Editing Files with "vim"

Samcro · 05-15-2012, 08:59 PM

Ok so when ever I open files with "vim" or "vi" I end up with a copy of the file with a ~ at the end of it.

For example

I open

vim /etc/hosts.allow

I then receive a "hosts.allow~" file

Is there any reason why this is happens? It happens on all files.

frankbell · 05-15-2012, 09:10 PM

That is a backup of the original file before that editing session.

astrogeek · 05-15-2012, 09:12 PM

You can disable that feature by editing your ~/.vimrc file and adding these lines:

Code:

set nobackup
set nowritebackup
set noswapfile

I should add that this can make recovery after a system crash more difficult.

You should see the vim docs for the full meaning of each.

me@asafonov.org · 05-15-2012, 09:13 PM

These files are simple backups. You may set the backup off by the adding these lines to your ~/.vimrc file

Code:

set nobackup
set nowritebackup

It has nothing to do with Slackware

Good day

Samcro · 05-15-2012, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrogeek

You can disable that feature by editing your ~/.vimrc file and adding these lines:

Code:

set nobackup
set nowritebackup
set noswapfile

I should add that this can make recovery after a system crash more difficult.

You should see the vim docs for the full meaning of each.

Where is that file located I can't find it.....

me@asafonov.org · 05-15-2012, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samcro

Where is that file located I can't find it.....

It's in your home directory. If not, just create it.

Samcro · 05-15-2012, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by me@asafonov.org

It's in your home directory. If not, just create it.

Well wasn't in the home directory so I created it but no dice still happens

Samcro · 05-15-2012, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by me@asafonov.org

It's in your home directory. If not, just create it.

never mind I got it

Thank you for all the help

TobiSGD · 05-15-2012, 10:03 PM

Deleted: Too late

David the H. · 05-16-2012, 03:00 PM

Learning vim is akin to learning a whole programming language. There's just so much about it to know. The number of configuration options it has is just staggering.

Here are a couple of links that have helped me. The first is a good basic tutorial, and the second is a detailed repository of hints and suggestions.

http://www.swaroopch.org/notes/Vim_en:Table_of_Contents
http://vim.wikia.com/wiki/Vim_Tips_Wiki

AlvaroG · 05-16-2012, 09:51 PM

A good compromise might be to have vim create the backups, but in a specific directory instead of cluttering the whole filesystem with *~ files.
If you want to try that option, use the backupdir option, as in

set backupdir="~/.vim-backup"

In that way, if you come to a point on which you actually need to recover a file, you know where the backup copy is. The directory you specify must exist before you start ViM