set git editor to vim with code examples

Setting the Git Editor to Vim

Git is a popular version control system used by developers to keep track of changes made to code. By default, Git uses the system's default text editor for entering commit messages, making merges, and executing other commands that require input. If you prefer using Vim as your text editor, you can easily set it as the default Git editor by following the steps outlined in this article.

How to Set Git's Default Editor to Vim

There are two ways to set the default Git editor to Vim: globally and locally.

Global Setting:
This will set the default Git editor for all of your Git repositories. To do this, you need to set the core.editor Git configuration variable.

$ git config --global core.editor "vim"

Local Setting:
This will set the default Git editor only for the current repository. To do this, you need to set the core.editor Git configuration variable in the local Git repository's configuration file, .git/config.

$ git config --local core.editor "vim"

Using Vim as the Git Editor

Now that you have set Vim as the default Git editor for Git, you can test it by using a Git command that requires input. For example, you can run the git commit command:

$ git commit

This will open the Vim editor, allowing you to enter your commit message. Once you are done entering the message, save and exit the Vim editor.

Conclusion

In this article, we showed you how to set Vim as the default Git editor. Whether you prefer to set it globally or locally, the process is straightforward and easy to follow. With Vim as your Git editor, you can now take advantage of its powerful features when working with Git.
Vim: An Introduction

Vim is a highly configurable and efficient text editor that has been around for over two decades. It is a popular choice among developers due to its modal interface, which allows users to switch between different modes to perform different actions, such as inserting text, deleting text, and executing commands. Vim is often favored by developers who want a text editor that is fast and lightweight, and who are willing to invest the time to learn its many features.

Vim Modes

Vim operates in two modes: normal mode and insert mode. Normal mode is the default mode and is used to execute commands, such as navigating through the text, deleting text, and copying and pasting text. Insert mode, on the other hand, is used to enter text into the file. To switch from normal mode to insert mode, you can press the i key. To switch back to normal mode, you can press the Esc key.

Vim Commands

Vim has a large number of built-in commands that can be executed in normal mode. For example, the dd command deletes the current line, while the yy command copies the current line. Vim commands can be combined to perform more complex operations. For example, 3dd deletes three lines, and p pastes the copied text after the cursor.

Vim Plugins

One of the strengths of Vim is its ability to be extended with plugins. There are many plugins available that add new features to Vim, such as syntax highlighting, code completion, and visual aids. Plugins are installed using a plugin manager, such as Vundle or Pathogen.

Customizing Vim

Vim can be customized to suit your preferences. You can change the color scheme, add key mappings, and create macros to automate repetitive tasks. Customizations are made by editing the .vimrc file, which is located in your home directory.

In conclusion, Vim is a powerful and efficient text editor that is widely used by developers. Its modal interface, built-in commands, and ability to be extended with plugins make it a popular choice for those who want a fast and lightweight text editor. By learning Vim, you can take advantage of its many features and customize it to suit your needs.

Popular questions

1. What is Git?
   Answer: Git is a popular version control system used by developers to keep track of changes made to code.

2. What is the default text editor for Git?
   Answer: The default text editor for Git is the system's default text editor.

3. How can I set Vim as the default Git editor?
   Answer: You can set Vim as the default Git editor by setting the core.editor Git configuration variable either globally (git config --global core.editor "vim") or locally (git config --local core.editor "vim").

4. What are the two modes in Vim?
   Answer: The two modes in Vim are normal mode and insert mode. Normal mode is used to execute commands, and insert mode is used to enter text into the file.

5. How can I extend the features of Vim?
   Answer: You can extend the features of Vim by installing plugins using a plugin manager, such as Vundle or Pathogen. Plugins add new features to Vim, such as syntax highlighting, code completion, and visual aids.

Tag

Vimification