Solution To Problem of Vi Editor of Ubuntu (Have Syntax and Keyboard Correction)

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The Vi Unix Editor
The Vi Unix Editor is the standard UNIX command line editor and if you’re planning on doing
some configuring of a Unix Server you will definitely need to use the VI editor especially when
you’re running a Command Line only operating system.
This hub will go through the basics of using the Vi unix editor, opening, creating, saving and
writing to a file as well as the different modes for the Vi Editor. I will also go through common
problems people have with the Vi editor especially the annoying problem when logging into your
server using a SSH client such as Putty, where you find that the backspace key doesn’t work or
the arrow keys simply return letters.
I’ll also cover basic terminal modes and types and how to make sure the server’s terminal type
and the putty terminal type match so that you have no problems accessing and editing files
remotely on your server.
Unix Vi Editor Modes
Command mode – This is the basic mode of the Vi editor and can be accessed by opening a file
using “vi file.conf”. Letters and combination of letters will be interpreted as commands.
Insert Mode – The Insert mode as it sounds allows you to edit text and insert your own text into
configuration files. Depending on how your Unix system is setup you can either navigate using the
arrow keys and regular windows keyboard or use the following. Press the INSERT key on your
keyboard to enter this mode.
INSEERT IMAGE, ordinarily you can use the regular keyboard functions otherwise use
these ones. Paste bigger list onto a copy code thingo
Line Mode – The line mode can be entered by pressing ESC and then type colon (J
From here you can either save the file, save and quit , or quit without saving changes.
:wq write the file to disk and quit
:q! quit without saving any changes
:w! newfile write all lines from the entire current file into the file 'newfile', overwriting any existing
newfile
:n,m w! newfile write the lines from n to m, inclusive, into the file newfile, overwriting any existing
newfile
Common Problems when using Vi Editor
Backspace function not working
Arrow keys return A, B, C , alpha functions
Keys generally acting strange and muddled
Errors when using Putty or SSH client to remotely access server
Solution – Vim Editor **
There is an incredibly easy solution to this problem, instead of using the light weight Vi editor,
instead use vim to edit your files. Simply type Vim “filename” to edit the files and you will notice
all the regular functions are restored. You can backspace as usual and the arrows also work fine.
You can also choose to change the alias for vi to point to the vim editor in your bashrc profile.
Follow the steps below
Open up your terminal window , Command Line
Type “vim ~/.bashrc” , create the file if it doesn’t already exist, or copy the file from your existing
login directory
At the end of the file type “alias vi=’vim’”
Save and Quit
Done

Other Problems Cant Backspace, Weird arrow Keys etc
SSH client Putty Problem – Weird key functions, backspace not working
Solution – Make sure the Terminal mode on your server matches the Terminal mode used on the
putty or ssh client. If they don’t match putty and the server won’t be able to agree on how to
interpret keys and you may find it hard to carry out basic tasks.
Check what Terminal Mode you are running
Echo $SHELL or Echo $TERM
You can set the terminal type by typing “set term/device=vt100” replace vt100 with your chosen
terminal mode. Vt100 is the most commonly used.
Check Terminal Mode on your SSH client (putty)
Check terminaltype string and make sure they match
Save your SSH client configuration
Note: If your problem is only to do with the backspace check the setting under keyboard and try
using Backspace key , ControlH.
Setting the Backspace Key on Linux
stty erase ^v<press backspace key right after typing ^v>
(just incase you incorrectly assign the backspace key)
More Linux Stuff
• How to install Ubuntu Server 9.04 Linux Operating System step by step Instructions and
Network Int
So before we start the installation make sure that you have your Harddrive formatted and
Ready or a blank Virtual Machine Ready. Now go and download the Ubuntu Server 9.04
Edition from ...
• UNIX 101: vi Editor
More detailed commands for Vi unix editor, good site

Solution To Problem of Vi Editor of Ubuntu (Have Syntax and Keyboard Correction)

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Solution To Problem of Vi Editor of Ubuntu (Have Syntax and Keyboard Correction)

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