What is VI?

VI, which stands for “Visual Editor”, is a screen-oriented text editor originally created for the Unix operating system. Today, it is available on Linux, macOS, and other Unix-like systems. VI is known for its modal editing, where the meaning of typed keys depends on which mode the editor is in.

The original VI was developed by Bill Joy in 1976 as the visual mode for a line editor called EX. It has since been replaced by an improved version called VIM (VI Improved), which adds many useful features while maintaining backwards compatibility with the original VI.

Why Learn VI?

You may be wondering, with modern graphical text editors and IDEs available, why bother learning an old, terminal-based editor like VI? Here are a few compelling reasons:

1. VI is installed by default on virtually all Linux and Unix-based systems. Knowing the basics will allow you to edit text files on any system you log into.

2. VI is lightweight and fast, making it ideal for quick edits without the overhead of a graphical editor.

3. Many common Linux tools like less and man use VI-style key bindings, so familiarity with VI will make you more proficient on the command line overall.

4. Mastering VI will greatly improve your speed and efficiency when editing code and configuration files.

5. VI has an extensive ecosystem of plugins and customizations that cater to specific editing needs, from syntax highlighting to version control integration.

Getting Started

To launch VI, simply open a terminal and type vi followed by the name of the file you want to edit (or create):

vi myfile.txt

If the specified file does not exist, VI will create a new blank file. If no filename is given, VI will open with an empty untitled document.

Modes in VI

One of the first things to understand about VI is its concept of modes. When you open a file in VI, you start in command mode, where typed keys are interpreted as commands that control the editor. To enter text, you must switch to insert mode. Let’s look at the three main modes:

Basic Editing

Now that you understand VI’s modal editing system, let’s look at some basic editing tasks.

Your Turn!

Now that you’ve learned the basics of VI, it’s time to practice! Open a new file in VI and try out the following:

1. Enter insert mode and type a few lines of text
2. Use the movement keys to navigate around and make some edits
3. Yank and paste a line of text
4. Save the file and quit VI

Here’s a sample text you can use:

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs. 
How vexingly quick daft zebras jump!

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Pack my box with five dozen liquor jugs. 
How vexingly quick daft zebras jump!

Quick Takeaways

• VI is a powerful terminal-based text editor with a modal editing system
• Command mode is for entering commands, insert mode is for text input
• Use h, j, k, l or arrow keys to navigate in command mode
• Switch between modes with i, Esc, v
• :w saves, :q quits, :wq saves and quits

Conclusion

Congratulations, you now know the basics of using the VI editor on Linux! While it takes some practice to master the key commands and modal editing style, the effort you put in will pay off in your future Linux endeavors. VI is an indispensable tool for system administrators, developers, and power users.

To further hone your skills, spend some time each day editing files in VI. You’ll be surprised how quickly the key bindings will become second nature. As you gain proficiency, you can explore VI’s more advanced features like macros, split windows, and customizing your configuration.

FAQs

Q: What is the difference between VI and VIM?

A: VIM is an enhanced version of the original VI editor, with additional features and customization options. However, VIM maintains backwards compatibility with VI, so the core functionality is the same.

Q: Can I use the mouse in VI?

A: VI was designed for a mouse-free workflow, so it relies on keyboard commands for all navigation and editing tasks. However, some modern versions of VIM do include mouse support as an optional feature.

Q: How can I customize VI to my liking?

A: VI looks for a configuration file called .vimrc in your home directory. Here you can set your preferred options, define custom key mappings, and more. See the VIM documentation for a full list of available settings.

Q: Is it worth learning VI if I already use a graphical editor?

A: Absolutely! VI is a fundamental tool that every Linux user should know. Not only is it ubiquitous across all Unix-like systems, but mastering VI will also make you more efficient in terminal-based workflows. That said, there’s nothing wrong with using a graphical editor when it makes sense.

Q: Can I use VI to edit code with syntax highlighting?

A: Yes, VIM has excellent support for syntax highlighting for hundreds of programming languages and file formats. It also has features like code folding, auto-indentation, and plugins for specific languages and frameworks.

I hope this gentle introduction to VI has piqued your interest and encouraged you to explore this classic Linux tool. Stick with it, and you’ll be editing like a pro in no time! Let me know if you have any other questions.

References

1. “Classic Sysadmin: Vim 101 – A Beginner’s Guide to Vim” – The Linux Foundation Blog, https://www.linuxfoundation.org/blog/blog/classic-sysadmin-vim-101-a-beginners-guide-to-vim

2. “Vi vs Vim: Choosing the First Right Text Editor” – GeeksforGeeks, https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/vi-vs-vim-choosing-the-first-right-text-editor/

3. “8 Reasons to Learn Vi/Vim Editor in Linux” – Tecmint, https://www.tecmint.com/reasons-to-learn-vi-vim-editor-in-linux/

4. “Learning The vi Editor” – Wikibooks, https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Vi

5. “The Vim Book” – Steve Oualline, //ftp.vim.org/pub/vim/doc/book/vimbook-OPL.pdf

6. “Bill Joy” – Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Joy

7. “Bram Moolenaar” – Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bram_Moolenaar

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