vim syllabus

gistfile1.txt

= vim syllabus =

== Getting started ==
    * Start with the end in mind:  `ZZ`  or `:q!`  or `:qa!`
    * from the command line:  `vimtutor`
    * `:help`   <-- also works with argument, e.g. `:help gd`
        * to follow links in help:  `press enter to follow links`
        * plug-ins make help accessible this way, too
    * modes of vim
        * normal  (you're normally in this mode)
        * insert
        * ex
        * visual
            * line
            * selection

== Motivation ==
* typing .. do you get better over time?
* editing .. do you get better over time?
* improvement requires practice
    * break actions into small sub-skills
    * frequently review  (at least every day)
* text doesn't go away.   (Will google docs? evernote always be here??)
* a pervasive interface (vim bindings are in: Sublime, Intellij, atom, emacs [supermacs], vimimium)
    * soon neovim will enable embedded vim
* there's a lot to know, you can use it for 20 years and learn something new.
* it's a *powerful* editor: 
    * macros
    * registers
    * filetypes
    * textobjects
    * programmable
    * has a grammar: {number}{operation}{motion}

  *success starts with sucks*


== Settings ==
* `~/.vimrc` is where these settings go  ( may have to be created)
* recommended settings
    * spaces, not tabs
    * ..

== Editing ==
* basic commands:  vimsheet.com
* motions
    * char, e.g. `l` (move right one char)
    * word, e.g. `b` ( move back one word)
    * line, e.g. `k` (move up one line)
    * paragraph
    * page
* operations
    * change {motion}
    * find {motion}
    * delete {motion}
* composition of motions & operations  
* vim's grammar:  {number}{operation}{motion}, e.g. `d4w`  (delete four words)
* yanking and pasting
* undo
* navigation of undo tree
* autocomplete
    * words
    * line
    * auto-fix your common mistakes

== Navigation ==

* split screens
* mouse=a
* buffers
* tabs
* marks
* codebases (goto definitions, different files and back, formatting)

== using the operating systems ==
* have external commands
    * fmt
    * uniq
    * sort
        * `2,$ !sort`
        * visual select !sort


== looking for text ==
* regex with in a file
    * within line
    * within a document
    * within all my files
* grep
* vimgrep
* text objects
    * inner word: iw, e.g. diw
    * inner quotes: i"
    * inner paragraph: ip
    * tags: it, e.g. cit
    * a sentence: as

== macros ==
* saving them
* presetting them


== autocmd ==
* on file save .. for this file type, do <something> (linting, formatting,..etc)

== common things you need to do ==
* what are my misspelled words?  `:set spell`
* what files do I have open? `:ls` 
* highlight the word I'm looking for.  (..and stop it)
* search case-insensitive
* where is this defined?
* sort this text
* reformat this text,  `:help gq` or `:'<,'>!fmt` (visual mode)

== vim plugins ==

Leverage someone else's work and organization: use a plug-in.  We're all in vim together.

* manage your plugins, here are some common options:
    * pathogen
    * vundle
    * vim-plug
* `vim-airline`  # heads up display for vim
* `vimwiki`  # organize your knowledge
* `vim-sensible`  # sensible defaults for vim
* `vim-commentary`  # comment files for most languages all with the same keystrokes
* `ctrl-p`  # fuzzy matching for opening files
* `vim-syntastic`  # syntax checking
* `utilisnips`  # use snippets when you type
* `vim-snippets`  # common patterns

== superpowers ==
* using leader to set short-cuts, e.g. `map <leader>s :set spell`
* set spell
* use snippets
* use sessions
    * save an editing session:  `:mksession <sessionname>`
    * restore an editing session: `vim -S <sessionname>`
* tardis-like time machine: `:earlier 5m`, `:later 15s`
* don't forget about: 
    * `gd` and `^t`  for navigating down and back up class structures
    * `gf` open file under cursor
    * `gq <motion>` auto-format text over the motion

== resources ==
`:help`
Drew Neil's:  http://vimcasts.org/
quick examples:  https://vimgifs.com/
text objects: http://blog.carbonfive.com/2011/10/17/vim-text-objects-the-definitive-guide/
overview of vi: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1218390/what-is-your-most-productive-shortcut-with-vim/1220118#1220118
vim powers without plug-ins:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA2WjJbmmoM