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Beginner’s Guide to the Vi editor

Beginner's Guide to the Vi editor

Whenever you are using vi, you are in one of two modes: "insert mode" or "command mode". When you are in "insert mode" the keys you press cause those characters to be typed into your file. When you are in "command mode" the keys you press cause actions like moving from place to place in your file and making changes to what you have typed. When you first start vi (like right now), you are in "command mode". Since your file is empty there isn't anything interesting you can do except switch to insert mode so you can begin typing.

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