5 illustrated uses of VIM for DevOps
In this article, I will share with you my 5 best tricks to become more efficient when editing your manifest (Terraform, YAML, …) using VIM.
1. Focus on Top/Middle/Bottom
Manifest files can contain hundreds of lines. When you edit them, you can lose seconds, losing your focus or move cursor position while using your mouse to scroll up/down.
With zt, zz, zb, you can easily update your windows to move the line on top, center or bottom.
To remind you, it’s quite simple: z<top>, z<bottom>, zz to center.
2. Macros
Visual blocks are powerful when working on consecutive rows. But using them on a set of blocks can be repetitive.
In this scenario, you should look at macros.
Using macros can be tricky, but always follow the sequence:
- Start recording on a dedicated key using
q<key> - Execute commands you want to reproduce (move, replace, append, …)
- Stop recording using
q - Replay as needed using
@<key>
In the following example, I used macros to quickly declare Terraform variables.
3. Registers (clipboards)
VIM provides 26 registers that you can use to copy/cut/paste content.
By default, when you copy or cut text, vim saves it in the "”(unnamed) register. But registers can be bound from a to z to be reused easily even if you copy or cut afterwards.
To do this, press " followed by the key to map and the action to be taken (y to copy, d to cut). Example: "ayy to copy and save the content to a register.
To paste the content, press "<key>p
You can use :reg to display the content of the registers.
Registers 2 through 9 are used by VIM to hold deleted content. Very useful during code refactoring.
4. Sort blocks
I like to sort my Terraform variables. But sorting multiple blocks is quite difficult.
In the following demo, I share with you a very effective trick I found to sort blocks.
5. Marks
Marks are a good alternative to zt, zz, zb we saw earlier. You can bind any key to jump from a location to the mark.
Set a mark using m<key>, then return to mark using `<key>
6. (extra) Cuc, right, left, > and <
Editing YAML is a nightmare, using cuc you can draw a vertical line to ensure you are at the correct indent.
Then select the block you want to indent and play with > or <. Repeat with.
