Getting Started with Vi

摘要

Most people who are getting started with Linux or UNIX today already know how to use graphical WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) edi-tors, with heavy use of the mouse, icons and pulldown menus. When they first encounter the traditional UNIX/Linux editor, vi, it may seem awkward and not very powerful, but the opposite is true. As with graphical editors, you can select a range of text and execute a command to make changes, move the cursor by indicating where you want it to be and insert text by typing at the keyboard. The difference is that vi doesn't use the mouse; you use the keyboard to specify, changes or move the cursor. In order for the entire keyboard to be available for commands, vi has separate command and insert modes. Modes can be confusing at first. With most editors, whatever you type always goes into the document, and editing is done using a mouse or perhaps keyboard shortcuts. With vi, command mode uses the whole keyboard to specify editing commands. Only when you issue an insert command does the keyboard add text to the document.