Provided by: vim-common_7.4.052-1ubuntu3.1_amd64 bug

NAME

       vim - Vi IMproved, a programmers text editor

SYNOPSIS

       vim [options] [file ..]
       vim [options] -
       vim [options] -t tag
       vim [options] -q [errorfile]

       ex
       view
       gvim gview evim eview
       rvim rview rgvim rgview

DESCRIPTION

       Vim  is  a text editor that is upwards compatible to Vi.  It can be used to edit all kinds
       of plain text.  It is especially useful for editing programs.

       There are a lot of enhancements above Vi: multi level undo,  multi  windows  and  buffers,
       syntax  highlighting,  command  line  editing,  filename  completion, on-line help, visual
       selection, etc..  See ":help vi_diff.txt" for a summary of the differences between Vim and
       Vi.

       While  running  Vim  a  lot of help can be obtained from the on-line help system, with the
       ":help" command.  See the ON-LINE HELP section below.

       Most often Vim is started to edit a single file with the command

            vim file

       More generally Vim is started with:

            vim [options] [filelist]

       If the filelist is missing, the editor will start with an empty buffer.  Otherwise exactly
       one out of the following four may be used to choose one or more files to be edited.

       file ..     A list of filenames.  The first one will be the current file and read into the
                   buffer.  The cursor will be positioned on the first line of the  buffer.   You
                   can  get  to  the  other  files with the ":next" command.  To edit a file that
                   starts with a dash, precede the filelist with "--".

       -           The file to edit is read from stdin.  Commands are  read  from  stderr,  which
                   should be a tty.

       -t {tag}    The file to edit and the initial cursor position depends on a "tag", a sort of
                   goto label.  {tag} is looked up in the tags file, the associated file  becomes
                   the  current file and the associated command is executed.  Mostly this is used
                   for C programs, in which case {tag} could be a function name.  The  effect  is
                   that the file containing that function becomes the current file and the cursor
                   is positioned on the start of the function.  See ":help tag-commands".

       -q [errorfile]
                   Start in quickFix mode.  The file [errorfile] is read and the first  error  is
                   displayed.   If  [errorfile]  is  omitted,  the  filename is obtained from the
                   'errorfile' option (defaults to "AztecC.Err" for the  Amiga,  "errors.err"  on
                   other  systems).  Further errors can be jumped to with the ":cn" command.  See
                   ":help quickfix".

       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.

       evim eview
                 The  GUI  version in easy mode.  Starts a new window.  Can also be done with the
                 "-y" 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.

OPTIONS

       The  options  may  be  given  in any order, before or after filenames.  Options without an
       argument can be combined after a single dash.

       +[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.

       -S {file}   {file} will be sourced after the first file has been read.  This is equivalent
                   to -c "source {file}".  {file} cannot start with '-'.  If  {file}  is  omitted
                   "Session.vim" is used (only works when -S is the last argument).

       --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.

       -A          If  Vim  has  been  compiled  with  ARABIC  support  for editing right-to-left
                   oriented files and Arabic keyboard mapping, this option starts Vim  in  Arabic
                   mode,  i.e.  'arabic'  is  set.   Otherwise  an error message is given and Vim
                   aborts.

       -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, three or four file  name  arguments.
                   Vim  will  open  all  the files and show differences between them.  Works like
                   vimdiff(1).

       -d {device} Open {device} for use as  a  terminal.   Only  on  the  Amiga.   Example:  "-d
                   con:20/30/600/150".

       -D          Debugging.   Go  to  debugging  mode  when  executing the first command from a
                   script.

       -e          Start Vim in Ex mode, just like the executable was called "ex".

       -E          Start Vim in improved Ex mode, just like the executable was called "exim".

       -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.

       --nofork    Foreground.  For the GUI version, Vim will not fork and detach from the  shell
                   it was started in.

       -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.  You can still modify
                   the buffer, but writing a file is not possible.

       -M          Modifications not allowed.  The  'modifiable'  and  'write'  options  will  be
                   unset,  so  that  changes  are not allowed and files can not be written.  Note
                   that these options can be set to enable making modifications.

       -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".

       -nb         Become an editor server for NetBeans.  See the docs for details.

       -o[N]       Open N windows stacked.  When N is omitted, open one window for each file.

       -O[N]       Open N windows side by side.  When N is omitted,  open  one  window  for  each
                   file.

       -p[N]       Open N tab pages.  When N is omitted, open one tab page 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 initializations 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[N]       Verbose.   Give  messages  about  which  files are sourced and for reading and
                   writing a viminfo file.  The optional number N is  the  value  for  'verbose'.
                   Default is 10.

       -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.

       -X          Don't  connect  to the X server.  Shortens startup time in a terminal, but the
                   window title and clipboard will not be used.

       -y          Start Vim in easy mode, just like the executable was called "evim" or "eview".
                   Makes Vim behave like a click-and-type editor.

       -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 '-'.

       --echo-wid  GTK GUI only: Echo the Window ID on stdout.

       --help      Give a help message and exit, just like "-h".

       --literal   Take file name arguments literally, do not  expand  wildcards.   This  has  no
                   effect on Unix where the shell expands wildcards.

       --noplugin  Skip loading plugins.  Implied by -u NONE.

       --remote    Connect  to  a  Vim server and make it edit the files given in the rest of the
                   arguments.  If no server is found a warning is given and the files are  edited
                   in the current Vim.

       --remote-expr {expr}
                   Connect to a Vim server, evaluate {expr} in it and print the result on stdout.

       --remote-send {keys}
                   Connect to a Vim server and send {keys} to it.

       --remote-silent
                   As --remote, but without the warning when no server is found.

       --remote-wait
                   As --remote, but Vim does not exit until the files have been edited.

       --remote-wait-silent
                   As --remote-wait, but without the warning when no server is found.

       --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
                   --remote argument, then it's the name of the server to connect to.

       --socketid {id}
                   GTK GUI only: Use the GtkPlug mechanism to run gvim in another window.

       --version   Print version information and exit.

ON-LINE HELP

       Type ":help" in Vim to get started.  Type ":help  subject"  to  get  help  on  a  specific
       subject.   For example: ":help ZZ" to get help for the "ZZ" command.  Use <Tab> and CTRL-D
       to complete subjects (":help cmdline-completion").  Tags are  present  to  jump  from  one
       place  to  another (sort of hypertext links, see ":help").  All documentation files can be
       viewed in this way, for example ":help syntax.txt".

FILES

       /usr/share/vim/vim74/doc/*.txt
                      The Vim documentation files.  Use ":help doc-file-list" to get the complete
                      list.

       /usr/share/vim/vim74/doc/tags
                      The tags file used for finding information in the documentation files.

       /usr/share/vim/vim74/syntax/syntax.vim
                      System wide syntax initializations.

       /usr/share/vim/vim74/syntax/*.vim
                      Syntax files for various languages.

       /usr/share/vim/vimrc
                      System wide Vim initializations.

       ~/.vimrc       Your personal Vim initializations.

       /usr/share/vim/gvimrc
                      System wide gvim initializations.

       ~/.gvimrc      Your personal gvim initializations.

       /usr/share/vim/vim74/optwin.vim
                      Script used for the ":options" command, a nice way to view and set options.

       /usr/share/vim/vim74/menu.vim
                      System wide menu initializations for gvim.

       /usr/share/vim/vim74/bugreport.vim
                      Script to generate a bug report.  See ":help bugs".

       /usr/share/vim/vim74/filetype.vim
                      Script to detect the type of a file by its name.  See ":help 'filetype'".

       /usr/share/vim/vim74/scripts.vim
                      Script  to  detect  the  type  of  a  file  by  its  contents.   See ":help
                      'filetype'".

       /usr/share/vim/vim74/print/*.ps
                      Files used for PostScript printing.

       For recent info read the VIM home page:
       <URL:http://www.vim.org/>

SEE ALSO

       vimtutor(1)

AUTHOR

       Most of Vim was made by Bram Moolenaar, with a  lot  of  help  from  others.   See  ":help
       credits" in Vim.
       Vim  is  based on Stevie, worked on by: Tim Thompson, Tony Andrews and G.R. (Fred) Walter.
       Although hardly any of the original code remains.

BUGS

       Probably.  See ":help todo" for a list of known problems.

       Note that a number of things that may be regarded as bugs by some, are in fact caused by a
       too-faithful  reproduction  of  Vi's  behaviour.   And  if you think other things are bugs
       "because Vi does it differently", you should take a closer look at  the  vi_diff.txt  file
       (or  type  :help  vi_diff.txt  when  in  Vim).   Also  have a look at the 'compatible' and
       'cpoptions' options.

                                           2006 Apr 11                                     VIM(1)