Are you new to Termux and looking to improve your command-line editing skills? Look no further! In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the basics of using the VI editor in Termux. VI is a powerful and widely-used text editor that can be a bit intimidating at first, but with this simple guide, you’ll be editing files like a pro in no time!
Opening and Exiting Vi Editor
To open a file using Vi, simply type vi filename in the Termux terminal. If the file does not exist, Vi will create a new file with the specified name. To exit Vi, press Esc to ensure you are in normal mode, and then type :q followed by Enter. To save changes before quitting, use :wq.
Navigating and Editing Text
Moving the Cursor
In Vi, you can move the cursor using various commands. Use h, j, k, and l keys to move left, down, up, and right, respectively. Additionally, Ctrl + F and Ctrl + B allow you to scroll forward and backward in the text.
Inserting and Appending Text
To insert text, press i in normal mode, and to append text, press a. This allows you to start typing at the current cursor position.
Deleting Text
Use x to delete the character under the cursor, or dd to delete the entire line. Combine with a number to delete multiple lines.
Copying and Pasting
To copy a line, use yy, and to paste it, use p in normal mode.
Undo and Redo
Press u to undo the last action and Ctrl + R to redo.
Conclusion
Mastering Vi editor commands is an essential skill for anyone working with Termux or any Linux environment. With this knowledge, you can efficiently navigate and edit text, customize the editor to your preferences, and tackle advanced editing tasks. Embrace the power of Vi to become a more productive and proficient Termux user.