Adding characters at the start and end of each line in a file

Question

What is the best way to add some characters at the start and end of each line? Can it be done using Vim, or some other way?

Answer 1

simpler:

%s/.*/"&"

Explanation: By default, a pattern is interpreted as the largest possible match, so .* is interpreted as the whole line, with no need for ^ and $. And while \(...\) can be useful in selecting a part of a pattern, it is not needed for the whole pattern, which is represented by & in the substitution. And the final / in a search or substitution is not needed unless something else follows; though leaving it out could be considered laziness. (If so, I'm lazy.)