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This is Info file ../info/viper, produced by Makeinfo-1.63 from the input file viper.texi. Distribution ************ Copyright (C) 1995, 1996 Free Software Foundation, Inc. Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice are preserved on all copies. Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of this manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided that the entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a permission notice identical to this one. Permission is granted to copy and distribute translations of this manual into another language, under the same conditions as for modified versions. File: viper, Node: Top, Next: Overview, Up: (DIR) Viper ***** We believe that one or more of the following statements are adequate descriptions: Viper Is a Package for Emacs Rebels; it is a VI Plan for Emacs Rescue and/or a venomous VI PERil. Technically speaking, Viper is a Vi emulation package for Emacs 19 and XEmacs 19. Because of its reliance on minor mode keymaps, Viper will not work under Emacs 18. Viper implements most Vi and Ex commands. It gives you the best of both worlds: Vi keystrokes for editing combined with the GNU Emacs environment. Viper also fixes some common complaints with Vi commands. This manual describes Viper, concentrating on the differences from Vi and new features of Viper. Viper, formerly known as VIP-19, was written by Michael Kifer. It is based on VIP version 3.5 by Masahiko Sato and VIP version 4.4 by Aamod Sane. Viper tries to be compatible with these packages. Viper is intended to be usable without reading this manual -- the defaults are set to make Viper as close to Vi as possible. At startup, Viper will try to set the most appropriate default environment for you, based on your familiarity with Emacs. It will also tell you the basic GNU Emacs window management commands to help you start immediately. Although this manual explains how to customize Viper, some basic familiarity with Emacs Lisp would be a plus. It is recommended that you read the Overview node. The other nodes may be visited as needed. Comments and bug reports are welcome. `kifer@cs.emacs.edu' is the current address for Viper bug reports. Please use the Ex command `:submitReport' for this purpose. * Menu: * Overview:: Must read to get started * Improvements over Vi:: New features, Improvements * Customization:: How to customize Viper * Commands:: Vi and Ex Commands * Key Index:: Index of Vi and Ex Commands * Function Index:: Index of Viper Functions * Variable Index:: Index of Viper Variables * Package Index:: Index of Packages Mentioned in this Document * Concept Index:: Vi, Ex and Emacs concepts * Acknowledgments:: File: viper, Node: Overview, Next: Improvements over Vi, Prev: Top, Up: Top Overview of Viper ***************** Viper is a Vi emulation on top of Emacs. At the same time, Viper provides a virtually unrestricted access to Emacs facilities. Perfect compatibility with Vi is possible but not desirable. This chapter tells you about the Emacs ideas that you should know about, how to use Viper within Emacs and some incompatibilities. Viper was formerly known as VIP-19, which was a descendant of VIP 3.5 by Masahiko Sato and VIP 4.4 by Aamod Sane. * Menu: * Emacs Preliminaries:: Basic concepts in Emacs. * Loading Viper:: Loading and Preliminary Configuration. * States in Viper:: Viper has four states orthogonal to modes in Emacs. * The Minibuffer:: Command line in Emacs. * Multiple Files in Viper:: True multiple file handling. * Unimplemented Features:: That are unlikely to be implemented. File: viper, Node: Emacs Preliminaries, Next: Loading Viper, Prev: Overview, Up: Overview Emacs Preliminaries =================== Emacs can edit several files at once. A file in Emacs is placed in a "buffer" that usually has the same name as the file. Buffers are also used for other purposes, such as shell interfaces, directory editing, etc. *Note Directory Editor: (emacs)Dired, for an example. A buffer has a distinguished position called the "point". A "point" is always between 2 characters, and is "looking at" the right hand character. The cursor is positioned on the right hand character. Thus, when the "point" is looking at the end-of-line, the cursor is on the end-of-line character, i.e. beyond the last character on the line. This is the default Emacs behavior. The default settings of Viper try to mimic the behavior of Vi, preventing the cursor from going beyond the last character on the line. By using Emacs commands directly (such as those bound to arrow keys), it is possible to get the cursor beyond the end-of-line. However, this won't (or shouldn't) happen if you restrict yourself to standard Vi keys, unless you modify the default editing style. *Note Customization::. In addition to the "point", there is another distinguished buffer position called the "mark". *Note Mark: (emacs)Mark, for more info on the mark. The text between the "point" and the "mark" is called the "region" of the buffer. For the Viper user, this simply means that in addition to the Vi textmarkers a-z, there is another marker called "mark". This is similar to the unnamed Vi marker used by the jump commands (" and "), which move the cursor to the position of the last absolute jump. Viper provides access to the region in most text manipulation commands as `r' and `R' suffix to commands that operate on text regions, e.g., `dr' to delete region, etc. *Note Basics::, for more info. Emacs divides the screen into tiled "windows". You can see the contents of a buffer through the window associated with the buffer. The cursor of the screen is positioned on the character after "point". Every window has a "mode line" that displays information about the buffer. You can change the format of the mode line, but normally if you see `**' at the beginning of a mode line it means that the buffer is "modified". If you write out the contents of a buffer to a file, then the buffer will become not modified. Also if you see `%%' at the beginning of the mode line, it means that the file associated with the buffer is write protected. The mode line will also show the buffer name and current major and minor modes (see below). A special buffer called "Minibuffer" is displayed as the last line in a Minibuffer window. The Minibuffer window is used for command input output. Viper uses Minibuffer window for `/' and `:' commands. An Emacs buffer can have a "major mode" that customizes Emacs for editing text of a particular sort by changing the functionality of the keys. Keys are defined using a "keymap" that records the bindings between keystrokes and functions. The "global keymap" is common to all the buffers. Additionally, each buffer has its "local keymap" that determines the "mode" of the buffer. If a function is bound to some key in the local keymap then that function will be executed when you type the key. If no function is bound to a key in the local map, however, the function bound to the key in the global map will be executed. *Note Major Modes: (emacs)Major Modes, for more information. A buffer can also have a "minor mode". Minor modes are options that you can use or not. A buffer in `text-mode' can have `auto-fill-mode' as minor mode, which can be turned off or on at any time. In Emacs 19, a minor mode may have it own keymap, which overrides the local keymap when the minor mode is turned on. For more information, *note Minor Modes: (emacs)Minor Modes. Viper is implemented as a collection of minor modes. Different minor modes are involved when Viper emulates Vi command mode, Vi insert mode, etc. You can also turn Viper on and off at any time while in Vi command mode. *Note States in Viper::, for more information. Emacs uses Control and Meta modifiers. These are denoted as C and M, e.g. `^Z' as `C-z' and `Meta-x' as `M-x'. The Meta key is usually located on each side of the Space bar; it is used in a manner similar to the Control key, e.g., `M-x' means typing `x' while holding the Meta key down. For keyboards that do not have a Meta key, ESC is used as Meta. Thus `M-x' is typed as `ESC x'. Viper uses ESC to switch from Insert state to Vi state. Therefore Viper defines `_' as its Meta key in Vi state. *Note Vi State::, for more info. Emacs is structured as a lisp interpreter around a C core. Emacs keys cause lisp functions to be called. It is possible to call these functions directly, by typing `M-x function-name'. File: viper, Node: Loading Viper, Next: States in Viper, Prev: Emacs Preliminaries, Up: Overview Loading Viper ============= First, make sure that all six Viper files `viper*.el' are somewhere on Emacs "load path". The load path is a list of directories where Emacs looks for its Lisp code; it is similar to Unix environment variable PATH. The load path is determined by the Lisp variable `load-path'. Type `C-h v load-path RET' to check the current load path of your Emacs. (Here and later, `RET' stands for carriage return.) If the files `viper*.el' are not in any directory on the load path, you should create your own directory and put it on the load path; then put `viper*.el' in that directory. To put a new directory, say `~/emacslib', on your load path, add the following line at the beginning of your `~/.emacs' file: (setq load-path (cons "~/emacslib" load-path)) It is recommended that you compile `viper.el' by running make all in the directory where Viper was unpacked. The best way to ensure that Viper is installed properly is to run make install in the directory where Viper was unpacked. See README in the Viper distribution for the details on which modifications to the make file may be necessary. Once Viper is settled on the load path, the most common way to load it automatically is to include the line: (require 'viper) in your `~/.emacs' file. The `.emacs' file is placed in your home directory and it will be executed every time you invoke Emacs. Viper also uses the file `~/.vip' for Viper-specific customization. If you wish to be in Vi command state whenever this is appropriate, you can include the following line in your `.vip': (setq vip-always t) (*Note Vi State::, for the explanation of Vi mode.) Once invoked, Viper will arrange to bring up Emacs buffers in Vi state whenever this makes sense. *Note Packages that Change Keymaps::, to find out when forcing Vi command state on a buffer may be counter-productive. Even if your `.emacs' and `.vip' files do not contain any of the above lines, you can still load Viper and enter Vi state by typing the following from within Emacs: M-x load-library RET viper RET M-x viper-mode Ask your local Emacs administrator if this fails to work. When Emacs first comes up, if you have not specified a file on the command line, it will show the `*scratch*' buffer, in the `Lisp Interaction' mode. After you invoke Viper, you can start editing files by using `:e', `:vi', or `v' commands. (*Note File and Buffer Handling::, for more information on `v' and other new commands that, in many cases, are more convenient than `:e', `:vi', and similar old-style Vi commands.) File: viper, Node: States in Viper, Next: The Minibuffer, Prev: Loading Viper, Up: Overview States in Viper =============== Viper has four states, Emacs, Vi, Insert, and Replace. `Emacs state' This is the mode plain vanilla Emacs is normally in. After you have loaded Viper, `C-z' will normally take you to Vi command state. Another `C-z' will take you back to Emacs state. This toggle key can be changed, *note Customization::. You can also type `M-x viper-mode' to change to Vi state. For users who chose to set their user level to 1 at Viper setup time, switching to Emacs state is deliberately made harder in order to not confuse the novice user. In this case, `C-z' will either iconify Emacs (if Emacs runs as an application under X Windows) or it will stop Emacs (if Emacs runs on a dumb terminal or in an Xterm window). `Vi state' This is the Vi command mode. Any of the Vi commands, such as `i, o, a', ..., will take you to Insert state. All Vi commands may be used in this mode. Most Ex commands can also be used. For a full list of Ex commands supported by Viper, type `:' and then `TAB'. To get help on any issue, including the Ex commands, type `:help'. This will invoke Viper Info (if it is installed). Then typing `i' will prompt you for a topic to search in the index. Note, to search for Ex commands in the index, you should start them with a "`:'", e.g., `:WW'. `Insert state' Insert state is the Vi insertion mode. `ESC' will take you back to Vi state. Insert state editing can be done, including auto-indentation. By default, Viper disables Emacs keybindings in Insert state. `Replace state' Commands like `cw' invoke the Replace state. When you cross the boundary of a replacement region (usually designated via a `$' sign), it will automatically change to Insert state. You do not have to worry about it. The key bindings remain practically the same as in Insert state. If you type ESC, Viper will switch to Vi command mode, terminating the replacement state. The modes are indicated on the "mode line" as <E>, <I>, <V>, and <R>, so that the multiple modes do not confuse you. Most of your editing can be done in Vi and Insert states. Viper will try to make all new buffers be in Vi state, but sometimes they may come up in Emacs state. `C-z' will take you to Vi state in such a case. In some major modes, like Dired, Info, Gnus, etc., you should not switch to Vi state (and Viper will not attempt to do so) because these modes are not intended for text editing and many of the Vi keys have special meaning there. If you plan to read news, browse directories, read mail, etc., from Emacs (which you should start doing soon!), you should learn about the meaning of the various keys in those special modes (typing `C-h m' in a buffer provides help with key bindings for the major mode of that buffer). If you switch to Vi in Dired or similar modes--no harm is done. It is just that the special keybindings provided by those modes will be temporarily overshadowed by Viper's bindings. Switching back to Viper's Emacs state will revive the environment provided by the current major mode. States in Viper are orthogonal to Emacs major modes, such as C mode or Dired mode. You can turn Viper on and off for any Emacs state. When Viper is turned on, Vi state can be used to move around. In Insert state, the bindings for these modes can be accessed. For beginners (users at Viper levels 1 and 2), these bindings are suppressed in Insert state, so that new users are not confused by the Emacs states. Note that unless you allow Emacs bindings in Insert state, you cannot do many interesting things, like language sensitive editing. For the novice user (at Viper level 1), all major mode bindings are turned off in Vi state as well. This includes the bindings for key sequences that start with `C-c', which practically means that all major mode bindings are supported. *Note Customization::, to find out how to allow Emacs keys in Insert state. * Menu: * Emacs State:: This is the state you should learn more about when you get up to speed with Viper. * Vi State:: Vi commands are executed in this state. * Insert State:: You can enter text, and also can do sophisticated editing if you know enough Emacs commands. * Replace State:: Like Insert mode, but it is invoked via the replacement commands, such as cw, C, R, etc. File: viper, Node: Emacs State, Next: Vi State, Prev: States in Viper, Up: States in Viper Emacs State ----------- You will be in this mode only by accident (hopefully). This is the state Emacs is normally in (imagine!!). Now leave it as soon as possible by typing `C-z'. The you will be in Vi state (sigh of relief) :-). Emacs state is actually a Viperism to denote all the major and minor modes (*Note Emacs Preliminaries::) other than Viper that Emacs can be in. Emacs can have several modes, such as C mode for editing C programs, LaTeX mode for editing LaTeX documents, Dired for directory editing, etc. These are major modes, each with a different set of key-bindings. Viper states are orthogonal to these Emacs major modes. The presence of these language sensitive and other modes is a major win over Vi. *Note Improvements over Vi::, for more. The bindings for these modes can be made available in the Viper Insert state as well as in Emacs state. Unless you specify your user level as 1 (a novice), all major mode key sequences that start with `C-x' and `C-c' are also available in Vi state. This is important because major modes designed for editing files, such as cc-mode or latex-mode, use key sequences that begin with `C-x' and `C-c'. There is also a key that lets you temporarily escape to Vi command state from Emacs state: typing `M-C-z' (or `ESC C-z') will let you execute a single Vi command while staying in Viper's Emacs state. At present, this works only for 1-character Vi commands (and for some complex commands). File: viper, Node: Vi State, Next: Insert State, Prev: Emacs State, Up: States in Viper Vi State -------- This is the Vi command mode. When Viper is in Vi state, you will see the sign <V> in the mode line. Most keys will work as in Vi. The notable exceptions are: `C-x' `C-x' is used to invoke Emacs commands, mainly those that do window management. `C-x 2' will split a window, `C-x 0' will close a window. `C-x 1' will close all other windows. `C-xb' is used to switch buffers in a window, and `C-xo' to move through windows. These are about the only necessary keystrokes. For the rest, see the GNU Emacs Manual. `C-c' For user levels 2 and higher, this key serves as a prefix key for the key sequences used by various major modes. For users at Viper level 1, `C-c' simply beeps. `C-g and C-]' These are the Emacs `quit' keys. There will be cases where you will have to use `C-g' to quit. Similarly, `C-]' is used to exit `Recursive Edits' in Emacs for which there is no comparable Vi functionality and no key-binding. Recursive edits are indicated by `[]' brackets framing the modes on the mode line. *Note Recursive Edit: (emacs)Recursive Edit. At user level 1, `C-g' is bound to `vip-info-on-file' function instead. `Underscore' Viper uses `ESC' as a switch between Insert and Vi states. Emacs uses `ESC' for Meta. We need a Meta key to call the Meta key functions such as `M-x function name'. The underscore key, `_', was chosen, since it is the only reasonable, free Vi key left. Thus, in Vi state, to get `M-x', you should type `_x' (if the keyboard has no Meta key). It is possible to use `ESC' as Meta, but then you cannot press `ESC' multiple times in Vi state. *Note Customization::, to find out how to rebind ESC to be Meta. Other differences are mostly improvements. The ones you should know about are: `Undo' `u' will undo. Undo can be repeated by the `.' key. Undo itself can be undone. Another `u' will change the direction. The presence of repeatable undo means that `U', undoing lines, is not very important. Therefore, `U' also calls `vip-undo'. `Counts' Most commands, `~', `[[', `p', `/', ..., etc., take counts. `Regexps' Viper uses Emacs Regular Expressions for searches. These are a superset of Vi regular expressions, excepting the change-of-case escapes `\u', `\L', ..., etc. *Note Regular Expressions: (emacs)Regular Expressions, for details. Files specified to `:e' use `csh' regular expressions (globbing, wildcards, what have you). However, the function `vip-toggle-search-style', bound to `C-c /', lets the user switch from search with regular expressions to plain vanilla search and vice versa. It also lets one switch from case-sensitive search to case-insensitive and back. *Note Viper Specials::, for more details. `Ex commands' The current working directory of a buffer is automatically inserted in the minibuffer if you type `:e' then space. Absolute filenames are required less often in Viper. For path names, Emacs uses a convention that is slightly different from that of Unix. It is designed to minimize the need for deleting path names that Emacs provides in its prompts. (This is usually convenient, but occasionally the prompt may suggest a wrong path name for you.) If you see a prompt `/usr/foo/' and you wish to edit the file `~/.vip', you don't have to erase the prompt. Instead, simply continue typing what you need. Emacs will interpret `/usr/foo/~/.vip' correctly. Similarly, if the prompt is `~/foo/' and you need to get to `/bar/file', keep typing. Emacs interprets `~/foo//bar/' as `/bar/file', since when it sees `//', it understands that `~/foo/' is to be discarded. The command `:cd' will change the default directory for the current buffer. The command `:e' will interpret the filename argument in `csh'. *Note Customization::, if you want to change the default shell. The command `:next' takes counts from `:args', so that `:rew' is obsolete. Also, `:args' will show only the invisible files (i.e., those that are not currently seen in Emacs windows). When applicable, Ex commands support file completion and history. This means that by typing a partial file name and then `TAB', Emacs will try to complete the name or it will offer a menu of possible completions. This works similarly to Tcsh and extends the behavior of Csh. While Emacs is waiting for a file name, you can type `M-p' to get the previous file name you typed. Repeatedly typing `M-p' and `M-n' will let you browse through the file history. Like file names, partially typed Ex commands can be completed by typing `TAB', and Viper keeps the history of Ex commands. After typing `:', you can browse through the previously entered Ex commands by typing `M-p' and `M-n'. Viper tries to rationalize when it puts Ex commands on the history list. For instance, if you typed `:w! foo', only `:w!' will be placed on the history list. This is because the last history element is the default that can be invoked simply by typing `: RET'. If `:w! foo' were placed on the list, it would be all to easy to override valuable data in another file. Reconstructing the full command, `:w! foo', from the history is still not that hard, since Viper has a separate history for file names. By typing `: M-p', you will get `:w!' in the Minibuffer. Then, repeated `M-p' will get you through the file history, inserting one file name after another. In contrast to `:w! foo', if the command were `:r foo', the entire command will appear in the history list. This is because having `:r' alone as a default is meaningless, since this command requires a file argument. As Vi, Viper's destructive commands can be re-executed by typing ``.''. However, in addition, Viper keeps track of the history of such commands. This history can be perused by typing `C-c M-p' and `C-c M-n'. Having found the appropriate command, it can be then executed by typing ``.''. *Note Improvements over Vi::, for more information. File: viper, Node: Insert State, Next: Replace State, Prev: Vi State, Up: States in Viper Insert State ------------ To avoid confusing the beginner (at Viper level 1 and 2), Viper makes only the standard Vi keys available in Insert state. The implication is that Emacs major modes cannot be used Insert state. It is strongly recommended that as soon as you are comfortable, make the Emacs state bindings visible (by changing your user level to 3 or higher). *Note Customization::, to see how to do this. Once this is done, it is possible to do quite a bit of editing in Insert state. For instance, Emacs has a "yank" command, `C-y', which is similar to Vi's `p'. However, unlike `p', `C-y' can be used in Insert state of Viper. Emacs also has a kill ring where it keeps pieces of text you deleted while editing buffers. The command `M-y' is used to delete the text previously put back by Emacs' `C-y' or by Vi's `p' command and reinsert text that was placed on the kill-ring earlier. This works both in Vi and Insert states. In Vi state, `M-y' is a much better alternative to the usual Vi's way of recovering the 10 previously deleted chunks of text. In Insert state, you can use this as follows. Suppose you deleted a piece of text and now you need to re-insert it while editing in Insert mode. The key `C-y' will put back the most recently deleted chunk. If this is not what you want, type `M-y' repeatedly and, hopefully, you will find the chunk you want. Finally, in Insert and Replace states, Viper provides the history of pieces of text inserted in previous insert or replace commands. These strings of text can be recovered by repeatedly typing `C-c M-p' or `C-c M-n' while in Insert or Replace state. (This feature is disabled in the minibuffer: the above keys are usually bound to other histories, which are more appropriate in the minibuffer.) You can call Meta functions from Insert state. The Vi-to-Emacs toggle key, normally `C-z', is bound to Meta in Insert state. Thus `M-x' is typed as `C-zx'. The key `_' will now insert itself--it is not a Meta key in Insert state. (It is well understood that switching Meta keys around is inconvenient. However, there seems to be no way around this problem, short of changing Vi ESC key to something else. *Note Customization::, for the information on `vip-ESC-key', which can be used to free up `ESC' and designate some other key to do escape from Insert state to Vi state.) Other Emacs commands that are useful in Insert state are `C-e' and `C-a', which move the cursor to the end and the beginning of the current line, respectively. You can also use `M-f' and `M-b', which move the cursor forward (or backward) one word. If your display has a Meta key, these functions are invoked by holding the Meta key and then typing `f' and `b', respectively. On displays without the Meta key, these functions are invoked by typing `C-z f' and `C-z b' (`C-z' simulates the Meta key in Insert state, as explained above). When Viper is in Insert state, you will see <I> in the mode line. File: viper, Node: Replace State, Prev: Insert State, Up: States in Viper Replace State ------------- This state is entered through Vi replacement commands, such as `C', `cw', etc., or by typing `R'. In Replace state, Viper puts <R> in the mode line to let you know which state is in effect. If Replace state is entered through `R', Viper stays in that state until the user hits ESC. If this state is entered via the other replacement commands, then Replace state is in effect until you hit `ESC' or until you cross the rightmost boundary of the replacement region. In the latter case, Viper changes its state from Replace to Insert (which you will notice by the change in the mode line). Since Viper runs under Emacs, it is possible to switch between buffers while in Replace state. You can also move the cursor using the arrow keys (even on dumb terminals!) and the mouse. Because of this freedom (which is unattainable in regular Vi), it is possible to take the cursor outside the replacement region. (This may be necessary for several reasons, including the need to enable text selection and region-setting with the mouse.) The issue then arises as to what to do when the user hits the ESC key. In Vi, this would cause the text between cursor and the end of the replacement region to be deleted. But what if, as is possible in Viper, the cursor is not inside the replacement region? To solve the problem, Viper keeps track of the last cursor position while it was still inside the replacement region. So, in the above situation, Viper would delete text between this position and the end of the replacement region. File: viper, Node: The Minibuffer, Next: Multiple Files in Viper, Prev: States in Viper, Up: Overview The Minibuffer ============== The Minibuffer is where commands are entered in. Editing can be done by commands from Insert state, namely: `C-h' Backspace `C-w' Delete Word `C-u' Erase line `C-v' Quote the following character `RET' Execute command `C-g and C-]' Emacs quit and abort keys. These may be necessary. *Note Vi State::, for an explanation. `M-p and M-n' These keys are bound to functions that peruse minibuffer history. The precise history to be perused depends on the context. It may be the history of search strings, Ex commands, file names, etc. Most of the Emacs keys are functional in the Minibuffer. While in the Minibuffer, Viper tries to make editing resemble Vi's behavior when the latter is waiting for the user to type an Ex command. In particular, you can use the regular Vi commands to edit the Minibuffer. You can switch between the Vi state and Insert state at will, and even use the replace mode. Initially, the Minibuffer comes up in Insert state. Some users prefer plain Emacs bindings in the Minibuffer. To this end, set `vip-vi-style-in-minibuffer' to `nil' in `.vip'. *Note Customization::, to learn how to do this. When the Minibuffer changes Viper states, you will notice that the appearance of the text there changes as well. This is useful because the Minibuffer has no mode line to tell which Vi state it is in. The appearance of the text in the Minibuffer can be changed. *Note Viper Specials::, for more details. File: viper, Node: Multiple Files in Viper, Next: Unimplemented Features, Prev: The Minibuffer, Up: Overview Multiple Files in Viper ======================= Viper can edit multiple files. This means, for example that you never need to suffer through `No write since last change' errors. Some Viper elements are common over all the files. `Textmarkers' Textmarkers remember *files and positions*. If you set marker `a' in file `foo', start editing file `bar' and type `'a', then *YOU WILL SWITCH TO FILE `foo'*. You can see the contents of a textmarker using the Viper command `[<a-z>' where <a-z> are the textmarkers, e.g., `[a' to view marker `a' . `Repeated Commands' Command repetitions are common over files. Typing `!!' will repeat the last `!' command whichever file it was issued from. Typing `.' will repeat the last command from any file, and searches will repeat the last search. Ex commands can be repeated by typing `:RET'. Note: in some rare cases, that `:RET' may do something dangerous. However, usually its effect can be undone by typing `u'. `Registers' Registers are common to files. Also, text yanked with `y' can be put back (`p') into any file. The Viper command `]<a-z>', where <a-z> are the registers, can be used to look at the contents of a register, e.g., type `]a' to view register `a'. There is one difference in text deletion that you should be aware of. This difference comes from Emacs and was adopted in Viper because we find it very useful. In Vi, if you delete a line, say, and then another line, these two deletions are separated and are put back separately if you use the `p' command. In Emacs (and Viper), successive series of deletions that are *not interrupted* by other commands are lumped together, so the deleted text gets accumulated and can be put back as one chunk. If you want to break a sequence of deletions so that the newly deleted text could be put back separately from the previously deleted text, you should perform a non-deleting action, e.g., move the cursor one character in any direction. `Absolute Filenames' The current directory name for a file is automatically prepended to the file name in any `:e', `:r', `:w', etc., command (in Emacs, each buffer has a current directory). This directory is inserted in the Minibuffer once you type space after `:e, r', etc. Viper also supports completion of file names and Ex commands (`TAB'), and it keeps track of command and file history (`M-p', `M-n'). Absolute filenames are required less often in Viper. You should be aware that Emacs interprets `/foo/bar//bla' as `/bla' and `/foo/~/bar' as `~/bar'. This is designed to minimize the need for erasing path names that Emacs suggests in its prompts, if a suggested path name is not what you wanted. The command `:cd' will change the default directory for the current Emacs buffer. The Ex command `:e' will interpret the filename argument in `csh', by default. *Note Customization::, if you want to change this. Currently undisplayed files can be listed using the `:ar' command. The command `:n' can be given counts from the `:ar' list to switch to other files. File: viper, Node: Unimplemented Features, Prev: Multiple Files in Viper, Up: Overview Unimplemented Features ====================== Unimplemented features include: * `:ab' and `:una' are not implemented. Both `:map' and `:ab' are considered obsolete, since Emacs has much more powerful facilities for defining keyboard macros and abbreviations. * `:set option?' is not implemented. The current `:set' can also be used to set Emacs variables. * `:se list' requires modification of the display code for Emacs, so it is not implemented. A useful alternative is `cat -t -e file'. Unfortunately, it cannot be used directly inside Emacs, since Emacs will obdurately change `^I' back to normal tabs. File: viper, Node: Improvements over Vi, Next: Customization, Prev: Overview, Up: Top Improvements over Vi ******************** Some common problems with Vi and Ex have been solved in Viper. This includes better implementation of existing commands, new commands, and the facilities provided by Emacs. * Menu: * Basics:: Basic Viper differences, Multi-file effects. * Undo and Backups:: Multiple undo, auto-save, backups and changes * History:: History for Ex and Vi commands. * Macros and Registers:: Keyboard Macros (extended ".") @reg execution. * Completion:: Filename and Command Completion for Ex. * Improved Search:: Incremental Search and Buffer Content Search. * Abbreviation Facilities:: Normal Abbrevs, Templates, and Dynamic Abbrevs. * Movement and Markers:: Screen Editor movements, viewing textmarkers. * New Commands:: Commands that do not exist in Vi. * Useful Packages:: A Sampling of some Emacs packages, and things you should know about. File: viper, Node: Basics, Next: Undo and Backups, Prev: Improvements over Vi, Up: Improvements over Vi Basics ====== The Vi command set is based on the idea of combining motion commands with other commands. The motion command is used as a text region specifier for other commands. We classify motion commands into "point commands" and "line commands". The point commands are: `h', `l', `0', `$', `w', `W', `b', `B', `e', `E', `(', `)', `/', `?', ``', `f', `F', `t', `T', `%', `;', `,', `^' The line commands are: `j', `k', `+', `-', `H', `M', `L', `{', `}', `G', `'', `[[', `]]', `[]' If a point command is given as an argument to a modifying command, the region determined by the point command will be affected by the modifying command. On the other hand, if a line command is given as an argument to a modifying command, the region determined by the line command will be enlarged so that it will become the smallest region properly containing the region and consisting of whole lines (we call this process "expanding the region"), and then the enlarged region will be affected by the modifying command. Text Deletion Commands (*Note Deleting Text::), Change commands (*Note Changing Text::), even Shell Commands (*Note Shell Commands::) use these commands to describe a region of text to operate on. Thus, type `dw' to delete a word, `>}' to shift a paragraph, or `!'afmt' to format a region from `point' to textmarker `a'. Viper adds the region specifiers `r' and `R'. Emacs has a special marker called "mark". The text-area between the current cursor position "point" and the "mark" is called the "region". `r' specifies the raw region and `R' is the expanded region (i.e., the minimal contiguous chunk of full lines that contains the raw region). `dr' will now delete the region, `>r' will shift it, etc. `r,R' are not motion commands, however. The special mark is set by `m.' and other commands. *Note Marking::, for more info. Viper also adds counts to most commands for which it would make sense. In the Overview chapter, some Multiple File issues were discussed (*Note Multiple Files in Viper::). In addition to the files, Emacs has buffers. These can be seen in the `:args' list and switched using `:next' if you type `:set ex-cycle-through-non-files t', or specify `(setq ex-cycle-through-non-files t)' in your `.vip' file. *Note Customization::, for details. File: viper, Node: Undo and Backups, Next: History, Prev: Basics, Up: Improvements over Vi Undo and Backups ================ Viper provides multiple undo. The number of undo's and the size is limited by the machine. The Viper command `u' does an undo. Undo can be repeated by typing `.' (a period). Another `u' will undo the undo, and further `.' will repeat it. Typing `u' does the first undo, and changes the direction. Since the undo size is limited, Viper can create backup files and auto-save files. It will normally do this automatically. It is possible to have numbered backups, etc. For details, *note Backup and Auto-Save: (emacs)Backup. The results of the 9 previous changes are available in the 9 numeric registers, as in Vi. The extra goody is the ability to *view* these registers, in addition to being able to access them through `p' and `M-y' (*Note Insert State::, for details.) The Viper command `] register' will display the contents of any register, numeric or alphabetical. The related command `[ textmarker' will show the text around the textmarker. `register' and `textmarker' can be any letters from a through z. File: viper, Node: History, Next: Macros and Registers, Prev: Undo and Backups, Up: Improvements over Vi History ======= History is provided for Ex commands, Vi searches, file names, pieces of text inserted in earlier commands that use Insert or Replace state, and for destructive commands in Vi state. These are useful for fixing those small typos that screw up searches and `:s', and for eliminating routine associated with repeated typing of file names or pieces of text that need to be inserted frequently. At the `:' or `/' prompts in the Minibuffer, you can do the following: `M-p and M-n' To move to previous and next history items. This causes the history items to appear on the command line, where you can edit them, or simply type Return to execute. `M-r and M-s' To search backward and forward through the history. `RET' Type RET to accept a default (which is displayed in the prompt). The history of insertions can be perused by typing `C-c M-p' and `C-c M-n' while in Insert or Replace state. The history of destructive Vi commands can be perused via the same keys when Viper is in Vi state. *Note Viper Specials::, for details. All Ex commands have a file history. For instance, typing `:e', space and then `M-p' will bring up the name of the previously typed file name. Repeatedly typing `M-p', `M-n', etc., will let you browse through the file history. Similarly, commands that have to do with switching buffers have a buffer history, and commands that expect strings or regular expressions keep a history on those items. File: viper, Node: Macros and Registers, Next: Completion, Prev: History, Up: Improvements over Vi Macros and Registers ==================== Viper facilitates the use of Emacs-style keyboard macros. `@#' will start a macro definition. As you type, the commands will be executed, and remembered (This is called "learn mode" in some editors.) `@register' will complete the macro, putting it into `register', where `register' is any character from `a' through `z'. Then you can execute this macro using `@register'. It is, of course, possible to yank some text into a register and execute it using `@register'. Typing `@@', `@RET', or `@LF' will execute the last macro that was executed using `@register'. Viper will automatically lowercase the register, so that pressing the `SHIFT' key for `@' will not create problems. This is for `@' macros and `"p' *only*. In the case of `y', `"Ayy' will append to *register a*. For `[,],',`', it is an error to use a Uppercase register name. The contents of a register can be seen by `]register'. (`[textmarker' will show the contents of a textmarker). The last keyboard macro can also be executed using `*', and it can be yanked into a register using `@!register'. This is useful for Emacs style keyboard macros defined using `C-x(' and `C-x)'. Emacs keyboard macros have more capabilities. *Note Keyboard Macros: (emacs)Keyboard Macros, for details. Keyboard Macros allow an interesting form of Query-Replace: `/pattern' or `n' to go to the next pattern (the query), followed by a Keyboard Macro execution `@@' (the replace). Viper also provides Vi-style macros. *Note Vi Macros::, for details. File: viper, Node: Completion, Next: Improved Search, Prev: Macros and Registers, Up: Improvements over Vi Completion ========== Completion is done when you type `TAB'. The Emacs completer does not grok wildcards in filenames. Once you type a wildcard, the completer will no longer work for that path. Remember that Emacs interprets a file name of the form `/foo//bar' as `/bar' and `/foo/~/bar' as `~/bar'. File: viper, Node: Improved Search, Next: Abbreviation Facilities, Prev: Completion, Up: Improvements over Vi Improved Search =============== Viper provides buffer search, the ability to search the buffer for a region under the cursor. You have to turn this on in `.vip' either by calling (vip-buffer-search-enable) or by setting `vip-buffer-search-char' to, say, `f3': (setq vip-buffer-search-char [f3]) If the user calls `vip-buffer-search-enable' explicitly (the first method), then `vip-buffer-search-char' will be set to `g'. Regardless of how this feature is enabled, the key `vip-buffer-search-char' will take movement commands, like `w,/,e', to find a region and then search for the contents of that region. This command is very useful for searching for variable names, etc., in a program. The search can be repeated by `n' or reversed by `N'. Emacs provides incremental search. As you type the string in, the cursor will move to the next match. You can snarf words from the buffer as you go along. Incremental Search is normally bound to `C-s' and `C-r'. *Note Customization::, to find out how to change the bindings of `C-r or C-s'. For details, *note Incremental Search: (emacs)Incremental Search. Viper also provides a query replace function that prompts through the Minibuffer. It is invoked by the `Q' key in Vi state. On a window display, Viper supports mouse search, i.e., you can search for a word by clicking on it. *Note Viper Specials::, for details. Finally, on a window display, Viper highlights search patterns as it finds them. This is done through what is known as *faces* in Emacs. The variable that controls how search patterns are highlighted is `vip-search-face'. If you don't want any highlighting at all, put (copy-face 'default 'vip-search-face) in `~/.vip'. If you want to change how patterns are highlighted, you will have to set the variable `vip-search-face' to some other face, such as `highlight'. If none of the existing faces fits the bill, you may have to create your own. Further details on faces can be found in the Emacs Lisp Manual. File: viper, Node: Abbreviation Facilities, Next: Movement and Markers, Prev: Improved Search, Up: Improvements over Vi Abbreviation Facilities ======================= It is possible in Emacs to define abbrevs based on the contents of the buffer. Sophisticated templates can be defined using the Emacs abbreviation facilities. *Note Abbreviations: (emacs)Abbrevs, for details. Emacs also provides Dynamic Abbreviations. Given a partial word, Emacs will search the buffer to find an extension for this word. For instance, one can type `Abbreviations' by typing `A', followed by a keystroke that completed the `A' to `Abbreviations'. Repeated typing will search further back in the buffer, so that one could get `Abbrevs' by repeating the keystroke, which appears earlier in the text. Emacs binds this to `ESC /', so you will have to find a key and bind the function `dabbrev-expand' to that key. Facilities like this make Vi's `:ab' command obsolete. File: viper, Node: Movement and Markers, Next: New Commands, Prev: Abbreviation Facilities, Up: Improvements over Vi Movement and Markers ==================== Viper can be set free from the line-limited movements in Vi, such as `l' refusing to move beyond the line, `ESC' moving one character back, etc. These derive from Ex, which is a line editor. If your `.vip' contains `(setq vip-ex-style-motion nil)' the motion will be a true screen editor motion. One thing you must then watch out for is that it is possible to be on the end-of-line character. The keys `x' and `%' will still work correctly, i.e., as if they were on the last character. The word-movement commands `w', `e', etc., and the associated deletion/yanking commands, `dw', `yw', etc., can be made to understand Emacs syntax tables. If the variable `vip-syntax-preference' is set to `'strict-vi' (the default) then the meaning of *word* is the same as in Vi. However, if the value is `'reformed-vi' then the alphanumeric symbols will be those specified by the current Emacs syntax table (which may be different for different major modes) plus the underscore symbol `_'. The user can also specify the value `'emacs', which would make Viper use exactly the Emacs notion of word. In particular, the underscore may not be part of a word. Finally, if `vip-syntax-preference' is set to `'extended', Viper words would consist of characters that are classified as alphanumeric *or* as parts of symbols. This is convenient for writing programs and in many other situations. `vip-syntax-preference' is a local variable, so it can have different values for different major modes. For instance, in programming modes it can have the value `'extended'. In text modes where words contain special characters, such as European (non-English) letters, Cyrillic letters, etc., the value can be `'reformed-vi' or `'emacs'. Changes to `vip-syntax-preference' should be done in the hooks to various major modes. Furthermore, for these changes to take effect, you should execute `(vip-update-alphanumeric-class)' right after changing the value of `vip-syntax-preference'. The above discussion of the meaning of Viper's words concerns only Viper's movement commands. In regular expressions, words remain the same as in Emacs. That is, the expressions `\w', `\>', `\<', etc., use Emacs' idea of what is a word, and they don't look into the value of variable `vip-syntax-preference'. This is because Viper doesn't change syntax tables in fear of upsetting the various major modes that set these tables. Textmarkers in Viper remember the file and the position, so that you can switch files by simply doing `'a'. If you set up a regimen for using Textmarkers, this is very useful. Contents of textmarkers can be viewed by `[marker'. (Contents of registers can be viewed by `]register').