Learning the vi and Vim Editors, 7th Edition

vi Quotes

Finally, here are some more vi quotes, courtesy of Bram Moolenaar, Vim’s author:

THEOREM: vi is perfect.

PROOF: VI in roman numerals is 6. The natural numbers less than 6 which divide 6 are 1, 2, and 3. 1 + 2 + 3 = 6. So 6 is a perfect number. Therefore, vi is perfect.

— Arthur Tateishi

A reaction from Nathan T. Oelger:

So, where does the above leave Vim? VIM in roman numerals might be: (1000 – (5 + 1)) = 994, which happens to be equal to 2*496+2. 496 is divisible by 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 31, 62, 124, and 248 and 1+2+4+8+16+31+62+124+248 = 496. So, 496 is a perfect number. Therefore, Vim is twice as perfect as vi, plus a couple extra bits of goodies. ☺

That is, Vim is better than perfect.

This quote seems to sum it up for the true vi lover:

To me vi is zen. To use vi is to practice zen. Every command is a koan. Profound to the user, unintelligible to the uninitiated. You discover truth every time you use it.

— Satish Reddy