my-docs/Linux/LPIC1/09-vim.md

Getting Started with Vim 📝

1. Installing Vim

To install Vim on a Debian‑based system (like Ubuntu), run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install vim

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2. Opening Files or Directories

• Open a file

  vim <filename>
  

• Open a directory

  vim <directory_name>
  

  (This opens Vim’s file browser—helpful for navigating and editing multiple files.)

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3. Vim Modes

Vim works in multiple modes—here are the core ones:

1. Normal mode – The default mode; used for navigation and commands.
2. Insert mode – For editing text; enter it by pressing i, a, or o.
3. Visual mode – For selecting text; enter it with v, V, or Ctrl+v.

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4. Essential Commands

(Type these in Normal mode and then press Enter when needed)

Command	Description
:w	Save (write changes to the current file)
:w <name>	Save changes to a specified file <name>
:wq	Save and quit Vim
:q	Quit (only if no unsaved changes exist)
:q!	Quit without saving (discard all changes)

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5. Handy Shortcuts

These are core shortcuts used in Normal mode:

Shortcut	Action
dd	Delete (cut) the current line
yy	Yank (copy) the current line
p	Paste after the cursor
u	Undo the last change
gg	Go to the first line of the file

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6. Quick Usage Flow

1. Start Vim:

   vim example.txt
   

2. Insert text: Press i → type your content → press Esc to return to Normal mode.

3. Save your work: Type :w in Normal mode and press Enter.

4. Make edits:

   • Use dd to delete a line
   • Use yy to copy (yank) a line
   • Move the cursor to a new location, then hit p to paste
   • Press u to undo any mistake

5. Navigate quickly:

   • gg to jump to the beginning
   • Use arrow keys or h, j, k, l for navigation

6. Finish editing:

   • :wq to save and exit
   • :q! to exit without saving

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7. Tips & Tricks

• Visual mode: Press v to start selecting character by character, V for line selection, or Ctrl+v for block-wise selection.

• Other navigation:

  • Use G to go to the end of the file
  • Use a number before a command, e.g., 5dd deletes 5 lines

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Summary

Vim may feel different at first, but once you get comfortable switching between Insert, Normal, and Visual modes, you'll find it’s a powerful and efficient editor. Happy Vimming! 😊