vi -- edit insert mode: The vi editor has three main modes of operation, including:

• ViEditInsertMode for entering text
• ViCommandMode for manipulating text (like copy and paste, formatting, etc.)
• ViExMode (executive mode??) for commands like saving, opening new files, quitting

From command mode you can enter insert mode by pressing "i" (you can enter append mode by pressing "a").

From ex mode you can enter insert mode by pressing <escape> i (or a for append).

From insert or append mode you can get to:

• command mode by pressing <escape>
• ex mode by pressing <escape>:

Actually, I haven't tested the above, and am getting them by reading the link below "between the lines".

See:

• Hardcore Linux Tutorial -- link might be dead -- when I tried there was a cached copy at Google.

Contributors

• RandyKramer - 06 Feb 2002
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