copy uuu.txt to backup_uuu.txt read data from backup_uuu.txt modify data write to uuu.txt check uuu.txt if uuu.txt looks good: modifications done! else: read data from backup_uuu.txt modify data (in some improved way) write to uuu.txt check uuu.txt ... (repeating until uuu.txt looks good) delete backup_uuu.txt (or keep for historical purposes) #### 1 TCCAAGGATA ... 61 GAGGGCTTTT ... 121 CAAGTCTTTC ... #### 1 TCCAAGGATA ... 61 GAGGGCTTTT ... 121 CAAGTCTTTC ... #### s/[^ACGT]//g #### y/ACGT//cd