How to Use Vi to Alter in Linux

Learning how to use the vi editor in Linux is a fundamental skill for any system administrator or developer. Vi, short for Visual editor, is a powerful text editor that comes pre-installed on most Linux distributions. It allows users to edit files quickly and efficiently, making it an essential tool for managing text-based configurations and scripts. In this article, we will guide you through the basics of using vi to alter files in Linux.

Opening a File in Vi

To start editing a file using vi, open the terminal and navigate to the directory containing the file you want to modify. Once you are in the correct directory, type the following command:

“`
vi filename
“`

This command will open the specified file in vi. If the file does not exist, vi will create a new one with the given filename.

Entering Command Mode

By default, vi opens in command mode, which means you can only perform specific commands. To navigate through the file, use the following keys:

– `h`: Move the cursor left
– `j`: Move the cursor down
– `k`: Move the cursor up
– `l`: Move the cursor right

Editing the File

Enter insert mode by pressing the `i` key. Once in insert mode, you can start typing to add text to the file. To exit insert mode and return to command mode, press the `Esc` key.

Performing Basic Commands

Here are some of the basic commands you can use in vi:

– `wq`: Save the file and quit vi
– `q`: Quit vi without saving changes
– `q!`: Quit vi and discard any changes
– `:w`: Save the file without quitting vi
– `:w filename`: Save the file with a new filename
– `:wq!`: Save the file and quit vi, discarding any changes

Editing Text in Command Mode

In command mode, you can perform various text editing operations. Here are some examples:

– `0`: Move the cursor to the beginning of the line
– `$`: Move the cursor to the end of the line
– `gg`: Move the cursor to the beginning of the file
– `G`: Move the cursor to the end of the file
– `Ctrl + f`: Page down
– `Ctrl + b`: Page up
– `dd`: Delete the current line
– `cw`: Change the current word
– `cw word`: Change the current word to “word”
– `cw /pattern/`: Change the current word to the word that matches the pattern

Exiting Vi

When you are finished editing the file, you can exit vi by pressing `Esc` to enter command mode, then typing `:wq` to save the file and quit vi.

Conclusion

Using vi to alter files in Linux is a valuable skill that can help you manage your system more effectively. By mastering the basics of vi, you will be able to edit text-based configurations, scripts, and other files with ease. Keep practicing, and you will soon become proficient in using this powerful text editor.