vim move code block to another file - appending only

Question

move a code block from the file you are editing to another file using vim.

is there any tricks to be more productive?

This question is close to the url below, but not exactly the same

How can I extract a predetermined range of lines from a text file on Unix?

# tasks
identity lines range in file_A where you are working
append the code block to file_B
remove the code block from file_A

my previous routine - 4 steps

# write down line range, exit vim
sed -n 1,33p file.pl >> lib/module.pm
vim lib/module.pm - to check
vim file.pl again to delete the code block

yolenoyer · Answer 1 · 2019-03-03T20:52:37.247

10

If the destination file doesn't have to be opened, you can do it like this:

Select the lines with Shift-V + moving commands,
Execute the following command:
```
:w >>file_B
```
With an active selection it will actually display and execute:
```
:'<,'>w >>file_B
```
Then just type gvd (or d']) to remove the previously selected text.
To avoid an error when the file does not still exist, add a bang ! to the write command:
```
:'<,'>w! >>file_B
```

edited Mar 03 '19 at 20:52

answered Dec 27 '15 at 15:43

yolenoyer

8,797
2
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this one is very tuitive and easier to remember – Gang Dec 27 '15 at 15:58
This is much neater imho. – Assaf Lavie Dec 27 '15 at 19:03
Really useful but does not create file if you need – zahir Mar 03 '19 at 11:22

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 26 '15 at 21:07

Try the following:

Navigate to the first line you want to copy
Enter Visual Mode:

Shift+v
Navigate to the last line you want to cut (lines between the first and last line are being visibly marked)
Delete the selected lines and save them to a buffer

d
Open a new tab with the file you want the code to append:

:tabnew /my/new/file
Navigate to the end:

:$
Paste the previously deleted block:

p
Save both files:

:wa

Navigate between tabs with :tabnext and :tabprevious and close single tabs with :q.

Instead of using :wa, you can also use :wqa to write everything and quit immediately.

you are great, this is exactly what I am looking for, this has been bothered me for a long time.thanks — Gang, Dec 26 '15 at 21:19

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 26 '15 at 23:03

1

I would have make:

Open both file (shell):

$ vim -O2 file1 file2

delete and yank block

:l1,l2d

where l1 and l2 are the line range you want to delete

switch window

<C-w>l

in normal

Paste bloc at the end of file

Gp

answered Dec 26 '15 at 23:03

Gaut

1,255
2
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33

I love both solutions, they has different edges in different scenarios. up! – Gang Dec 26 '15 at 23:15

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Dec 26 '15 at 23:14

As another solution, you could select the text (shift v), move the text to the clipboard register ("+x) , then switch to the new file and paste it ("+p)

This has the added advantage of working across vim-instances (if you ever do that for whatever reason).

vim move code block to another file - appending only

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