What is the Vim Editor in Linux?

Vim, which means Vi Improved, is a strong text editor. It is an evolution of the older Vi editor. This tool has been key in UNIX systems for many years. Vim is made to be fast and helpful. It has many tools that make editing better.

For example, it has colored text and many undos. Also, users can change the keyboard shortcuts. Vim works on almost every UNIX-like system. This covers Linux, macOS, and Windows. So, it is a tool that works everywhere for coders and tech workers.

Also, Vim’s way of using modes lets you change between them. You can go into insert mode to type text. You can also use normal mode to run commands. This way of working can make jobs much faster for skilled users. Also, Vim lets you change it a lot with settings and add-ons. This allows people to make the editor fit what they need.

What is Vim?

Bram Moolenaar made the first version in 1991. Since then, he has added many new things. The key part of both Vim and Vi is their separate modes.

These modes let people do certain kinds of tasks. This makes them different from most editors. Most editors have just one mode for commands. They often use key presses or pictures on the screen.

Vi IMproved

The Vim editor is used from a text-only screen, like vi. You control it all with the keyboard. This idea comes from vi, made in the mid-1970s. At that time, screens talked over a very slow phone line. These old limits created new ideas, which turned out to be useful.

Vim works almost exactly like vi. But it has many better features. It also has a simpler kind with pictures. Also, some have menus you can use, and one with no special modes.

You can get Vim for many computer systems. It is on almost every GNU/Linux system and all BSD systems. You can run it with the vi name, which starts Vim as a link. When you open Vim, it begins in command mode and shows its version.

When Bram Moolenar got an Amiga computer in the late 1980s, he wished to keep using Unix. Sadly, the vi copies for Amiga were not good enough. So, in 1988, he started making the Vim editor. At first, it was a copy of vi based on Stevie 1.0.

At first, vi was called IMitation, meaning a copy of vi. This name showed its first goal of copying what vi did. Version 1.14 was in the free program set “Fred Fish disk #591” for the Amiga in 1991. Then, version 1.22 was the first one for Unix and MS-DOS. The name was changed to Vi IMproved.

In the next few years, Vim got much better. A significant change came with version 3.0 in 1994, which added Windows. You can open many files in one Vim session, like with Vi. But in Vi, you see just one file at a time. Instead, Vim lets you see many windows together.

Features

• We have integrated a spell checker.
• Autocomplete text.
• Tab navigation.
• Multiple windows that divide the editing area horizontally or vertically.
• We are highlighting syntax depending on the programming language or tags used.
• Retrieves and repeats directives.
• It understands more than 200 different syntaxes.
• Scripting language to program extensions.
• Commands are completed with words and filenames.
• File compression and decompression make it possible to edit compressed files.
• Recognizing file formats and converting between them.
• History of the directives enforced.
• Macro recording and playback.
• Saves the settings between sessions.
• Automatic and manual code folding.
• Optional graphic interface.
• It is highly configurable and customizable.
• It is almost 100% compatible with Vi.

Help

The Vim editor has perfect help files. It follows the rule that a feature not in the help is not helpful. The help files are plain text and simple to read.

You can find explanations for many different commands. This lets you fix your issues by looking them up. Also, important words are in color, which makes the help clearer. When you move the cursor over a word, you can jump to its help. You can also go back to where you were easily.

Also, you can click with the mouse on the picture version. The helpgrep command is handy. It lets you look for any word in the help, not just special words. The help also has a web page version you can read online. There is also a complete set of common questions and answers.

Advantages

Vim is a tool made by coders for coders. To help with coding, Vim has a “write, build, fix” mode. Like other coding tools, it lets you write your code. You can also run a separate builder and see the outcome. If building mistakes happen, they show up in a window.

The mistake notes point the user to the right spot to fix. Then, the “write, build, fix” loop starts over. If needed, a new fixing loop may begin. Also, the tools of colored text and hiding code parts make the coder’s job easier.

File Comparison

Looking at two or more file copies is normal for many people. The Vim editor gives a simple way to do this. It puts two different file copies in side-by-side windows. The changes between them are colored to be clear. For example, removed text is in red, while new text is in purple.

Also, you can save these changes to a new file. Some commands let you move to the following and last modifications easily.

Plain Language

Vim has its own language to make new tools. With it, you can create challenging jobs that run themselves. These jobs might be too tricky for a simple recording. Also, you can run these scripts with the source command. This lets Vim understand and run your code efficiently.

Modes

Vim is a multi-mode editor. You can work in several different modes. Each mode is for doing a particular kind of job. First, make sure the showmode setting is on. This lets you see which mode Vim is using now.

There are six main modes in Vim. The first three are the old VI modes. Also, five other modes are linked to the primary mode. To learn more, look at Vim’s help for this: help vim-modes.

Command Mode

Vim begins in command mode, also called normal mode. In this mode, you can press keys to copy lines. You can also change how text looks. This is the most critical mode. From here, you can quickly change to other modes.

If you are not sure, go back to normal mode. To do this, press the Escape key two times. If Vim is already in normal mode, it will make a sound. This tells you that both Vim and your terminal are working.

Adding Mode

When you type in insert mode, it feels like a standard text editor. You can change modes by pushing the “i” key.

For example, you can go to insert mode at the line’s end. There are lots of commands for this. These commands let you change text in exact spots, like removing a word. So, a good user gets a lot from these choices.

Also, every key can do more with the Control or Shift key. Just pushing these keys will start new jobs. The Esc key is essential in insert mode. It lets you go back to command mode.

Changing to command mode for specific jobs makes editing faster. Because of this, you can use all of Vim’s strong tools.

Command Line Mode

You can get to this mode by pushing the colon (:) key. After the colon, you can type in complex orders. For example, find and change text using patterns. To go back to command mode, push the Esc key.

Visual Mode

This mode comes from the old VI. You can mark an area of text easily. Use specific keys with the arrow keys. After you mark the text, you can use the command mode’s tools. This lets you change the marked text. Also, the jobs in this mode are less complex. They are simpler than the ones in command mode.

Selection Mode

This mode begins as visual mode. First, you will mark a piece of text. After you mark it, you can change to selection mode. To do this, push Control-G.

In this mode, if you push a letter key, the marked text will be removed. Then, selection mode stops, and the letter you pushed is shown.

You can make the marked area bigger with Shift and the arrow keys. This works like it does in Microsoft Windows apps. To leave this mode, push the Escape key.

Ex Mode

This mode is similar to command-line mode. But it does not go back to command mode after a command. You start this mode by pushing the Q key. It stops when you type the word “vi.”

In this mode, the Vim tool acts like old UNIX programs. It edits text one line at a time. This method was for old, slow screens, not to edit the whole file.

gVIM

gVim is the picture version of the Vim program. It uses the gVim GTK system. This version keeps all the powers of Vim. It also puts in menus and a picture screen.

One big plus is the menus for people new to Vim. So, it is a little bit easier to start learning. But its main problem is that it does not come on every computer.

Operating Systems

One good thing about Vim is that it works on many systems. This is key for people like tech managers. They usually must use different computers.

For example, it runs on AmigaOS, Atari MiNT, BeOS, and DOS. It also works on GNU/Linux and Mac OS. And, it runs on NextStep, OS/2, and OSF.

People can also use it on RISC OS, IRIX, and many Unix systems. These are BSD, AIX, and HP-UX. Also, Vim works on VMS and Windows. It works on old versions like 3.x, 95, 98, ME, 2000, NT, and XP.

Advantages of Using the Vim Editor

Most users say this tool helps them work faster. This occurs after they learn how to use it. People can remember key presses with memory tricks. These tricks connect to simple English words.

The special difficulty of the learning steps pays off. It results in getting more work done. Skilled users can copy, change, or arrange text. They use just a few quick keys, which is different from other tools.

A little practice is all you need to see how keys work. They let you do advanced text changes with the Vim editor. Also, newer copies let people use the mouse.

They also put in picture menus to make editing simpler. Because it is tiny and fast, Vim is often the main editor. This is mainly on UNIX systems that have very little power.

Awards

Vim won the Linux Journal Readers’ Choice Awards. It won for Favorite Text Editor from 2001 to 2005. Also, it got the Slashdot Bernie Award. This prize was for the Best Free Text Editor. And, Vim won the 1999 LinuxWorld Editor’s Choice Award.

License

Vim uses a Charityware license. This license works with the GNU General Public License. So, Vim has the same rules. Also, users are asked to give money. They can provide help to children in Uganda. The money goes through the ICCF Holland group.

Community

Bram Moolenaar and many helpers made the Vim editor. Now, over 50 people help with the Vim help page.

Also, many people help make the software better. They make Vim work on other systems, test new copies, find problems, and write guides. Also, they change the help into different languages and help users.

All users can help by writing scripts or giving ideas. Also, there is a bustling email group. Users get helpful, quick, and thoughtful answers. This help is suitable for both new and expert users.

Vim vs Emacs Comparison

Vim uses modes to help you change text quicker. But the Emacs editor works in just one mode. It lets you change a lot of things. Both tools can be changed to fit what you like.

Vim uses a .vimrc file and extra tools for changes. But Emacs lets you change more with Lisp code. The quick keys are not the same either. For example, Vim uses keys that change with the mode. Meanwhile, Emacs uses the same key style with Ctrl and Alt keys.

They also look very different. Vim is made for using the keyboard. It works excellent on text-only screens. On the other hand, Emacs works on text screens and in Windows.

They are not the same to learn. Vim’s modes can be challenging for new people. Also, Emacs has many more features. This makes it more difficult to know at the start. So, Vim is suitable for people who want speed. But Emacs is best for people who want more power and options.