Learning Linux Shell Scripting - Second Edition

Addressing in sed

We can specify which line or number of lines the pattern search and commands are to be applied on while using the sed commands. If line numbers are not specified, then the pattern search and commands will be applied to all lines of the input file.

The line numbers on which commands are to be applied are called the address. The address can be a single line number or range of lines in which the starting number of the line and the ending number of the range will be separated by commas. Ranges can be composed of numbers, regular expressions, or a combination of both.

The sed commands specify actions such as printing, removing, replacing, and so on.

The syntax is as follows:

    sed 'command' filename(s)
  

Here is an example: