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TIPS & TRICKS IN USING VIM


This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Frank

Here are some tips and tricks to help you become more efficient with Vim:

Navigation

  1. Move by Word or Paragraph:

    • w / b: Move to the beginning of the next/previous word.
    • e / ge: Move to the end of the next/previous word.
    • { / }: Move to the beginning/end of the previous/next paragraph.

  2. Jump to Specific Lines:

    • :number (e.g., :25): Go to line 25.
    • G: Go to the last line.
    • gg: Go to the first line.

  3. Find Text:

    • /pattern: Search forward for the pattern.
    • ?pattern: Search backward for the pattern.
    • n: Go to the next occurrence of the search pattern.
    • N: Go to the previous occurrence of the search pattern.

Editing

  1. Replace Text:

    • r + char: Replace the character under the cursor with char.
    • R: Enter Replace Mode, allowing you to replace multiple characters until you press Esc.

  2. Change Text:

    • cw: Change (delete and switch to Insert Mode) the current word.
    • c$: Change from the cursor to the end of the line.

  3. Undo and Redo:

    • u: Undo the last change.
    • Ctrl-r: Redo the last undone change.

  4. Repeat Last Command:

    • .: Repeat the last change.

Visual Mode

  1. Select and Operate:
    • v: Select text character by character.
    • V: Select whole lines.
    • Ctrl-v: Select a block of text.
    • After selecting text, you can use d (delete), y (yank), c (change), etc.

Efficiency

  1. Use Macros:

    • Start recording a macro with q + register (e.g., q a to record into register a).
    • Perform the actions you want to record.
    • Stop recording with q.
    • Replay the macro with @register (e.g., @a to replay the macro stored in register a).

  2. Use Buffers and Tabs:

    • :e filename: Open a new file in a buffer.
    • :bnext / :bprev: Switch between buffers.
    • :tabnew: Open a new tab.
    • :tabnext / :tabprev: Switch between tabs.

Customization

  1. Edit .vimrc:

    • Add custom settings to ~/.vimrc to personalize Vim (e.g., set number to show line numbers).

  2. Install Plugins:

    • Use plugin managers like vim-plug, Vundle, or Pathogen to extend Vim’s functionality (e.g., for syntax highlighting, code completion).

Helpful Commands

  1. Show Line Numbers:

    • :set number or :set nu: Show line numbers.

  2. Show Whitespace Characters:

    • :set list: Show whitespace characters (e.g., tabs, spaces).

  3. Get Help:

    • :help: Access Vim’s help documentation.
    • :help command: Get help for a specific command (e.g., :help :w).

These tips and tricks can help you navigate, edit, and customize Vim more effectively, making your workflow smoother and more efficient.


This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Frank