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I have a question: How to search a string using a basic regular expression in Vi editor? How about using extended regular expression in Vi editor?. Is it a real difference between basic regular expression and extended regular expression? They have different syntaxes but the algorithm is the same. What is the logically correct answer for this question?

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put on hold as too broad by Herb Wolfe, João A. Toledo, muru, Rich, statox♦ Sep 18 at 12:05

Please edit the question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to identify an adequate answer. Avoid asking multiple distinct questions at once. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

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    What do you mean by basic and extended regexp? Are you talking about very magic mode? – klaus Feb 18 at 3:41
  • Vim uses its own dialect of regexes. See :help regexp for detailed information that should answer your question and then some. (Note, your question is too "fuzzy", and so I won't even try to give a full answer.) – Karl Yngve Lervåg Feb 18 at 7:47
  • Welcome to our site @MadScientists! For now your question is pretty unclear and I'm not sure someone can answer it. I think you should read the help as Karl suggested and also have a look at this question which could be useful to you. Then please edit your question so that it is easier to understand what you are looking for. – statox♦ Feb 18 at 8:53
  • As Karl mentions Vim has it's own dialect. It almost surely evolved from BRE/ERE, though, by way of "traditional" vi given the BRE/ERE bits that remain today and based on some evidence that I mention in my answer to a question on this site: Traditional vi and it's regular expressions. All that said I'm not sure whether I'm actually addressing any of your question or not! It needs clarifying as other mentioned. – B Layer Feb 18 at 10:40