Day 11: The King of Text Editing in Linux: A Comprehensive Guide to the Vim Editor

Vim (Vi IMproved) is a powerful terminal text editor, serving as a valuable assistant for programmers and system administrators in UNIX/Linux environments. Unlike graphical editors, Vim is keyboard-centric, emphasizing efficiency and precise control.

🧩 1. What is Vim?

Vim is an enhanced version of the early UNIX editor <span><span>vi</span></span>, focusing on extensibility, customizability, and high efficiency, making it the gold standard for learning Linux editors.

🧠 2. Core Philosophy of Vim:Mode-based Editing

The biggest difference between Vim and ordinary editors is that it has multiple editing modes.

Mode Name	Entry Method	Function Description
Normal Mode	Vim starts in this mode by default	Used for browsing, copying, pasting, deleting, jumping, etc.
Insert Mode	Press <span><span>i</span></span>	Start entering text
Command Mode	Press <span><span>:</span></span>	Used for saving, exiting, searching, replacing, etc.
Visual Mode	Press <span><span>v</span></span> / <span><span>V</span></span>	Select text blocks (character-wise / line-wise)
Replace Mode	Press <span><span>R</span></span>	Replace existing text

🔧 3. Basic Usage Flow of Vim (Remember these 3 steps)

1. Enter Vim

bashvim file # If the file does not exist, a new file will be created.

2. Enter Insert Mode to input content

• Press <span><span>i</span></span> to enter Insert Mode (insert)

• Input text

• Press <span><span>Esc</span></span> to exit Insert Mode and return to Normal Mode

Save and Exit

• Input <span><span>:w</span></span> to save (write)

• Input <span><span>:q</span></span> to exit (quit)

• Input <span><span>:wq</span></span> to save and exit

• Input <span><span>:q!</span></span> to force exit without saving

🛠 4. Common Vim Command Quick Reference

📌 In Normal Mode:

Action	Command	Description
Move Cursor	<span><span>h, </span></span><code><span><span>j</span></span>, <span><span>k</span></span>, <span><span>l</span></span>	Left, down, up, right
Quick Jump	<span><span>gg to the beginning, </span></span><code><span><span>G</span></span> to the end	Quickly jump through text
Delete Character	<span><span>x to delete the current character</span></span>
Delete a Line	<span><span>dd</span></span>	Delete the entire line
Copy a Line	<span><span>yy</span></span>
Paste	<span><span>p (after current line); P (before current line)</span></span>
Undo	<span><span>u</span></span>
Redo	<span><span>Ctrl + r</span></span>
Search	<span><span>/keyword + Enter, </span></span><code><span><span>n</span></span> to find the next
Replace	<span><span>:s/oldword/newword/</span></span>	Replace the first match in the current line
Replace All Matches in Current Line	<span><span>:s/oldword/newword/g</span></span>
Replace Throughout the File	<span><span>:%s/oldword/newword/g</span></span>

✏️ 5. How to Enter Insert Mode

Command	Meaning
<span><span>i</span></span>	Insert before the current character
<span><span>I</span></span>	Insert at the beginning of the current line
<span><span>a</span></span>	Insert after the current character
<span><span>A</span></span>	Insert at the end of the current line
<span><span>o</span></span>	Create a new line below the current line and enter Insert Mode
<span><span>O</span></span>	Create a new line above the current line and enter Insert Mode

📁 6. What is the <span><span>.swp</span></span> file in Vim?

When you open a file, Vim automatically creates a hidden temporary swap file 🧠 <span><span>.swp</span></span> in the same directory. The purpose of this file is:

• To serve as a buffer backup;

• To prevent data loss during sudden power outages/crashes;

• To provide file conflict detection (when you try to open the same file with two instances of Vim).

❗️ Note:

• When exiting normally (<span><span>:wq</span></span>), the <span><span>.swp</span></span> file will be automatically deleted;

• If you exit abnormally (e.g., forced shutdown), the <span><span>.swp</span></span> file will remain;

• When you open the file again, you will be prompted to recover the previous editing state.

💡 How to Clear:

• After confirming, you can manually delete it:

bashrm .file.swp

🧪 7. Example Usage of Vim

bashvim hello.txt# i                   # Enter Insert Mode, input content# ESC                 # Return to Normal Mode# :wq                 # Save and exit

🧠 8. Learning Suggestions for Beginners

1. Do not fear the black screen, all operations are at your fingertips;

2. Memorize basic mode switching:

• <span><span>i</span></span> to enter input, <span><span>Esc</span></span> to exit, <span><span>:wq</span></span> to save;

Practice more: You can use Vim’s built-in tutorial

bashvimtutor

🧭 9. Advanced Techniques and Plugins (for further learning)

• Plugin systems (Vundle, Plug)

• Syntax highlighting, auto-indentation

• Configuration file <span><span>.vimrc</span></span>

• Multi-file editing:<span><span>:e</span></span>, <span><span>:sp</span></span>, <span><span>:vs</span></span>

• Multi-window operations:<span><span>Ctrl+w</span></span> combination keys

🎓 Conclusion: Learning Vim is the first step to mastering Linux

Vim is not just an editor; it is a “high-efficiency way of thinking.” At first, it may seem difficult to get used to, but with a few days of persistence, you will find its logic very elegant, and once proficient, you will achieve unprecedented operational efficiency!