TIPS & TRICKS IN USING VIM

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.