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Create a backup of file being edited while using vi

Terminal - Create a backup of file being edited while using vi
:!cp % %-
2009-03-17 00:34:24
User: mpb
5
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Create a backup of file being edited while using vi

At the start of a vi session and *before* saving any changes use ":!cp % %-" to make a backup of the current file being edited.

example: vi /data/some/long/path/file

:!cp% %-

creates /data/some/long/path/file-

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Alternatives

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Terminal - Alternatives

Know a better way?

If you can do better, submit your command here.

What others think

You do realize that vim can be set to backup files, right? Aside from that, you should check out the -b option for cp.

Comment by jmcantrell 218 weeks and 1 day ago

@jmcantrell command-line fu is about commands not config files.

In any case, I have been using "!cp % %-" since 1990 (when vim did not exist) and I prefer to name the backup file to my own convention. For me, "file" and "file-" is sufficient. However, this technique could also be used to make snapshots of the file as the edit progresses: "!cp % %-1! "!cp % %-2! "!cp % $-with-function-y" etc etc

Comment by mpb 218 weeks and 1 day ago

:w! >> file

Comment by voyeg3r 218 weeks and 1 day ago

This may actually be a good way to create live patches of ascii files. Thanks for the idea.

Comment by denzuko 211 weeks ago

Your point of view

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