Commands Reference, Volume 6

vi or vedit Command

Purpose

Edits files with a full-screen display.

Syntax

{ vi | vedit } [ -l ] [ -R ] [ -tTag ] [ -v ] [ -wNumber] [ -yNumber ] [ -r [ File ] ] [{ + | -c } { Subcommand } ] [ File ... ]

Description

The vi command starts a full-screen editor based on the underlying ex editor. Therefore, ex subcommands can be used within the vi editor. The vedit command starts a version of the vi editor intended for beginners. In the vedit editor, the report option is set to 1, the showmode option is set, and the novice option is set, making it a line editor.

You start the vi editor by specifying the name of the file or files to be edited. If you supply more than one File parameter on the command line, the vi editor edits each file in the specified order. The vi editor on an existing file displays the name of the file, the number of lines, and the number of characters at the bottom of the screen. In case of multibyte locales the number of characters need to be interpreted as the number of bytes.

Since the vi editor is a full-screen editor, you can edit text on a screen-by-screen basis. The vi editor makes a copy of the file you are editing in an edit buffer, and the contents of the file are not changed until you save the changes. The position of the cursor on the display screen indicates its position within the file, and the subcommands affect the file at the cursor position.

vi Editor Limitations

The following list provides the maximum limits of the vi editor. These counts assume single-byte characters.

• {LINE_MAX} characters per line
• 256 characters per global command list
• 128 characters in the previously inserted and deleted text
• 128 characters in a shell escape command
• 128 characters in a string-valued option
• 30 characters in a tag name
• 128 map macros with 2048 characters total
• 1,048,560 lines of {LINE_MAX} characters per line silently enforced

Note: Running the vi editor on a file larger than 64MB may cause the following error message to display:

0602-103 file too large to place in /tmp

vi Editing Modes

The vi editor operates in the following modes:

Customizing the vi Editor

You can customize the vi editor by:

• Setting vi editor options
• Defining macros
• Mapping keys
• Setting abbreviations

Setting vi Editor Options

The following list describes the vi editor options you can change with the set command. The default setting for these options is off. If you turn on one of these toggle options, you can turn it off again by entering the word no before the option. If you want to discontinue the autowrite vi option, enter noaw, where no turns off the option and aw specifies the autowrite option.

Note: Do not include parentheses when entering vi options.

To see a list of the vi editor settings that have changed from the default settings, enter set and press the spacebar. Press the Enter key to return to the command mode.

To see a complete list of the vi editor settings, enter set all. Press the Enter key to return to the command mode.

To turn on a vi editor option, enter set Option. This command automatically returns you to the command mode.

To turn on multiple vi editor options, enter set Option Option Option. This command turns on the three designated vi editor options and returns you to the command mode.

To turn off a vi editor option, enter set noOption. This command automatically returns you to the command mode.

To change the value of a vi editor option, enter set Option=Value. This command automatically returns you to the command mode.

You can use the :set subcommand of the vi editor to set options for this editing session only, or to set options for this editing session and all future editing sessions.

To set or change vi editor options for this editing session only, enter the :set subcommand from the command line.

To set vi options for all editing sessions, put the :set subcommand in the EXINIT environment variable in the .profile file (read by the shell on login) or put the set subcommand into a .exrc file. The vi editor first looks for the EXINIT environment variable and runs its commands. If the EXINIT environment variable does not exist, the vi editor then looks for the $HOME/.exrc file and runs its commands. Last, and regardless of any previous results, the vi editor looks for the local .exrc file and runs its commands.

Note: This process is true except with the tvi command (trusted vi). In this instance, the vi editor looks for and runs only the /etc/.exrc file.

For information about changing an option by setting the EXINIT environment variable, see the description of environment variables in the environment file.

The .exrc file can contain subcommands of the form set Option=Value; for example:

set cp=3 . . ;

To include a comment in the .exrc file, use a " (double quotation mark) as the first character in the line.

Defining Macros

If you use a subcommand or sequence of subcommands frequently, you can use the vi editor to define a macro that issues that subcommand or sequence.

To define a macro, enter the sequence of subcommands into a buffer named with a letter of the alphabet. The lowercase letters a through z overlay the contents of the buffer, and the uppercase letters A through Z append text to the previous contents of the buffer, allowing you to build a macro piece by piece.

For example, to define a buffer macro named c that searches for the word corner and makes the third line after the word corner the current line, enter the following command:

o /corner/+3

Then press the Esc key and enter the following command:

"c

where c is the name of the buffer macro.

To add text to the previous contents of the defined buffer, enter the o viSubcommand, press the Esc key, and enter "CapitalLetter, where the CapitalLetter variable specifies an uppercase letter A through Z. For example, to build a buffer macro named T that searches for the word corner and allows you to add more commands, enter the following command:

o corner

Then press the Esc key and enter the following command:

"T

where T is the name of the buffer macro. You can repeat this process at any time to add more vi subcommands to the same buffer.

For example, to add commands that move the cursor to the previous line and delete that line, enter the following command:

o -dd

where - (minus sign) means to move the cursor up one line, and dd means to delete the current line. Press the Esc key and enter the following command:

"Tdd

To start the macro, enter @Letter, where the Letter variable specifies the letter name of the buffer macro you want to use. To use the same macro again, enter @@ (two at symbols). For example, enter @T to start the T buffer macro and run the search, move cursor, and delete line commands. Enter @@T to start the T buffer macro again.

The character set used by your system is defined by the collation table. This table affects the performance of vi macros.

Mapping Keys

You can use the :map, :map!, and :ab subcommands to map a keystroke to a command or a sequence of commands. The :map subcommand is used in the command mode. The :map! and :ab subcommands are used in the text input mode. You can map keys for this editing session and all future editing sessions or only for the current editing session from either mode.

To map keys for all future editing sessions, put the subcommand into a $HOME/.exrc file. Each time you start the vi editor, it reads this file. The mapping remains in effect for every editing session.

To map keys for the current editing session only from the command mode, start the subcommand during the vi editor session. To map keys for the current editing session only from the text input mode, enter the subcommand on the command line during the vi editor session. The mapping remains in effect only for the current editing session.

Attention: If you use an IBM 3161 ASCII display station, IBM 3163 ASCII display station, or IBM 3101 ASCII display station, the default key-mapping of the vi editor can cause you to lose data. To see the default mapping, issue a :map subcommand. Specific problems arise with the Esc-J or Shift-J key sequence. These key sequences delete all information from the current position of the cursor to the end of the file. To avoid problems, change this key sequence using a .exrc file.

The :map, :map!, and :ab subcommands are defined and used as follows:

:map v /map<Ctrl-V><Enter>cwMAP<Ctrl-V><Esc><Ctrl-V><Enter>

:map <Ctrl-A> :w<Ctrl-V><Enter>:n<Ctrl-V><Enter>

:map g :!cat /etc/motd <Ctrl-V><Ctrl-V>| wc<Ctrl-V><Enter>

:map #1 dwwww

:map <Ctrl-V><End> G
:map <Ctrl-V><Home> 1G
:map <Ctrl-V><PageUp> <Ctrl-F>
:map <Ctrl-V><PageDown> <Ctrl-B>

v         v          /map<Ctrl-M>cwMAP<Ctrl-[>Ctrl-M>
<Ctrl-A>  <Ctrl-A>   :w<Ctrl-M>:n<Ctrl-M>
g         g          :!cat /etc/motd | wc <Ctrl-M>

:map! % <Ctrl-V><Esc>bbwcw

:ab city Austin, Texas 78759

My current residence is city.

My current residence is Austin, Texas 78759.

Setting Abbreviations

The set command has behavior similar to the map! command except that the set command substitutes the string for the abbreviation only when the abbreviation is a separate word. You can use the set command of the vi editor to:

• List existing abbreviations
• Remove an abbreviation
• Set (define) an abbreviation

  Note: Start the vi editor with an empty editing buffer. Do not name a vi file using the vi command or type anything into the buffer after the vi editor starts. Press the Esc key to be sure you are in the command mode.

  
  

  To list abbreviations	Enter the :ab command to list existing abbreviations. Press the Enter key to return to command mode.
  To remove abbreviations	Enter the :anabAbbreviation command to remove an abbreviation, where the Abbreviation variable specifies the character string you do not want abbreviated any more.
  To set (define) an abbreviation	Enter the :ab Abbreviation String command to set an abbreviation, where the Abbreviation variable specifies the character string being defined as an abbreviation and the String variable specifies the character string being abbreviated. The abbreviation can be substituted for the string only when the abbreviation is a separate word. For example, if you enter the :ab kn upper command and then type acknowledge while in the text input mode, the set abbreviation string is not started because the kn string in the word acknowledge is not a separate word. However, if you type the :ab kn upper command and then type make the kn line all kncase while in the text input mode, the result is make the upper line all uppercase.

Flags

vi General Subcommand Syntax

Use the following general syntax to enter subcommands:

[Named_Buffer] [Operator] [Number] Object

Note: Square brackets indicate optional items.

Counts before Subcommands

You can put a number in front of many subcommands. The vi editor interprets this number in one of the following ways:

• Go to the line specified by the Number parameter:

  5G
  10Z
  

• Go to the column specified by the Number parameter:

  25|
  

• Scroll the number of lines up or down specified by the Number parameter:

  10Ctrl-U
  10Ctrl-D
  

vi Editor Subcommands

Use the subcommands to perform these kinds of actions:

• Moving the cursor
• Editing text
• Manipulating files
• Other actions

Moving the Cursor

Use subcommands to move the cursor within a file in these ways:

• Moving within a line
• Moving within a line by character position
• Moving to words
• Moving by line position
• Moving to sentences, paragraphs, or sections
• Moving by redrawing the screen
• Paging and scrolling
• Searching for patterns
• Marking a specific location in a file and returning

Moving within a Line

Enter the following subcommands in command mode. You can cancel an incomplete command by pressing the Esc key. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Moving within a Line by Character Position

Enter the following subcommands in command mode. You can cancel an incomplete command by pressing the Esc key. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Moving to Words

Enter the following subcommands in command mode. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Moving by Line Position

Enter the following subcommands in command mode. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Moving to Sentences, Paragraphs, or Sections

Enter the following subcommands in command mode. You can cancel an incomplete subcommand by pressing the Esc key. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Moving by Redrawing the Screen

Enter the following subcommands in command mode. You can cancel an incomplete subcommand by pressing the Esc key. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Paging and Scrolling

Enter the following subcommands in command mode. You can cancel an incomplete subcommand by pressing the Esc key. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Searching for Patterns

Enter the following subcommands in command mode. You can cancel an incomplete subcommand by pressing the Esc key. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Editing Text

The subcommands for editing enable you to perform the following tasks:

• Marking a specific location in a file and returning
• Adding text to a file
• Changing text while in input mode
• Changing text from command mode
• Copying and moving text
• Restoring and repeating changes

Marking a Specific Location in a File and Returning

Enter the following subcommands in command mode. You can cancel an incomplete subcommand by pressing the Esc key. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Adding Text to a File (Text Input Mode)

Enter the following subcommands in command mode to change the vi editor into text input mode. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Changing Text While in Input Mode

Use the following subcommands only while in text input mode. These commands have different meanings in command mode. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Changing Text from Command Mode

Use the following subcommands in command mode. An incomplete subcommand can be canceled by pressing the Esc key. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Copying and Moving Text

Use the following subcommands in command mode. An incomplete subcommand can be canceled by pressing the Esc key. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Restoring and Repeating Changes

Use the following subcommands in command mode. An incomplete subcommand can be canceled by pressing the Esc key. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Manipulating Files

The subcommands for manipulating files allow you to do the tasks outlined in the following sections:

• Saving changes to a file
• Editing a second file
• Editing a list of files
• Finding file information

Saving Changes to a File

Use the following subcommands in command mode. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Editing a Second File

Enter the following subcommands in command mode. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Editing a List of Files

Enter the following subcommands in command mode. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Finding File Information

Enter the following subcommand in command mode. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax".

Other Actions

The vi editor provides the subcommands described in the following sections:

• Adjusting the screen
• Entering shell commands
• Interrupting and ending the vi editor

Adjusting the Screen

Enter the following subcommands in command mode. An incomplete subcommand can be canceled by pressing the Esc key. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Entering Shell Commands

The following subcommands allow you to run a command within the vi editor. Enter these subcommands in command mode. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Interrupting and Ending the vi Editor

Enter the following subcommands in command mode. If you need information about the format of vi subcommands, see "vi General Subcommand Syntax."

Exit Status

The following exit values are returned:

Input Files

Input files must be text files or files that are similar to text files except for an incomplete last line that is no longer than LINE_MAX -1 bytes in length and contains no null characters.

The .exrc files must be text files consisting of ex commands.

By default, the vi editor reads lines from the files to be edited without interpreting any of those lines as any form of vi editor command.

Related Information

The ctags command, ed command, ex command, sed command, tvi command, view command.

The .profile file.