vi sequence number generation

Question

I need to create a file in vi with this pattern. Is there a way to auto generate these lines using the first line

run 1 end
run 2 end
run 3 end
run 4 end
run 5 end
run 6 end

I can always do this in excel and then convert it to a text file and then switch to vi, but wanted to know if there a way to do it in vi so that I don't have to switch back to excel

Answer 1

:help ctrl-a

^a increments the number under the cursor, which you can use in a macro. For your case, assuming you have the first line and the cursor is on it:

qaYpw^aq4@a

Should do the trick. This is the technique outlined in the help pages, modified with w to move the cursor forward to the number. Breaking it down:

qa start recording a macro in register a

Y yank the current line

p put the yank buffer below the current position and move to column 1 of the new row

w move forward one word (to the number)

^a increment the number

q stop recording the macro

<count>@a apply the macro <count> times

Another technique is to use an external tool. For example, if you already have the line and the cursor is on it:

!!awk '1;{for(i=0;i<5;i++){$2+=1; print}}'

Answer 2

:put!=map(range(1,6),'\"run \".v:val.\" end\"')