Vi Editor Basics for Red Hat Linux

Vi Editor Basics for Red Hat Linux | Generated by AI

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Vi is a powerful, keyboard-driven text editor that’s standard on Linux systems, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It’s lightweight and efficient for editing configuration files, scripts, and more. In Red Hat, the vi command typically points to vim (Vi IMproved), which adds features like syntax highlighting. This guide covers the basics for beginners.

Installation

Vi is pre-installed on most Red Hat systems. If you need the full vim package (or it’s missing), install it via the package manager:

For RHEL 7/8:
```
sudo yum install vim
```
For RHEL 9+:
```
sudo dnf install vim
```

After installation, you can use vi or vim interchangeably.

Starting Vi

Open a terminal.
Run vi filename.txt (replace filename.txt with your file path).
- If the file exists, it opens for editing.
- If not, a new empty file is created.
To open without a file (for practice): vi.
Vi starts in command mode (the default). You’ll see a blank screen or file contents with a cursor at the top-left.

Understanding Modes

Vi has three main modes—switching between them is key:

Command Mode: Default for navigation, deletion, and most actions. Press Esc to enter/return here from other modes.
Insert Mode: For typing/editing text. Enter from command mode (e.g., press i).
Ex Mode: For advanced commands like saving. Enter by typing : in command mode.

Commands are case-sensitive. Prefix numbers to repeat actions (e.g., 3dd deletes 3 lines).

Use the home-row keys for cursor movement—no mouse needed:

h: Left one character
j: Down one line
k: Up one line
l: Right one character
w: Forward one word
b: Backward one word
0 (zero): Start of line
$: End of line
gg: Top of file
G: Bottom of file
Ctrl + F: Page down
Ctrl + B: Page up

Entering Insert Mode and Editing

From command mode, press one of these to switch to insert mode and start typing:

i: Insert before cursor
I: Insert at start of line
a: Append after cursor
A: Append at end of line
o: New line below
O: New line above

To exit insert mode: Press Esc (return to command mode).

Common editing commands (in command mode):

Delete:
- x: Delete character under cursor
- X: Delete character before cursor
- dd: Delete current line
- dw: Delete current word
- D: Delete to end of line
Copy (Yank):
- yy: Copy current line
- y: Copy selection (after v to select)
Paste:
- p: Paste after cursor
- P: Paste before cursor
Undo:
- u: Undo last change
- U: Undo all changes to current line
Repeat: . (repeats last command)

Saving and Exiting

These are Ex commands—type : in command mode, then the command, and press Enter:

:w: Save (write) changes
:q: Quit (if no changes)
:wq or ZZ (in command mode): Save and quit
:q!: Quit without saving (force discard changes)
:w filename: Save as new file

If you’re stuck, :q! gets you out safely.

Searching and Replacing

Search forward: /pattern (e.g., /error), then n for next match, N for previous.
Search backward: ?pattern.
Replace all: :%s/old/new/g (global replace; add c for confirmation, e.g., :%s/old/new/gc).

Tips for Red Hat Users

Customize in ~/.vimrc (create if needed):

set number          # Show line numbers
syntax on           # Syntax highlighting
set tabstop=4       # Tab width
set autoindent      # Auto-indent

Edit with vi ~/.vimrc, add lines, then :wq.

For multiple files: vi file1.txt file2.txt, switch with :n (next) or :prev (previous).
Practice in a test file to avoid mistakes in system files.

Vi takes practice but becomes intuitive. Start simple and use Esc often!

References

How to get started with the Vi editor - Red Hat
LFCS #2: How to Install and Use Vi/Vim as a Full Text Editor in Linux
vi Editor in Linux - GeeksforGeeks

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