Using Vim
Vim is a great text editor that can be used for writing code or editing text files on Linux systems. One of the great benefits of using Vim is that it relies entirely on the keyboard, so you do not have to use the mouse, which (once we get the hold of it) will significantly increase your productivity and efficiency in writing/editing code.
We usually find Vim or Vi installed on compromised Linux systems, so learning how to use it allows us to edit files even on remote systems. Vim also has many other features, like extensions and plugins, which can significantly extend its usage and make for a great code editor. Let's see some of the basics of Vim. To open a file with Vim, we can add the file
If we want to create a new file, input the new file name, and Vim will open a new window with that file. Once we open a file, we are in read-only normal mode, which allows us to navigate and read the file. To edit the file, we hit i to enter insert mode, shown by the "-- INSERT --" at the bottom of Vim. Afterward, we can move the text cursor and edit the file:
Once we are finished editing a file, we can hit the escape key esc to get out of insert mode, back into normal mode. When we are in normal mode, we can use the following keys to perform some useful shortcuts:
x
Cut character
dw
Cut word
dd
Cut full line
yw
Copy word
yy
Copy full line
p
Paste
Tip: We can multiply any command to run multiple times by adding a number before it. For example, '4yw' would copy 4 words instead of one, and so on.
If we want to save a file or quit Vim, we have to press: to go into command mode. Once we do, we will see any commands we type at the bottom of the vim window:
There are many commands available to us. The following are some of them:
:1
Go to line number 1.
:w
Write the file, save
:q
Quit
:q!
Quit without saving
:wq
Write and quit
Vim is a very powerful tool and has many other commands and features.
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