What is the set -o vi command for?

agasamapetilon · #1 (**permalink**) 08-26-2008

I have heard the following command and seen people using it at shell but I don't know what it is for and when it is used. I will appreciate any comment regarding the use of this command.

Code:

set -o vi

vbe · #2 (**permalink**) 08-26-2008

its to tells ksh to set vi as editor, and so be used for your history or command completion or because you made a mistake in your 200 char command line and dont want to reype the lot let you type Esc then v and there you are with your line in vi...
Most important! learn vi!!!

buffoonix · #3 (**permalink**) 08-26-2008

It's not to set vi as your editor.
You would signal this to some programs by setting the environment variables

Code:

export EDITOR=vi VISUAL=vi

It rather tells your shell to behave as far as key mappings and shell history are concerned like the editor vi.
But why don't you simply consult your shell's manpage?
e.g. excerpt from my Bash manpage

Quote:

Originally Posted by man bash

vi Use a vi-style command line editing interface.

More UNIX and Linux Forum Topics You Might Find Helpful
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
assign a command line argument and a unix command to awk variables	sweta_doshi	Shell Programming and Scripting	0	08-08-2008 06:54 AM
Help Required: Command to find IP address and command executed of a user	loggedout	Security	2	08-06-2008 08:12 PM
how to? launch command with string of command line options	TinCanFury	Shell Programming and Scripting	5	04-28-2008 06:06 PM
inconsistent ls command display at the command prompt & running as a cron job	rajranibl	SuSE	5	07-30-2007 08:26 AM
How to use more than one MPE command STREAM with Unix command in a single shell?	bosskr	Shell Programming and Scripting	0	09-19-2006 09:44 PM

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: