Insert BLANK lines into a file with sed or echo?

[linmatt]

I'm about to hit a wall very hard. I don't do as much scripting as I'd like and so am a bit rusty.

I need to add 4 lines into the begining of a file. The first contains just 'H' and the date as a header line, the next 3 are blank. This is required for import into a database. On the net all I can find is how to delete them! The rest of the script is ready to roch and roll, just this bit missing.

Please can someone help...

 

[KenCunningham]

Before you start filling the file with your data 'proper', issue 4 commands like so:

echo H `date` > filename
echo >> filename
echo >> filename
echo >> filename

That should give you the header and the three blank lines. If I've misinterpreted, please post back. Cheers.

 

[linmatt]

Thanks Ken

I'd just discovered that, believe it ot not. Why doesn't the man page of any web site show you actual examples?

Thanks again

 

[bigoldbulldog]

For sed folks, you could do

sed '
1{
i
}' < filename

or

sed '1{H;x;s/^\n/&&&&/;}' < filename Cheers,
ND

bigoldbulldog@hotmail.com