Linux and Unix vim and gview command
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About vim and gview
Syntax
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A programmers text editor.
vim [options] [file ..]
vim [options] -
vim [options] -t tag
vim [options] -q [errorfile]
ex
view
gvim
gview
rvim
rview
rgvim
rgview
| +[num] | For the first file the cursor will be positioned on line "num". If "num" is missing, the cursor will be positioned on the last line. |
| +/{pat} | For the first file the cursor will be positioned on the first occurrence of {pat}. See ":help search-pattern" for the available search patterns. |
| +{command} -c {command} |
{command} will be executed after the first file has been read. {command} is interpreted as an Ex command. If the {command} contains spaces it must be enclosed in double quotes (this depends on the shell that is used). Example: Vim "+set si" main.c Note: You can use up to 10 "+" or "-c" commands. |
| --cmd {command} | Like using "-c", but the command is executed just before processing any vimrc file. You can use up to 10 of these commands, independently from "-c" commands. |
| -b | Binary mode. A few options will be set that makes it possible to edit a binary or executable file. |
| -C | Compatible. Set the 'compatible' option. This will make Vim behave mostly like Vi, even though a .vimrc file exists. |
| -d | Start in diff mode. There should be two or three file name arguments. Vim will open all the files and show differences between them. Works like vimdiff. |
| -d {device} | Open {device} for use as a terminal. Only on the Amiga. Example: "-d con:20/30/600/150". |
| -e | Start Vim in Ex mode, just like the executable was called "ex". |
| -f | Foreground. For the GUI version, Vim will not fork and detach from the shell it was started in. On the Amiga, Vim is not restarted to open a new window. This option should be used when Vim is executed by a program that will wait for the edit session to finish (e.g. mail). On the Amiga the ":sh" and ":!" commands will not work. |
| -F | If Vim has been compiled with FKMAP support for editing right-to-left oriented files and Farsi keyboard mapping, this option starts Vim in Farsi mode, i.e. 'fkmap' and 'rightleft' are set. Otherwise an error message is given and Vim aborts. |
| -g | If Vim has been compiled with GUI support, this option enables the GUI. If no GUI support was compiled in, an error message is given and Vim aborts. |
| -h | Give a bit of help about the command line arguments and options. After this Vim exits. |
| -H | If Vim has been compiled with RIGHTLEFT support for editing right-to-left oriented files and Hebrew keyboard mapping, this option starts Vim in Hebrew mode, i.e. 'hkmap' and 'rightleft' are set. Otherwise an error message is given and Vim aborts. |
| -i {viminfo} | When using the viminfo file is enabled, this option sets the filename to use, instead of the default "~/.viminfo". This can also be used to skip the use of the .viminfo file, by giving the name "NONE". |
| -L | Same as -r. |
| -l | Lisp mode. Sets the 'lisp' and 'showmatch' options on. |
| -m | Modifying files is disabled. Resets the 'write' option, so that writing files is not possible. |
| -N | No-compatible mode. Reset the 'compatible' option. This will make Vim behave a bit better, but less Vi compatible, even though a .vimrc file does not exist. |
| -n | No swap file will be used. Recovery after a crash will be impossible. Handy if you want to edit a file on a very slow medium (e.g. floppy). Can also be done with ":set uc=0". Can be undone with ":set uc=200". |
| -o[N] | Open N windows. When N is omitted, open one window for each file. |
| -R | Read-only mode. The 'readonly' option will be set. You can still edit the buffer, but will be prevented from accidently overwriting a file. If you do want to overwrite a file, add an exclamation mark to the Ex command, as in ":w!". The -R option also implies the -n option (see below). The 'readonly' option can be reset with ":set noro". See ":help 'readonly'". |
| -r | List swap files, with information about using them for recovery. |
| -r {file} | Recovery mode. The swap file is used to recover a crashed editing session. The swap file is a file with the same filename as the text file with ".swp" appended. See ":help recovery". |
| -s | Silent mode. Only when started as "Ex" or when the "-e" option was given before the "-s" option. |
| -s {scriptin} | The script file {scriptin} is read. The characters in the file are interpreted as if you had typed them. The same can be done with the command ":source! {scriptin}". If the end of the file is reached before the editor exits, further characters are read from the keyboard. |
| -T {terminal} | Tells Vim the name of the terminal you are using. Only required when the automatic way doesn't work. Should be a terminal known to Vim (builtin) or defined in the termcap or terminfo file. |
| -u {vimrc} | Use the commands in the file {vimrc} for initializations. All the other initializations are skipped. Use this to edit a special kind of files. It can also be used to skip all initializa tions by giving the name "NONE". See ":help initialization" within vim for more details. |
| -U {gvimrc} | Use the commands in the file {gvimrc} for GUI initializations. All the other GUI initializations are skipped. It can also be used to skip all GUI initializations by giving the name "NONE". See ":help gui-init" within vim for more details. |
| -V | Verbose. Give messages about which files are sourced and for reading and writing a viminfo file. |
| -v | Start Vim in Vi mode, just like the executable was called "vi". This only has effect when the executable is called "ex". |
| -w {scriptout} | All the characters that you type are recorded in the file {scriptout}, until you exit Vim. This is useful if you want to create a script file to be used with "vim -s" or ":source!". If the {scriptout} file exists, characters are appended. |
| -W {scriptout} | Like -w, but an existing file is overwritten. |
| -x | Use encryption when writing files. Will prompt for a crypt key. |
| -Z | Restricted mode. Works like the executable starts with "r". |
| -- | Denotes the end of the options. Arguments after this will be handled as a file name. This can be used to edit a filename that starts with a '-'. |
| --help | Give a help message and exit, just like "-h". |
| --version | Print version information and exit. |
| --remote | Connect to a Vim server and make it edit the files given in the rest of the arguments. |
| --serverlist | List the names of all Vim servers that can be found. |
| --servername {name} | Use {name} as the server name. Used for the current Vim, unless used with a --serversend or --remote, then it's the name of the server to connect to. |
| -serversend {keys} | Connect to a Vim server and send {keys} to it. |
| --socketid {id} | GTK GUI only: Use the GtkPlug mechanism to run gvim in another window. |
| --echo-wid | GTK GUI only: Echo the Window ID on stdout. |
Vim behaves differently, depending on the name of the command (the executable may still be the same file).
vim
The "normal" way, everything is default.
ex
Start in Ex mode. Go to Normal mode with the ":vi" command. Can also be done with the "-e" argument.
view
Start in read-only mode. You will be protected from writing the files. Can also be done with the "-R" argument.
gvim gview
The GUI version. Starts a new window. Can also be done with the "-g" argument.
rvim rview rgvim rgview
Like the above, but with restrictions. It will not be possible to start shell commands, or suspend
Vim. Can also be done with the "-Z"
argument.
The vim program is an extensive programs with hundreds of different things to know. If you would like additional help with vim try running the "vimtutor" command.