Vi Editor Specification Deep Dive: Command and Input Modes

2025-07-25

This document provides a comprehensive specification of the vi editor, detailing its command and input modes. It meticulously outlines commands for initialization, cursor movement, text editing, search and replace, and more, comparing historical implementations with the requirements of the POSIX standard. This is an invaluable reference for developers and vi users alike, offering a deep understanding of the editor's underlying mechanics and normative details.

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