There are some arguments as to how many modes that Vim has, but the modes you're most likely to use are command mode and insert mode. If you're interested in giving Vim a shot, the following is a basic explanation of Vim modes and a list of frequently used Vim commands, along with a definition of what they do. The editor allows you to edit text in multiple windows, which can be helpful to programmers and editors alike. This text editor is particularly well-suited for people who are programmers, coders, system administrators or individuals looking for a streamlined way to edit text. The image below shows an exampe of what a css file looks like when viewed using Vim.

That said, many people who have started using it and become comfortable with it won't even consider another editor. Vim isn't for everyone, and it requires you to learn a variety of Vim editor commands to get the most out of it. The idea behind having a modal text editor is that it allows you to write and edit text, including code, without requiring your hands leave the keyboard. To open a file using Vim you can use the following command (simply replace filename.css with your actual file name). If you play video games that use the left-hand keys on the keyboard to move your character around, this concept is probably familiar to you. However, if you switch to command mode, the letters on your keyboard will allow you use Vim commands to move within the text. A modal editor is one that allows you to edit text in different modes, and in the case of Vim, the mode determines what the alphanumeric keys on your keyboard do and how Vim editor commands work.įor example, in insert mode, your keyboard behaves normally, so what you type in is what you see, just like with a standard text editor. While you may be familiar with the concept of a text editor, the modal part may throw you. While it was designed with Unix in mind, versions of it are available for most operating systems and Vim is also available for Android and iOS smartphones. Available both as a command line interface and as a standalone program with a GUI, Vim is a text editor that is a modal version of the vi editor created for Unix in the 1970s Vim stands for vi improved. Vim was made available in 1991 and is a free, open source software.

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