Linux Basic Commands: vi | OpenPath Education

Linux provides a set of powerful and commonly used commands to interact with the system efficiently. The `cd` command is used to change directories, while `ls` lists the contents of a directory. To clear the terminal screen, the `clear` command is used. The `mkdir` command helps create new folders, and `pwd` shows the current working directory. The `rm` command is used to remove files or directories, and `touch` is used to create empty files. To edit or view text files directly in the terminal, `vi` is a powerful editor. The `/` symbol represents the root directory, which is the top level of the Linux filesystem. To manage users, `adduser` is used to create a new user, and `userdel` is used to delete an existing one. The `history` command displays a list of previously executed commands, allowing users to track or reuse them easily. These commands form the foundation for working effectively in a Linux environment.

9. vi

`vi` Command in Linux

vi is a text editor in Linux, used to view and edit files directly in the terminal.

It's one of the most powerful and widely available editors on Unix/Linux systems.

🔹 Basic Syntax:

vi filename

🔹 Example:

vi notes.txt

👉 This opens (or creates, if not exists) a file named notes.txt for editing.

🔹 Modes in `vi`:

Normal Mode (default when you open vi)
– For navigation and commands
Insert Mode
– For typing text
– Press i to enter Insert mode
Command Mode
– For saving, quitting, searching
– Press : to enter command mode

🔹 Basic Commands:

Action	Key
Enter Insert Mode	`i`
Save File (Command Mode)	`:w`
Quit `vi`	`:q`
Save & Quit	`:wq` or `ZZ`
Quit without saving	`:q!`
Delete a line	`dd`
Copy a line	`yy`
Paste	`p`
Move up/down	`k` / `j`
Move left/right	`h` / `l`

🔹 Example Flow:

Open a file:

vi hello.txt

Press i → Enter Insert Mode
Type:

Hello, this is my first vi file!

Press Esc → Go back to Normal Mode
Type :wq! → Save and quit

Try with Linux Practice