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UNIX: vi Editor UNIX systems.

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UNIX: vi Editor
vi
vi editing a temporary, empty file. Tildes signify lines not present in the
file.
Developer(s)
Bill Joy
Written in
C
Operating system
Unix-like
Type
text editor
License
BSD License
About vi
vi (pronounced vee-EYE, short for “visual”) provides basic text editing capabilities. Three
aspects of vi make it appealing----

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First, vi is supplied with all UNIX systems. You can use vi at other universities or any
businesses with UNIX systems.
Second, vi uses a small amount of memory, which allows efficient operation when the network
is busy.
Third, because vi uses standard alphanumeric keys for commands, you can use it on virtually
any terminal or workstation in existence without having to worry about unusual keyboard
mappings.
As a point of interest, vi is actually a special mode of another UNIX text editor called ex.
Normally you do not need to use ex except in vi mode.
General Introduction
The vi editor (short for visual editor) is a screen editor which is available on almost all Unix systems. Once
you have learned vi, you will find that it is a fast and powerful editor. vi has no menus but instead uses
combinations of keystrokes in order to accomplish commands. If you are just beginning to learn Unix, you
might find the Pico editor easier to use (most command options are displayed at the bottom of the screen). If
you use the Pine email application and have composed or replied to a message you have probably already
used Pico as it is used for text entry. For more information please refer to the Pine/Picopage.
Starting vi
To start using vi, at the Unix prompt type vi followed by a file name. If you wish to edit an existing file, type
in its name; if you are creating a new file, type in the name you wish to give to the new file.
%vi filename
Then hit Return. You will see a screen similar to the one below which shows blank lines with tildes and the
name and status of the file.
~
~
"myfile" [New file]
vi's Modes and Moods
vi has two modes: the command mode and the insert mode. It is essential that you know which mode you are
in at any given point in time. When you are in command mode, letters of the keyboard will be interpreted as
commands. When you are in insert mode the same letters of the keyboard will type or edit text. vi always
starts out in command mode. When you wish to move between the two modes, keep these things in mind. You
can type i to enter the insert mode. If you wish to leave insert mode and return to the command mode, hit
the ESC key. If you're not sure where you are, hit ESC a couple of times and that should put you back in
command mode.
General Command Information

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 UNIX: vi Editor vi vi editing a temporary, empty file. Tildes signify lines not present in the file. Developer(s) Bill Joy Written in C Operating system Unix-like Type text editor License BSD License About vi vi (pronounced vee-EYE, short for “visual”) provides basic text editing capabilities. Three aspects of vi make it appealing---- First, vi is supplied with all UNIX systems. You can use vi at other universities or any businesses with UNIX systems. Second, vi uses a small amount of memory, which allows efficient operation when the network is busy. Third, because vi uses standard alphanumeric keys for commands, you can use it on virtually any terminal or workstation in existence without having to worry about unusual keyboard mappings. As a point of interest, vi is actually a special mode of another UNIX text editor called ex. Normally you do not need to use ex except in vi mode. General Introduction The vi editor (short for visual editor) is a screen editor which is available on almost all Unix systems. Once you have learned vi, you will find that it is a fast and powerful editor. vi has no menus but instead uses combinations of keystrokes in order to accomplish commands. If you are just beginning to learn Unix, you might find the Pico editor easier to use (most command options are displayed at the bottom of the screen). If you use the Pine email application and have composed or replied to a message you have probably already used Pico as it is used for text ...
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