Do need help editing text files?

Nate the great · 03-02-2009, 08:28 PM

As a result of the CIA World Book project I decided to start, I'm going to need to write a bunch of jflex scripts. Would anyone like me to make one?

What is jflex, you might ask? flex stands for fast lexical analyzer. One of the things you can do with it is automate the editing of a text file. In my case I have 2 sets of 251 html files. Each set will need identical editing on all 251 files. Rather than editing each file and performing the same actions 251 times, I will write a jflex script to automate the process.

It wouldn't be very much trouble to write an extra script while I'm in the mood. If you'd like one for your project, please let me know.

P.S. It would be best of you had at least some experience with the command line, especially if you run Linux or MacOS.

P.P.S. I can also write a flex script for C.

P.P.P.S If you have only one file, it would take less time for you to edit it manually than for me to write a script.

nrapallo · 03-02-2009, 08:54 PM

It's nice to be able work on all files at once, a sort of 'grep'.

However, my text editior, Textpad 4, allows me to load all 251 .html files at once and search and replace with RegEx across ALL .html files. I can get up to 500-600 loaded at a time and if there are more then can repeat with the remaining .htmls.

It even allows macros, so the really repetitive stuff can be recorded and used over and over until done.

Nate the great · 03-02-2009, 09:08 PM

I prefer jflex because I can edit one file to make it pretty, and then replicate that formatting across all files. Plus, if I set up a jflex script today, I can use it next week or next month.

Nate the great · 04-01-2009, 01:18 PM

The attached file is a before and after example. It is one of the flag pages from the Fact Book.

03-02-2009, 08:28 PM	#1
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	Do need help editing text files? As a result of the CIA World Book project I decided to start, I'm going to need to write a bunch of jflex scripts. Would anyone like me to make one? What is jflex, you might ask? flex stands for fast lexical analyzer. One of the things you can do with it is automate the editing of a text file. In my case I have 2 sets of 251 html files. Each set will need identical editing on all 251 files. Rather than editing each file and performing the same actions 251 times, I will write a jflex script to automate the process. It wouldn't be very much trouble to write an extra script while I'm in the mood. If you'd like one for your project, please let me know. P.S. It would be best of you had at least some experience with the command line, especially if you run Linux or MacOS. P.P.S. I can also write a flex script for C. P.P.P.S If you have only one file, it would take less time for you to edit it manually than for me to write a script.

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03-02-2009, 08:54 PM	#2
nrapallo GuteBook/Mobi2IMP Creator Posts: 2,958 Karma: 2530691 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Device: REB1200 EBW1150 Device: T1 NSTG iLiad_v2 NC Device: Asus_TF Next1 WPDN	It's nice to be able work on all files at once, a sort of 'grep'. However, my text editior, Textpad 4, allows me to load all 251 .html files at once and search and replace with RegEx across ALL .html files. I can get up to 500-600 loaded at a time and if there are more then can repeat with the remaining .htmls. It even allows macros, so the really repetitive stuff can be recorded and used over and over until done.

03-02-2009, 09:08 PM	#3
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	I prefer jflex because I can edit one file to make it pretty, and then replicate that formatting across all files. Plus, if I set up a jflex script today, I can use it next week or next month.

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