vi problem

[Victor]

Has anyone tried vi in minix 3.1.1? I don't think it works properly.
I cannot use the backspace key and the delete key. When I hit them,
there were some strange characters apeared. Does it work well on your
systems?

[Benny]

> cannot use the backspace key and the delete key. When I hit them,
> there were some strange characters apeared. Does it work well on your
> systems?

Which keymap you use?

[SK.Xipho]

us-std , it's the default setting, I think. I've also tried it on my
new laptop, and the problem remains. I'am confused :(

[Al Woodhull]

On Jul 27, 10:01 pm, Victor wrote:
> Has anyone tried vi in minix 3.1.1? I don't think it works properly.
> I cannot use the backspace key and the delete key. When I hit them,

> there were some strange characters...

I replied by mail to Victor, this is a summary:

You need to understand that vi is a modal editor. When it
starts, vi is in command mode, and just about every key
causes an action. When you use the 'i' (insert) or 'a'
(append) commands you will be in insert mode, and most keys
result in adding character codes to your text.

Vi was originally developed back when people used teletype
machines as terminals, and there were no arrow keys. So vi
uses the letters h, j, k, and l like arrow keys when in command
mode. But in insert mode these just insert those
characters into your text. Similarly, the x key deletes
a character in command mode, but inserts an x in the text.

Now for the wierd stuff: the elvis version of vi on Minix interprets
the Del key as the letter x -- it deletes a character in command
mode and inserts x into the text in insert mode.

But there are several vi versions that can be used with
Minix. Some Minix releases have a vi version developed at
U of California, Berkeley, and the Del key in this one
works to delete a character in command mode, but it
inserts a non-printable code into your code, represented
as "^?", if you are in insert mode.

To see which flavor of vi you are using type ":version"
in command mode. In addition to elvis and Berkeley vi,
another vi clone called vim was part of some
Minix 3 releases.

Which vi to use? Vim is the most modern one, there is
documentation on line (use Google). The Berkeley version
is "standard" vi. The vi clone called elvis is small
and is the only one that was distributed with Minix until
Minix 3 came along. Elvis is also what is described in the
Minix man page for vi. There is also an extended Minix man
page for elvis which is a good starting reference if you
have never used vi before. This is available online at
http://www.minix3.org/manpages/man9/elvis.9.html

- Al

[Victor]

Thank you, I've received the replies, and got it. :<)