vim

# Vim Vim is the universal text editor installed on every UNIX system. While Neovim innovates, Vim focuses on backward compatibility and stability. ## When to Use - **Universal Server & System Editing**: Editing system configs, scripts, and code on any Unix/Linux server without installing external software. - **Modal Text Manipulation**: Composing text transformations with operator-motion grammar (`dap`, `ci"`, `gUiw`). - **Headless Macro Automation**: Recording and replaying repetitive editing operations across hundreds of lines (`qa`, `@a`). - **Git Commit & Merge Editing**: Fast interactive editing for commit messages, interactive rebases, and diff conflict resolution. ## Quick Start ### 1. Minimal ~/.vimrc ```vim syntax on set number set relativenumber set tabstop=2 set shiftwidth=2 set expandtab set hlsearch set incsearch set clipboard=unnamed let mapleader = " " nnoremap <leader>w :w<CR> nnoremap <leader>q :q<CR> ``` ### 2. Core Editing Commands - `i` / `a`: Insert mode (before / after cursor) - `ci"`: Change inside quotes - `da{`: Delete around curly braces - `:%s/foo/bar/g`: Replace all occurrences of foo with bar in file - `.` : Repeat last modification ## Core Concepts ### Modern Production Vimrc (`~/.vimrc`) Configuring sensible defaults, plugin manager, and code navigation: ```vim " ~/.vimrc set nocompatible filetype plugin indent on syntax on " General settings set number set relativenumber set expandtab set shiftwidth = 2 set tabstop = 2 set autoindent set smartindent set hlsearch set incsearch set ignorecase set smartcase set hidden set backspace=indent,eol,start set updatetime=300 set clipboard=unnamed " Leader key mapping let mapleader = " " " Fast split navigation nnoremap <C-h> <C-w>h nnoremap <C-j> <C-w>j nnoremap <C-k> <C-w>k nnoremap <C-l> <C-w>l " Clear search highlight nnoremap <leader>h :nohlsearch<CR> ``` ### Essential Text Objects & Grammar Combining operators (`d`, `c`, `y`, `v`) with text objects and motions: ```text ci" - Change inside double quotes ("foo" -> "") di( - Delete inside parentheses yap - Yank (copy) around paragraph gUiw - Convert inner word to UPPERCASE dt, - Delete from cursor until comma . - Repeat last change immediately ``` ### Macro Recording & Execution Automating repetitive tabular data transformations: ```text 1. Press `qa` to start recording macro into register 'a' 2. Perform text editing steps (e.g. `0iconst <Esc>A = true;<Esc>j`) 3. Press `q` to finish recording 4. Replay macro on current line: `@a` 5. Replay macro 50 times across lines: `50@a` 6. Run macro on visual selection: `:'<,'>normal @a` ``` ## Common Patterns ### Macro Recording and Bulk Execution **Problem**: Performing repetitive multi-step editing sequences across hundreds of lines manually. **Solution**: ```vim " Record macro to register q: " qq -> enter normal/insert commands -> q to stop " Replay macro on current line: @q " Replay macro across lines 1 to 50: :1,50normal @q ``` ### Plugin Management with vim-plug **Problem**: Install and organize Vim plugins without manual path manipulation. **Solution**: Use `vim-plug`. ```vim call plug#begin('~/.vim/plugged') Plug 'tpope/vim-sensible' Plug 'tpope/vim-fugitive' Plug 'preservim/nerdtree' call plug#end() ``` Run `:PlugInstall` inside Vim to install. ## Best Practices **Do**: - Master modal navigation (`h`, `j`, `k`, `l`, `w`, `b`, `e`) and avoid reaching for arrow keys. - Leverage Text Objects (`ciw`, `da(`, `yi{`) to edit structured code blocks with minimal keystrokes. - Use the dot command (`.`) to repeat recent text transformations across similar lines. - Enable `set hidden` so buffers can stay open in the background without forcing immediate saves. **Don't**: - Install hundreds of heavy legacy VimScript plugins; transition to Neovim Lua if a rich IDE experience is required. - Leave swap files (`.swp`) lingering; configure `set noswapfile` or set a dedicated swap directory. - Use synchronous external calls in `~/.vimrc` that cause noticeable startup delay on remote machines. ## Troubleshooting | Error | Cause | Solution | | ------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | System clipboard copy fails (`"+y` does nothing) | Vim compiled without `+clipboard` support | Install `vim-gtk3` (Ubuntu) or `macvim` / `neovim` with clipboard support enabled. | | Arrow keys insert `A`, `B`, `C`, `D` characters | Running in strict Vi compatible mode | Add `set nocompatible` at top of `~/.vimrc`. | | Trailing whitespace highlighting persists after search | Highlight search remained active | Press `:nohlsearch` or bind `<leader>h :nohlsearch<CR>`. | ## References - [Vim Documentation](https://www.vim.org/docs.php)