How to use replace command in Ubuntu Linux with examples

This brief tutorial shows students and new users how to use the replace command on Ubuntu Linux with examples.

The replace command is used to make changes or replace strings of text in files or the standard input.

It looks for all occurrences of string or text from and replaces it with string or test to.

If you’re a student or new user looking for a Linux system to begin with, the easiest place to start is Ubuntu Linux OS. It’s a great Linux operating system for beginners.

Ubuntu is an open source Linux operating systems that runs on desktops, laptops, server and other devices.

When you’re ready to learn how to use the replace commands, follow the guide below:

About replace command:

The replace command in Linux is used to make changes or replace strings of text in files or the standard input.

It looks for all occurrences of string or text from and replaces it with string or text to.

The replace command is primarily used with msql2mysql although you can use it to manipulate other files and standard input. It requires MariaDB server in Linux.

Syntax:

The syntax is the rule and format of how the replace command can be used. These syntax options can be reordered, but a straight format must be followed.

Below is an example syntax of how to use the replace command.

replace [-?svIV] from to from to … -- [files]

Another way to use the replace command

replace [-?svIV] from to from to . < fromfile > tofile

Options:

The command line options are switches or flags that determined how the commands are executed or controlled. They modify the behavior of the commands, and are separated by spaces, followed after the commands.

Below are some options of the replace command:

Examples:

Below are some examples of how to run and use the replace on Ubuntu Linux.

Simply run the replace command to invoke it.

If you run the replace command but don’t specify an option, it will fail to execute.

replace

If you want to replace all occurrences of private with the word public in a file called document.txt, run the commands below:

replace "private" "public" -- document.txt

When you run replace with the -? or -I option, you’ll see the help text below:

A from-string can contain these special characters:
  \^      Match start of line.
  \$      Match end of line.
  \b      Match space-character, start of line or end of line.
          For a end \b the next replace starts locking at the end
          space-character. A \b alone in a string matches only a
          space-character.

Usage: replace [-?svIV] from to from to . -- [files]
or
Usage: replace [-?svIV] from to from to . < fromfile > tofile

Options: -? or -I "Info"  -s "silent"      -v "verbose"

That’s it!

Conclusion:

This post showed you how to use the replace command in Ubuntu Linux. If you find any error above please use the form below to comment.