Vim Text Editor

Vim is the default text editor that is installed already in most Linux distributions. It is one of the most powerful and lightweight text editors that deals with a lot of work purposes, from basic file editing to software development by providing an Integrated Development Environment(IDE). Vim was derived from the Vi text editor which was used in Unix operating system in early 1970/80. Vim text editor is generally preferred for Linux administrators or Developers. It has some special features such as:

  • Search and replace
  • GUI mode 
  • Autocompletion
  • Undo/redo
  • Color schemes

Also, it has 5 special features such as:

  •  It can work with multiple files.
  •  Switch the case using the (~) command.
  •  Block mode
  •  More than one level of undo using the .vimrc file
  •  There are multiple plugins available for Vim.

Pros of Vim

  • It is a powerful and quite faster text editor.
  • It serves in multiple files.
  • Most powerful plugins compare to any text editors.

Cons of Vim

  • It has complicated work options that make little difficult to use.
  • New learners will find it difficult when it comes to use.

Example of Vim

Step 1: We can use the Vim text editor using the vim command

vim gfg.txt

 

Step 2: There are some basic options used to operate the vim text editor such as

I - insert mode

 

esc + :wq - save and exit

 

esc + q! - exit without save

 

  • ESC + yy – copy the text line under the cursor
  • ESC + p – paste the copied text line
  • ESC + 0 – move the cursor to the starting point of the first line
  • ESC + $ – move the cursor to the starting point of the last line 

Difference Between Vim VS Nano VS Emacs

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Table of Differences between Vim vs Nano vs Emacs

Basic Vim Nano Emacs Definition It is a default text editor installed in the Linux distribution It is the easiest text editor used in Linux and windows operating system It is a feature-based text editor used in most the operating system Usability It is a little difficult to learn It is easy to learn and use It is easy to use compared to Vim and Nano due to built-in features Supported O/S Linux and Unix  Linux and Windows Linux, Windows, and macOS Creator It was created by Bram Moolenaar  It was created by Richard Stallman It was also created by Richard Stallman Written In C Language and vim script  C Language C Language and Emacs Lisp License Free software, GPL compatible GNU GPL  GNU GPL Stable Version 23.3 9.0 28.2...