The Editor
How should I start to learn Vim, then?
There are many ways. If you have access to a UNIX computer (such as the SPS Linux server) with Vim installed, you just need to type the command "vimtutor" and start reading and practicing!
Don't be shocked by the seemingly endless text appeared on the screen. You should have no problem to finish reading it in 30 minutes. If you are more comfortable with Chinese, you can use "vimtutor zh".
Alternatively, you may wish to read the first chapter (only) in the Vim Book.
There are so many Vim commands! It is impossible for me to learn all!
You don't need to. In fact, you should not even try to learn every command Vim offers. That would be a complete waste of time. Most people (even the professional programmers) only need to learn 10 to 20 percent of the commands for their work. But it's a different set of commands for everybody. If you don't have any difficulty in handling your work with Vim, you don't have to "study" the entire Vim command list.
Make it a Habit to Learn Vim
Learning to drive a car takes effort. Is that a reason to keep driving your bicycle? No. You need to invest time to learn a skill. Text editing isn't different. You need to learn new commands and turn them into a habit.
Many Vim users, including myself, like to keep a common-vim-command list. A lot of people like to call it "Vi Cheat Sheet". I don't know why. You can easily find hundreds of them if you do a simple search using Google. Alternatively, if you hate the word "cheat", you may find this quick vim reference handy.
I think every Vim user should have his/her own cheat sheet, and constantly update it as he/she learns more. If you are interested, take a look at
- The cheat sheet I am currently using and
- my own additional Vim notes.
I have a question about Vim. I know it is a simple question. But where can I find the answer?
Try this Vi FAQ. It avoids technical jargon and has a very reader-friendly style, It answered most of my silly questions about Vim when I first started. And of course, SPS seniors always offer you the best help, if they know how to use Vim.
Is there a complete reference for Vim?
- The Vim Book [ pdf ] is a good one, written by Bram Moolenaar, the main creator of Vim.
- Another nice website, Vi Lovers Home Page.
- Or you may wish to read the online documentation for Vim.
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