[Appendix C] ex commands
Author: Linda Lamb
Date: 1998-08-03T20:54:39Z

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| Appendix C |

# C. ex commands

Contents:
Command Syntax
Alphabetical List of Commands

This appendix presents an alphabetical list of `ex` commands, but first, it describes the syntax of `ex` commands.

## C.1 Command Syntax

To enter an `ex` command from `vi`, use this form:

>     :[address]command[options]

address is the line number or range of lines that are the object of command. If no address is given, the current line is the object of the command.

### C.1.1 Address Symbols

In `ex` command syntax, address can be specified by any of the following:

`1,$` | All lines in the file.
`x`,`y` | Lines x through y.
`x`;`y` | Lines x through y, with current line reset to x.
`0` | Top of file.
`.` | Current line.
`n` | Absolute line number n.
`$` | Last line.
`%` | All lines; same as `1,$`.
`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.
`/``pat``/` or `?`pat`?` | Ahead or back to line matching pat.

### C.1.2 Option Symbols

In `ex` command syntax, options might be any of the following:

`!`

  Indicates a variant form of the command, overriding the normal behavior.

`count`

  The number of times the command is to be repeated. count cannot precede the command, because a number preceding an `ex` command is treated as a line address. `d3` deletes three lines beginning with the current line; `3d` deletes line 3.

`file`

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

B. Setting Environment Options |  | C.2 Alphabetical List of Commands