OT: Calling unix experts, Need "vi" assistance Options

[Rusty]

Sorry for the OT post.

I have a text file that I need to edit.

I need to edit every record on that file (record positions 34-37) to change whatever is in those positions (only) to a four digit number. What is currently in those positions varies dramatically.

My only text editor I have on the system is vi.

Anyone got a command I can use?

thanks,
Lawrence

[mikester]

The simplest way to do this is in vi.

If it's only dates between 3351 to 4222 then maybe you could try the following.

in vi type the following;

:%s/3351/newstring/g

Then press enter, that will replace all of the 3351's in the file with the new string - if 3351 occurs anywhere else in the line though it will be replaced as well.

You could do this for each date you want to change - depending on the number of entries it's relatively quick.

YMMV

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