Vi Text Editor (console mode)

[Stavros]

I have never come across a more infuriating piece of software. I know it's because I'm new to it, but damn...after messing with it for over an hour I'm still stuck on square one. Ok, so enough of the bitching, now the questions:

-I used the "R" command and was able to replace text. My problem was saving the text file. I had it set like I wanted, but it gave me the error that Vi was in Read-Only mode. Any help?

Oh yea, the command I used to view sshd_config was:

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vi sshd_config

after I had cd to /etc/ssh.

So, help really needed.

[computathug]

Save Text And Exit VI

ZZ or :wq or
:x Save file and exit vi
:w file Save file but do not exit. Omitting file saves current file
:w! file Save file overriding normal checking
:n,mw file Write lines n through m to file
:n,mw>>file Append lines n through m to end of file
:q Leave vi, saving changes before last write
(you may be prompted to save first)
:q! Leave vi without saving any changes since last write
Q Escape vi into ex editor with same file; :vi returns
:e! File-edit current file, disregarding changes since last write.

if you are using vim you might like to try the tutorial before hand.

type

vimtutorial (in vim)

[Lyecdevf]

I guess it is frustrating for a beginner but vi is considered by some people I know as the best unix editor. Any way you have to first press the escape button and than :wq.

[Stavros]

Ha! Finally got it. Yea, Guess I forgot to press Esc before trying to save. Now I'm just having trouble figuring out how to start sshd.

[ayu]

i use nano =) really good editor

[bad_brain]

ohhh.....just as a little remark:
on newer distros you might ran into trouble using vi, you will notice it when it diplays ^A and similar stuff when you're trying to move the cursor, in this case use vim instead of vi.

to start/stop/restart a service always take a look into /etc/init.d/ , the services you find there can be controlled by:

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cd /
etc/init.d/servicename start|stop|restart

if the service can't be found in there it is most likely in /usr/bin/, but before searching the directories manually simply query the database:

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locate servicename

if you haven't done it yet build the database first:

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updatedb

might take some time.

applications/services are always in bin directories (if they have been installed the default way), like /usr/bin/, /usr/local/bin/.

in your case it should be

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etc/init.d/ssh restart

changes apply on the next login, if you are logged in already via SSH the connection will be kept using the old parameters. keep this in mind when you're working on a remote system, this can keep you away from locking yourself out....as long as the old connection is still open you still have a chance to take back changes.

[G-Brain]

If VIM is installed, there should be a "vimtutor" command available. Helped me out

I now use VIM every day.