1.Starting vi and dabbling with it
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vi
i # get into input mode
:a # add text after the cursor |
In input mode, type anything you want.
2.Saving in vi:
Get out of input mode and into command mode
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:w vi_file_name # save as a vi file |
If you have saved the file once, just use
3.Exiting vi:
If you haven't saved your latest changes, vi will not quit and will tell you to use ! to override.
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:q! # quit without saving |
- We can use : wq to save and quit vi.
- If you want to save a file over an existing file, use :w! existingfilename in command mode. The ! forces vi to overwrite the original.
4.Adding and deleting text
vi
i
type some you want to add.
Choose a command, based on what you want to do:
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:a # Adds text after the cursor
:A # Adds test after the current line
:i # Inserts text before the cursor
:I # Inserts text at the beginning of the current line
:o # Inserts a blank line after the current line
:O # Inserts a blank line after before the current line
:x # Deletes one character under the cursor
:X # Deletes one character behind the cursor
:dd # Deletes the current line
:5dd # Deletes five lines from the current line
:r # Replaces the character under the cursor
:R # Replaces the existing text
:y # Copies the current line
:p # Pastes the copied line
:u # Undoes the last change
:U # Undoes all changes on the current line |
5. Importing files into vi:
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vi vi_file
ESC
:r import_file |
6. Searching and replacing in vi:
6a.find a string of text in vi:
vi vi_file
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/text # look for "text" |
get the first result, and press N to find the next one.
6b. search and replace in vi:
vi vi_filename
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:%s/text/newtext # replace "text" with "newtext" |