Vi editor

FAQ

Syntax highlighting

To use syntax highlighting temporarily use the command :syntax on. To switch it off again use :syntax off.

To use line number permanently use

[root@mars ~]# <input>echo "syntax on" >> $HOME/.vimrc</input>

Line numbers in vi

To use line numbers temporarily use the command :set number. To switch it off again use :set nonumber.

To use line number permanently use

[root@mars ~]# <input>echo "set number" >> $HOME/.vimrc</input>

Which editor mode are I'm in

Use showmode option. Shown below

[root@mars ~]# <input>echo "set showmode" >> $HOME/.vimrc</input>

Now you can see which mode you are in by looking at the bottom line

1. In insert mode it will write -- INSERT --
2. In replace mode it will write -- REPLACE --
3. In line command mode it will write a colon (:) in the lower left cornor of the screen.
4. In command mode - empty or everything else

VIM and FreeBSD malfunctioning arrow keys in insert mode

Set vim to work in nocompatible mode. Not as old vi.

[root@mars ~]# <input>echo "set nocompatible" >> $HOME/.vimrc</input>