Learning the vi and Vim Editors

Index by Subject

• Robbins, Hannah & Lamb
• O'Reilly
• 9780596529833

I use vi every day.

"Oh, sure", you say, "You're a programmer. Of course you use some geekish editor."

Well, yes, but no. I don't do all that much programming any more. A little scripting now and then, and not even much of that. Most of what I use vi for is ordinary files. I'm using it to write this. I use it for lists, to keep track of all the things I need to keep track of. If it is something that is going into a file on my computer, I'm probably going to use vi.

Most people, even most "computer people" would use a word processor to write text like this review and a spreadsheet or database for the lists and records. It's "easier", they think.

It isn't.

Sure, there are things you can do with a spreadsheet, word procesesor or database that are useful. But it's even more useful to have the raw data in text form - it can also be imported into those other tools, but having it available in text where I can work on it with vi is always the best thing to do. And frankly, given the power of Unix in general, I hardly ever need those other tools anyway..

But most folks don't understand that. Vi is ugly, clumsy, hard to use. To me, that attitude is like someone who never learned to drive explaining why taking the bus is better than owning a car. I'm all in favor of public transportation, and it is often true that given enough time and effort you can get just about anywhere without needing to drive a car, but.. well, you get the idea. That's the difference using vi could make in your life.

So, this was supposed to be a review, not a rant. Well, heck, the book is great. If you know nothing about vi, it will teach you. If you know a bit, it will teach you more. Even if you use vi every day as I do, you'll probably pick up (or be reminded of) a thing or two. This is well done, you'll like it.

Learn the vi and vim. You'll save time, lose weight, become better looking, find true love and eternal happiness.. well, you will save a lot of time and be happier.

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