View source

__TOC__
Just Enough to Get By (Reference : Prentice Hall Linux Desk Reference Second Edition)

As the heading suggests, in this section I attempt to present a subset of the vi commands large enough to enable you to accomplish basic tasks, but small enough that a beginner can remember most of them.
Opening and Closing

You open a file by typing "vi " on the command line— for example:
 vi chapter29.txt

You close a file by getting into command mode (use the key), typing a colon ":" and then typing wq (write quit). If you don't want to save changes to the file, type q (quit). If it gives you any trouble, type wq! (enthusiastic quit).

== Inserting Text ==
You insert new text by getting into edit mode. There are a lot of ways to get into edit mode. An incomplete list is presented next:
Key Function

* '''i''' Insert new text at current cursor position.
* '''A''' Append new text to the end of the current line.

== Deleting Text ==
Delete text by getting into command mode (press ) and using one of the following keys:

=== Key Function ===
* '''x''' Delete a character.
* '''dw''' Delete a word.
* '''dd''' Delete a line.

== Moving Around ==
Get into command mode by pressing . The following keys are active:
Key Function

* '''h''' Left one space
* '''j''' Down one line
* '''k''' Up one line
* '''l''' Right one space

== Undo ==
The undo key is "u". Get into command mode (press ) and then press "u". This will undo all the changes back to the last time you entered edit mode. You may press undo repeatedly, each time undoing an edit session.

== Searching :Search for text by ==
* Getting into command mode (press ).
* Press the forward slash "/". A forward slash character should appear in the lower left corner of your screen.
* Typing the string you wish to search for.

* Starting and Stopping vi
 vi can be invoked from the command line as follows:

== Command Effect ==
 vi -r file Recover a buffer saved when vi terminates.
 vi +n file Open file on line n.
 vi + file Open a file at the last line of file.
 vi +/pattern file Open file at the first instance of pattern.
 vi file file... Open multiple files.

Once inside vi, to get to the next file, type :n from command mode.

view file Open file in read-only mode.

The following commands will either get you out of vi, write any changes you may have made, or both:

== Key Function==
* ''':w''' file Write to the specified file.
* ''':w!''' file Write to specified file, regardless of file permissions.
* ''':wq''' Write and quit.
* ''':wq!''' Write and quit, regardless of access mode.
* ''':x, ZZ''' Quit and save any changes.
* ''':q''' Quit.
* ''':q!''' Quit without saving changes.
* Q Quit vi and start ex.

Wanna know more, please get the book
;Reference
Prentice Hall Linux Desk Reference Second Edition

[[Category:CLI Editors|{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Vim]]
[[Category:Articles]]