Blick Web 🚀

How to replace a string in multiple files in linux command line

April 5, 2025

📂 Categories: Programming
🏷 Tags: Linux String
How to replace a string in multiple files in linux command line

Wrestling with the demand to regenerate a circumstantial drawstring crossed a multitude of information inside your Linux situation? This communal project tin beryllium a important clip-saver once mastered. This usher dives heavy into assorted bid-formation methods, empowering you to effectively regenerate strings successful aggregate information, boosting your productiveness successful the Linux terminal.

Utilizing the sed Bid

The sed bid (watercourse application) is a almighty implement for successful-spot record modification. Its quality to grip daily expressions makes it extremely versatile for drawstring substitute. The pursuing illustration demonstrates however to regenerate “old_string” with “new_string” successful each information inside the actual listing:

sed -i 's/old_string/new_string/g'

The -i action ensures successful-spot alternative, modifying the information straight. The s/old_string/new_string/g performs the substitution, with g making certain each occurrences are changed, not conscionable the archetypal. The `` wildcard targets each information successful the actual listing. Workout warning with this bid and see backing ahead your information beforehand.

Using the discovery Bid

The discovery bid, mixed with sed, gives granular power, particularly once dealing with circumstantial record varieties oregon directories. For illustration, to regenerate a drawstring lone successful .txt records-data inside a subdirectory named “paperwork”:

discovery paperwork -sanction ".txt" -exec sed -i 's/old_string/new_string/g' {} \;

This bid archetypal locates each .txt information inside the “paperwork” listing. Past, for all record recovered (represented by {}), it executes the sed bid to execute the drawstring substitute. This attack affords larger precision and avoids unintended modifications.

Leveraging the grep Bid for Focused Alternative

The grep bid, chiefly utilized for looking, tin beryllium mixed with another instruments for focused replacements. For case, to regenerate a drawstring lone successful records-data containing a circumstantial key phrase:

grep -rl "key phrase" | xargs sed -i 's/old_string/new_string/g'

Present, grep -rl "key phrase" lists each information containing “key phrase.” The xargs bid past passes these filenames to sed for drawstring alternative. This is peculiarly utile once modifying configurations oregon origin codification records-data primarily based connected circumstantial contented.

Precocious Methods with Perl

For much analyzable situations, Perl affords precocious drawstring manipulation capabilities. Perl’s 1-liners tin beryllium peculiarly effectual:

perl -pi -e 's/old_string/new_string/g'

Akin to the sed illustration, this replaces each cases of “old_string” with “new_string” successful each records-data. Nevertheless, Perl permits for much analyzable daily expressions and logic inside the substitution, catering to precocious necessities.

  • Ever backmost ahead your information earlier performing successful-spot replacements.
  • Trial your instructions connected a tiny example of records-data earlier making use of them to the full dataset.

See these condition precautions to debar information failure:

  1. Make a backup of the mark records-data.
  2. Trial the bid connected a tiny example fit.
  3. Reappraisal the adjustments last execution.

Featured Snippet: The sed -i 's/old_string/new_string/g' bid is the quickest manner to regenerate strings successful each records-data inside the actual listing. Nevertheless, workout warning arsenic this straight modifies the records-data. Ever trial connected a tiny example oregon make a backup beforehand.

Larn much astir Linux bid formation fundamentals.![Infographic explaining string replacement]([infographic placeholder])

Often Requested Questions (FAQ)

Q: However tin I regenerate a drawstring lone successful information of a circumstantial kind?

A: Usage the discovery bid with the -sanction action to filter by record delay, arsenic proven successful the illustration supra.

  • Usage interpretation power (similar Git) to path adjustments and easy revert if essential.
  • See utilizing a matter application with strong discovery-and-regenerate performance for analyzable oregon interactive replacements.

Mastering these bid-formation methods for drawstring substitute empowers you to effectively negociate and manipulate matter inside your Linux information. This ratio interprets to accrued productiveness and a much streamlined workflow. Research the nuances of all bid for higher power and precision successful your record manipulation duties. Fit to delve deeper? Cheque retired these sources: GNU Sed Handbook, GNU Findutils, and Perl Documentation.

Question & Answer :
I demand to regenerate a drawstring successful a batch of records-data successful a folder, with lone ssh entree to the server. However tin I bash this?

cd /way/to/your/folder sed -i 's/foo/barroom/g' * 

Occurrences of “foo” volition beryllium changed with “barroom”.

Connected BSD programs similar macOS, you demand to supply a backup delay similar -i '.bak' oregon other “hazard corruption oregon partial contented” per the manpage.

cd /way/to/your/folder sed -i '.bak' 's/foo/barroom/g' *