Vim is an advanced text editor that seeks to provide the power of the editor ‘Vi’, with a more complete feature set.
This editor is very useful for editing programs and other plain ASCII files. All commands are given with normal keyboard characters, so those who can type with ten fingers can work very fast. Additionally, function keys can be defined by the user, and the mouse can be used.
Vim is often called a “programmer’s editor,” and is so useful for programming that many consider it to be an entire Integrated Development Environment. However, this application is not only intended for programmers. Vim is highly regarded for all kinds of text editing, from composing email to editing configuration files.
Vim’s interface is based on commands given in a text user interface. Although its graphical user interface, gVim, adds menus and toolbars for commonly used commands, the software’s entire functionality is still reliant on its command line mode.
Features include:
- 3 modes:
- Command mode.
- Insert mode.
- Command line mode.
- Unlimited undo.
- Multiple windows and buffers.
- Flexible insert mode.
- Syntax highlighting – highlight portions of the buffer in different colors or styles, based on the type of file being edited.
- Interactive commands:
- Marking a line.
- vi line buffers.
- Shift a block of code.
- Block operators.
- Command line history.
- Extended regular expressions.
- Edit compressed/archive files (gzip, bzip2, zip, tar).
- Filename completion.
- Block operations.
- Jump tags.
- Folding text.
- Indenting.
- ctags and cscope integration.
- 100% vi compatibility mode.
- Plugins to add/extend functionality.
- Macros.
- vimscript, Vim’s internal scripting language.
- Unicode support.
- Multi-language support.
- Integrated On-line help.
Website: www.vim.org
Support: Documentation, vi-vim Cheat Sheet and Tutorial
Developer: Vim developers
License: Charityware. Its license is GPL-compatible.
Return to Editors | Return to Remote Editing
Popular series | |
---|---|
The largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions. | |
Hundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information. | |
The Big List of Active Linux Distros is a large compilation of actively developed Linux distributions. | |
Replace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, and SAS. | |
Awesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series. | |
Machine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source. | |
New to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux. | |
Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities. | |
Essential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users. | |
Linux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine. | |
Surveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal. | |
Saving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux. | |
Home computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. | |
Now and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride. | |
Linux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged. | |
Linux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery. | |
Getting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers. | |
Best Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series. | |
These best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today! | |
These free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series. | |
Linux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts. | |
Stars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA. |