Personal Notes on 'Practical Vim' (2nd Edition)

I’ve recently immersed myself in deepening my understanding of Vim, guided by “Practical Vim - Second Edition” by Drew Neil. This exploration not only honed my Vim abilities but also inspired me to compile a set of notes. These insights serve as an evolving cheatsheet for anyone on their Vim journey.

These reflections are drawn from various chapters, tailored to boost your Vim efficiency.

Navigating with Ease

Unlock Vim’s potential for seamless movement:

• H, M, L: Jump to the top, middle, and bottom of the screen, streamlining navigation.

Advanced File Management

Grasp Vim’s buffer-based file management for superior control:

• :ls: Reveals the buffer landscape, highlighting the active buffer with %.
• Navigate buffers effortlessly with :bnext, :bprevious, :bfirst, and :blast.

Incorporate these mappings for fluid buffer navigation, borrowing from Tim Pope’s unimpaired.vim:

nnoremap <silent> [b :bprevious<CR>
nnoremap <silent> ]b :bnext<CR>
nnoremap <silent> [B :bfirst<CR>
nnoremap <silent> ]B :blast<CR>

Windows and Tabs: Enhancing Your Workspace

Exploring windows and tabs revolutionized my workflow:

• :sp[lit] and :vsp[lit]: Splitting the screen is now second nature, allowing for multitasking efficiency.
• Open files in splits with :split {file} and :vsplit {file}, akin to finding direct paths to needed code.
• Switching windows with Ctrl-w w/h/j/k/l feels like instant navigation, focusing precisely where needed.
• Window management commands like :clo[se], :on[ly], and resizing with Ctrl-w =/_/| help tailor the workspace.

Organizing Work with Tabs:

• :tabe {file}: Opening files in tabs organizes work into distinct contexts.
• Tab navigation (:tabn, :tabp, gt, gT) is like flipping through a book, each tab a new chapter of work.
• Rearrange tabs to match workflow with :tabmove n, organizing work logically.

Insight: Mastering window and tab management has transformed Vim from a text editor to a comprehensive coding environment.

Advanced Navigation and Marks:

Exploring advanced navigation and marks for pinpoint movement:

• :jumps and Control-o/i act as a navigational history, retracing steps efficiently.
• Setting marks (m, backtick commands) pinpoints important code sections for quick returns.

Tip: Use marks to easily navigate to frequently visited or important code sections.

Macro Magic:

Macros (q) automate repetitive tasks, becoming a vital tool:

• Recording macros captures sequences for reuse with @a.
• Applying macros across lines or files simplifies complex tasks.
• Macros with variables (:let i += 1) unlock dynamic automation possibilities.

Note: Macros are indispensable in Vim, turning tedious edits into simple commands.

Pattern Matching and Search Literacy:

Pattern matching enhances search capabilities, turning complex searches into simple tasks:

• Case-insensitive searches (/\c) and “very magic” mode (\v) refine search capabilities.
• Literal searches (\V) pinpoint exact matches, simplifying regex searches.
• Reusing the last search pattern in substitutions streamlines text replacements.

Pro Tip: Becoming proficient in Vim’s search and replace commands is like mastering a secret language, enabling precise text manipulations.

Customizing .vimrc:

Personalizing .vimrc unlocks Vim’s full potential:

• Setting a “leader key” (let mapleader = ",") customizes shortcuts.
• Implementing autosave (autocmd InsertLeave,TextChanged * silent write) safeguards work.
• Auto-formatting (autocmd BufWritePre * :normal gg=G) ensures consistent code style.

Insight: Personalizing .vimrc enhances Vim, making everyday tasks more intuitive and efficient.

Conclusion: My ‘Practical Vim’ Journey

“Practical Vim” has been a transformative guide, unveiling Vim’s hidden capabilities. May these insights illuminate your path in Vim, encouraging exploration and discovery in this powerful editor. :D