1 *vi_diff.txt* For Vim version 5.8. Last change: 2000 Aug 11
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
7 Differences between Vim and Vi *vi-differences*
9 Throughout the help files differences between Vim and Vi/Ex are given in
10 curly braces, like "{not in Vi}". This file only lists what has not been
11 mentioned in other files and gives an overview.
13 Vim is mostly POSIX 1003.2-1 compliant. The only command known to be missing
14 is ":open". There are probably a lot of small differences.
16 1. Missing commands |missing-commands|
17 2. Missing options |missing-options|
19 4. The most interesting additions |vim-additions|
20 5. Other vim features |other-features|
21 6. Command-line arguments |cmdline-arguments|
23 ==============================================================================
24 1. Missing commands *missing-commands*
26 This command is in Vi, but not in Vim:
28 :o[pen] {Vi: start editing in open mode} *:o* *:op* *:open*
30 ==============================================================================
31 2. Missing options *missing-options*
33 These options are in the Unix Vi, but not in Vim. If you try to set one of
34 them you won't get an error message, but the value is not used and cannot be
37 autoprint (ap) boolean (default on) *'autoprint'* *'ap'*
38 beautify (bf) boolean (default off) *'beautify'* *'bf'*
39 flash (fl) boolean (default ??) *'flash'* *'fl'*
40 graphic (gr) boolean (default off) *'graphic'* *'gr'*
41 hardtabs (ht) number (default 8) *'hardtabs'* *'ht'*
42 number of spaces that a <Tab> moves on the display
43 mesg boolean (default on) *'mesg'*
44 novice boolean (default ??) *'novice'*
45 open boolean (default on) *'open'*
46 optimize (op) boolean (default off) *'optimize'* *'op'*
47 prompt boolean (default on) *'prompt'*
48 redraw boolean (default off) *'redraw'*
49 slowopen (slow) boolean (default off) *'slowopen'* *'slow'*
50 sourceany boolean (default off) *'sourceany'*
51 window (wi) number (default 23) *'window'* *'wi'*
52 w300 number (default 23) *'w300'*
53 w1200 number (default 23) *'w1200'*
54 w9600 number (default 23) *'w9600'*
56 ==============================================================================
59 Vim has only a few limits for the files that can be edited {Vi: can not handle
60 <Nul> characters and characters above 128, has limited line length, many other
63 Maximum line length On machines with 16-bit ints (Amiga and MS-DOS real
64 mode): 32767, otherwise 2147483647 characters.
65 Longer lines are split.
66 Maximum number of lines 2147483647 lines.
67 Maximum file size 2147483647 bytes (2 Gbyte) when a long integer is
68 32 bits. Much more for 64 bit longs. Also limited
69 by available disk space for the |swap-file|.
70 Length of a file path Unix and Win32: 1024 characters, otherwise 256
71 characters (or as much as the system supports).
72 Length of an expanded string option
73 Unix and Win32: 1024 characters, otherwise 256
75 Maximum display width Unix and Win32: 1024 characters, otherwise 255
77 Maximum lhs of a mapping 50 characters.
79 Information for undo and text in registers is kept in memory, thus when making
80 (big) changes the amount of (virtual) memory available limits the number of
81 undo levels and the text that can be kept in registers. Other things are also
82 kept in memory: Command-line history, error messages for Quickfix mode, etc.
87 The option 'maxmem' ('mm') is used to set the maximum memory used for one
88 buffer (in kilobytes). 'maxmemtot' is used to set the maximum memory used for
89 all buffers (in kilobytes). The defaults depend on the system used. For the
90 Amiga and MS-DOS, 'maxmemtot' is set depending on the amount of memory
91 available. If you don't like Vim to swap to a file, set 'maxmem' and
92 'maxmemtot' to a very large value. The swap file will then only be used for
93 recovery. If you don't want a swap file at all, set 'updatecount' to 0, or
94 use the "-n" argument when starting Vim. Note that the 'maxmem' option is
95 only used when a buffer is created. Changing this option does not affect
96 buffers that have already been loaded. Thus you can set it to different
97 values for different files. 'maxmemtot' works always.
99 ==============================================================================
100 4. The most interesting additions *vim-additions*
102 Vi compatibility. |'compatible'|
103 Although Vim is 99% Vi compatible, some things in Vi can be
104 considered to be a bug, or at least need improvement. But still, Vim
105 starts in a mode which behaves like the "real" Vi as much as possible.
106 To make Vim behave a little bit better, try resetting the 'compatible'
109 Or start Vim with the "-N" argument:
111 This is done automatically if you have a .vimrc file. See |startup|.
112 The 'cpoptions' option can be used to set Vi compatibility on/off for
113 a number of specific items. |'cpoptions'|
115 Support for different systems.
117 - All Unix systems (it works on all systems it was tested on, although
118 the GUI and Perl interface may not work everywhere).
119 - Amiga (500, 1000, 1200, 2000, 3000, 4000, ...).
120 - MS-DOS in real-mode (no additional drivers required).
121 - In protected mode on Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS (DPMI driver required).
122 - Windows 95 and Windows NT, with support for long file names.
123 - OS/2 (needs emx.dll)
127 - Macintosh (although there is no binary available, needs some work)
129 Multi level undo. |undo|
130 'u' goes backward in time, 'ctrl-R' goes forward again. Set option
131 'undolevels' to the number of changes to be remembered (default 1000).
132 Set 'undolevels' to 0 for a vi-compatible one level undo. Set it to
133 -1 for no undo at all.
135 When all changes in a buffer have been undone, the buffer is not
136 considered changed anymore. You can exit it with :q, without <!>.
138 Graphical User Interface (GUI) |gui|
139 Included support for GUI: menu's, mouse, scrollbars, etc. You can
140 define your own menus. Better support for CTRL/SHIFT/ALT keys in
141 combination with special keys and mouse. Currently for X11 (with
142 Motif and Athena interfaces), Win32 (Windows 95 and Windows NT), BeOS,
145 Multiple windows and buffers. |windows.txt|
146 Vim can split the screen into several windows, each editing a
147 different buffer or the same buffer at a different location. Buffers
148 can still be loaded (and changed) but not displayed in a window. This
149 is called a hidden buffer. Many commands and options have been added
152 Syntax highlighting. |:syntax|
153 Vim can highlight keywords, patterns and other things. This is
154 defined by a number of ":syntax" commands, and can be made to
155 highlight most languages and file types. A number of files are
156 included for highlighting the most common languages, like C, C++,
157 Java, Pascal, Makefiles, shell scripts, etc. The colors used for
158 highlighting can be defined for ordinary terminals, color terminals
159 and the GUI with the ":highlight" command.
161 Repeat a series of commands. |q|
162 'q'{c} starts recording typed characters into named register {c}
163 (append to the register if register name is upper case). A subsequent
164 'q' stops recording. The register can then be executed with the
165 '@'{c} command. This is very useful to repeat a complex action.
167 Flexible insert mode. |ins-special-special|
168 The arrow keys can be used in insert mode to move around in the file.
169 This breaks the insert in two parts as far as undo and redo is
172 CTRL-O can be used to execute a single command-mode command. This is
173 almost the same as hitting <Esc>, typing the command and hitting 'a'.
175 Visual mode. |Visual-mode|
176 Visual can be used to first highlight a piece of text and then give a
177 command to do something with it. This is an (easy to use) alternative
178 to first giving the operator and then moving to the end of the text
179 to be operated upon. 'v' and 'V' are used to start Visual mode. 'v'
180 works on characters and 'V' on lines. Move the cursor to extend the
181 Visual part. It is shown highlighted on the screen. By typing 'o'
182 the other end of the Visual text can be moved. The Visual text can
183 be affected by an operator:
187 > or < insert or delete indent
188 ! filter through external program
189 = filter through indent
190 : start ":" command for the Visual lines.
191 gq format text to 'textwidth' columns
197 Block operators. |visual-block|
198 With Visual a rectangular block of text can be selected. Start Visual
199 with CTRL-V. The block can be deleted ('d'), yanked ('y') or its case
200 can be changed ('~', 'u' and 'U'). A deleted or yanked block can be
201 put into the text with the 'p' and 'P' commands.
203 Online help system. |:help|
204 Help is displayed in a window. The usual commands can be used to
205 move around, search for a string, etc. Tags can be used to jump
206 around in the help files, just like hypertext links. The ":help"
207 command takes an argument to quickly jump to the info on a subject.
208 <F1> is the quick access to the help system. The name of the help
209 index file can be set with the 'helpfile' option.
211 Command-line editing and history. |cmdline-editing|
212 You can insert or delete at any place in the command-line using the
213 cursor keys. The right/left cursor keys can be used to move
214 forward/backward one character. The shifted right/left cursor keys
215 can be used to move forward/backward one word. CTRL-B/CTRL-E can be
216 used to go to the begin/end of the command-line.
219 The command-lines are remembered. The up/down cursor keys can be used
220 to recall previous command-lines. The 'history' option can be set to
221 the number of lines that will be remembered. There is a separate
222 history for commands and for search patterns.
224 Command-line completion. |cmdline-completion|
225 While entering a command-line (on the bottom line of the screen)
226 <Tab> can be typed to complete
230 - option :set sc<Tab>
231 - option value :set hf=<Tab>
232 - file name :e ve<Tab>
235 If there are multiple matches, CTRL-N (next) and CTRL-P (previous)
236 will walk through the matches. <Tab> works like CTRL-N, but wraps
237 around to the first match.
239 The 'wildchar' option can be set to the character for command-line
240 completion, <Tab> is the default. CTRL-D can be typed after an
241 (incomplete) wildcard; all matches will be listed. CTRL-A will insert
242 all matches. CTRL-L will insert the longest common part of the
245 Insert-mode completion |ins-completion|
246 In insert mode the CTRL-N and CTRL-P keys can be used to complete a
247 word that has previously been used. |i_CTRL-N|
248 With CTRL-X another mode is entered, through which completion can be
250 |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-F| file names
251 |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-K| words from a dictionary
252 |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-I| words from included files
253 |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-L| whole lines
254 |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-]| words from the tags file
255 |i_CTRL-X_CTRL-D| definitions or macros
257 Long line support |'wrap'| |'linebreak'|
258 If the 'wrap' option is off, long lines will not wrap and only part
259 of them will be shown. When the cursor is moved to a part that is not
260 shown, the screen will scroll horizontally. The minimum number of
261 columns to scroll can be set with the 'sidescroll' option. The "zh"
262 and "zl" commands can be used to scroll sideways.
263 Alternatively, long lines are broken in between words when the
264 'linebreak' option is set. This allows editing a single-line
265 paragraph conveniently (e.g. when the text is later read into a DTP
266 program). Move the cursor up/down with the "gk" and "gj" commands.
268 Text formatting. |formatting|
269 The 'textwidth' option can be used to automatically limit the line
270 length. This supplements the 'wrapmargin' option of Vi, which was not
271 very useful. The "gq" operator can be used to format a piece of text
272 (for example, "gqap" formats the current paragraph). Commands for
273 text alignment: ":center", ":left" and ":right".
275 Edit-compile-edit speedup. |quickfix|
276 The ":make" command can be used to run the compilation and jump to
277 the first error. Alternatively Vim can be started with the "-q"
278 option from the compiler. A file with compiler error messages is
279 interpreted. Vim starts editing at the first error.
281 Each line in the error file is scanned for the name of a file, line
282 number and error message. The 'errorformat' option can be set to a
283 list of scanf-like strings to handle output from many compilers.
285 The ":cn" command can be used to jump to the next error.
286 ":cl" lists all the error messages. Other commands are available
287 (almost the same as with Manx's Z editor on the Amiga).
288 The 'makeef' option has the name of the file with error messages.
289 The 'makeprg' option contains the name of the program to be executed
290 with the ":make" command.
291 The 'shellpipe' option contains the string to be used to put the
292 output of the compiler into the errorfile.
294 Improved indenting for C programs |'cindent'|
295 When the 'cindent' option is on the indent of each line is
296 automatically adjusted. C syntax is mostly recognized. The indent
297 for various styles can be set with 'cinoptions'. The keys to trigger
298 indenting can be set with 'cinkeys'.
300 Comments can be automatically formatted. The 'comments' option can be
301 set to the characters that start and end a comment. This works best
302 for C code, but also works for e-mail (">" at start of the line) and
303 other types of text. The "=" operator can be used to re-indent
306 Searching for words in include files |include-search|
307 The "[i" command can be used to search for a match of the word under
308 the cursor in the current and included files. The 'include' option
309 can be set the a pattern that describes a command to include a file
310 (the default is for C programs).
311 The "[I" command lists all matches, the "[ CTRL-I" command jumps to
313 The "[d", "[D" and "[ CTRL-D" commands do the same, but only for
314 lines where the pattern given with the 'define' option matches.
316 Automatic commands |autocommand|
317 Commands can be automatically executed when reading a file, writing a
318 file, jumping to another buffer, etc., depending on the file name.
319 This is useful to set options and mappings for C programs,
320 documentation, plain text, e-mail, etc. This also makes it possible
321 to edit compressed files.
323 Scripts and Expressions |expression|
324 Commands have been added to form up a simple but powerful script
326 |:if| Conditional execution, which can be used for example
327 to set options depending on the value of $TERM.
328 |:while| Repeat a number of commands.
329 |:echo| Print the result of an expression.
330 |:let| Assign a value to an internal variable, option, etc.
331 |:execute| Execute a command formed by an expression.
334 Viminfo |viminfo-file|
335 The command-line history, marks and registers can be stored in a file
336 that is read on startup. This can be used to repeat a search command
337 or command-line command after exiting and restarting Vim. It is also
338 possible to jump right back to where the last edit stopped with "'0".
339 The 'viminfo' option can be set to select which items to store in the
340 .viminfo file. This is off by default.
342 Mouse support |mouse-using|
343 The mouse is supported in the GUI version, in an xterm for Unix, for
344 Linux with gpm, for MS-DOS, and Win32. It can be used to position the
345 cursor, select the visual area, paste a register, etc.
347 Usage of key names |<>| |key-notation|
348 Special keys now all have a name like <Up>, <End>, etc.
349 This name can be used in mappings, to make it easy to edit them.
351 Editing binary files |edit-binary|
352 Vim can edit binary files. You can change a few characters in an
353 executable file, without corrupting it. Vim doesn't remove NUL
354 characters (they are represented as <NL> internally).
355 |-b| command-line argument to start editing a binary file
356 |'binary'| Option set by "-b". Prevents adding an <EOL> for the
357 last line in the file.
359 ==============================================================================
360 5. Other vim features *other-features*
362 A random collection of nice extra features.
365 When Vim is started with "-s scriptfile", the characters read from
366 "scriptfile" are treated as if you typed them. If end of file is reached
367 before the editor exits, further characters are read from the console.
369 The "-w" option can be used to record all typed characters in a script file.
370 This file can then be used to redo the editing, possibly on another file or
371 after changing some commands in the script file.
373 The "-o" option opens a window for each argument. "-o4" opens four windows.
378 When the 'showcmd' option is set, the command characters are shown in the last
379 line of the screen. They are removed when the command is finished.
381 If the 'ruler' option is set, the current cursor position is shown in the
382 last line of the screen.
384 'U' still works after having moved off the last changed line and after 'u'.
386 Characters with the 8th bit set are displayed. The characters between '~' and
387 0xa0 are displayed as "~?", "~@", "~A", etc., unless the "graphic' option is
390 '][' goes to the next ending of a C function ('}' in column 1).
391 '[]' goes to the previous ending of a C function ('}' in column 1).
393 ']f', '[f' and 'gf' start editing the file whose name is under the cursor.
394 CTRL-W f splits the window and starts editing the file whose name is under
397 '*' searches forward for the identifier under the cursor, '#' backward.
398 'K' runs the program defined by the "keywordprg" option, with the identifier
399 under the cursor as argument.
401 '%' can be preceded with a count. The cursor jumps to the line that
402 percentage down in the file. The normal '%' function to jump to the matching
403 brace skips braces inside quotes.
405 With the CTRL-] command, the cursor may be in the middle of the identifier.
407 The used tags are remembered. Commands that can be used with the tag stack
408 are CTRL-T, ':pop' and ':tag'. ':tags' lists the tag stack.
410 The 'tags' option can be set to a list of tag file names. Thus multiple
411 tag files can be used. For file names that start with '.', the '.' is
412 replaced with the path of the current file. This makes it possible to use a
413 tags file in the same directory as the file being edited.
415 Previously used file names are remembered in the alternate file name list.
416 CTRL-^ accepts a count, which is an index in this list.
418 Search patterns have more features. The <NL> character is seen as part of the
419 search pattern and the substitute string of ":s". Vi sees it as the end of
422 Searches can put the cursor on the end of a match and may include a character
425 Count added to '~', ':next', ':Next', 'n' and 'N'.
427 The command ":next!" with 'autowrite' set does not write the file. In vi the
428 file was written, but this is considered to be a bug, because one does not
429 expect it and the file is not written with ':rewind!'.
431 In Vi when entering a <CR> in replace mode deletes a character only when 'ai'
432 is set (but does not show it until you hit <Esc>). Vim always deletes a
433 character (and shows it immediately).
435 Added :wnext command. Same as ":write" followed by ":next".
437 The ":w!" command always writes, also when the file is write protected. In Vi
438 you would have to do ":!chmod +w %" and ":set noro".
440 When 'tildeop' has been set, '~' is an operator (must be followed by a
443 With the 'J' (join) command you can reset the 'joinspaces' (js) option to
444 have only one space after a period (Vi inserts two spaces).
446 'cw' can be used to change white space formed by several characters (Vi is
447 confusing: 'cw' only changes one space, while 'dw' deletes all white space).
449 'o' and 'O' accept a count for repeating the insert (Vi clears a part of
452 Previously used file names are remembered in the alternate file name list.
453 ":files" command shows the list of alternate file names.
454 '#'<N> is replaced with the <N>th alternate file name in the list.
455 "#<" is replaced with the current file name without extension.
457 Flags after Ex commands not supported (no plans to include it).
459 On non-UNIX systems ":cd" command shows current directory instead of going to
460 the home directory (there isn't one). ":pwd" prints the current directory on
463 ':source!' command reads Vi commands from a file.
465 ':mkexrc' command writes current modified options and mappings to a ".exrc"
466 file. ':mkvimrc' writes to a ".vimrc" file.
468 No check for "tail recursion" with mappings. This allows things like
471 When a mapping starts with number, vi loses the count typed before it (e.g.
472 when using the mapping ":map g 4G" the command "7g" goes to line 4). This is
473 considered a vi bug. Vim concatenates the counts (in the example it becomes
474 "74G"), as most people would expect.
476 The :put! command inserts the contents of a register above the current line.
478 The 'p' and 'P' commands of vi cannot be repeated with '.' when the putted
479 text is less than a line. In Vim they can always be repeated.
481 ":noremap" command can be used to enter a mapping that will not be remapped.
482 This is useful to exchange the meaning of two keys. ":cmap", ":cunmap" and
483 ":cnoremap" can be used for mapping in command-line editing only. ":imap",
484 ":iunmap" and ":inoremap" can be used for mapping in insert mode only.
485 Similar commands exist for abbreviations: ":noreabbrev", ":iabbrev"
486 ":cabbrev", ":iunabbrev", ":cunabbrev", ":inoreabbrev", ":cnoreabbrev".
488 In Vi the command ":map foo bar" would remove a previous mapping
489 ":map bug foo". This is considered a bug, so it is not included in Vim.
490 ":unmap! foo" does remove ":map! bug foo", because unmapping would be very
491 difficult otherwise (this is vi compatible).
493 The ':' register contains the last command-line.
494 The '%' register contains the current file name.
495 The '.' register contains the last inserted text.
497 ':dis' command shows the contents of the yank registers.
499 CTRL-O/CTRL-I can be used to jump to older/newer positions. These are the
500 same positions as used with the '' command, but may be in another file. The
501 ':jumps' command lists the older positions.
503 If the 'shiftround' option is set, an indent is rounded to a multiple of
504 'shiftwidth' with '>' and '<' commands.
506 The 'scrolljump' option can be set to the minimum number of lines to scroll
507 when the cursor gets off the screen. Use this when scrolling is slow.
509 The 'scrolloff' option can be set to the minimum number of lines to keep
510 above and below the cursor. This gives some context to where you are
511 editing. When set to a large number the cursor line is always in the middle
514 Uppercase marks can be used to jump between files. The ':marks' command lists
515 all currently set marks. The commands "']" and "`]" jump to the end of the
516 previous operator or end of the text inserted with the put command. "'[" and
517 "`[" do jump to the start.
519 The 'shelltype' option can be set to reflect the type of shell used on the
522 The 'highlight' option can be set for the highlight mode to be used for
525 The CTRL-A (add) and CTRL-X (subtract) commands are new. The count to the
526 command (default 1) is added to/subtracted from the number at or after the
527 cursor. That number may be decimal, octal (starts with a '0') or hexadecimal
528 (starts with '0x'). Very useful in macros.
530 With the :set command the prefix "inv" can be used to invert boolean options.
532 In both Vi and Vim you can create a line break with the ":substitute" command
533 by using a CTRL-M. For Vi this means you cannot insert a real CTRL-M in the
534 text. With Vim you can put a real CTRL-M in the text by preceding it with a
540 If the 'revins' option is set, insert happens backwards. This is for typing
541 Hebrew. When inserting normal characters the cursor will not be shifted and
542 the text moves rightwards. Backspace, CTRL-W and CTRL-U will also work in
543 the opposite direction. CTRL-B toggles the 'revins' option. In replace mode
544 'revins' has no effect. Only when enabled at compile time.
546 The backspace key can be used just like CTRL-D to remove auto-indents.
548 You can backspace, ctrl-U and CTRL-W over line breaks if the 'backspace' (bs)
549 option includes "eol". You can backspace over the start of insert if the
550 'backspace' option includes "start".
552 When the 'paste' option is set, a few option are reset and mapping in insert
553 mode and abbreviation are disabled. This allows for pasting text in windowing
554 systems without unexpected results. When the 'paste' option is reset, the old
555 option values are restored.
557 CTRL-T/CTRL-D always insert/delete an indent in the current line, no matter
558 what column the cursor is in.
560 CTRL-@ (insert previously inserted text) works always (Vi: only when typed as
563 CTRL-A works like CTRL-@ but does not leave insert mode.
565 CTRL-R {0-9a-z..} can be used to insert the contents of a register.
567 When the 'smartindent' option is set, C programs will be better auto-indented.
568 With 'cindent' even more.
570 CTRL-Y and CTRL-E can be used to copy a character from above/below the
571 current cursor position.
573 After CTRL-V you can enter a three digit decimal number. This byte value is
574 inserted in the text as a single character. Useful for international
575 characters that are not on your keyboard.
577 When the 'expandtab' (et) option is set, a <Tab> is expanded to the
578 appropriate number of spaces.
580 The window always reflects the contents of the buffer (Vi does not do this
581 when changing text and in some other cases).
583 If Vim is compiled with DIGRAPHS defined, digraphs are supported. A set of
584 normal digraphs is included. They are shown with the ":digraph" command.
585 More can be added with ":digraph {char1}{char2} {number}". A digraph is
586 entered with "CTRL-K {char1} {char2}" or "{char1} BS {char2}" (only when
587 'digraph' option is set).
589 When repeating an insert, e.g. "10atest <Esc>" vi would only handle wrapmargin
590 for the first insert. Vim does it for all.
592 A count to the 'i' or 'a' command is used for all the text. Vi uses the count
593 only for one line. "3iabc<NL>def<Esc>" would insert "abcabcacc<NL>def" in Vi
594 but "abc<NL>defabc<NL>defabc<NL>def" in Vim.
597 In Command-line mode:
599 <Esc> terminates the command-line without executing it. In vi the command
600 line would be executed, which is not what most people expect (hitting <Esc>
601 should always get you back to command mode). To avoid problems with some
602 obscure macros, an <Esc> in a macro will execute the command. If you want a
603 typed <Esc> to execute the command like vi does you can fix this with
604 ":cmap ^V<Esc> ^V<CR>"
608 The 'ttimeout' option is like 'timeout', but only works for cursor and
609 function keys, not for ordinary mapped characters. The 'timeoutlen' option
610 gives the number of milliseconds that is waited for. If the 'esckeys' option
611 is not set, cursor and function keys that start with <Esc> are not recognized
614 There is an option for each terminal string. Can be used when termcap is not
615 supported or to change individual strings.
617 The 'fileformat' option can be set to select the <EOL>: "dos" <CR><NL>, "unix"
619 When the 'fileformats' option is not empty, Vim tries to detect the type of
620 <EOL> automatically. The 'fileformat' option is set accordingly.
622 On systems that have no job control (older Unix systems and non-Unix systems)
623 the CTRL-Z, ":stop" or ":suspend" command starts a new shell.
625 If Vim is started on the Amiga without an interactive window for output, a
626 window is opened (and :sh still works). You can give a device to use for
627 editing with the '-d' argument, e.g. "-d con:20/20/600/150".
629 The 'columns' and 'lines' options are used to set or get the width and height
632 Option settings are read from the first and last few lines of the file.
633 Option 'modelines' determines how many lines are tried (default is 5). Note
634 that this is different from the Vi versions that can execute any Ex command
635 in a modeline (a major security problem). |trojan-horse|
637 If the 'insertmode' option is set (e.g. in .exrc), Vim starts in insert mode.
638 And it comes back there, when pressing <Esc>.
640 Undo information is kept in memory. Available memory limits the number and
641 size of change that can be undone. This may be a problem with MS-DOS, is
642 hardly a problem on the Amiga and almost never with Unix and Win32.
644 If the 'backup' or 'writebackup' option is set: Before a file is overwritten,
645 a backup file (.bak) is made. If the "backup" option is set it is left
648 Vim creates a file ending in ".swp" to store parts of the file that have been
649 changed or that do not fit in memory. This file can be used to recover from
650 an aborted editing session with "vim -r file". Using the swap file can be
651 switched off by setting the 'updatecount' option to 0 or starting Vim with
652 the "-n" option. Use the 'directory' option for placing the .swp file
655 Vim is able to work correctly on filesystems with 8.3 file names, also when
656 using messydos or crossdos filesystems on the Amiga, or any 8.3 mounted
657 filesystem under Unix. See |'shortname'|.
659 Error messages are shown at least one second (Vi overwrites error messages).
661 If Vim gives the |hit-return| prompt, you can hit any key. Characters other
662 than <CR>, <NL> and <Space> are interpreted as the (start of) a command. (Vi
663 only accepts a command starting with ':').
665 The contents of the numbered and unnamed registers is remembered when
668 The "No lines in buffer" message is a normal message instead of an error
669 message, since that may cause a mapping to be aborted.
671 The AUX: device of the Amiga is supported.
673 ==============================================================================
674 6. Command-line arguments *cmdline-arguments*
676 Different versions of Vi have different command-line arguments. This can be
677 confusing. To help you, this section gives an overview of the differences.
679 Five variants of Vi will be considered here:
680 Elvis Elvis version 2.1b
683 Vi Vi version 3.7 (for Sun 4.1.x)
684 Vile Vile version 7.4 (incomplete)
687 Only Vim is able to accept options in between and after the file names.
689 +{command} Elvis, Nvi, Posix, Vi, Vim: Same as "-c {command}".
691 - Nvi, Posix, Vi: Run Ex in batch mode.
692 Vim: Read file from stdin (use -s for batch mode).
694 -- Vim: End of options, only file names are following.
696 --help Vim: show help message and exit.
698 --version Vim: show version message and exit.
700 -? Vile: print usage summary and exit.
702 -a Elvis: Load all specified file names into a window (use -o for
705 -b {blksize} Elvis: Use {blksize} blocksize for the session file.
706 -b Vim: set 'binary' mode.
708 -C Vim: Compatible mode.
710 -c {command} Elvis, Nvi, Posix, Vim: run {command} as an Ex command after
711 loading the edit buffer.
712 Vim: allow up to 10 "-c" arguments
714 -d {device} Vim: Use {device} for I/O (Amiga only).
716 -e Elvis, Nvi, Vim: Start in Ex mode, as if the executable is
719 -f Vim: Run GUI in foreground (Amiga: don't open new window).
720 -f {session} Elvis: Use {session} as the session file.
722 -F Vim: Start in Farsi mode (when compiled with Farsi).
723 Nvi: Fast start, don't read the entire file when editing
726 -G {gui} Elvis: Use the {gui} as user interface.
729 -g N Vile: start editing at line N
731 -h Vim: Give help message.
732 Vile: edit the help file
734 -H Vim: start Hebrew mode (when compiled with it).
736 -i Elvis: Start each window in Insert mode.
737 -i {viminfo} Vim: Use {viminfo} for viminfo file.
739 -L Vim: Same as "-r" (also in some versions of Vi).
741 -l Nvi, Vi, Vim: Set 'lisp' and 'showmatch' options.
743 -m Vim: Modifications not allowed, reset 'write' option.
745 -N Vim: No-compatible mode.
747 -n Vim: No swap file used.
749 -o[N] Vim: Open [N] windows, or one for each file.
751 -q {name} Vim: Use {name} for quickfix error file.
754 -R Elvis, Nvi, Posix, Vile, Vim: Set the 'readonly' option.
756 -r Elvis, Nvi, Posix, Vi, Vim: Recovery mode.
758 -S Nvi: Set 'secure' option.
760 -s Nvi, Posix, Vim: Same as "-" (silent mode), when in Ex mode.
761 Elvis: Sets the 'safer' option.
762 -s {scriptin} Vim: Read from script file {scriptin}; only when not in Ex
764 -s {pattern} Vile: search for {pattern}
766 -t {tag} Elvis, Nvi, Posix, Vi, Vim: Edit the file containing {tag}.
769 -T {term} Vim: Set terminal name to {term}.
771 -u {vimrc} Vim: Read initializations from {vimrc} file.
773 -U {gvimrc} Vim: Read GUI initializations from {gvimrc} file.
775 -v Nvi, Posix, Vi, Vim: Begin in Normal mode (visual mode, in Vi
777 Vile: View mode, no changes possible.
779 -V Elvis, Vim: Verbose mode.
781 -w {size} Elvis, Posix, Nvi, Vi, Vim: Set value of 'window' to {size}.
782 -w{size} Nvi, Vi: Same as "-w {size}".
783 -w {name} Vim: Write to script file {name} (must start with non-digit).
785 -W {name} Vim: Append to script file {name}.
787 -x Vi, Vim: Ask for encryption key. See |encryption|.
789 @{cmdfile} Vile: use {cmdfile} as startup file.