UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hi to everybody, this is my first post!

Well, apparently I am newbie and trying to figure how to search for a string when I am editing a script in vi. How do I keep searching for that string and how can I get out of search if I want to stop the search. Guide me to any doc or manpage.

Thank you all in advance.

vi can search for strings like ed does. you type in a / followed by the string you want to search for followed by CR.(or return key)
when u type in a / , vi puts a / on message line at bottom of screen.
try ?string? ... also ( for reverse search )
by

do a
"man vi"
or
"info vi"

Also.... after typing /mysting to locate mystring... this will take you to the NEXT occurance of mystring from the point of cursor.

If there are multiple instances you can just press / followed by enter again and it will repeat the last search. Keep pressing / enter - to go through the file looking for each instance of mystring. This will keep going and may "Wrap around buffer" which means the end of the file was reached and you're back at the top.

To get out of search simply do your next vi command. Usefully too.... the last search remains in place so you can find an instance..edit it or whatever...then simply press / enter again and the search will be done again.

to add to it a few more tips.

in the escape mode you put the /and the string and for every next search just press n in the esc mode. similarly to search in the rev dir press N.

one more very interesting search type is go to any occurence of the word u want to search in the entire file and press * for fwd search and # for reverse search

to highlight the word you want to search in the entire file use the command :set hls

go on trying few of these things. some of them may not work on all unices.

rgds
penguin

Hi all, thank you so much. All responses were very helpful.

linuxpenguin tips are very good.

Thank you.