Definitive Guide to sed: Tutorial and Reference

What is sed? sed is a "stream editor". sed rapidly and reliably transforms text files, and edits "streams" (program outputs) on the fly. sed is a uniquely useful text processing tool, installed by default on Unix computers. sed can also be used on a Windows PC.

Why should I learn sed? If you write scripts, maintain source code, maintain web sites, or process text data, sed can help make your work more productive and enjoyable.

Why should I buy this book? "Definitive Guide to sed" is the best way to learn sed. "Definitive Guide" greatly lessens the confusion many encounter on trying to learn sed. The book serves as a full tutorial and reference, useful for both beginning and experienced sed users.

Any prerequisites? If you plan to use sed on Unix, it is recommended to be familiar with basic Unix commands and to have written some simple shell scripts. If you plan to use sed on Windows, it is recommended to be familiar with batch or PowerShell scripting. sed is not a "beginner's tool".

Which sed is covered? GNU sed 4.2.1 is covered. If you use a different sed, this book is still useful for learning sed, since most of the commands are the same.

What topics are covered?

- All sed commands and options
- Regular expressions as used within GNU sed
- Addresses to specify when sed commands are run
- Related Unix text utilities, such as grep, head, and tr
- Example sed scripts with full explanations
- Reference sections for easy lookup

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Top-Level Table of Contents

Foreword
Preface

1: Introduction to sed
2: sed s (substitute) Command
3: Flags for s (substitute) Command

4: Single Character MetaChars
5: Anchor MetaChars
6: Simple Repetition MetaChars
7: General Repetition MetaChars
8: Other RegEx MetaChars
9: SubEx MetaChars

10: Command Addresses

11: Delete PatSpace Content - dD
12: Append, Insert, Change - aic
13: Print PatSpace - pP l
14: Read / Write File - rR wW
15: Read Line into PatSpace - nN
16: Access HoldSpace - hH gG x
17: Branch / Quit - : btT / qQ
18: Other Actions - { } # eyvz =

19: General Advice about sed

20: Examples - Substitution
21: Examples - Line Spacing
22: Examples - Add Some Lines
23: Examples - Print Some Lines
24: Examples - Delete Some Lines
25: Examples - Other Short Tasks
26: Examples - Complex Tasks

27: Related Unix Commands - grep
28: Other Related Commands - 1/2
29: Other Related Commands - 2/2

30: Definitions of Special Terms
31: sed Command Line Reference
32: sed Command Reference
33: s Command Flag Reference
34: Address & Regex Reference
35: Related Books and Web Sites

(Edited on CreateSpace 2013-06-01)

Daniel Goldman has been "in the trenches" many years developing software, using sed along with other Unix programs, importing data, writing user guides, and helping users learn. Dan has the desire to help others master sed and feel comfortable using sed. (Edited on Author Central: 2013-05-30)