Replace line

[BryanY]

I need to be able access a text file (about 20 lines) and basically just replace the first line with custom text without changing anything else. What is the best way to do this?

(I understand that this would be much easier to do in Perl, but I don't have that option)

 

[vgersh99]

sed -e '1s/.*/foo/'

vlad
+----------------------------+
| #include<disclaimer.h> |
+----------------------------+

 

[PHV]

NewHeader="My new first line"
sed "1s!.*!${NewHeader}!" /path/to/input > output

If the change must be done on the same file: man ex

Hope This Helps, PH.
Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884 or FAQ222-2244

 

[futurelet]

To do the change "in place" and create backup file:

ruby -pi.bak -e 'sub(/.*/,"New") if 1==$.' myfile