30.9 Using Search Patterns and Global Commands

Besides using line numbers and address symbols (., $, %), ex (including the ex mode of vi, of course) can address lines by using search patterns (26.1). For example:

:/pattern/d

Deletes the next line containing pattern.

:/pattern/+d

Deletes the line below the next line containing pattern. (You could also use +1 instead of + alone.)

:/pattern1/,/pattern2/d

Deletes from the next line (after the current line) that contains pattern1 through the next following line that contains pattern2.

:.,/pattern/m23

Takes text from current line (.) through the next line containing pattern and puts it after line 23.

Note that patterns are delimited by a slash both before and after.

If you make deletions by pattern with vi and ex, there is a difference in the way the two editors operate. Suppose you have in your file practice the lines:

With a screen editor you can scroll the page, move the cursor, delete lines, insert characters and more, while seeing results of your edits as you make them.

Keystrokes	Results
d/while	With a screen editor you can scroll the page, move the cursor, while seeing results of your edits as you make them.
	The vi delete to pattern command deletes from the cursor up to the word while but leaves the remainder of both lines.
:.,/while/d	With a screen editor you can scroll the of your edits as you make them.
	The ex command deletes the entire range of addressed lines; in this case both the current line and the line containing the pattern. All lines are deleted in their entirety.