vi questions... need to edit doc

Thaidog · 04-02-2005, 05:57 AM

The only thing I ever see myself needing to do in vi is edit config files... (I like pico but it's not on all my machines.)

What I need to know is how to edit a doc once I'm in it...

I'm guessing it starts the the i command to go to insert mode....

but what I need to know is simple.... how to move up, down, left and right and how to delete text and how to write text. As simple as possible.

Why is this to rediculous?

Komakino · 04-02-2005, 06:06 AM

Use vim, not vi, and have a .vimrc file in your home dir as follows:

Code:

set nocompatible
set backspace=2
set ruler
syntax on

__J · 04-02-2005, 06:06 AM

google?
man vim?
vimtutor?
vim /usr/share/vim/vim63/tutor/tutor?

runlevel0 · 04-02-2005, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Thaidog
The only thing I ever see myself needing to do in vi is edit config files... (I like pico but it's not on all my machines.)

What I need to know is how to edit a doc once I'm in it...

I'm guessing it starts the the i command to go to insert mode....

but what I need to know is simple.... how to move up, down, left and right and how to delete text and how to write text. As simple as possible.

A) invoque 'vi' as VIM, on most of the distros VI is an alias to VIM, but some set's the 'vi' mode in vim.

B) Go to edit mode using:

Code:

CTRL  :a

Now you will be able to move around with the cursors and the rest of the keyboard as expected until you exit using the ESC key.

calcon · 04-02-2005, 11:10 AM

Personally,
I use vi, NOT vim.
There is a great guide to using vi at http://www.eng.hawaii.edu/Tutor/vi.html

You don't have to read all of it, but if you look at parts, you will find good information.

calcon

Thaidog · 04-02-2005, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by runlevel0
A) invoque 'vi' as VIM, on most of the distros VI is an alias to VIM, but some set's the 'vi' mode in vim.

B) Go to edit mode using:

Code:

CTRL :a

Now you will be able to move around with the cursors and the rest of the keyboard as expected until you exit using the ESC key.

That seems to be working good! So what do I do to save changes? (after I hit esc)

theMayor · 04-02-2005, 08:52 PM

From what I've learned thus far once your into the program and you hit your insert key you can then move around the text like you normally would. Once you finish and are ready to exit what I do(could be the long way but it works) is hit escape. Next I type in write and that saves it then I type in quit and that's it.

Hope it helps.
-theMayor

theMayor · 04-02-2005, 08:54 PM

Sorry ... one other thing ... make sure after you hit escape and before you type in quit or write that you press ":"

:S
-theMayor

runlevel0 · 04-03-2005, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Thaidog
So what do I do to save changes? (after I hit esc)

To save an ordinary document:

ESC :w

To save a write protected doc:

ESC :w!

Save and Exit:

ESC :wq

The '!' sign at the end of an argument forces an action.

For more and better info, here's a quick command table: http://arioch.unomaha.edu/~jclark/vim.html
It's quite handy, it would be a good idea to save it as a PS/PDF file or even printing it.

uzairkhan · 04-05-2005, 03:34 AM

hi,
soory for interrupting, but if u only have to edit config files, and no script editing etc, why go for vi,vim or emacs. i know most of the linux guys would scoff at not using one the above mentioned editors, but pico is far more simpler. as far as it not being on all machines, i think a RPM is available for pine for most distributiion and pico gets installed with it. Would'nt it be a simpler option.
also , if u are editing from with in x, then try nedit , its pretty simple and easy to work with.
regards

runlevel0 · 04-05-2005, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by uzairkhan
hi,
[...]why go for vi,vim or emacs. i know most of the linux guys would scoff at not using one the above mentioned editors, but pico is far more simpler [...] if u are editing from with in x, then try nedit , its pretty simple and easy to work with.

Or another widespread simple to use editor is the one shipped with good ol' Midnight Commander, you can invoque it with

Code:

mc -e FILE
  
  or

me FILE

Easy, nice and comes at no cost with the MC.

Or the traditional Gentoo editor: nano.

I myself prefer VIm on the command line, but most fellow Gentoo users likes nano better.

And ¿Why limit ourselves to the console? There is a superb killer-editor which is both powerfull and easy to use... ¡Kate!
An editor with all the bells and whistels but still easy to use and fast. Not to talk about Kate's reincarnation as a LaTeX editor called Kile, simply the best.