Vim Text Editor: 15 Must-Know Commands for Developers

Vim's efficiency and flexibility make it a top choice for developers. Here are 15 advanced Vim commands, complete with examples, to elevate your coding experience:

1. Macros - Record and Execute

Automate repetitive tasks.

• Record: q<letter>
• Execute: @<letter>

   qa...q (record to 'a'), @a (execute 'a')

2. Global Replace with RegEx

Complex pattern-based replacements.

   :%s/old/new/gc

3. Tabs and Buffers

Efficient multiple file handling.

• New tab: :tabnew <filename>
• Switch tabs: gt, gT

   :tabnew file.txt, gt, :ls, :b2

4. Window Splits

View files side-by-side.

• Vertical: :vsp <filename>
• Horizontal: :sp <filename>

   :vsp file.txt

5. Folding - Code Organization

Hide/reveal code sections.

• Create fold: zf#j

   zf3j, zo, zc

6. :% - Command Range

Apply commands to the entire file.

   :%norm A;

7. c - Change Command

Replace text efficiently.

   cw

8. Visual Block Mode

Columnar text editing.

• Enter: Ctrl+v

   Ctrl+v, I#<Esc>

9. :g - Global Command

Execute on lines matching a pattern.

   :g/pattern/d

10. Advanced Search and Navigation

Navigate through files.

• Marks: m<letter>, 'a

   ma, 'a

11. u and Ctrl+r - Undo/Redo

Manage changes.

   u, Ctrl+r

12. :r !<command> - Insert Command Output

Insert external command output.

   :r !date

13. :! - Execute External Command

Run commands without leaving Vim.

   :!ls

14. :diffthis - Compare Files

Compare files in split view.

   :vsp file.txt, :diffthis

15. :mksession - Save Session

Save your current Vim session.

   :mksession /path/to/session.vim