- Lab
- A Cloud Guru
Creating and Modifying a File with Vim
Knowing how to modify files at the command line is an essential skill for any Linux administrator. This learning activity will focus on using the Vim text editor to practice creating a new file, adding text to the file, and then modifying that text. We will also practice some of the basic keyboard shortcuts to change the text of this file.
Path Info
Table of Contents
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Challenge
Create a new file
Using the vim text editor, create a new file called notes.txt in the cloud_user home directory. Enter the text "Beginning of Notes File" at the top of the document. Leave two blank lines under this top line. Save and close the file.
The process is:
vi notes.txt i (insert) Text - Beginning of Notes File (2 blank lines) :wq!
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Challenge
Send Data to the notes.txt file
Using the
cat
command and output redirection, send the contents of the /etc/redhat-release file to the end of the notes.txt file, taking care to append the contents so as to not overwrite the file.This can be accomplished via:
cat /etc/redhat-release >> notes.txt
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Challenge
Modify the notes.txt File
Open the notes.txt file for editing again. Place the cursor before the openening parentheses around the word "Core." Using a keyboard shortcut, delete the text from the cursor position to the end of the line. Leave two blank lines under this line. Save and close the file.
The following process will meet the criteria:
vim notes.txt (cursor to 'core') SHIFT D (or d$) remove cursor to end of line o - blank line enter (2nd line) :wq!
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Challenge
Send More Data to the File, and Modify Its Contents
Using the
free -m
command and output redirection, send the output of the command to the end of the notes.txt file, taking care to append the contents so as to not overwrite the file.Open notes.txt for editing. Move the cursor to the line that begins with "Swap." Using a keyboard shortcut, delete this entire line. Leave two blank lines after the line that begins with "Mem".
Follow this process:
free -m >> notes.txt vim notes.txt move cursor to Swap line dd (delete line) o - blank line enter (2nd) SHIFT: 3 (3rd line of file) i - insert enter (blank line) :wq!
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Challenge
Enter New Text into the File
Using a keyboard shortcut, jump to line 3 of the file, then enter the text: "This is a practice system." Leave a blank line after this text has been entered. Save and close the file.
You can accomplish this via:
vim notes.txt SHIFT: 3 (moves to 3rd line) i (insert) This is a practice system (enter for blank line) :wq!
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Challenge
Finalize the Notes File
Using the
dbus-uuidgen --get
command, send the output of this command (which will retrieve the system's dbus unique ID) to the end of the notes.txt file. Take care to append the contents so as to not overwrite the file. Open notes.txt in vim, and use a keyboard shortcut to jump to the end of the file. At the beginning of the line that contains the dbus ID, enter in the following text: "Dbus ID = " so that there is a space between the equal sign and the Dbus ID number. Save and close the file. Hand the system over for grading.dbus-uuidgen --get >> notes.txt vim notes.txt SHIFT G (end of file) i - insert Dbus ID = (before ID) :wq!
What's a lab?
Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.
Provided environment for hands-on practice
We will provide the credentials and environment necessary for you to practice right within your browser.
Guided walkthrough
Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!
Did you know?
On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you get time for practice.