From http://slackware.mirrors.tds.net/slackware/slackware-current/ChangeLog.txt :
Mon Jan 13 00:11:55 UTC 2020
a/elvis-2.2_0-i586-5.txz: Rebuilt.
Don't make /usr/bin/{ex,vi} symlinks.
a/nvi-1.81.6-i586-1.txz: Added.
This is an implementation of the classic ex/vi text editor written by Keith
Bostic. Due to this having UTF8 support which elvis lacks, we'll have it
take over the ex/vi symlinks if they aren't already pointing to a different
choice. Note that the removal of vi/ex symlinks from the elvis and vim
packages might cause your ex/vi symlinks to point to this after all the ex/vi
packages have been upgraded. You can set them to your preferences using
pkgtool -> Setup -> vi-ex.
As you can see, Elvis is being substituted by nvi.
I've done some editing with nvi to see how it goes, and from the little usage I've gotten from it, it's acceptable for simple day to day editing.
Now, if you're writing source code, beware that nvi doesn't have syntax highlighting. All you get are the colours of your terminal/console.
Since I'm learning the basics of Python programming and I make a lot of mistakes, syntax highlighting is very helpful.
Hence enter Vim. It comes standard with a Slackware 14.2 installation, and is the closest you can get to ex/vi along Elvis. Vim has syntax highlighting and is very configurable. Since Elvis seems to be walking out the door, I thought I might as well switch to Vim for coding, and perhaps use nvi for other stuff.
Below is my current $HOME/.vimrc file.
Source: https://gist.githubusercoPost too long. Click here to view the full text.
Post last edited at