1. Vi Editor TA for ITIS3100: Xu Fei fxu@uncc.edu 2008-01

2. Agenda • Text Editor in Linux • How to use vi • Start vi • First look at vi • vi mode • Switch to insert mode • copy, cut and paste • undo • search • save and exit • Reference

3. Text Editor in Linux • We have several choices: • vi • vim • gedit (for GNOME) like the NotePad in Windows • And many, many others

4. Starting vi / vim • Use vi to open an already existing file by typing • vi file-name • Create a new file by typing • vi new-file-name

5. First look at vi

6. First look at vim

7. vi mode • vi has two modes: • command mode • insert mode • In command mode, the letters of the keyboard perform editing functions (like moving the cursor, deleting text, etc.). To enter command mode, press the escape <Esc> key. • In insert mode, the letters you type form words and sentences. Unlike many word processors, vi starts up in command mode.

8. Switch to insert mode • Type the following key: • i -- to insert mode at course position • a -- to insert mode where course back a character

9. Switch to insert mode (CONT.) • I -- to insert mode where course jump to the line head • A -- to insert mode where course jump to the line end • o -- to insert mode and begin a new line under course position • O -- to insert mode and begin a new line before course position • s -- to insert mode and delete the character at course position • S -- to insert mode and delete the line at course position

10. Delete and block operation -- cut, copy and paste • Switch to command mode, pressing the escape <Esc> key. Type v, switch to block operation • move course to select block • c to cut, y to copy • p to paste the block to right position of course • Switch to command mode, pressing the escape <Esc> key. Use shortcuts for delete • dd -- delete the current line • dw -- delete the current word

11. undo • Switch to command mode, pressing the escape <Esc> key. • :u -- undo last operation • :e! -- give up all operations and begin editagain

12. Search in text • vi supports to search and find a text in the whole file • Switch to command mode, pressing the escape <Esc> key. • /keyword -- to search forward for the keyword • ?keyword -- to search backward for the keyword • type n on the keyboard to find the next

13. Save and exit • Switch to command mode, pressing the escape <Esc> key. • :w -- save file • :q -- no change and quit • :wq -- save file and quit • :q! -- force to quit, no matter change file or not • :x –- save file and exit vi

14. More reading • http://www.washington.edu/computing/unix/vi.html • http://www.uwyo.edu/ASKIT/displaydoc.asp?askitdocid=258&parentid=1 • http://sparky.rice.edu/~hartigan/vi.html