How can I use sed to replace a multi-line string?

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                          I've noticed that, if I add \n to a pattern for substituting using sed, it does not match. Example:

    $ cat > alpha.txt
    This is
    a test
    Please do not
    be alarmed
    
    $ sed -i'.original' 's/a test\nPlease do not/not a test\nBe/' alpha.txt
    
    $ diff alpha.txt{,.original}

    $ # No differences printed out

How can I get this to work?

Asked by Belmin Fernandez (9877 rep)

Dec 7, 2011, 06:03 PM
Last activity: Dec 24, 2024, 02:10 PM

How can I use sed to replace a multi-line string?

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