ed Golf: I Forgot Quotes

Well, since the previous ed golf was so much fun and such a hit, especially on Twitter, let’s keep doing more! Today, the challenge is a pretty simple one. How low of a score we can get on I Forgot Quotes?

$ ed
### Insert start file
i
foo = a
      ab
      abc
.
####################
### GOLF STARTS HERE
####################
### 16 - Insert quotes
,s/\(a.*\)/"\1"
      "abc"
####################
### GOLF ENDS HERE - Total: 16
####################
### Output result
,p
foo = "a"
      "ab"
      "abc"

I was able to do this one with just a single substitution command for a score of 16. I think that’s pretty good! I just search for a.* and wrap all results in quotes - easy peasy!

However, looking back at it, I wonder if it would be less keystrokes to run two simpler substitutions rather than a combined one. Let’s find out.

$ ed
### Insert start file
i
foo = a
      ab
      abc
.
####################
### GOLF STARTS HERE
####################
### 8 - Insert starting quotes
,s/a/"a
      "abc
### 7 - Insert ending quotes
,s/$/"
      "abc"
####################
### GOLF ENDS HERE - Total: 15
####################
### Output result
,p
foo = "a"
      "ab"
      "abc"

Well, look at that! 15 strokes - one less than the combined substitution! Perhaps clever is not always best.

Is there a way to get a score of less than 15? I’d love to know! Comment below or on Twitter.

Also, if you’re enjoying these ed golf posts, let me know! I’m certainly enjoying them, but I’ll definitely keep them coming if you do, too!

Update

Thanks to @ed1conf and @tpenguinltg for this awesomeness:

,s/a.*/"&"

A score of 11! Amazing. I didn’t know that & is replaced with the entire matched context in substitutions. That will come in extremely handy in the future!