Prefix Commands

Several prefix commands are provided by the editor. These commands are entered in the prefix area and give you the ability to copy, move, insert, delete, and replicate lines on either an individual or a consecutive block basis.

Individual Line Commands

The following commands work with individual lines and consist of one character:

/
Specify current line in file
I
Insert a line
D
Delete a line
C
Copy a line
M
Move a line
R
Replicate a line
"
Synonym for replicate

When you enter one of the previous commands in the prefix area of a line, the command performs its respective function on that line. If you enter an "I" in the prefix area of line 00000, the editor opens a new line just below it for input. You can also append a number to the end of the prefix command. This acts as a replication factor. If the number "5" is appended to the "I", five lines are opened for input instead of one.

Consecutive Block Commands

The following commands work with consecutive blocks of lines and consist of two characters:

DD
Delete a block of lines
CC
Copy a block of lines
MM
Move a block of lines
RR
Replicate a block of lines
""
Synonym for replicate

Block commands are processed in pairs. You place one command in the prefix area of the first line of the block and place the same command in the prefix area of the last line of the block. For example, to delete a block of lines, you place a "DD" in the prefix area of line 00001 and another "DD" in the prefix area of line 00005. This deletes all lines between line 00001 and line 00005, inclusive. The only block prefix command that allows a replication factor is the replicate command. So, when you specify a number with the replicate block command you need to know how many times you want the block (not individual lines) replicated. The replication factor must be specified with the first RR replication command.

Destination Commands

The following commands are called destination prefix commands:

A
After
B
Before
F
Following
P
Preceding

These commands give the move and copy prefix commands a destination for a block of text. When you enter these in the prefix area, the text from a copy or a move is placed either before or after that line according to what destination command is specified. The replicate prefix command does not use a destination prefix command. Instead, it places its output immediately after the block that is to be replicated.