What is Vim? Detailed installation and usage instructions

Vim is one of the most powerful and popular text editors in the programming world today. In this article, let's learn with  TipsMake  about what is Vim? Why should you use it and how to use it in detail.

What is Vim?

Vim stands for "Vi IMproved", is a text editor designed to optimize the user experience in compiling and editing source code. It is a very flexible tool, capable of supporting many different programming languages ​​and providing many powerful features that conventional editors do not have.

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What is Vim?

Vim is primarily used via the command line interface. However, it also has a graphical version with some additional features. This makes Vim a top choice for those who work in server environments or want to optimize their programming workflow.

Why use Vim?

Vim is more than just a text editor; it offers many benefits to its users. Here are some reasons why you should consider using Vim:

1. Save time: By mastering basic commands and quick cursor movement techniques, users can perform operations without having to leave the keyboard. Helps increase productivity, especially in large projects.
2. High Compatibility: Vim can run on many different operating systems from Windows, macOS to Linux. You can use the same editor on multiple devices without worrying about incompatibility between different platforms.
3. Large Community and Extensive Documentation: Vim has a large and vibrant user community. There is a wealth of documentation, online tutorials, and support forums from veteran developers. If you get stuck or have a question, you can always find help from the community.

List of common commands when using Vim

To get the most out of Vim, you need to know the basic commands. Below is a list of common commands that you will use frequently during your work.

Move the cursor:

Vim provides many commands that let you move the cursor without taking your hands off the keyboard.

1. h: Move left
2. j: Move down
3. k: Move up
4. l: Move right

Enter and edit text:

Vim has two main modes for entering and editing text: Insert mode and Normal mode. Understanding how to switch between these modes is essential to using Vim effectively.

1. Press i to enter Insert mode and start typing.
2. Press Esc to return to Normal mode.

Additionally, text editing commands like x to delete the character at the cursor or dd to delete the entire line are also useful.

Save and exit:

One of the most important operations when working with any editor is saving and exiting. Here are the commands to remember:

1. :w: Save current file
2. :q: Exit Vim
3. :wq: Save and exit at the same time

Search and replace:

You can use / to search for a specific text string.

1. /string: Search for a text string.
2. n: Go to next result
3. N: Go to previous result

This search feature is useful, especially when you are working with large or complex files. Alternatively, you can use the command :%s/old/new/g to replace all occurrences of the word "old" with "new".

Detailed instructions on how to use Vim

You can download it from the official Vim website or through package managers depending on the operating system you are using.

1. On Ubuntu, you can use the command sudo apt install vim.
2. For macOS, it can be installed via Homebrew using the command brew install vim.
3. On Windows, there are several different ways to install it, including downloading the executable from Vim's website.

Once installed, you can open a text file using the command vim filename.txt. If the file does not exist, Vim will automatically create a new file for you to edit.

When you open a file, you'll start in Normal mode. To enter text, press i to switch to Insert mode. You can perform the same commands as mentioned in the common commands section to navigate and edit text.

You can create a configuration file called .vimrc in your home directory to add customizations like keyboard shortcuts, colors, and other settings.

Some useful Plugins for Vim

To enhance your Vim experience, you can install some useful plugins. Below are some typical plugins that you can refer to.

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Useful Plugins for Vim

NERDTree

NERDTree is a great plugin for browsing files in Vim. It provides a directory tree on the left, making it easy to navigate and open files without having to type multiple commands. You need to press Ctrl + N to open NERDTree and start browsing through directories.

CtrlP

If you work with a lot of files often, CtrlP is a great option. This plugin allows you to quickly find and open files without having to remember the full file name. Just press Ctrl + P, type part of the file name, and CtrlP will suggest it for you.

YouCompleteMe

YouCompleteMe is a powerful code autocomplete plugin. It supports many programming languages ​​and provides suggestions while you are typing, saving you time and reducing errors when writing code.

Vim Airline

This plugin enhances the look of Vim, providing a beautiful status bar and useful information about the current file. Vim Airline organizes information in a clear way, making it easy to keep track of operations and the status of the file you are working on.

Conclude

Vim is an extremely powerful and flexible text editor that serves a variety of purposes in programming and text editing. However, getting used to it can take time, especially for beginners. Through this article, we have learned about what Vim is, why to use it, common commands, detailed usage, and some useful plugins.

Vim not only helps you speed up your work, but also opens up many creative possibilities in programming and word processing. Try it out and discover the power of Vim today!

Samuel Daniel

Update 25 February 2025