vi/comp.editors/cmdline

From mgflax@phoenix.Princeton.EDU (Marshall G. Flax)
Subject: Re: Command line editing in vi
Date: 12 Aug 92 06:32:11 GMT

In article <1992Aug12.021145.5902@nuscc.nus.sg> ccechk@nuscc.nus.sg (Heng Kek) writes:
>Imagine entering something like
>	:'a,$s/\([a-z]*\).*\([0-9]\) *[^ ]*)/\2,\1==/
>only to find that you've missed a '('.  
>
>I hope there's an answer which I presume lies in macros.  

One solution is to actually enter that line into your text and edit it
until it is perfect.  Then yank it into a named buffer
	"zdd
and execute it
	@z

If you need to fix it, you can pull it back from the named buffer,
	"zp
re-edit, re-yank, and then re-execute it.


marshall

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------- (c) 1992, Marshall Gene Flax <mgflax@phoenix.Princeton.EDU> -------
----------- 5 Joyce Lane, Woodbury, NY 11797, 516-364-9331,9379  ----------
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From ccechk@nuscc.nus.sg (Heng Kek)
Subject: Command line editing in vi
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 02:11:45 GMT

I've a feeling this question might have cropped up before.  If so, I
apologise.  How may I 'recall' the last cmd I entered in vi in such
a way that I can edit that command and execute it?  Something like
the history command editing in tcsh.

This feature is real useful in situations when I enter a mistyped
command and want to reenter the corrected one.  Imagine entering
something like ":'a,$s/\([a-z]*\).*\([0-9]\) *[^ ]*)/\2,\1==/" only
to find that you've missed a '('.  It's not fun to retype the whole
thing. :)

I hope there's an answer which I presume lies in macros.  

Kek




From stv@ferret.uucp (Steve Manning)
Subject: Re: Command line editing in vi
Date: 27 Aug 92 05:21:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: ferret.1992Aug27.052100.1716

In article <1992Aug12.021145.5902@nuscc.nus.sg> ccechk@nuscc.nus.sg (Heng Kek) writes:
>            How may I 'recall' the last cmd I entered in vi in such
>a way that I can edit that command and execute it?  Something like
>the history command editing in tcsh.
>
>This feature is real useful in situations when I enter a mistyped
>command and want to reenter the corrected one.  Imagine entering
>something like ":'a,$s/\([a-z]*\).*\([0-9]\) *[^ ]*)/\2,\1==/" only
>to find that you've missed a '('.  It's not fun to retype the whole
>thing. :)

Whenever I find that I'm going to be constructing a long pattern
such as the one you list, I will take advantage of vi's ability to
execute the contents of a named buffer as a macro.  Typing the
AT-symbol ('@') followed by a letter (in command mode, of course)
will do this.  Of course, this does require you to take steps before-
hand to do it and so is not "history command editing".

Simply type the command directly into the file on a line of its
own, delete the line into a named buffer ("add), and then execute
the contents of that buffer (@a).  If there are any problems, simply
undo (u), replace the buffer into the file ("ap), edit, and repeat!

BTW, I've worked with older, buggier versions of vi and I've had
them drop the contents of the buffer I try to use if there are
certain types of errors in the command therein.  So I've gotten in
the habit of yanking the command into two or more buffers before
I try to execute it, just in case.

Of course, you could also save the command in a file of it's own
and execute the file with the :source command.  You shouldn't have
to worry about vi going out and erasing the contents of your command
file :-).

Enjoy!
-- 
Steve Manning   stv%ferret@introl.introl.com  stv@ferret.uucp
Milwaukee, WI       ...!introl!ferret!stv   etc., etc., etc.
      "...but you're wrong, Steve. You see, it's only Solitaire" I.A.


From ian@unipalm.co.uk (Ian Phillipps)
Subject: Re: Command line editing in vi - a macro
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 12:07:42 GMT

stv@ferret.uucp (Steve Manning) writes:

>In article <1992Aug12.021145.5902@nuscc.nus.sg> ccechk@nuscc.nus.sg (Heng Kek) writes:
>>            How may I 'recall' the last cmd I entered in vi in such
>>a way that I can edit that command and execute it?  Something like
>>the history command editing in tcsh.

>Whenever I find that I'm going to be constructing a long pattern
>such as the one you list, I will take advantage of vi's ability to
>execute the contents of a named buffer as a macro.  Typing the
>AT-symbol ('@') followed by a letter (in command mode, of course)
>will do this.  Of course, this does require you to take steps before-
>hand to do it and so is not "history command editing".

I find very useful the mapping:
:map <some key> ms"syy@s`s

Which uses buffer "s" and text mark "s". It obeys the current line as a
command, so that if I put a suitable command into the buffer, I can run
it. It returns the cursor to the same place using mark "s" - this is a
luxury item, but very useful if the command reads a file, for example.

I've had no troubles with the old or new SunOS vi (the "new" version
announces itself as SVR3.1).

I even went through a phase of using "vi" as my normal shell.

Example - the ":r!date" was typed in, then the "Insert" key pressed:

:r!date
Wed Sep  2 12:58:35 BST 1992

Ian
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