Learning the vi and Vim Editors, 7th Edition

Movement by Line Number

Lines in a file are numbered sequentially, and you can move through a file by specifying line numbers.

Line numbers are useful for identifying the beginning and end of large blocks of text you want to edit. Line numbers are also useful for programmers, since compiler error messages refer to line numbers. Finally, line numbers are used by ex commands, which you will learn in the next chapters.

If you are going to move by line numbers, you must have a way to identify them. Line numbers can be displayed on the screen using the :set nu option described in Chapter 7. In vi, you can also display the current line number on the bottom of the screen.

The command CTRL-G causes the following to be displayed at the bottom of your screen: the current line number, the total number of lines in the file, and what percentage of the total the present line number represents. For example, for the file practice, CTRL-G might display:

"practice" line 3 of 6 --50%--

CTRL-G is useful either for displaying the line number to use in a command or for orienting yourself if you have been distracted from your editing session.

Depending upon the implementation of vi you’re using, you may see additional information, such as what column the cursor is on, and an indication as to whether the file has been modified but not yet written out. The exact format of the message will vary as well.

The G (Go To) Command

You can use line numbers to move the cursor through a file. The G (go to) command uses ...