_g command, editing the file containing the _t_a_g and
positioning the editor at its definition. The -_r option is
used in recovering after an editor or system crash, retriev-
ing the last saved version of the named file or, if no file
is specified, typing a list of saved files. The -_l option
sets up for editing LISP, setting the _s_h_o_w_m_a_t_c_h and _l_i_s_p
options. The -_w option sets the default window size to _n,
and is useful on dialups to start in small windows. The -_x
option causes _e_x to prompt for a _k_e_y, which is used to
encrypt and decrypt the contents of the file, which should
already be encrypted using the same key, see _c_r_y_p_t(1). The
-_R option sets the _r_e_a_d_o_n_l_y option at the start. _N_a_m_e argu-
ments indicate files to be edited. An argument of the form
++++_c_o_m_m_a_n_d indicates that the editor should begin by executing
the specified command. If _c_o_m_m_a_n_d is omitted, then it
defaults to ``$'', positioning the editor at the last line
of the first file initially. Other useful commands here are
scanning patterns of the form ``/pat'' or line numbers, e.g.
``+100'' starting at line 100.
_2. _F_i_l_e _m_a_n_i_p_u_l_a_t_i_o_n
_2._1. _C_u_r_r_e_n_t _f_i_l_e
_E_x is normally editing the contents of a single file,
whose name is recorded in the _c_u_r_r_e_n_t file name. _E_x per-
forms all editing actions in a buffer (actually a temporary
file) into which the text of the file is initially read.
Changes made to the buffer have no effect on the file being
edited unless and until the buffer contents are written out
to the file with a _w_r_i_t_e command. After the buffer contents
are written, the previous contents of the written file are
no longer accessible. When a file is edited, its name
_________________________
|- Brackets `[' `]' surround optional parameters here.
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becomes the current file name, and its contents are read
into the buffer.
The current file is almost always considered to be
_e_d_i_t_e_d. This means that the contents of the buffer are log-
ically connected with the current file name, so that writing
the current buffer contents onto that file, even if it
exists, is a reasonable action. If the current file is not
_e_d_i_t_e_d then _e_x will not normally write on it if it already
exists.*
_2._2. _A_l_t_e_r_n_a_t_e _f_i_l_e
Each time a new value is given to the current file
name, the previous current file name is saved as the _a_l_t_e_r_-
_n_a_t_e file name. Similarly if a file is mentioned but does
not become the current file, it is saved as the alternate
file name.
_2._3. _F_i_l_e_n_a_m_e _e_x_p_a_n_s_i_o_n
Filenames within the editor may be specified using the
normal shell expansion conventions. In addition, the char-
acter `%' in filenames is replaced by the _c_u_r_r_e_n_t file name
and the character `#' by the _a_l_t_e_r_n_a_t_e file name.|-
If more than one file is given on the command line,
then the first file is edited as described above. The
remaining arguments are placed with the first file in the
_a_r_g_u_m_e_n_t _l_i_s_t. The current argument list may be displayed
with the _a_r_g_s command. The next file in the argument list
may be edited with the _n_e_x_t command. The argument list may
also be respecified by specifying a list of names to the
_n_e_x_t command. These names are expanded, the resulting list
of names becomes the new argument list, and _e_x edits the
first file on the list.
For saving blocks of text while editing, and especially
when editing more than one file, _e_x has a group of named
buffers. These are similar to the normal buffer, except
that only a limited number of operations are available on
them. The buffers have names _a through _z.|=
_________________________
* The _f_i_l_e command will say ``[Not edited]'' if the
current file is not considered edited.
|- This makes it easy to deal alternately with two files
and eliminates the need for retyping the name supplied
on an _e_d_i_t command after a _N_o _w_r_i_t_e _s_i_n_c_e _l_a_s_t _c_h_a_n_g_e
diagnostic is received.
|= It is also possible to refer to _A through _Z; the
upper case buffers are the same as the lower but
commands append to named buffers rather than replacing
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_2._5. _R_e_a_d _o_n_l_y
It is possible to use _e_x in _r_e_a_d _o_n_l_y mode to look at
files that you have no intention of modifying. This mode
protects you from accidently overwriting the file. Read
only mode is on when the _r_e_a_d_o_n_l_y option is set. It can be
turned on with the -_R command line option, by the _v_i_e_w com-
mand line invocation, or by setting the _r_e_a_d_o_n_l_y option. It
can be cleared by setting _n_o_r_e_a_d_o_n_l_y. It is possible to
write, even while in read only mode, by indicating that you
really know what you are doing. You can write to a dif-
ferent file, or can use the ! form of write, even while in
read only mode.
_3. _E_x_c_e_p_t_i_o_n_a_l _C_o_n_d_i_t_i_o_n_s
_3._1. _E_r_r_o_r_s _a_n_d _i_n_t_e_r_r_u_p_t_s
When errors occur _e_x (optionally) rings the terminal
bell and, in any case, prints an error diagnostic. If the
primary input is from a file, editor processing will ter-
minate. If an interrupt signal is received, _e_x prints
``Interrupt'' and returns to its command level. If the pri-
mary input is a file, then _e_x will exit when this occurs.
If a hangup signal is received and the buffer has been
modified since it was last written out, or if the system
crashes, either the editor (in the first case) or the system
(after it reboots in the second) will attempt to preserve
the buffer. The next time you log in you should be able to
recover the work you were doing, losing at most a few lines
of changes from the last point before the hangup or editor
crash. To recover a file you can use the -_r option. If you
were editing the file _r_e_s_u_m_e, then you should change to the
directory where you were when the crash occurred, giving the
command
eeeexxxx ----rrrr _r_e_s_u_m_e
After checking that the retrieved file is indeed ok, you can
_w_r_i_t_e it over the previous contents of that file.
You will normally get mail from the system telling you
when a file has been saved after a crash. The command
eeeexxxx -rrrr
will print a list of the files which have been saved for
you. (In the case of a hangup, the file will not appear in
_________________________
if upper case names are used.
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the list, although it can be recovered.)
_4. _E_d_i_t_i_n_g _m_o_d_e_s
_E_x has five distinct modes. The primary mode is _c_o_m_-
_m_a_n_d mode. Commands are entered in command mode when a `:'
prompt is present, and are executed each time a complete
line is sent. In _t_e_x_t _i_n_p_u_t mode _e_x gathers input lines and
places them in the file. The _a_p_p_e_n_d, _i_n_s_e_r_t, and _c_h_a_n_g_e
commands use text input mode. No prompt is printed when you
are in text input mode. This mode is left by typing a `.'
alone at the beginning of a line, and _c_o_m_m_a_n_d mode resumes.
The last three modes are _o_p_e_n and _v_i_s_u_a_l modes, entered
by the commands of the same name, and, within open and
visual modes _t_e_x_t _i_n_s_e_r_t_i_o_n mode. _O_p_e_n and _v_i_s_u_a_l modes
allow local editing operations to be performed on the text
in the file. The _o_p_e_n command displays one line at a time
on any terminal while _v_i_s_u_a_l works on CRT terminals with
random positioning cursors, using the screen as a (single)
window for file editing changes. These modes are described
(only) in _A_n _I_n_t_r_o_d_u_c_t_i_o_n _t_o _D_i_s_p_l_a_y _E_d_i_t_i_n_g _w_i_t_h _V_i.
_5. _C_o_m_m_a_n_d _s_t_r_u_c_t_u_r_e
Most command names are English words, and initial pre-
fixes of the words are acceptable abbreviations. The ambi-
guity of abbreviations is resolved in favor of the more com-
monly used commands.*
_5._1. _C_o_m_m_a_n_d _p_a_r_a_m_e_t_e_r_s
Most commands accept prefix addresses specifying the
lines in the file upon which they are to have effect. The
forms of these addresses will be discussed below. A number
of commands also may take a trailing _c_o_u_n_t specifying the
number of lines to be involved in the command.|- Thus the
command ``10p'' will print the tenth line in the buffer
while ``delete 5'' will delete five lines from the buffer,
starting with the current line.
Some commands take other information or parameters,
this information always being given after the command name.|=
_________________________
* As an example, the command _s_u_b_s_t_i_t_u_t_e can be
abbreviated `s' while the shortest available
abbreviation for the _s_e_t command is `se'.
|- Counts are rounded down if necessary.
|= Examples would be option names in a _s_e_t command i.e.
``set number'', a file name in an _e_d_i_t command, a
regular expression in a _s_u_b_s_t_i_t_u_t_e command, or a target
address for a _c_o_p_y command, i.e. ``1,5 copy 25''.
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_5._2. _C_o_m_m_a_n_d _v_a_r_i_a_n_t_s
A number of commands have two distinct variants. The
variant form of the command is invoked by placing an `!'
immediately after the command name. Some of the default
variants may be controlled by options; in this case, the `!'
serves to toggle the default.
_5._3. _F_l_a_g_s _a_f_t_e_r _c_o_m_m_a_n_d_s
The characters `#', `p' and `l' may be placed after
many commands.** In this case, the command abbreviated by
these characters is executed after the command completes.
Since _e_x normally prints the new current line after each
change, `p' is rarely necessary. Any number of `+' or `-'
characters may also be given with these flags. If they
appear, the specified offset is applied to the current line
value before the printing command is executed.
_5._4. _C_o_m_m_e_n_t_s
It is possible to give editor commands which are
ignored. This is useful when making complex editor scripts
for which comments are desired. The comment character is
the double quote: ". Any command line beginning with " is
ignored. Comments beginning with " may also be placed at
the ends of commands, except in cases where they could be
confused as part of text (shell escapes and the substitute
and map commands).
More than one command may be placed on a line by
separating each pair of commands by a `|' character. How-
ever the _g_l_o_b_a_l commands, comments, and the shell escape `!'
must be the last command on a line, as they are not ter-
minated by a `|'.
Most commands which change the contents of the editor
buffer give feedback if the scope of the change exceeds a
threshold given by the _r_e_p_o_r_t option. This feedback helps
to detect undesirably large changes so that they may be
quickly and easily reversed with an _u_n_d_o. After commands
with more global effect such as _g_l_o_b_a_l or _v_i_s_u_a_l, you will
be informed if the net change in the number of lines in the
buffer during this command exceeds this threshold.
_________________________
** A `p' or `l' must be preceded by a blank or tab
except in the single special case `dp'.
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_6. _C_o_m_m_a_n_d _a_d_d_r_e_s_s_i_n_g
_6._1. _A_d_d_r_e_s_s_i_n_g _p_r_i_m_i_t_i_v_e_s
... The current line. Most commands leave
the current line as the last line which
they affect. The default address for
most commands is the current line, thus
`....' is rarely used alone as an address.
_n The _nth line in the editor's buffer,
lines being numbered sequentially from
1.
$$$$ The last line in the buffer.
%%%% An abbreviation for ``1,$'', the entire
buffer.
+_n -_n An offset relative to the current buffer
line.|-
////_p_a_t//// ????_p_a_t???? Scan forward and backward respectively
for a line containing _p_a_t, a regular
expression (as defined below). The
scans normally wrap around the end of
the buffer. If all that is desired is
to print the next line containing _p_a_t,
then the trailing //// or ???? may be omitted.
If _p_a_t is omitted or explicitly empty,
then the last regular expression speci-
fied is located.|=
'''''''' ''''_x Before each non-relative motion of the
current line `....', the previous current
line is marked with a tag, subsequently
referred to as `'''. This makes it easy
to refer or return to this previous con-
text. Marks may also be established by
the _m_a_r_k command, using single lower
case letters _x and the marked lines
referred to as `'_x'.
Addresses to commands consist of a series of addressing
primitives, separated by `,' or `;'. Such address lists are
_________________________
|- The forms `.+3' `+3' and `+++' are all equivalent; if
the current line is line 100 they all address line 103.
|= The forms \\\\//// and \\\\???? scan using the last regular
expression used in a scan; after a substitute //////// and ????????
would scan using the substitute's regular expression.
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evaluated left-to-right. When addresses are separated by
`;' the current line `....' is set to the value of the previ-
ous addressing expression before the next address is inter-
preted. If more addresses are given than the command
requires, then all but the last one or two are ignored. If
the command takes two addresses, the first addressed line
must precede the second in the buffer.|-
_7. _C_o_m_m_a_n_d _d_e_s_c_r_i_p_t_i_o_n_s
The following form is a prototype for all _e_x commands:
All parts are optional; the degenerate case is the empty
command which prints the next line in the file. For sanity
with use from within _v_i_s_u_a_l mode, _e_x ignores a ``:'' preced-
ing any command.
In the following command descriptions, the default
addresses are shown in parentheses, which are _n_o_t, however,
part of the command.
9
aaaabbbbbbbbrrrreeeevvvviiiiaaaatttteeee _w_o_r_d _r_h_s abbr: aaaabbbb
Add the named abbreviation to the current list. When
in input mode in visual, if _w_o_r_d is typed as a complete
word, it will be changed to _r_h_s.
9
( .... ) aaaappppppppeeeennnndddd abbr: aaaa
_t_e_x_t
...
Reads the input text and places it after the specified
line. After the command, `....' addresses the last line
input or the specified line if no lines were input. If
address `0' is given, text is placed at the beginning
of the buffer.
9
aaaa!!!!
_t_e_x_t
...
The variant flag to _a_p_p_e_n_d toggles the setting for the
_a_u_t_o_i_n_d_e_n_t option during the input of _t_e_x_t.
9_________________________
|- Null address specifications are permitted in a list
of addresses, the default in this case is the current
line `.'; thus `,100' is equivalent to `....,100'. It is
an error to give a prefix address to a command which
expects none.
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aaaarrrrggggssss
The members of the argument list are printed, with the
current argument delimited by `[' and `]'.
9
( .... , .... ) cccchhhhaaaannnnggggeeee _c_o_u_n_t abbr: cccc
_t_e_x_t
...
Replaces the specified lines with the input _t_e_x_t. The
current line becomes the last line input; if no lines
were input it is left as for a _d_e_l_e_t_e.
9
cccc!!!!
_t_e_x_t
...
The variant toggles _a_u_t_o_i_n_d_e_n_t during the _c_h_a_n_g_e.
9
( .... , .... )ccccooooppppyyyy _a_d_d_r _f_l_a_g_s abbr: ccccoooo
A _c_o_p_y of the specified lines is placed after _a_d_d_r,
which may be `0'. The current line `....' addresses the
last line of the copy. The command _t is a synonym for
_c_o_p_y.
9
( .... , .... )ddddeeeelllleeeetttteeee _b_u_f_f_e_r _c_o_u_n_t _f_l_a_g_s abbr: dddd
Removes the specified lines from the buffer. The line
after the last line deleted becomes the current line;
if the lines deleted were originally at the end, the
new last line becomes the current line. If a named
_b_u_f_f_e_r is specified by giving a letter, then the speci-
fied lines are saved in that buffer, or appended to it
if an upper case letter is used.
9
eeeeddddiiiitttt _f_i_l_e abbr: eeee
eeeexxxx _f_i_l_e
Used to begin an editing session on a new file. The
editor first checks to see if the buffer has been modi-
fied since the last _w_r_i_t_e command was issued. If it
has been, a warning is issued and the command is
aborted. The command otherwise deletes the entire con-
tents of the editor buffer, makes the named file the
current file and prints the new filename. After insur-
ing that this file is sensible|- the editor reads the
_________________________
|- I.e., that it is not a binary file such as a
directory, a block or character special file other than
/_d_e_v/_t_t_y, a terminal, or a binary or executable file
(as indicated by the first word).
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file into its buffer.
If the read of the file completes without error, the
number of lines and characters read is typed. If there
were any non-ASCII characters in the file they are
stripped of their non-ASCII high bits, and any null
characters in the file are discarded. If none of these
errors occurred, the file is considered _e_d_i_t_e_d. If the
last line of the input file is missing the trailing
newline character, it will be supplied and a complaint
will be issued. This command leaves the current line
`....' at the last line read.|=
9
eeee!!!! _f_i_l_e
The variant form suppresses the complaint about modifi-
cations having been made and not written from the edi-
tor buffer, thus discarding all changes which have been
made before editing the new file.
9
eeee ++++_n _f_i_l_e
Causes the editor to begin at line _n rather than at the
last line; _n may also be an editor command containing
no spaces, e.g.: ``+/pat''.
9
ffffiiiilllleeee abbr: ffff
Prints the current file name, whether it has been
`[Modified]' since the last _w_r_i_t_e command, whether it
is _r_e_a_d _o_n_l_y, the current line, the number of lines in
the buffer, and the percentage of the way through the
buffer of the current line.*
9
ffffiiiilllleeee _f_i_l_e
The current file name is changed to _f_i_l_e which is con-
sidered `[Not edited]'.
9
( 1 , $ ) gggglllloooobbbbaaaallll /_p_a_t/ _c_m_d_s abbr: gggg
First marks each line among those specified which
matches the given regular expression. Then the given
_________________________
|= If executed from within _o_p_e_n or _v_i_s_u_a_l, the current
line is initially the first line of the file.
* In the rare case that the current file is `[Not
edited]' this is noted also; in this case you have to
use the form wwww!!!! to write to the file, since the editor
is not sure that a wwwwrrrriiiitttteeee will not destroy a file
unrelated to the current contents of the buffer.
9
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command list is executed with `....' initially set to each
marked line.
The command list consists of the remaining commands on
the current input line and may continue to multiple
lines by ending all but the last such line with a `\'.
If _c_m_d_s (and possibly the trailing //// delimiter) is
omitted, each line matching _p_a_t is printed. _A_p_p_e_n_d,
_i_n_s_e_r_t, and _c_h_a_n_g_e commands and associated input are
permitted; the `....' terminating input may be omitted if
it would be on the last line of the command list. _O_p_e_n
and _v_i_s_u_a_l commands are permitted in the command list
and take input from the terminal.
The _g_l_o_b_a_l command itself may not appear in _c_m_d_s. The
_u_n_d_o command is also not permitted there, as _u_n_d_o
instead can be used to reverse the entire _g_l_o_b_a_l com-
mand. The options _a_u_t_o_p_r_i_n_t and _a_u_t_o_i_n_d_e_n_t are inhi-
bited during a _g_l_o_b_a_l, (and possibly the trailing ////
delimiter) and the value of the _r_e_p_o_r_t option is tem-
porarily infinite, in deference to a _r_e_p_o_r_t for the
entire global. Finally, the context mark `''' is set
to the value of `.' before the global command begins
and is not changed during a global command, except
perhaps by an _o_p_e_n or _v_i_s_u_a_l within the _g_l_o_b_a_l.
9
gggg!!!! ////_p_a_t//// _c_m_d_s abbr: vvvv
The variant form of _g_l_o_b_a_l runs _c_m_d_s at each line not
matching _p_a_t.
9
( .... )iiiinnnnsssseeeerrrrtttt abbr: iiii
_t_e_x_t
...
Places the given text before the specified line. The
current line is left at the last line input; if there
were none input it is left at the line before the
addressed line. This command differs from _a_p_p_e_n_d only
in the placement of text.
9
iiii!!!!
_t_e_x_t
...
The variant toggles _a_u_t_o_i_n_d_e_n_t during the _i_n_s_e_r_t.
9
( .... , ....+1 ) jjjjooooiiiinnnn _c_o_u_n_t _f_l_a_g_s abbr: jjjj
Places the text from a specified range of lines
together on one line. White space is adjusted at each
junction to provide at least one blank character, two
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if there was a `....' at the end of the line, or none if
the first following character is a `)'. If there is
already white space at the end of the line, then the
white space at the start of the next line will be dis-
carded.
9
jjjj!!!!
The variant causes a simpler _j_o_i_n with no white space
processing; the characters in the lines are simply con-
catenated.
9
( .... ) kkkk _x
The _k command is a synonym for _m_a_r_k. It does not
require a blank or tab before the following letter.
9
( .... , .... ) lllliiiisssstttt _c_o_u_n_t _f_l_a_g_s
Prints the specified lines in a more unambiguous way:
tabs are printed as `^I' and the end of each line is
marked with a trailing `$'. The current line is left
at the last line printed.
9
mmmmaaaapppp _l_h_s _r_h_s
The _m_a_p command is used to define macros for use in
_v_i_s_u_a_l mode. _L_h_s should be a single character, or the
sequence ``#n'', for n a digit, referring to function
key _n. When this character or function key is typed in
_v_i_s_u_a_l mode, it will be as though the corresponding _r_h_s
had been typed. On terminals without function keys,
you can type ``#n''. See section 6.9 of the ``Intro-
duction to Display Editing with Vi'' for more details.
9
( .... ) mmmmaaaarrrrkkkk _x
Gives the specified line mark _x, a single lower case
letter. The _x must be preceded by a blank or a tab.
The addressing form `'x' then addresses this line. The
current line is not affected by this command.
9
( .... , .... ) mmmmoooovvvveeee _a_d_d_r abbr: mmmm
The _m_o_v_e command repositions the specified lines to be
after _a_d_d_r. The first of the moved lines becomes the
current line.
9
9
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nnnneeeexxxxtttt abbr: nnnn
The next file from the command line argument list is
edited.
9
nnnn!!!!
The variant suppresses warnings about the modifications
to the buffer not having been written out, discarding
(irretrievably) any changes which may have been made.
9
nnnn _f_i_l_e_l_i_s_t
nnnn ++++_c_o_m_m_a_n_d _f_i_l_e_l_i_s_t
The specified _f_i_l_e_l_i_s_t is expanded and the resulting
list replaces the current argument list; the first file
in the new list is then edited. If _c_o_m_m_a_n_d is given
(it must contain no spaces), then it is executed after
editing the first such file.
9
( .... , .... ) nnnnuuuummmmbbbbeeeerrrr _c_o_u_n_t _f_l_a_g_s abbr: #### or nnnnuuuu
Prints each specified line preceded by its buffer line
number. The current line is left at the last line
printed.
9
( .... ) ooooppppeeeennnn _f_l_a_g_s abbr: oooo
( .... ) ooooppppeeeennnn /_p_a_t/ _f_l_a_g_s
Enters intraline editing _o_p_e_n mode at each addressed
line. If _p_a_t is given, then the cursor will be placed
initially at the beginning of the string matched by the
pattern. To exit this mode use Q. See _A_n _I_n_t_r_o_d_u_c_t_i_o_n
_t_o _D_i_s_p_l_a_y _E_d_i_t_i_n_g _w_i_t_h _V_i for more details.
9
pppprrrreeeesssseeeerrrrvvvveeee
The current editor buffer is saved as though the system
had just crashed. This command is for use only in
emergencies when a _w_r_i_t_e command has resulted in an
error and you don't know how to save your work. After
a _p_r_e_s_e_r_v_e you should seek help.
9
( .... , .... )pppprrrriiiinnnntttt _c_o_u_n_t abbr: pppp or PPPP
Prints the specified lines with non-printing characters
printed as control characters `^_x'; delete (octal 177)
is represented as `^?'. The current line is left at
the last line printed.
9
9
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( .... )ppppuuuutttt _b_u_f_f_e_r abbr: ppppuuuu
Puts back previously _d_e_l_e_t_e_d or _y_a_n_k_e_d lines. Normally
used with _d_e_l_e_t_e to effect movement of lines, or with
_y_a_n_k to effect duplication of lines. If no _b_u_f_f_e_r is
specified, then the last _d_e_l_e_t_e_d or _y_a_n_k_e_d text is
restored.* By using a named buffer, text may be
restored that was saved there at any previous time.
9
qqqquuuuiiiitttt abbr: qqqq
Causes _e_x to terminate. No automatic write of the edi-
tor buffer to a file is performed. However, _e_x issues
a warning message if the file has changed since the
last _w_r_i_t_e command was issued, and does not _q_u_i_t.|- Nor-
mally, you will wish to save your changes, and you
should give a _w_r_i_t_e command; if you wish to discard
them, use the qqqq!!!! command variant.
9
qqqq!!!!
Quits from the editor, discarding changes to the buffer
without complaint.
9
( .... ) rrrreeeeaaaadddd _f_i_l_e abbr: rrrr
Places a copy of the text of the given file in the
editing buffer after the specified line. If no _f_i_l_e is
given the current file name is used. The current file
name is not changed unless there is none in which case
_f_i_l_e becomes the current name. The sensibility res-
trictions for the _e_d_i_t command apply here also. If the
file buffer is empty and there is no current name then
_e_x treats this as an _e_d_i_t command.
Address `0' is legal for this command and causes the
file to be read at the beginning of the buffer.
Statistics are given as for the _e_d_i_t command when the
_r_e_a_d successfully terminates. After a _r_e_a_d the current
line is the last line read.|=
9
_________________________
* But no modifying commands may intervene between the
_d_e_l_e_t_e or _y_a_n_k and the _p_u_t, nor may lines be moved
between files without using a named buffer.
|- _E_x will also issue a diagnostic if there are more
files in the argument list.
|= Within _o_p_e_n and _v_i_s_u_a_l the current line is set to the
first line read rather than the last.
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( .... ) rrrreeeeaaaadddd !!!!_c_o_m_m_a_n_d
Reads the output of the command _c_o_m_m_a_n_d into the buffer
after the specified line. This is not a variant form
of the command, rather a read specifying a _c_o_m_m_a_n_d
rather than a _f_i_l_e_n_a_m_e; a blank or tab before the !!!! is
mandatory.
9
rrrreeeeccccoooovvvveeeerrrr _f_i_l_e
Recovers _f_i_l_e from the system save area. Used after a
accidental hangup of the phone** or a system crash** or
_p_r_e_s_e_r_v_e command. Except when you use _p_r_e_s_e_r_v_e you
will be notified by mail when a file is saved.
9
rrrreeeewwwwiiiinnnndddd abbr: rrrreeeewwww
The argument list is rewound, and the first file in the
list is edited.
9
rrrreeeewwww!!!!
Rewinds the argument list discarding any changes made
to the current buffer.
9
sssseeeetttt _p_a_r_a_m_e_t_e_r
With no arguments, prints those options whose values
have been changed from their defaults; with parameter
_a_l_l it prints all of the option values.
Giving an option name followed by a `?' causes the
current value of that option to be printed. The `?' is
unnecessary unless the option is Boolean valued.
Boolean options are given values either by the form
`set _o_p_t_i_o_n' to turn them on or `set no_o_p_t_i_o_n' to turn
them off; string and numeric options are assigned via
the form `set _o_p_t_i_o_n=value'.
More than one parameter may be given to _s_e_t; they are
interpreted left-to-right.
9
sssshhhheeeellllllll abbr: sssshhhh
A new shell is created. When it terminates, editing
resumes.
9
_________________________
** The system saves a copy of the file you were editing
only if you have made changes to the file.
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ssssoooouuuurrrrcccceeee _f_i_l_e abbr: ssssoooo
Reads and executes commands from the specified file.
_S_o_u_r_c_e commands may be nested.
9
( .... , .... ) ssssuuuubbbbssssttttiiiittttuuuutttteeee /_p_a_t/_r_e_p_l/ _o_p_t_i_o_n_s _c_o_u_n_t _f_l_a_g_sabbr: ssss
On each specified line, the first instance of pattern
_p_a_t is replaced by replacement pattern _r_e_p_l. If the
_g_l_o_b_a_l indicator option character `g' appears, then all
instances are substituted; if the _c_o_n_f_i_r_m indication
character `c' appears, then before each substitution
the line to be substituted is typed with the string to
be substituted marked with `|^' characters. By typing
an `y' one can cause the substitution to be performed,
any other input causes no change to take place. After
a _s_u_b_s_t_i_t_u_t_e the current line is the last line substi-
tuted.
Lines may be split by substituting new-line characters
into them. The newline in _r_e_p_l must be escaped by
preceding it with a `\'. Other metacharacters avail-
able in _p_a_t and _r_e_p_l are described below.
9
_s_t_o_p
Suspends the editor, returning control to the top level
shell. If _a_u_t_o_w_r_i_t_e is set and there are unsaved
changes, a write is done first unless the form _s_t_o_p!
is used. This commands is only available where sup-
ported by the teletype driver and operating system.
9
( .... , .... ) ssssuuuubbbbssssttttiiiittttuuuutttteeee _o_p_t_i_o_n_s _c_o_u_n_t _f_l_a_g_sabbr: ssss
If _p_a_t and _r_e_p_l are omitted, then the last substitution
is repeated. This is a synonym for the & command.
9
( .... , .... ) tttt _a_d_d_r _f_l_a_g_s
The _t command is a synonym for _c_o_p_y.
9
ttttaaaa _t_a_g
The focus of editing switches to the location of _t_a_g,
switching to a different line in the current file where
it is defined, or if necessary to another file.|=
9_________________________
|= If you have modified the current file before giving a
_t_a_g command, you must write it out; giving another _t_a_g
command, specifying no _t_a_g will reuse the previous tag.
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The tags file is normally created by a program such as
_c_t_a_g_s, and consists of a number of lines with three
fields separated by blanks or tabs. The first field
gives the name of the tag, the second the name of the
file where the tag resides, and the third gives an
addressing form which can be used by the editor to find
the tag; this field is usually a contextual scan using
`/_p_a_t/' to be immune to minor changes in the file.
Such scans are always performed as if _n_o_m_a_g_i_c was set.
The tag names in the tags file must be sorted alphabet-
ically.
9
uuuunnnnaaaabbbbbbbbrrrreeeevvvviiiiaaaatttteeee _w_o_r_d abbr: uuuunnnnaaaa
Delete _w_o_r_d from the list of abbreviations.
9
uuuunnnnddddoooo abbr: uuuu
Reverses the changes made in the buffer by the last
buffer editing command. Note that _g_l_o_b_a_l commands are
considered a single command for the purpose of _u_n_d_o (as
are _o_p_e_n and _v_i_s_u_a_l.) Also, the commands _w_r_i_t_e and
_e_d_i_t which interact with the file system cannot be
undone. _U_n_d_o is its own inverse.
_U_n_d_o always marks the previous value of the current
line `....' as `'''. After an _u_n_d_o the current line is
the first line restored or the line before the first
line deleted if no lines were restored. For commands
with more global effect such as _g_l_o_b_a_l and _v_i_s_u_a_l the
current line regains it's pre-command value after an
_u_n_d_o.
9
uuuunnnnmmmmaaaapppp _l_h_s
The macro expansion associated by _m_a_p for _l_h_s is
removed.
9
( 1 , $ ) vvvv /_p_a_t/ _c_m_d_s
A synonym for the _g_l_o_b_a_l command variant gggg!!!!, running
the specified _c_m_d_s on each line which does not match
_p_a_t.
9
vvvveeeerrrrssssiiiioooonnnn abbr: vvvveeee
Prints the current version number of the editor as well
as the date the editor was last changed.
9
Enters visual mode at the specified line. _T_y_p_e is
optional and may be `-' , `|^' or `....' as in the _z com-
mand to specify the placement of the specified line on
the screen. By default, if _t_y_p_e is omitted, the speci-
fied line is placed as the first on the screen. A
_c_o_u_n_t specifies an initial window size; the default is
the value of the option _w_i_n_d_o_w. See the document _A_n
_I_n_t_r_o_d_u_c_t_i_o_n _t_o _D_i_s_p_l_a_y _E_d_i_t_i_n_g _w_i_t_h _V_i for more
details. To exit this mode, type Q.
9
vvvviiiissssuuuuaaaallll file
vvvviiiissssuuuuaaaallll +_n file
From visual mode, this command is the same as edit.
9
( 1 , $ ) wwwwrrrriiiitttteeee _f_i_l_e abbr: wwww
Writes changes made back to _f_i_l_e, printing the number
of lines and characters written. Normally _f_i_l_e is
omitted and the text goes back where it came from. If
a _f_i_l_e is specified, then text will be written to that
file.* If the file does not exist it is created. The
current file name is changed only if there is no
current file name; the current line is never changed.
If an error occurs while writing the current and _e_d_i_t_e_d
file, the editor considers that there has been ``No
write since last change'' even if the buffer had not
previously been modified.
9
( 1 , $ ) wwwwrrrriiiitttteeee>>>>>>>> _f_i_l_e abbr: wwww>>>>>>>>
Writes the buffer contents at the end of an existing
file.
9
wwww!!!! _n_a_m_e
Overrides the checking of the normal _w_r_i_t_e command, and
will write to any file which the system permits.
9
9_________________________
* The editor writes to a file only if it is the current
file and is _e_d_i_t_e_d, if the file does not exist, or if
the file is actually a teletype, /_d_e_v/_t_t_y, /_d_e_v/_n_u_l_l.
Otherwise, you must give the variant form wwww!!!! to force
the write.
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( 1 , $ ) wwww !!!!_c_o_m_m_a_n_d
Writes the specified lines into _c_o_m_m_a_n_d. Note the
difference between wwww!!!! which overrides checks and wwww !!!!
which writes to a command.
9
wwwwqqqq _n_a_m_e
Like a _w_r_i_t_e and then a _q_u_i_t command.
9
wwwwqqqq!!!! _n_a_m_e
The variant overrides checking on the sensibility of
the _w_r_i_t_e command, as wwww!!!! does.
9
xxxxiiiitttt _n_a_m_e
If any changes have been made and not written, writes
the buffer out. Then, in any case, quits.
9
( .... , .... )yyyyaaaannnnkkkk _b_u_f_f_e_r _c_o_u_n_t abbr: yyyyaaaa
Places the specified lines in the named _b_u_f_f_e_r, for
later retrieval via _p_u_t. If no buffer name is speci-
fied, the lines go to a more volatile place; see the
_p_u_t command description.
9
( ....++++1111 ) zzzz _c_o_u_n_t
Print the next _c_o_u_n_t lines, default _w_i_n_d_o_w.
9
( .... ) zzzz _t_y_p_e _c_o_u_n_t
Prints a window of text with the specified line at the
top. If _t_y_p_e is `-' the line is placed at the bottom;
a `....' causes the line to be placed in the center.* A
count gives the number of lines to be displayed rather
than double the number specified by the _s_c_r_o_l_l option.
On a CRT the screen is cleared before display begins
unless a count which is less than the screen size is
given. The current line is left at the last line
printed.
_________________________
* Forms `z=' and `z|^' also exist; `z=' places the
current line in the center, surrounds it with lines of
`-' characters and leaves the current line at this
line. The form `z|^' prints the window before `z-'
would. The characters `+', `|^' and `-' may be repeated
for cumulative effect. On some v2 editors, no _t_y_p_e may
be given.
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!!!! _c_o_m_m_a_n_d
The remainder of the line after the `!' character is
sent to a shell to be executed. Within the text of
_c_o_m_m_a_n_d the characters `%' and `#' are expanded as in
filenames and the character `!' is replaced with the
text of the previous command. Thus, in particular,
`!!' repeats the last such shell escape. If any such
expansion is performed, the expanded line will be
echoed. The current line is unchanged by this command.
If there has been ``[No write]'' of the buffer contents
since the last change to the editing buffer, then a
diagnostic will be printed before the command is exe-
cuted as a warning. A single `!' is printed when the
command completes.
9
( _a_d_d_r , _a_d_d_r ) !!!! _c_o_m_m_a_n_d
Takes the specified address range and supplies it as
standard input to _c_o_m_m_a_n_d; the resulting output then
replaces the input lines.
9
( $ ) ====
Prints the line number of the addressed line. The
current line is unchanged.
9
( .... , .... ) >>>> _c_o_u_n_t _f_l_a_g_s
( .... , .... ) <<<< _c_o_u_n_t _f_l_a_g_s
Perform intelligent shifting on the specified lines; <<<<
shifts left and >>>> shift right. The quantity of shift
is determined by the _s_h_i_f_t_w_i_d_t_h option and the
repetition of the specification character. Only white
space (blanks and tabs) is shifted; no non-white
characters are discarded in a left-shift. The current
line becomes the last line which changed due to the
shifting.
9
^^^^DDDD
An end-of-file from a terminal input scrolls through
the file. The _s_c_r_o_l_l option specifies the size of the
scroll, normally a half screen of text.
9
( ....+1 , ....+1 )
( ....+1 , ....+1 ) |
An address alone causes the addressed lines to be
printed. A blank line prints the next line in the
file.
A regular expression specifies a set of strings of
characters. A member of this set of strings is said to be
_m_a_t_c_h_e_d by the regular expression. _E_x remembers two previ-
ous regular expressions: the previous regular expression
used in a _s_u_b_s_t_i_t_u_t_e command and the previous regular
expression used elsewhere (referred to as the previous _s_c_a_n_-
_n_i_n_g regular expression.) The previous regular expression
can always be referred to by a null _r_e, e.g. `//' or `??'.
_8._2. _M_a_g_i_c _a_n_d _n_o_m_a_g_i_c
The regular expressions allowed by _e_x are constructed
in one of two ways depending on the setting of the _m_a_g_i_c
option. The _e_x and _v_i default setting of _m_a_g_i_c gives quick
access to a powerful set of regular expression metacharac-
ters. The disadvantage of _m_a_g_i_c is that the user must
remember that these metacharacters are _m_a_g_i_c and precede
them with the character `\' to use them as ``ordinary''
characters. With _n_o_m_a_g_i_c, the default for _e_d_i_t, regular
expressions are much simpler, there being only two metachar-
acters. The power of the other metacharacters is still
available by preceding the (now) ordinary character with a
`\'. Note that `\' is thus always a metacharacter.
The remainder of the discussion of regular expressions
assumes that that the setting of this option is _m_a_g_i_c.|-
The following basic constructs are used to construct
_m_a_g_i_c mode regular expressions.
9_________________________
|- To discern what is true with _n_o_m_a_g_i_c it suffices to
remember that the only special characters in this case
will be `|^' at the beginning of a regular expression,
`$' at the end of a regular expression, and `\'. With
_n_o_m_a_g_i_c the characters `~' and `&' also lose their
special meanings related to the replacement pattern of
a substitute.
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_c_h_a_r An ordinary character matches itself. The
characters `|^' at the beginning of a line,
`$' at the end of line, `*' as any character
other than the first, `.', `\', `[', and `~'
are not ordinary characters and must be
escaped (preceded) by `\' to be treated as
such.
||||^^^^ At the beginning of a pattern forces the
match to succeed only at the beginning of a
line.
$$$$ At the end of a regular expression forces the
match to succeed only at the end of the line.
... Matches any single character except the new-
line character.
\\\\<<<< Forces the match to occur only at the begin-
ning of a ``variable'' or ``word''; that is,
either at the beginning of a line, or just
before a letter, digit, or underline and
after a character not one of these.
\\\\>>>> Similar to `\<', but matching the end of a
``variable'' or ``word'', i.e. either the end
of the line or before character which is nei-
ther a letter, nor a digit, nor the underline
character.
[[[[_s_t_r_i_n_g] Matches any (single) character in the class
defined by _s_t_r_i_n_g. Most characters in _s_t_r_i_n_g
define themselves. A pair of characters
separated by `-' in _s_t_r_i_n_g defines the set of
characters collating between the specified
lower and upper bounds, thus `[a-z]' as a
regular expression matches any (single)
lower-case letter. If the first character of
_s_t_r_i_n_g is an `|^' then the construct matches
those characters which it otherwise would
not; thus `[|^a-z]' matches anything but a
lower-case letter (and of course a newline).
To place any of the characters `|^', `[', or
`-' in _s_t_r_i_n_g you must escape them with a
preceding `\'.
The concatenation of two regular expressions matches
the leftmost and then longest string which can be divided
with the first piece matching the first regular expression
and the second piece matching the second. Any of the (sin-
gle character matching) regular expressions mentioned above
may be followed by the character `*' to form a regular
September 1, 19101
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expression which matches any number of adjacent occurrences
(including 0) of characters matched by the regular expres-
sion it follows.
The character `~' may be used in a regular expression,
and matches the text which defined the replacement part of
the last _s_u_b_s_t_i_t_u_t_e command. A regular expression may be
enclosed between the sequences `\(' and `\)' with side
effects in the _s_u_b_s_t_i_t_u_t_e replacement patterns.
The basic metacharacters for the replacement pattern
are `&' and `~'; these are given as `\&' and `\~' when
_n_o_m_a_g_i_c is set. Each instance of `&' is replaced by the
characters which the regular expression matched. The meta-
character `~' stands, in the replacement pattern, for the
defining text of the previous replacement pattern.
Other metasequences possible in the replacement pattern
are always introduced by the escaping character `\'. The
sequence `\_n' is replaced by the text matched by the _n-th
regular subexpression enclosed between `\(' and `\)'.|- The
sequences `\u' and `\l' cause the immediately following
character in the replacement to be converted to upper- or
lower-case respectively if this character is a letter. The
sequences `\U' and `\L' turn such conversion on, either
until `\E' or `\e' is encountered, or until the end of the
replacement pattern.
Can be used to ease the preparation of structured pro-
gram text. At the beginning of each _a_p_p_e_n_d, _c_h_a_n_g_e or
_i_n_s_e_r_t command or when a new line is _o_p_e_n_e_d or created
by an _a_p_p_e_n_d, _c_h_a_n_g_e, _i_n_s_e_r_t, or _s_u_b_s_t_i_t_u_t_e operation
within _o_p_e_n or _v_i_s_u_a_l mode, _e_x looks at the line being
appended after, the first line changed or the line
inserted before and calculates the amount of white
space at the start of the line. It then aligns the
cursor at the level of indentation so determined.
If the user then types lines of text in, they will con-
tinue to be justified at the displayed indenting level.
If more white space is typed at the beginning of a
line, the following line will start aligned with the
_________________________
|- When nested, parenthesized subexpressions are
present, _n is determined by counting occurrences of
`\(' starting from the left.
9
September 1, 19101
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first non-white character of the previous line. To
back the cursor up to the preceding tab stop one can
hit ^^^^DDDD. The tab stops going backwards are defined at
multiples of the _s_h_i_f_t_w_i_d_t_h option. You _c_a_n_n_o_t back-
space over the indent, except by sending an end-of-file
with a ^^^^DDDD.
Specially processed in this mode is a line with no
characters added to it, which turns into a completely
blank line (the white space provided for the _a_u_t_o_i_n_d_e_n_t
is discarded.) Also specially processed in this mode
are lines beginning with an `|^' and immediately fol-
lowed by a ^^^^DDDD. This causes the input to be reposi-
tioned at the beginning of the line, but retaining the
previous indent for the next line. Similarly, a `0'
followed by a ^^^^DDDD repositions at the beginning but
without retaining the previous indent.
_A_u_t_o_i_n_d_e_n_t doesn't happen in _g_l_o_b_a_l commands or when
the input is not a terminal.
9
aaaauuuuttttoooopppprrrriiiinnnntttt, aaaapppp default: ap
Causes the current line to be printed after each
_d_e_l_e_t_e, _c_o_p_y, _j_o_i_n, _m_o_v_e, _s_u_b_s_t_i_t_u_t_e, _t, _u_n_d_o or shift
command. This has the same effect as supplying a
trailing `p' to each such command. _A_u_t_o_p_r_i_n_t is
suppressed in globals, and only applies to the last of
many commands on a line.
9
aaaauuuuttttoooowwwwrrrriiiitttteeee, aaaawwww default: noaw
Causes the contents of the buffer to be written to the
current file if you have modified it and give a _n_e_x_t,
_r_e_w_i_n_d, _s_t_o_p, _t_a_g, or ! command, or a ^^^^||||^^^^ (switch
files) or ^^^^]]]] (tag goto) command in _v_i_s_u_a_l. Note, that
the _e_d_i_t and _e_x commands do _n_o_t autowrite. In each
case, there is an equivalent way of switching when
autowrite is set to avoid the _a_u_t_o_w_r_i_t_e (_e_d_i_t for _n_e_x_t,
_r_e_w_i_n_d! for .I rewind , _s_t_o_p! for _s_t_o_p, _t_a_g! for
_t_a_g, _s_h_e_l_l for !, and ::::eeee #### and a ::::ttttaaaa!!!! command from
within _v_i_s_u_a_l).
9
bbbbeeeeaaaauuuuttttiiiiffffyyyy, bbbbffff default: nobeautify
Causes all control characters except tab, newline and
form-feed to be discarded from the input. A complaint
is registered the first time a backspace character is
discarded. _B_e_a_u_t_i_f_y does not apply to command input.
9
Specifies the directory in which _e_x places its buffer
file. If this directory in not writable, then the edi-
tor will exit abruptly when it fails to be able to
create its buffer there.
9
eeeeddddccccoooommmmppppaaaattttiiiibbbblllleeee default: noedcompatible
Causes the presence of absence of _g and _c suffixes on
substitute commands to be remembered, and to be toggled
by repeating the suffices. The suffix _r makes the sub-
stitution be as in the ~ command, instead of like &.
9
eeeerrrrrrrroooorrrrbbbbeeeellllllllssss, eeeebbbb default: noeb
Error messages are preceded by a bell.* If possible
the editor always places the error message in a stan-
dout mode of the terminal (such as inverse video)
instead of ringing the bell.
9
hhhhaaaarrrrddddttttaaaabbbbssss, hhhhtttt default: ht=8
Gives the boundaries on which terminal hardware tabs
are set (or on which the system expands tabs).
9
iiiiggggnnnnoooorrrreeeeccccaaaasssseeee, iiiicccc default: noic
All upper case characters in the text are mapped to
lower case in regular expression matching. In addi-
tion, all upper case characters in regular expressions
are mapped to lower case except in character class
specifications.
9
lllliiiisssspppp default: nolisp
_A_u_t_o_i_n_d_e_n_t indents appropriately for _l_i_s_p code, and the
(((( )))) {{{{ }}}} [[[[[[[[ and ]]]]]]]] commands in _o_p_e_n and _v_i_s_u_a_l are modi-
fied to have meaning for _l_i_s_p.
9
lllliiiisssstttt default: nolist
All printed lines will be displayed (more) unambigu-
ously, showing tabs and end-of-lines as in the _l_i_s_t
command.
9
9_________________________
* Bell ringing in _o_p_e_n and _v_i_s_u_a_l on errors is not
suppressed by setting _n_o_e_b.
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mmmmaaaaggggiiiicccc default: magic for _e_x and _v_i|-
If _n_o_m_a_g_i_c is set, the number of regular expression
metacharacters is greatly reduced, with only `|^' and
`$' having special effects. In addition the metachar-
acters `~' and `&' of the replacement pattern are
treated as normal characters. All the normal metachar-
acters may be made _m_a_g_i_c when _n_o_m_a_g_i_c is set by preced-
ing them with a `\'.
9
mmmmeeeessssgggg default: mesg
Causes write permission to be turned off to the termi-
nal while you are in visual mode, if _n_o_m_e_s_g is set.
9
mmmmooooddddeeeelllliiiinnnneeee default: nomodeline
If _m_o_d_e_l_i_n_e is set, then the first 5 lines and the last
five lines of the file will be checked for ex command
lines and the comands issued. To be recognized as a
command line, the line must have the string _e_x: or _v_i:
preceeded by a tab or a space. This string may be any-
where in the line and anything after the : is inter-
peted as editor commands. This option defaults to off
because of unexpected behavior when editting files such
as /_e_t_c/_p_a_s_s_w_d.
9
nnnnuuuummmmbbbbeeeerrrr,,,, nnnnuuuu default: nonumber
Causes all output lines to be printed with their line
numbers. In addition each input line will be prompted
for by supplying the line number it will have.
9
ooooppppeeeennnn default: open
If _n_o_o_p_e_n, the commands _o_p_e_n and _v_i_s_u_a_l are not permit-
ted. This is set for _e_d_i_t to prevent confusion result-
ing from accidental entry to open or visual mode.
9
ooooppppttttiiiimmmmiiiizzzzeeee,,,, oooopppptttt default: optimize
Throughput of text is expedited by setting the terminal
to not do automatic carriage returns when printing more
than one (logical) line of output, greatly speeding
output on terminals without addressable cursors when
text with leading white space is printed.
9
_________________________
|- _N_o_m_a_g_i_c for _e_d_i_t.
Specifies the paragraphs for the {{{{ and }}}} operations in
_o_p_e_n and _v_i_s_u_a_l. The pairs of characters in the
option's value are the names of the macros which start
paragraphs.
9
pppprrrroooommmmpppptttt default: prompt
Command mode input is prompted for with a `:'.
9
rrrreeeeddddrrrraaaawwww default: noredraw
The editor simulates (using great amounts of output),
an intelligent terminal on a dumb terminal (e.g. during
insertions in _v_i_s_u_a_l the characters to the right of the
cursor position are refreshed as each input character
is typed.) Useful only at very high speed.
9
rrrreeeemmmmaaaapppp default: remap
If on, macros are repeatedly tried until they are
unchanged. For example, if _o is mapped to _O, and _O is
mapped to _I, then if _r_e_m_a_p is set, _o will map to _I, but
if _n_o_r_e_m_a_p is set, it will map to _O.
9
rrrreeeeppppoooorrrrtttt default: report=5|-
Specifies a threshold for feedback from commands. Any
command which modifies more than the specified number
of lines will provide feedback as to the scope of its
changes. For commands such as _g_l_o_b_a_l, _o_p_e_n, _u_n_d_o, and
_v_i_s_u_a_l which have potentially more far reaching scope,
the net change in the number of lines in the buffer is
presented at the end of the command, subject to this
same threshold. Thus notification is suppressed during
a _g_l_o_b_a_l command on the individual commands performed.
9
ssssccccrrrroooollllllll default: scroll=1/2 window
Determines the number of logical lines scrolled when an
end-of-file is received from a terminal input in com-
mand mode, and the number of lines printed by a command
mode _z command (double the value of _s_c_r_o_l_l).
9
sssseeeeccccttttiiiioooonnnnssss default: sections=SHNHH HU
Specifies the section macros for the [[[[[[[[ and ]]]]]]]]
_________________________
|- 2 for _e_d_i_t.
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operations in _o_p_e_n and _v_i_s_u_a_l. The pairs of characters
in the options's value are the names of the macros
which start paragraphs.
9
sssshhhheeeellllllll, sssshhhh default: sh=/bin/sh
Gives the path name of the shell forked for the shell
escape command `!', and by the _s_h_e_l_l command. The
default is taken from SHELL in the environment, if
present.
9
sssshhhhiiiiffffttttwwwwiiiiddddtttthhhh, sssswwww default: sw=8
Gives the width a software tab stop, used in reverse
tabbing with ^^^^DDDD when using _a_u_t_o_i_n_d_e_n_t to append text,
and by the shift commands.
9
sssshhhhoooowwwwmmmmaaaattttcccchhhh,,,, ssssmmmm default: nosm
In _o_p_e_n and _v_i_s_u_a_l mode, when a )))) or }}}} is typed, move
the cursor to the matching (((( or {{{{ for one second if
this matching character is on the screen. Extremely
useful with _l_i_s_p.
9
sssslllloooowwwwooooppppeeeennnn,,,, sssslllloooowwww terminal dependent
Affects the display algorithm used in _v_i_s_u_a_l mode,
holding off display updating during input of new text
to improve throughput when the terminal in use is both
slow and unintelligent. See _A_n _I_n_t_r_o_d_u_c_t_i_o_n _t_o _D_i_s_p_l_a_y
_E_d_i_t_i_n_g _w_i_t_h _V_i for more details.
9
ttttaaaabbbbssssttttoooopppp,,,, ttttssss default: ts=8
The editor expands tabs in the input file to be on
_t_a_b_s_t_o_p boundaries for the purposes of display.
9
ttttaaaagggglllleeeennnnggggtttthhhh,,,, ttttllll default: tl=0
Tags are not significant beyond this many characters.
A value of zero (the default) means that all characters
are significant.
9
ttttaaaaggggssss default: tags=tags
/usr/lib/tags
A path of files to be used as tag files for the _t_a_g
command. A requested tag is searched for in the speci-
fied files, sequentially. By default, files called
_t_a_g_s are searched for in the current directory and in
/usr/lib (a master file for the entire system).
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tttteeeerrrrmmmm from environment TERM
The terminal type of the output device.
9
tttteeeerrrrsssseeee default: noterse
Shorter error diagnostics are produced for the experi-
enced user.
9
wwwwaaaarrrrnnnn default: warn
Warn if there has been `[No write since last change]'
before a `!' command escape.
9
wwwwiiiinnnnddddoooowwww default: window=speed depen-
dent
The number of lines in a text window in the _v_i_s_u_a_l com-
mand. The default is 8 at slow speeds (600 baud or
less), 16 at medium speed (1200 baud), and the full
screen (minus one line) at higher speeds.
9
wwww333300000000,,,, wwww1111222200000000,,,, wwww9999666600000000
These are not true options but set _w_i_n_d_o_w only if the
speed is slow (300), medium (1200), or high (9600),
respectively. They are suitable for an EXINIT and make
it easy to change the 8/16/full screen rule.
9
wwwwrrrraaaappppssssccccaaaannnn, wwwwssss default: ws
Searches using the regular expressions in addressing
will wrap around past the end of the file.
9
wwwwrrrraaaappppmmmmaaaarrrrggggiiiinnnn, wwwwmmmm default: wm=0
Defines a margin for automatic wrapover of text during
input in _o_p_e_n and _v_i_s_u_a_l modes. See _A_n _I_n_t_r_o_d_u_c_t_i_o_n _t_o
_T_e_x_t _E_d_i_t_i_n_g _w_i_t_h _V_i for details.
9
wwwwrrrriiiitttteeeeaaaannnnyyyy, wwwwaaaa default: nowa
Inhibit the checks normally made before _w_r_i_t_e commands,
allowing a write to any file which the system protec-
tion mechanism will allow.
_1_0. _L_i_m_i_t_a_t_i_o_n_s
Editor limits that the user is likely to encounter are
as follows: 1024 characters per line, 256 characters per
global command list, 128 characters per file name, 128
9 September 1, 19101
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characters in the previous inserted and deleted text in _o_p_e_n
or _v_i_s_u_a_l, 100 characters in a shell escape command, 63
characters in a string valued option, and 30 characters in a
tag name, and a limit of 250000 lines in the file is
silently enforced.
The _v_i_s_u_a_l implementation limits the number of macros
defined with map to 32, and the total number of characters
in macros to be less than 512.
_A_c_k_n_o_w_l_e_d_g_m_e_n_t_s. Chuck Haley contributed greatly to the
early development of _e_x. Bruce Englar encouraged the
redesign which led to _e_x version 1. Bill Joy wrote versions
1 and 2.0 through 2.7, and created the framework that users
see in the present editor. Mark Horton added macros and
other features and made the editor work on a large number of
terminals and Unix systems.
