Vim does not take notice of the VIM variable.

stf92 · 05-07-2019, 06:16 PM

Code:

root@darkstar~# cat /usr/share/vim/vimrc
" All system-wide defaults are set in $VIMRUNTIME/archlinux.vim (usually just
" /usr/share/vim/vimfiles/archlinux.vim) and sourced by the call to :runtime
" you can find below.  If you wish to change any of those settings, you should
" do it in this file (/etc/vimrc), since archlinux.vim will be overwritten
" everytime an upgrade of the vim packages is performed.  It is recommended to
" make changes after sourcing archlinux.vim since it alters the value of the
" 'compatible' option.

" This line should not be removed as it ensures that various options are
" properly set to work with the Vim-related packages.
runtime! archlinux.vim

" If you prefer the old-style vim functionalty, add 'runtime! vimrc_example.vim'
" Or better yet, read /usr/share/vim/vim80/vimrc_example.vim or the vim manual
" and configure vim to your own liking!

" do not load defaults if ~/.vimrc is missing
"let skip_defaults_vim=1


set backup
syntax off
root@darkstar~# echo $VIM
/usr/share/vim
root@darkstar~#

Now if I run vim I still have color syntax highlighting. How do you explain it? My distro is arch.

frankbell · 05-07-2019, 08:08 PM

Perhaps I'm missing something and it's been a long time since I mucked about with variables in BASH, but I do not see anywhere the quoted code where you set a variable.

https://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/set-en...ariable-linux/

berndbausch · 05-07-2019, 09:12 PM

There are other RC files that override the global settings in /usr/share/vim/vimrc. Usually, $HOME/.vimrc and $HOME/.vim/vimrc as well as .exrc. You see them when you run the :version command in a vim session. Also try :help vimrc.

I just tested it on my Ubuntu 16 server, setting syntax off in /usr/share/vim/vimrc, and syntax on in $HOME/.vimrc. Syntax is highlighted. Setting syntax off in $HOME/.vimrc: Syntax is not highlighted. In short, works as expected.

By the way, if you want a program to read an environment variable like VIM, it is not sufficient to set it. You also need to export it. However, I am not sure if that is relevant here, as /usr/share/vim seems to be the default. VIM is not set in my environment.

pan64 · 05-08-2019, 05:11 AM

duplicate of https://www.linuxquestions.org/quest...rc-4175653018/

michaelk · 05-08-2019, 07:26 AM

Closed per above.