Modes

Modes

Vim can disconcerting because it use different modes that allows the user to perform different actions. The main modes are:

• Normal
• Insert
• Command
• Visual

When you enter Vim you enter in Normal mode.

Insert Mode

In Insert mode the text you type is inserted in the document. It is the mode you'll use for most of your insertion of text.

To enter Insert mode type:
    i

To leave Insert mode and comeback to Normal mode type:
    <Esc>
or:
    Ctrl+[

Command Mode

In command the cursor goes in the bottom of the windows to let the user type command like the quit command (:q) or the edit command (:e).

To enter Command mode type:
    : 

 To leave the Command

• Validate the command with the Enter key:
  <Enter>
• or Quit with the Esc key:
  <Esc>

Example: to edit / create a new test.txt file on my Desktop:
    :e ~\Desktop\test.txt <Enter>