Section 7.13. Syntax of ex Commands

7.13. Syntax of ex Commands

To enter an ex command from vi, type:

 :[   address   ]   command   [   options   ] 

An initial : indicates an ex command . As you type the command , it is echoed on the status line. Enter the command by pressing Return. address is the line number or range of lines that are the object of command . options and addresses are described in the following sections. ex commands are described in "Syntax of ex commands."

7.13.1. Options

!

Indicates a variant command form, overriding the normal behavior.

count

The number of times the command is to be repeated. Unlike vi commands, the count comes after the command , not before it. Numbers preceding an ex command are considered to be part of the address . For example, 3d deletes line 3, while d3 deletes three lines beginning with the current line.

file

The name of a file that is affected by the command. % stands for current file; # stands for previous file.

7.13.2. Addresses

If no address is given, the current line is the object of the command . If the address specifies a range of lines, the format is:

 x,y 

where x and y are the first and last addressed lines ( x must precede y in the buffer). x and y may be line numbers or symbols. Using ; instead of , sets the current line to x before interpreting y .

7.13.3. Address Symbols

Symbol	Meaning
1,$	All lines in the file
%	All lines; same as 1,$
x , y	Lines x tHRough y
x ; y	Lines x through y , with current line reset to x
	Top of file
.	Current line
n	Absolute line number n
$	Last line
x - n	n lines before x
x + n	n lines after x
-[ n ]	One or n lines previous
+[ n ]	One or n lines ahead
' x	Line marked with x
"	Previous mark
/ pattern /	Forward to line matching pattern
? pattern ?	Backward to line matching pattern