UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

I searched the forum, but I don't think I was able to find exactly what I'm looking for.

Is there a command in shell where I can delete a particular string from every file it occurs in (where the file is named the same, but sits in different directories)?

Example: Within the directory I am in, there are 30+ directories with different names, each beginning with 2004 and then the rest of a date. Within each of those directories, there is a directory named "small" and within that directory is a file named "slideshow.shtml" (ie 2004*/small/slideshow.shtml)

I want to delete the string " <!--#include file="photo_main_site.html"--> " from every slideshow.shtml file without having to navigate into each directory and pulling up the file with an editor.

Is that possible?
I am a newbie, please type slowly.
And thanks in advance!!!

Nicole

not tested.....

Code:

#!/bin/ksh

find . -type f -name 'slideshow.shtml' | while read file
do
    ex - "${file}" <<EOF
s/ <!--#include file="photo_main_site.html"--> //g
wq!
EOF
done

Vgersh can we use this way

ex - "${file}" | s/ <!--#include file="photo_main_site.html"--> //g

no, but you can do it like this as well - a bit terser:

Code:

(echo 's/ <!--#include file="photo_main_site.html"--> //g'; echo 'wq!') | ex -s "${file}"

Am I just supposed to type those lines into the shell prompt as you put them? (the first reply)

Sorry to ask such a dumb question, but if I put the first line in and hit enter, I get a > and then if I put the rest of the lines in and then hit enter, it pauses, then gives me the prompt back. Then when I check one of the files, the string is still there. I must be doing something wrong.

Nicole

Nicole:

At the prompt type
$ vi myscript.ksh
paste the code here (paste by right click on ur mouse)
now do ESC + SHIFT :
enter wq!
$ . myscript.ksh

BTW thanks vgersh.