Linux Text Editor (Vi) Command List Summary

Linux Text Editor - Vi

1. Linux Text Editor

2. Vi  is a renowned text editor with a rich history in Linux and Unix environments. It is known for its simplicity and powerful command-line interface. Indeed, Vi is a go-to tool for developers and system administrators. Text Editor Key Features of Vi Text Editor Modal Editing:  Unique modes for efficient navigation and content manipulation. Extensive Shortcuts:  Accelerate editing tasks with a wide array of keyboard commands. Lightweight and Fast:  Minimalistic design ensures quick startup and responsive performance. Command-Line Integration:  Seamlessly integrates with the command line for versatile text editing on the fly.

3. vi Mode Command Mode: To perform administrative tasks such as saving files, executing commands, moving the cursor, cutting yanking and pasting lines or words, and finding and replacing To manipulate files (including saving your current file and running outside programs) Command mode by typing a colon (:) Insert Mode: Enter text in insert mode Starting the vi Editor Command Description vi filename Creates a new file if it already does not exist, otherwise opens existing file. vi -R filename Opens an existing file in read only mode. view filename Opens an existing file in read only mode.

4. Moving within a File Command Description k Moves the cursor up one line J Moves the cursor down one line h Moves the cursor to the left one character position I Moves the cursor to the right one character position Common keyboard keys used to change to and from insert mode Key Description i Changes to insert mode and places the cursor before the current character for entering text a Changes to insert mode and places the cursor after the current character for entering text o Changes to insert mode and opens a new line underneath the current line for entering text I Changes to insert mode and places the cursor at the beginning of the current line for entering text A Changes to insert mode and places the cursor at the end of the current line for entering text O Changes to insert mode and opens a new line above the current line for entering text Esc Changes back to command mode while in insert mode

5. Scrolling Commands Deleting Characters Command Description x Deletes the character under the cursor location. X Deletes the character before the cursor location. dw Deletes from the current cursor location to the next word. d^ Deletes from current cursor position to the beginning of the line. d$ Deletes from current cursor position to the end of the line. D Deletes from the cursor position to the end of the current line. dd Deletes the line the cursor is on. Commands Description CTRL+D Moves the screen down by half a page CTRL+F Scrolls the screen down by a full page CTRL+U Scrolls the screen up by half a page CTRL+B Scrolls the screen up by a full page CTRL+E Scrolls the screen up by one line CTRL+Y Scrolls the screen down by one line CTRL+I Redraws the screen

6. Many other ways to move within a file in vi Command Description 0 or | Positions cursor at beginning of line $ Positions cursor at end of line. w Positions cursor to the next word b Positions cursor to previous word. ( Positions cursor to beginning of current sentence. ) Positions cursor to beginning of next sentence. E Move to the end of Blank delimited word { Move a paragraph back } Move a paragraph forward [[ Move a section back ]] Move a section forward n| Moves to the column n in the current line 1G Move to the first line of the file G Move to the last line of the file nG Move to nth line of the file :n Move to nth line of the file fc Move forward to c Fc Move back to c H Move to top of screen nH Moves to nth line from the top of the screen M Move to middle of screen L Move to botton of screen nL Moves to nth line from the bottom of the screen :x Colon followed by a number would position the cursor on line number represented by x

7. Change Commands To change characters, words, or lines in vi without deleting them Command Description cc Removes contents of the line, leaving you in insert mode. cw Changes the word the cursor is on from the cursor to the lowercase w end of the word. r Replaces the character under the cursor. vi returns to command mode after the replacement is entered. R Overwrites multiple characters beginning with the character currently under the cursor. You must use Esc to stop the overwriting. s Replaces the current character with the character you type. Afterward, you are left in insert mode. S Deletes the line the cursor is on and replaces with new text. After the new text is entered, vi remains in insert mode. Copy and Past Commands Copy lines or words from one place and then you can past them at another place Command Description yy Copies the current line. yw Copies the current word from the character the lowercase w cursor is on until the end of the word. p Puts the copied text after the cursor. P Puts the yanked text before the cursor.

8. Searching String Commands Commands Description /string Forwards lookup for a given string ?string Backwards lookup for a given string /^string Forwards search string at the start of a line /string$ Forwards search string at line’s end n Proceeds to the next occurrence of the searched string /\<he\> Looks for the word he (rather than there, here, and so on) /pl[abc]ce Looks up the terms place, plbce , and plcce

9. Saving and Closing File Commands Command Description :q! to quit out of vi without saving :w save the contents of the editor :wq to save your changes and exit out of vi ZZ to save your changes and exit out of vi :w filename2 Can specify a different file name to save