Linux in a Nutshell, 6th Edition

Options

!

Indicates a variant form of the command, overriding the normal behavior. The ! must come immediately after the command.

count

The number of times the command is to be repeated. Unlike in vi commands, count cannot precede the command, because a number preceding an ex command is treated as a line address. For example, d3 deletes three lines beginning with the current line; 3d deletes line 3.

file

The name of a file that is affected by the command. % stands for the current file; # stands for the previous file.