Vi/Vim Basic Reference

A very short reference on using Vi/Vim.

Not my first option but sometimes the only one. When I started with Linux in '99/'00 I immediately attached myself to Pico, then Nano. I could never use it for more than basic editing needs though, nor did I want to. So for those who does, in a *nix environment, I understand. My more advanced editing needs are done in a graphical environment, admittingly mostly on a Windows workstation.

Vi/Vim Basics

ESC goes to command mode, where I can:

dd	- to delete current line.
u	- to undo last action.
shift+x	- to delete previous character from curser.
x	- to delete next character from cursor.
i	- to start inserting before cursor.
a	- to start inserting after cursor.
:q	- to quit without changes (use :q! to force).
:wq	- to quit saving changes.

i and a will enter input mode. ESC will go back to command mode.

This is pretty much all the basics I need in emergency editing where nano is not available, as Vi/Vim is sometimes the only default alternative on slim GNU/Linux installations without Internet access. Keeping it simple will make it easier to remember and use at those rare occations.