How to write bash script to open vi and edit document?

Question

I'd like to write a bash script that essentially automates this process:

vi filename.pdf

(open "filename.pdf" using vi)

:4,7d

(in vi command mode, delete lines 4-7)

(in vi command mode, tap shift+O (captial oh) to create new line)

<<>>

(in vi insert mode, type two lesser-thans and two greater-thans)

ESC

(switch vi to command mode)

:wq

(in vi command mode, save file and quit vi)

echo "Complete."

@Costas. Thanks! Do you want to post as answer and I mark it as the solution? — user847, Nov 11 '16 at 19:08
Perhaps you can suggest a better solution. mat (Metadata Anonymisation Toolkit) was recently modified in Debian (debian.org/security/2016/dsa-3708). I need to be able to remove metadata. When opening recent PDFs I've worked with, the data I need deleted was in lines 4-7 always. this sed thing seems to work. Hopefully MAT will get patched eventually. But until then I need solution. Comments? — user847, Nov 11 '16 at 19:16

Wildcard · Answer 1 · 2016-11-11 19:33:55Z

up vote 2 down vote

printf '%s\n' '4,7d' a '<<>>' . x | ex filename.txt && echo complete

You can't edit PDF files with a text editor, though.

answered Nov 11 '16 at 19:33

Wildcard

14.6k62684

add a comment |

Zachary Brady · Answer 2 · 2016-11-11 21:59:45Z

up vote 0 down vote

This should automate your process.

vim -b -c '4s/.*/<<>>/' -c '5,7d' -c wq filename.pdf

Flag Breakdown

So -c '4s/.*/<<>>/' -c '5,7d' -c wq runs the vim command 4s/.*/<<>>/ followed by 5,7d followed by a wq.

Zachary Brady

3,176428

answered Nov 11 '16 at 21:28

glenn jackman

35.5k24474

add a comment |