A Vi (Vim) question

[Laurence]

On Mon, 2005-05-09 at 23:40 +0530, Deboo ^ wrote:
> On 5/9/05, Ritesh Raj Sarraf <riteshsarraf at users.sourceforge.net> wrote:
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> > Deboo Geek wrote:
> > 
> > > On 5/8/05, Ritesh Raj Sarraf <riteshsarraf at users.sourceforge.net> wrote:
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> > >> Deboo Geek wrote:
> > >>
> > >> > A small Vi question: How to move ahead/forward a line when in insert
> > >> > mode. I always have to use the arrow keys to move forward, when in
> > >> > insert mode. Is there any way to move ahead without shifting my right
> > >> > hand from the alphabets to the arrow keys?
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> > Deboo
> > >>
> > >> You can't do that in insert mode.
> > >> Hit Escape, return to Normal mode and then use your H,J,K,L keys to move.
> > >
> > > I wish there was a way or some shortcut instead of extending the left
> > > hand and hitting Escape. Thanks anyway.
> > >
> > > Deboo
> > >
> > 
> > Then I'd suggest you not to use vi.
> > The power of vi lies in "modes" which you aren't trying to explore or
> > haven't yet explored.
> > 
> > Try it! Once you understand it you'll get addicted :-)
> > 
> > 
> > rrs
> 
> It's not that I don't like modes, I needed a better way. I sure liked
> using the Ctrl - [ key as a shortcut to Escape.  I like the Ctrl-O
> better now and have become used to it when in insert mode. (by the
> way, I just pressed Ctrl - [ in this email too, accidentally.
> 
> Regards,
> Deboo
> 
> -- 
> Please don't Cc: me, I'm subscribed to the list.
> 
Hi

The problem is that the arrow keys and other function keys start with
the esc sequence. i.e. 
esc == ctrl [
left arrow == ctrl [ OD
right arrow == ctrl [ OC
Up arrow == ctrl [ OA
down arrow == ctrl [ OB

so any keying of the arrow escape sequence exits input mode.

Laurence