VI and UNIX Quick Reference Sheet
vi Editor Tips:
From Unix prompt (%) enter:
vi filename
These are the basic vi editor commands. For a more detailed list refer
to any UNIX manual.
Modes:
- command mode -- Invoked by default on entering vi. Invoked
from input mode or last line mode by pressing the ESC key.
- input mode -- Invoked from command mode by pressing the
desired input key (see "entering text" below).
- last line mode -- Invoked from command mode by pressing
Shift-colon (:).
Movement:
(Must be in command mode)
j -- move down one line
h -- move to the left one character
k -- move up one line
l -- move to the right one character
Note: the keypad arrow keys generally work for movement as well.
Entering/Deleting Text:
(Must be entered from command mode. Puts you in input mode.)
a -- append after cursor
A -- append at end of line
i -- insert before cursor (most commonly used to start new file)
I -- insert at beginning of line
o -- create new line below the current line
O -- create new line above the current line
(Must be in command mode.)
dd -- delete current line, 3dd deletes 3 lines
D -- delete from cursor to end of line
u -- undo last change
x -- delete character at cursor, 4x deletes 4 characters
Exiting/Misc Commands:
(Must be enterd from last line mode.)
q -- quit if saved or no changes
q! -- quit without writing changes
w -- write the changes to file
wq -- write changes to file and exit
set showmode -- display when in input/insert mode
r filename -- read file in at cursor position
Common UNIX Commands:
Note:Unix is case sensitive - upper or lower case letters make a difference!
All commands listed below are entered at the Unix prompt, which on our system consists of your login
name, an event number and a percent sign (%).
passwd -- Use to change your current password. You will be prompted for the old and new passwords.
ls -- List current directory
ls -l -- Long listing
ls -a -- List all files (and .files)
cp fileA fileB -- Copy fileA to fileB
mv fileA fileB -- Rename fileA to fileB
mkdir xyz -- Make a directory named xyz
rm fileA -- remove a file called fileA
cd xyz -- change (down) to directory xyz
cd .. -- move back(up) one directory
cd / -- move to the root(/) directory
vi fileA -- start the vi editor for new or existing file named fileA
h -- display command history since login
!! -- recall last command
!n -- recall command number n
written by Jason Russell; 6/95