QuestionQ62

Essential Commands

How do the i and a commands in the vi editor differ?

  • A i (interactive) requires the user to explicitly switch between vi modes whereas a (automatic) switches modes automatically.
  • B i (insert) inserts text before the current cursor position whereas a (append) inserts text after the cursor.
  • C i (independent rows) starts every new line at the first character whereas a (aligned rows) keeps the indentation of the previous line.
  • D i (interrupt) temporarily suspends editing of a file to the background whereas a (abort) terminates editing.
Explanation

In vi, i enters text-input mode before the current cursor position, whereas a appends text after the cursor. Oracle’s vi reference documents these commands as “insert before cursor” and “append after cursor.”

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