Alex Rivera | Logout

Why does vi behave differently in Ubuntu than in CentOS?

Asked 2009-07-02T14:13:33.733
33

I've been getting more and more comfortable using vi on a daily basis, but one thing that bothers me is that when I use it on Ubuntu it behaves differently than when I use it on CentOS (and probably other places). I actually prefer the way it works in CentOS.

Here are three things that are really bothering me on Ubuntu:

  1. In CentOS insert mode there is a big bold notice at the bottom that I'm in INSERT mode, but in Ubuntu there is no notice so I can never tell which mode I'm in.

  2. In CentOS insert mode I can press the up/down keys and the cursor will move up and down. But when I'm in Ubuntu pressing up and down inserts the letters A and B respectively on new lines.

  3. In CentOS insert mode I can use the backspace key and it will delete the character that is before the cursor, but in Ubuntu I just hear a beep sound and nothing happens. I can press the delete key in command mode, but I'd rather be able to press the backspace key.

Are these differences something that I have to live with or is it an easy fix?

Edit
Report

1 Answer

0

(1) Check if showmode setting is different on both.

(2) Don't know about this one, I think this has more to do with the terminal than Vi itself.

(3) Maybe try using :map <BS> :normal d ?

answered 2009-07-02T14:17:55.833

Your Answer