VI Editor Tutorial:

VI means virtual editor.

VI is installed in every Unix system

VI editor has to mode:

1. Command mode:

• By default mode is command mode.

• This made enables you to perform admistrative task such as save, cut, copy, pasting, find, replace

• To return into command mode use Esc button.

• save command:--> :w, :w<another filename>

• save+quit--> :wq, ZZ

• quit without save:--> :q!

• move within file: k-->up, j-->down, h-->left, l--> right,w-->next word,b -->previous word, u-->undo

• delete command :

• x-->delete characters under the current location.

• X-->delete characters before the cursor location.

• dw-->delete word

• d^ -->delete from current cursor to begging of line

• d$, D -->delete from current cursor to end of line

• dd --> delete line

• <n>dd--> delete n line from current cursor.

• change command:

• cc--> Removing the contents of the line and leaving in insert mode.

• cw-->change word

• r-->replace the character.

• R-->Overwrites multiple characters begging with current cursor. you must use Esc to stop the overriding.

• s-->Replace the current character with the character you type.

• S-->Delete the line the current cursor.

• Copy and paste command:

• yy --> Copies the current line.

• yw --> copies the current word.

• p -->Puts the copied text after the cursor.

• P -->puts the copied test before the cursor.

• Set Command:

• :set ic -->ignore the case while searching

• :set ai -->set autoindent

• :set noai -->unset autoindent

• :set nu -->set line number

• :set nonu -->unset linenumber

• Running Command

• :! -->vi has capability to run commands within the editor.

• :! ls -->output of ls command

• Replacing command:

• :s/search/replace/g -->substitution command (:s/) enable you to quickly replace word or group of words within your file.

• g stands for globally.

2. Insert mode:

To edit the file we need to be in insert mode. way to enter in insert mode.

• i-->insert text before the current cursor.

• I-->Insert test at the begging of the current line

• a-->Insert text after the current cursor.

• A-->insert text at the end of the current line.

• o-->Create a new line for text entry below.

• O-->Create a new line for text entry above.

Advanced Command:

1. word and character search: Vi editor has two search string and character.

/ -->search downward in file.

? -->search upward in file.

n & N -->repeat the previous search command.

^ -->Searches at the beginning of the line.

. -->Matches a single character.

* -->Matches zero or more of the previous character.

$ -->End of the line

[ -->start a set of matching or non-matching expression.