Vi Reference - version 6
Maarten Litmaath
maart at cs.vu.nl
Thu Oct 5 16:49:50 AEST 1989
It'll never end. Many Minor Modifications, some additions. A patch would
be twice as big. Still `old' format (what happened to you, Kevin?).
Enjoy!
: This is a shar archive. Extract with sh, not csh.
: This archive ends with exit, so do not worry about trailing junk.
: --------------------------- cut here --------------------------
PATH=/bin:/usr/bin:/usr/ucb
CTRL_L="`echo L | tr L '\14'`"
echo Extracting 'vi.ref.6'
sed -e 's/^X//' \
-e "s/^Control-L$/$CTRL_L/" > 'vi.ref.6' << '+ END-OF-FILE ''vi.ref.6'
X
X
X
X
X
X ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
X / VI REFERENCE (by maart at cs.vu.nl) /
X ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
X
X Warning: some vi versions don't support the more esoteric features
X described in this document. You can edit/redistribute this document
X freely, as long as you don't make false claims on original authorship.
X
X default values : 1
X ^X : <ctrl>x
X [*] : `*' is optional
X <*> : `*' must not be taken literally
X <sp> : space
X <cr> : carriage return
X <lf> : linefeed
X <ht> : horizontal tab
X <esc> : escape
X <erase> : your erase character
X <kill> : your kill character
X <intr> : your interrupt character
X <a-z> : an element in the range
X N : number (`*' = allowed, `-' = not appropriate)
X CHAR : char unequal to <ht>|<sp>
X WORD : word followed by <ht>|<sp>|<lf>
XControl-L
X
X
X
X
X
X /////////////////
X / move commands /
X /////////////////
X
X N | Command | Meaning
X ---+--------------------+-----------------------------------------------
X * | h | ^H | <erase> | <*> chars to the left.
X * | j | <lf> | ^N | <*> lines downward.
X * | l | <sp> | <*> chars to the right.
X * | k | ^P | <*> lines upward.
X * | $ | To the end of line <*> from the cursor.
X - | ^ | To the first CHAR of the line.
X * | _ | To the first CHAR <*> - 1 lines lower.
X * | - | To the first CHAR <*> lines higher.
X * | + | <cr> | To the first CHAR <*> lines lower.
X - | 0 | To the first char of the line.
X * | | | To column <*> (<ht>: only to the endpoint).
X * | f<char> | <*> <char>s to the right (find).
X * | t<char> | Till before <*> <char>s to the right.
X * | F<char> | <*> <char>s to the left.
X * | T<char> | Till after <*> <char>s to the left.
X * | ; | Repeat latest `f'|`t'|`F'|`T' <*> times.
X * | , | Idem in opposite direction.
X * | w | <*> words forward.
X * | W | <*> WORDS forward.
X * | b | <*> words backward.
X * | B | <*> WORDS backward.
X * | e | To the end of word <*> forward.
X * | E | To the end of WORD <*> forward.
X * | G | Go to line <*> (default EOF).
X * | H | To line <*> from top of the screen (home).
X * | L | To line <*> from bottom of the screen (last).
X - | M | To the middle line of the screen.
X * | ) | <*> sentences forward.
X * | ( | <*> sentences backward.
X * | } | <*> paragraphs forward.
X * | { | <*> paragraphs backward.
X - | ]] | To the next section (default EOF).
X - | [[ | To the previous section (default begin of file).
X - | `<a-z> | To the mark.
X - | '<a-z> | To the first CHAR of the line with the mark.
X - | `` | To the cursor position before the latest absolute
X | jump (of which are examples `/' and `G').
X - | '' | To the first CHAR of the line on which the cursor
X | was placed before the latest absolute jump.
X - | /<string> | To the next occurrence of <string>.
X - | ?<string> | To the previous occurrence of <string>.
X - | n | Repeat latest `/'|`?' (next).
X - | N | Idem in opposite direction.
X - | % | Find the next bracket and go to its match
X | (also with `{'|`}' and `['|`]').
XControl-L
X
X
X
X
X
X /////////////////////////
X / searching (see above) /
X /////////////////////////
X
X :ta <name> | Search in the tags file where <name> is
X | defined (file, line), and go to it.
X ^] | Use the name under the cursor in a `:ta' command.
X :[x,y]g/<string>/<cmd> | Search globally [from line x to y] for <string>
X | and execute the `ex' <cmd> on each occurrence.
X :[x,y]v/<string>/<cmd> | Execute <cmd> on the lines that don't match.
X
X ///////////////////
X / undoing changes /
X ///////////////////
X
X u | Undo the latest change.
X U | Undo all changes on a line, while not having
X | moved off it (unfortunately).
X :q! | Quit vi without writing.
X :e! | Re-edit a messed-up file.
X
X ///////////////////////////////////
X / appending text (end with <esc>) /
X ///////////////////////////////////
X
X * | a | <*> times after the cursor.
X * | A | <*> times at the end of line.
X * | i | <*> times before the cursor (insert).
X * | I | <*> times before the first CHAR of the line
X * | o | On a new line below the current (open).
X | The count is only useful on a slow terminal.
X * | O | On a new line above the current.
X | The count is only useful on a slow terminal.
X * | ><move> | Shift the lines described by <*><move> one
X | shiftwidth to the right (layout!).
X * | >> | Shift <*> lines one shiftwidth to the right.
X * | ["<a-z1-9>]p | Put the contents of the (default undo) buffer
X | <*> times after the cursor.
X | A buffer containing lines is put only once,
X | below the current line.
X * | ["<a-z1-9>]P | Put the contents of the (default undo) buffer
X | <*> times before the cursor.
X | A buffer containing lines is put only once,
X | above the current line.
X * | . | Repeat previous command <*> times.
X | If the last command before a `.' command
X | references a numbered buffer, the buffer number
X | is incremented first (and the count is ignored):
X |
X | "1pu.u.u.u.u - `walk through' buffers 1
X | through 5
X | "1P.... - restore them
XControl-L
X
X
X
X
X
X /////////////////
X / deleting text /
X /////////////////
X
X Everything deleted can be stored into a buffer. This is achieved by
X putting a `"' and a letter <a-z> before the delete command. The
X deleted text will be in the buffer with the used letter. If <A-Z>
X is used as buffer name, the adjugate buffer <a-z> will be augmented
X instead of overwritten with the text. The undo buffer always
X contains the latest change. Buffers <1-9> contain the latest 9
X LINE deletions (`"1' is most recent).
X
X * | x | Delete <*> chars under and after the cursor.
X * | X | <*> chars before the cursor.
X * | d<move> | From begin to endpoint of <*><move>.
X * | dd | <*> lines.
X - | D | The rest of the line.
X * | <<move> | Shift the lines described by <*><move> one
X | shiftwidth to the left (layout!).
X * | << | Shift <*> lines one shiftwidth to the left.
X * | . | Repeat latest command <*> times.
X
X //////////////////////////////////
X / changing text (end with <esc>) /
X //////////////////////////////////
X
X * | r<char> | Replace <*> chars by <char> - no <esc>.
X * | R | Overwrite the rest of the line,
X | appending change <*> - 1 times.
X * | s | Substitute <*> chars.
X * | S | <*> lines.
X * | c<move> | Change from begin to endpoint of <*><move>.
X * | cc | <*> lines.
X * | C | The rest of the line and <*> - 1 next lines.
X * | =<move> | If the option `lisp' is set, this command
X | will realign the lines described by <*><move>
X | as though they had been typed with the option
X | `ai' set too.
X - | ~ | Switch lower and upper cases.
X * | J | Join <*> lines (default 2).
X * | . | Repeat latest command <*> times (`J' only once).
X - | & | Repeat latest `ex' substitute command, e.g.
X | `:s/wrong/good'.
X - | :[x,y]s/<p>/<r>/<f>| Substitute (on lines x through y) the pattern
X | <p> (default the last pattern) with <r>. Useful
X | flags <f> are `g' for `global' (i.e. change every
X | non-overlapping occurrence of <p>) and `c' for
X | `confirm' (type `y' to confirm a particular
X | substitution, else <cr>). Instead of `/' any
X | punctuation CHAR unequal to <lf> can be used as
X | delimiter.
XControl-L
X
X
X
X
X
X ///////////////////////////////////
X / substitute replacement patterns /
X ///////////////////////////////////
X
X The basic meta-characters for the replacement pattern are `&' and `~';
X these are given as `\&' and `\~' when nomagic is set. Each instance
X of `&' is replaced by the characters which the regular expression
X matched. The meta-character `~' stands, in the replacement
X pattern, for the defining text of the previous replacement
X pattern. Other meta-sequences possible in the replacement pattern
X are always introduced by the escaping character `\'. The sequence
X `\n' (with `n' in [1-9]) is replaced by the text matched by the
X n-th regular subexpression enclosed between `\(' and `\)'. The
X sequences `\u' and `\l' cause the immediately following character
X in the replacement to be converted to upper- or lower-case
X respectively if this character is a letter. The sequences `\U' and
X `\L' turn such conversion on, either until `\E' or `\e' is
X encountered, or until the end of the replacement pattern.
X
X //////////////////////////////
X / remembering text (yanking) /
X //////////////////////////////
X
X With yank commands you can put `"<a-z>' before the command, just as
X with delete commands. Otherwise you only copy to the undo buffer.
X The use of buffers <a-z> is THE way of copying text to another
X file; see the `:e <file>' command.
X
X * | y<move> | Yank from begin to endpoint of <*><move>.
X * | yy | <*> lines.
X * | Y | Idem (should be equivalent to `y$' though).
X - | m<a-z> | Mark the cursor position with a letter.
X
X ////////////////////////////////////////
X / commands while in append|change mode /
X ////////////////////////////////////////
X
X ^@ | If typed as the first character of the
X | insertion, it is replaced with the previous
X | text inserted (max. 128 chars), after which
X | the insertion is terminated.
X ^V | Deprive the next char of its special meaning
X | (e.g. <esc>).
X ^D | One shiftwidth to the left.
X 0^D | Remove all indentation on the current line
X | (there must be no other chars on the line).
X ^^D | Idem, but it is restored on the next line.
X ^T | one shiftwidth to the right
X ^H | <erase> | One char back.
X ^W | One word back.
X <kill> | Back to the begin of the change on the
X | current line.
X <intr> | like <esc>.
XControl-L
X
X
X
X
X
X /////////////////////////////////////////////////
X / writing, editing other files, and quitting vi /
X /////////////////////////////////////////////////
X
X In `:' `ex' commands `%' denotes the current file, `#' is a synonym for
X the alternate file (which normally is the previous file).
X Marks can be used for line numbers too: '<a-z>.
X In the `:w'|`:f'|`:cd'|`:e'|`:n' commands shell meta-characters can be
X used.
X
X :q | Quit vi, unless the buffer has been changed.
X :q! | Quit vi without writing.
X ^Z | Suspend vi.
X :w | Write the file.
X :w <name> | Write to the file <name>.
X :w >> <name> | Append the buffer to the file <name>.
X :w! <name> | Overwrite the file <name>.
X :x,y w <name> | Write lines x through y to the file <name>.
X :wq | Write the file and quit vi; some versions quit
X | even if the write was unsuccessful!
X | Use `ZZ' instead.
X ZZ | Write if the buffer has been changed, and
X | quit vi. If you have invoked vi with the `-r'
X | option, you'd better write the file
X | explicitly (`w' or `w!'), or quit the
X | editor explicitly (`q!') if you don't want
X | to overwrite the file - some versions of vi
X | don't handle the `recover' option very well.
X :x [<file>] | Idem [but write to <file>].
X :x! [<file>] | `:w![<file>]' and `:q'.
X :pre | Preserve the file - the buffer is saved as if
X | the system had just crashed; for emergencies,
X | when a `:w' command has failed and you don't
X | know how to save your work (see `vi -r').
X :f <name> | Set the current filename to <name>.
X :cd [<dir>] | Set the working directory to <dir>
X | (default home directory).
X :cd! [<dir>] | Idem, but don't save changes.
X :e [+<cmd>] <file> | Edit another file without quitting vi - the
X | buffers are not changed (except the undo
X | buffer), so text can be copied from one file to
X | another this way. [Execute the `ex' command
X | <cmd> (default `$') when the new file has been
X | read into the buffer.] <cmd> must contain no
X | <sp> or <ht>. See `vi startup'.
X :e! [+<cmd>] <file> | Idem, without writing the current buffer.
X ^^ | Edit the alternate (normally the previous) file.
X :rew | Rewind the argument list, edit the first file.
X :rew! | Idem, without writing the current buffer.
X :n [+<cmd>] [<files>] | Edit next file or specify a new argument list.
X :n! [+<cmd>] [<files>] | Idem, without writing the current buffer.
X :args | Give the argument list, with the current file
X | between `[' and `]'.
XControl-L
X
X
X
X
X
X ////////////////////
X / display commands /
X ////////////////////
X
X ^G | Give file name, status, current line number
X | and relative position.
X ^L | Refresh the screen (sometimes `^P' or `^R').
X ^R | Sometimes vi replaces a deleted line by a `@',
X | to be deleted by `^R' (see option `redraw').
X [*]^E | Expose <*> more lines at bottom, cursor
X | stays put (if possible).
X [*]^Y | Expose <*> more lines at top, cursor
X | stays put (if possible).
X [*]^D | Scroll <*> lines downward
X | (default the number of the previous scroll;
X | initialization: half a page).
X [*]^U | Scroll <*> lines upward
X | (default the number of the previous scroll;
X | initialization: half a page).
X [*]^F | <*> pages forward.
X [*]^B | <*> pages backward (in older versions `^B' only
X | works without count).
X
X If in the next commands the field <wi> is present, the windowsize
X will change to <wi>. The window will always be displayed at the
X bottom of the screen.
X
X [*]z[wi]<cr> | Put line <*> at the top of the window
X | (default the current line).
X [*]z[wi]+ | Put line <*> at the top of the window
X | (default the first line of the next page).
X [*]z[wi]- | Put line <*> at the bottom of the window
X | (default the current line).
X [*]z[wi]. | Put line <*> in the centre of the window
X | (default the current line).
XControl-L
X
X
X
X
X
X ////////////////////////////
X / mapping and abbreviation /
X ////////////////////////////
X
X When mapping take a look at the options `to' and `remap' (below).
X
X :map <string> <seq> | <string> is interpreted as <seq>, e.g.
X | `:map ^C :!cc %^V<cr>' to compile from within vi
X | (vi replaces `%' with the current file name).
X :map | Show all mappings.
X :unmap <string> | Deprive <string> of its mapping. When vi
X | complains about non-mapped macros (whereas no
X | typos have been made), first do something like
X | `:map <string> Z', followed by `:unmap <string>'
X | (`Z' must not be a macro itself), or switch to
X | `ex' mode first with `Q'.
X :map! <string> <seq> | Mapping in append mode, e.g.
X | `:map! \be begin^V<cr>end;^V<esc>O<ht>'.
X | When <string> is preceded by `^V', no
X | mapping is done.
X :map! | Show all append mode mappings.
X :unmap! <string> | Deprive <string> of its mapping (see `:unmap').
X :ab <string> <seq> | Whenever in append mode <string> is preceded and
X | followed by a breakpoint (e.g. <sp> or `,'), it
X | is interpreted as <seq>, e.g. `:ab p procedure'.
X | A `^V' immediately following <string> inhibits
X | expansion.
X :ab | Show all abbreviations.
X :unab <string> | Do not consider <string> an abbreviation
X | anymore (see `:unmap').
X @<a-z> | Consider the contents of the named register a
X | command, e.g.:
X | o0^D:s/wrong/good/<esc>"zdd
X | Explanation:
X | o - open a new line
X | 0^D - remove indentation
X | :s/wrong/good/ - this input text is an
X | `ex' substitute command
X | <esc> - finish the input
X | "zdd - delete the line just
X | created into register `z'
X | Now you can type `@z' to substitute `wrong'
X | with `good' on the current line.
X @@ | Repeat last register command.
XControl-L
X
X
X
X
X
X /////////////////////////////
X / switch and shell commands /
X /////////////////////////////
X
X Q | ^\ | <intr><intr> | Switch from vi to `ex'.
X : | An `ex' command can be given.
X :vi | Switch from `ex' to vi.
X :sh | Execute a subshell, back to vi by `^D'.
X :[x,y]!<cmd> | Execute a shell <cmd> [on lines x through y;
X | these lines will serve as input for <cmd> and
X | will be replaced by its standard output].
X :[x,y]!! [<args>] | Repeat last shell command [and append <args>].
X :[x,y]!<cmd> ! [<args>] | Use the previous command (the second `!') in a
X | new command.
X [*]!<move><cmd> | The shell executes <cmd>, with as standard
X | input the lines described by <*><move>,
X | next the standard output replaces those lines
X | (think of `cb', `sort', `nroff', etc.).
X [*]!<move>!<args> | Append <args> to the last <cmd> and execute it,
X | using the lines described by the current
X | <*><move>.
X [*]!!<cmd> | Give <*> lines as standard input to the
X | shell <cmd>, next let the standard output
X | replace those lines.
X [*]!!! [<args>] | Use the previous <cmd> [and append <args> to it].
X :x,y w !<cmd> | Let lines x to y be standard input for <cmd>
X | (notice the <sp> between `w' and `!').
X :r!<cmd> | Put the output of <cmd> onto a new line.
X :r <name> | Read the file <name> into the buffer.
XControl-L
X
X
X
X
X
X //////////////
X / vi startup /
X //////////////
X
X vi [<files>] | Edit the files, start with the first page of
X | the first file.
X
X The editor can be initialized by the shell variable `EXINIT', which
X looks like:
X
X EXINIT='<cmd>|<cmd>|...'
X <cmd>: set options
X map ...
X ab ...
X export EXINIT (in the Bourne shell)
X
X However, the list of initializations can also be put into a file.
X If this file is located in your home directory, and is named `.exrc'
X AND the variable `EXINIT' is NOT set, the list will be executed
X automatically at startup time. However, vi will always execute the
X contents of a `.exrc' in the current directory, if you own the file.
X Else you have to give the execute command yourself:
X
X :source file
X or
X :so file
X
X On-line initializations can be given with `vi +<cmd> file', e.g.:
X
X vi +x file | The cursor will immediately jump to line x
X | (default last line).
X vi +/<string> file | ~ to the first occurrence of <string>.
X
X You can start at a particular tag with:
X
X vi -t <tag> | Start in the right file in the right place.
X
X Sometimes (e.g. if the system crashed while you were editing) it is
X possible to recover files lost in the editor by `vi -r file'. If
X you just want to view a file by using vi, and you want to avoid any
X change, instead of vi you can use the `view' or `vi -R' command:
X the option `readonly' will be set automatically (with `:w!' you can
X override this option).
XControl-L
X
X
X
X
X
X //////////////////////////////
X / the most important options /
X //////////////////////////////
X
X ai | autoindent - In append mode after a <cr> the
X | cursor will move directly below the first
X | CHAR on the previous line. However, if the
X | option `lisp' is set, the cursor will align
X | at the first argument to the last open list.
X aw | autowrite - Write at every shell escape.
X | (useful when compiling from within vi)
X dir=<string> | directory - The directory for vi to make
X | temporary files (default `/tmp').
X eb | errorbells - Beeps when you goof
X | (not on every terminal).
X ic | ignorecase - No distinction between upper and
X | lower cases when searching.
X lisp | Redefine the following commands:
X | `(', `)' - move backward (forward) over
X | S-expressions
X | `{', `}' - idem, but don't stop at atoms
X | `[[', `]]' - go to previous (next) line
X | beginning with a `('
X | See option `ai'.
X list | <lf> is shown as `$', <ht> as `^I'.
X magic | If this option is set (default), the chars `.',
X | `[' and `*' have special meanings within search
X | and `ex' substitute commands. To deprive such a
X | char of its special function it must be preceded
X | by a `\'. If the option is turned off it's just
X | the other way around. Meta-chars:
X | ^<string> - <string> must begin the line
X | <string>$ - <string> must end the line
X | . - matches any char
X | [a-z] - matches any char in the range
X | [<string>] - matches any char in <string>
X | [^<string>] - matches any char not in <string>
X | <char>* - 0 or more <char>s
X | \<<string>\> - <string> must be a word
X nu | number - Numbers before the lines.
X para=<string> | paragraphs - Every pair of chars in <string> is
X | considered a paragraph delimiter nroff macro
X | (for `{' and `}'). A <sp> preceded by a `\'
X | indicates the previous char is a single letter
X | macro. `:set para=P\ bp' introduces `.P' and
X | `.bp' as paragraph delimiters. Empty lines and
X | section boundaries are paragraph boundaries too.
X redraw | The screen remains up to date.
X remap | If on (default), macros are repeatedly
X | expanded until they are unchanged.
X | Example: if `o' is mapped to `A', and `A'
X | is mapped to `I', then `o' will map to `I'
X | if `remap' is set, else it will map to `A'.
X report=<*> | Vi reports whenever e.g. a delete
X | or yank command affects <*> or more lines.
X ro | readonly - The file is not to be changed.
X | However, `:w!' will override this option.
XControl-L
X
X
X
X
X
X sect=<string> | sections - Gives the section delimiters (for `[['
X | and `]]'); see option `para'. A `{' beginning a
X | line also starts a section (as in C functions).
X sh=<string> | shell - The program to be used for shell escapes
X | (default `$SHELL' (default `/bin/sh')).
X sw=<*> | shiftwidth - Gives the shiftwidth (default 8
X | positions).
X sm | showmatch - Whenever you append a `)', vi shows
X | its match if it's on the same page; also with
X | `{' and `}'. If there's no match, vi will beep.
X terse | Short error messages.
X to | timeout - If this option is set, append mode
X | mappings will be interpreted only if they're
X | typed fast enough.
X ts=<*> | tabstop - The length of a <ht>; warning: this is
X | only IN the editor, outside of it <ht>s have
X | their normal length (default 8 positions).
X wa | writeany - No checks when writing (dangerous).
X warn | Warn you when you try to quit without writing.
X wi=<*> | window - The default number of lines vi shows.
X wm=<*> | wrapmargin - In append mode vi automatically
X | puts a <lf> whenever there is a <sp> or <ht>
X | within <wm> columns from the right margin.
X ws | wrapscan - When searching, the end is
X | considered `stuck' to the begin of the file.
X
X :set <option> | Turn <option> on.
X :set no<option> | Turn <option> off.
X :set <option>=<value> | Set <option> to <value>.
X :set | Show all non-default options and their values.
X :set <option>? | Show <option>'s value.
X :set all | Show all options and their values.
X
X
X /////////////////
X / contributions /
X /////////////////
X
X Maarten Litmaath <maart at cs.vu.nl>
X Rich Salz <rsalz at bbn.com>
X Eamonn McManus <emcmanus at cs.tcd.ie>
X Diomidis Spinellis <diomidis%ecrcvax.uucp at pyramid.pyramid.com>
X Blair P. Houghton <bph at buengc.bu.edu>
X Rusty Haddock <{uunet,att,rutgers}!mimsy.umd.edu!fe2o3!rusty>
X Panos Tsirigotis <panos at boulder.colorado.edu>
X David J. MacKenzie <djm at wam.umd.edu>
X Kevin Carothers <kevin at ttidca.tti.com>
X Dan Mercer <mercer at ncrcce.StPaul.NCR.COM>
X
X Patchlevel: 6
+ END-OF-FILE vi.ref.6
chmod 'u=rw,g=r,o=r' 'vi.ref.6'
set `wc -c 'vi.ref.6'`
count=$1
case $count in
30846) :;;
*) echo 'Bad character count in ''vi.ref.6' >&2
echo 'Count should be 30846' >&2
esac
exit 0
--
Did Andy Tanenbaum get his programming |Maarten Litmaath @ VU Amsterdam:
instruction from a Cereal box? (Sam McCrea)|maart at cs.vu.nl, mcvax!botter!maart
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