vim basics (insert, command, save, quit) in Linux CLI - Interactive Code Practice

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to enter insert mode in vim.

Linux CLI

vim filename.txt
Press [1] to start typing.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Ai

B:w

C:q

Dx

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Pressing ':w' which is for saving, not inserting.

Pressing ':q' which quits vim.

Pressing 'x' which deletes a character.

Pressing 'i' in vim switches to insert mode so you can start typing text.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the command to save changes in vim.

Linux CLI

In command mode, type [1] and press Enter to save the file.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A:w

B:i

C:q

D:x

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using ':q' which quits without saving.

Using ':i' which is for insert mode.

Using ':x' which saves and quits but is not just save.

The ':w' command writes (saves) the changes to the file.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the command to quit vim without saving.

Linux CLI

Type [1] and press Enter to quit without saving.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A:x

B:q!

C:wq

D:w

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using ':wq' which saves and quits.

Using ':x' which saves and quits.

Using ':w' which only saves.

The ':q!' command quits vim without saving any changes.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to save and quit vim in one command.

Linux CLI

Type [1][2] and press Enter to save and quit.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A:w

Bq

C!

D:x

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using ':x' which saves and quits only if modified.

Using ':q!' which quits without saving.

Using ':w!' which forces save but not quit.

Typing ':wq' saves the file and quits vim.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to save and quit vim with a single command that forces saving.

Linux CLI

Type [1][2][3] and press Enter to save and quit forcefully.

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A:w

Bq

C!

D:x

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using ':x!' which updates and quits forcefully if modified.

Using ':q!' alone which quits without saving.

Using ':w!' which saves but does not quit.

The ':wq!' command saves and quits vim forcefully.

Practice

1. What key do you press to switch from insert mode to command mode in Vim?

easy

A. Enter

B. Ctrl+C

C. Esc

D. Tab

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Vim modes

   Vim has two main modes: insert mode for typing and command mode for commands.

2. Step 2: Identify the key to switch modes

   Pressing Esc exits insert mode and returns to command mode.

3. Final Answer:

   Esc -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Esc switches to command mode [OK]

Hint: Press Esc to leave insert mode quickly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Pressing Enter instead of Esc
• Using Ctrl+C which interrupts
• Pressing Tab expecting mode change

2. Which of the following is the correct command to save changes in Vim without quitting?

easy

A. :x

B. :q

C. :wq

D. :w

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall Vim save commands

   In Vim, :w writes (saves) the file without quitting.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from quit commands

   :q quits, :wq saves and quits, :x also saves and quits but is less common.

3. Final Answer:

   :w -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   :w saves without quitting [OK]

Hint: Use :w to save, :q to quit [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using :q to save
• Confusing :wq with just save
• Using :x without knowing it quits

3. You open a file in Vim, press i to insert text, type "Hello", then press Esc and enter :wq. What happens?

medium

A. The text "Hello" is saved and Vim quits

B. The text "Hello" is discarded and Vim quits

C. Vim saves but stays open

D. Vim quits without saving

Solution

1. Step 1: Insert and exit insert mode

   Pressing i enters insert mode, typing "Hello" adds text, pressing Esc returns to command mode.

2. Step 2: Use :wq command

   :wq saves the file and quits Vim.

3. Final Answer:

   The text "Hello" is saved and Vim quits -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   :wq saves and quits [OK]

Hint: Use :wq to save and exit Vim [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting to press Esc before :wq
• Using :q without saving
• Expecting :wq to only save

4. You typed text in Vim but accidentally typed :q and Vim shows an error "No write since last change". What should you do to quit without saving?

medium

A. :wq

B. :q!

C. :w

D. :exit

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the error message

   "No write since last change" means Vim won't quit because changes are unsaved.

2. Step 2: Use force quit command

   Typing :q! forces Vim to quit without saving changes.

3. Final Answer:

   :q! -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   :q! quits without saving [OK]

Hint: Use :q! to quit without saving changes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using :q which fails
• Trying :w to save then quit
• Typing :exit which is invalid

5. You want to quickly add the line "# TODO" at the start of a file in Vim, save, and quit. Which sequence of keys and commands is correct?

hard

A. Press I, type "# TODO", press Esc, then :wq

B. Press o, type "# TODO", press Esc, then :q

C. Press a, type "# TODO", press Esc, then :w

D. Press i, type "# TODO", press Esc, then :wq

Solution

1. Step 1: Insert text at start of line

   Pressing I (capital i) enters insert mode at the start of the current line.

2. Step 2: Type text, exit insert mode, save and quit

   Type "# TODO", press Esc to exit insert mode, then :wq to save and quit.

3. Final Answer:

   Press I, type "# TODO", Esc, then :wq -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   I inserts at line start, :wq saves and quits [OK]

Hint: Use I to insert at line start, then :wq to save and quit [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using i inserts before cursor, not line start
• Using o inserts new line below
• Using :q quits without saving