Append file commands for Unix & ex/vi

[boykin at custom.UUCP]

>Is there a way to append a range of text to a file from vi/ex (as opposed
>to 'w' which writes or over-writes)?

Both UNIX and PC/VI accept the command:

	:[1,$]w>> filename

which will append the specified line range, with the entire buffer being
the default, to the named file.  Commands which use the shell escape, such
as:
	:[!,$]w !cat >> file

will work, but are very inefficient; why invoke another process when
VI can do it for you?!?

Joe Boykin
Custom Software Systems
{decvax, mit-eddie, tektronix}!frog!custom!boykin