Why Can't I Type Anything Properly in Vi

r0ach · 2012-10-26 18:00:42

Problem: When I backspace, the cursor just goes over the text. Then when I type something new, the text starts getting replaced one by one.

Here's a screencast (less than 1min): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16f1nrepZsA

I tried ":set showmode". But the problem persists Can someone please help?

P.S: When I used to use Ubuntu, I would simply install Vim in Vi's place and problem gets resolved (by typing 'a'). Now even that doesn't do the trick.

karol · 2012-10-26 18:02:03

Have you tried ':set nocompatible' in vim?

r0ach · 2012-10-26 18:05:20

karol wrote:

Have you tried ':set nocompatible' in vim?

I tried it and this is what I get:

compatible: No such option - "set all" gives all option values

But I noticed something new. Even when I'm typing the command (ie, in command mode), I've the same problem.

alphaniner · 2012-10-26 18:07:33

Make sure you're using vim and not vi. Even if you have vim installed, running 'vi' still starts vi from base.

$ pacman -Si vi
...
Description    : The original ex/vi text editor.

karol · 2012-10-26 18:10:19

alphaniner wrote:

Make sure you're using vim and not vi. Even if you have vim installed, running 'vi' still starts vi from base.

+1
I'm pretty sure that error comes from vi - I just tested it and I got an identical one.
vim doesn't error.

r0ach · 2012-10-26 18:13:21

alphaniner wrote:

Make sure you're using vim and not vi. Even if you have vim installed, running 'vi' still starts vi from base.
$ pacman -Si vi
...
Description    : The original ex/vi text editor.

So basically, vi, which is provided with every other distro is useless. Just out of curiosity, I really want to find a solution, you know

Last edited by r0ach (2012-10-26 18:13:42)

karol · 2012-10-26 18:15:08

Why 'useless'? 'x' deletes, right? Why do you need backspace'?

r0ach · 2012-10-26 18:17:32

karol wrote:

Why 'useless'? 'x' deletes, right? Why do you need backspace'?

Its quite a hassle to download a whole new package to get backspace functionality. I mean, most of the computers at my lab doesn't have internet connectivity

jasonwryan · 2012-10-26 18:18:28

r0ach wrote:

alphaniner wrote:
Make sure you're using vim and not vi. Even if you have vim installed, running 'vi' still starts vi from base.
$ pacman -Si vi
...
Description    : The original ex/vi text editor.
So basically, vi, which is provided with every other distro is useless.

No, newbies use it for generating entropy and random strings

karol · 2012-10-26 18:19:23

But why don't you use vi commands? What is the problem with 'dd', 'x' etc.? These should work out of the box on both vi and vim.

Using Arch on computers w/o internet connectivity is a weird idea - updating is a PITA.

r0ach · 2012-10-26 18:19:26

Guess, nano is the way to go!

alphaniner · 2012-10-26 18:30:23

If you enter insert mode, type some stuff, backspace to delete it, then press escape, the characters you 'backspaced' will disappear. But only in that situation.

For my part I kind of agree with you about vi. I love vim but hate vi, and I find it hard to understand how vi lasted long enough to inspire vim. But then I've never really tried to learn/adapt to it...

Last edited by alphaniner (2012-10-26 18:31:26)

2ManyDogs · 2012-10-26 18:36:56

r0ach wrote:

Guess, nano is the way to go!

If you just want to edit a config file or two, nano may just be the easier choice, especially if you are using many computers where you don't have control over what's installed. Nano is almost always available, and it's actually quite a usable editor.

thisoldman · 2012-10-26 23:19:29

Arch uses ex/vi for vi, not the vi build of vim: https://bugs.archlinux.org/task/20778 and http://ex-vi.sourceforge.net/.

You can use vim as the default editor by setting the EDITOR environment variable in your startup configs. And, I guess, break the habit of typing 'vi' when you really mean vim.

doug piston · 2012-10-27 03:40:26

thisoldman wrote:

Arch uses ex/vi for vi, not the vi build of vim: https://bugs.archlinux.org/task/20778 and http://ex-vi.sourceforge.net/.
And, I guess, break the habit of typing 'vi' when you really mean vim.

Could alias it. I do as it's one less letter and I am lazy.

ANOKNUSA · 2012-10-27 16:24:50

Or you could just uninstall vi, if you wish.

Awebb · 2012-10-27 17:04:48

The vim-runtime package has an example vimrc file. Have a look at that as well, as vim does not come with vim by default :-)

x33a · 2012-10-27 17:36:19

Awebb wrote:

The vim-runtime package has an example vimrc file. Have a look at that as well, as vim does not come with vim by default :-)

Yes, it comes with emacs these days

Steffo · 2012-10-27 17:37:42

I've done this (quote from memory):

ln -fs /usr/vi /usr/vim

Last edited by Steffo (2012-10-27 17:38:10)

litemotiv · 2012-10-27 21:39:36

Steffo wrote:

I've done this (quote from memory):
ln -fs /usr/vi /usr/vim

Better not quote from memory next time...

cfr · 2012-10-28 02:49:51

I'm another who hates vi but loves vim. In vi, backspace results in "^?". In vim it just works. And why does insert mode overwrite rather than, you know, inserting?

The only way I can edit in vi is to use substitutions in command mode. Directly typing, deleting or changing text is completely beyond me.

I assume this is because I've never learnt it properly because, well, there's the wonderful vim...

Arch Linux

#1 2012-10-26 18:00:42

Why Can't I Type Anything Properly in Vi

#2 2012-10-26 18:02:03

Re: Why Can't I Type Anything Properly in Vi

#3 2012-10-26 18:05:20

Re: Why Can't I Type Anything Properly in Vi

#4 2012-10-26 18:07:33

Re: Why Can't I Type Anything Properly in Vi

#5 2012-10-26 18:10:19

Re: Why Can't I Type Anything Properly in Vi

#6 2012-10-26 18:13:21

Re: Why Can't I Type Anything Properly in Vi

#7 2012-10-26 18:15:08

Re: Why Can't I Type Anything Properly in Vi

#8 2012-10-26 18:17:32

Re: Why Can't I Type Anything Properly in Vi

#9 2012-10-26 18:18:28

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#10 2012-10-26 18:19:23

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#11 2012-10-26 18:19:26

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#12 2012-10-26 18:30:23

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#13 2012-10-26 18:36:56

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#14 2012-10-26 23:19:29

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#15 2012-10-27 03:40:26

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#16 2012-10-27 16:24:50

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#17 2012-10-27 17:04:48

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#18 2012-10-27 17:36:19

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#19 2012-10-27 17:37:42

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#20 2012-10-27 21:39:36

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#21 2012-10-28 02:49:51

Re: Why Can't I Type Anything Properly in Vi

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