Copy and paste by columns from one file to another excluding the common first column [duplicate]

Question

I have 2 data files f1.dat and f2.dat.

f1.dat

0 a0 b0
1 a1 b1
2 a2 b2

f2.dat

0 c0 d0 e0
1 c1 d1 e1
2 c2 d2 e2

I wish to copy all columns of f2 except the fist column to f1. f1 after merging will look like

f1.dat

0 a0 b0 c0 d0 e0
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2

How would I instruct vim to accomplish this task?

Answer 1

You can do it with the following sequence of keystrokes:

• in f2.dat file:

  gg0w<C-v>G$y
  

• in f1.dat file

  gg0$<C-v>G$A<Space><Esc>$p
  

Explanations:

• first sequence:

  • gg0 - move to the beginig of the file
  • w - jump to second word
  • C-v - start blockwise visual selection
  • G - jump to last line of file
  • $ - jump to end of that line
  • y - copy selection

• second sequence:

  • gg0 - move to the beginig of the file
  • $ - jump to end of line
  • C-v - start blockwise visual selection
  • G - jump to last line of file
  • $ - jump to end of that line
  • ASpaceEsc - append one space at the end of line. After pressing Esc this will be repeated on all lines of visual block.
  • $ - jump to end of line
  • p - paste content