Advanced vi

Accelerated Technical Training for Unix Users

Format
  • Half-day.
  • Emphasis on practical skills.
  • Hands-on.

Audience

 This course is for users of Unix and Unix-like systems who want to be productive with their powerful editor. Basic Unix skills are suggested but not required.

Overview

 Unix's venerable vi editor remains one of the industry's most popular, and for good reason. With a remarkable economy of keystrokes, its skilled user can accomplish large editing tasks quickly. This course conveys those skills.

Objectives

 First, we review basic vi techniques:
  • Invoking and terminating vi
  • Entering text
  • Moving the cursor
  • Using the mouse
  • Using vi as a file viewer
  • Modifying, deleting, copying, and moving text
  • Making global edits
  • Applying Unix utilities within vi's buffer
Then we cover advanced techniques:
  • Saving buffer fragments
  • Recovering deleted text
  • Moving the cursor by sentences, paragraphs, and screens
  • Searching and replacing with regular expressions
  • Command macros
  • Text abbreviations
  • Programmer-friendly features
  • Line numbers
  • White space
  • Editing several files in sequence

Method

 The course consists of a series of exercises, each for the purpose of rehearsing the application of an advanced vi technique. The techniques have been selected for their usefulness and real-life value.

Classroom Setup

 Delivery of this course requires a classroom equipped with:
  • An overhead projector
  • A PC or workstation for each student
  • A PC or workstation for the instructor
  • A projector for the instructor's computer screen
  • Connection to the internet
  • A workbook for each student

Site

 The course can be taught in your classroom, anywhere in the world. Travel outside the San Francisco Bay Area requires reimbursement of the instructor's travel expense.

Copyright © 2020

Dan Keller Technical Services
2248 International Blvd., Oakland
California, USA 94606
tel: 415 / 861-4500