[Appendix B] Setting Environment Options
Author: Linda Lamb
Date: 1998-08-03T20:54:35Z

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| Appendix B |

# B. Setting Environment Options

The following table contains brief descriptions of all `set` command options. In the first column, options are listed in alphabetical order; if the option can be abbreviated, that abbreviation is shown in parentheses on the line below. The second column shows the default setting that vi uses unless you issue an explicit `set` command (either manually or in the .exrc file). The last column describes what the option does, when enabled.

Table B.1: Set Commands
Option | Default | Description
--- | --- | ---
autoindent (ai) | noai | In insert mode, indents each line to the same level as the line above or below. Use with `shiftwidth` option.
autoprint (ap) | ap | Displays changes after each editor command. (For global replacement, displays last replacement.)
autowrite (aw) | noaw | Automatically writes (saves) file if changed before opening another file with `:n` or before giving UNIX command with `:!`.
beautify (bf) | nobf | Ignores all control characters during input (except tab, newline, or formfeed).
directory (dir) | /tmp | Names directory in which ex stores buffer files. (Directory must be writable.)
edcompatible | noed-compatible | Uses ed-like features on substitute commands.
errorbells (eb) | errorbells | Sounds bell when an error occurs.
exrc (ex) | noexrc | Allows the execution of .exrc files that reside outside the user's home directory. (System V only.)
hardtabs (ht) | =8 | Defines boundaries for terminal hardware tabs.
ignorecase (ic) | noic | Disregards case during a search.
lisp | nolisp | Inserts indents in appropriate lisp format. ( ), { }, [[, and ]] are modified to have meaning for lisp.
list | nolist | Prints tabs as ^I; marks ends of lines with $. (Use `list` to tell if end character is a tab or a space.)
magic | magic | Wildcard characters . (dot), * (asterisk), and [] (brackets) have special meaning in patterns.
mesg | mesg | Permits system messages to display on terminal while editing in vi.
number (nu) | nonu | Displays line numbers on left of screen during editing session.
open | open | Allows entry to open or visual mode from ex.
optimize (opt) | noopt | Abolishes carriage returns at the end of lines when printing multiple lines, speeds output on dumb terminals when printing lines with leading white space (blanks or tabs).
paragraphs (para) | =IPLPPPQP LIpplpipbp | Defines paragraph delimiters for movement by { or }. The pairs of characters in the value are the names of nroff/troff macros that begin paragraphs.
prompt | prompt | Displays the ex prompt (:) when vi's `Q` command is given.
readonly (ro) | noro | Any writes (saves) of a file will fail unless you use `!` after the write (works with `w`, `ZZ`, or `autowrite`).
redraw (re) | noredraw | Terminal redraws screen whenever edits are made (in other words, insert mode pushes over existing characters, and deleted lines immediately close up). Default depends on line speed and terminal type. `noredraw` is useful at slow speeds on a dumb terminal: deleted lines show up as @, and inserted text appears to overwrite existing text until you press `[ESC]`.
remap | remap | Allows nested map sequences.
report | =5 | Displays a message on the prompt line whenever you make an edit that affects at least a certain number of lines. For example, `6dd` reports the message "6 lines deleted."
scroll | =[1/2 window] | Amount of screen to scroll.
sections (sect) | =SHNHH HU | Defines section delimiters for [[ ]] movement. The pairs of characters in the value are the names of nroff/troff macros that begin sections.
shell (sh) | =/bin/sh | Pathname of shell used for shell escape (`:!`) and shell command (`:sh`). Default value is derived from shell environment, which varies on different systems.
shiftwidth (sw) | =8 | Defines number of spaces in backward (`^D`) tabs when using the `autoindent` option.
showmatch (sm) | nosm | In vi, when ) or } is entered, cursor moves briefly to matching ( or {. (If match is not on the screen, rings the error message bell.) Very useful for programming.
showmode | noshowmode | In insert mode, displays a message on the prompt line indicating the type of insert you are making. For example, "Open Mode," or "Append Mode." (System V only.)
slowopen (slow) |  | Holds off display during insert. Default depends on line speed and terminal type.
tabstop (ts) | =8 | Defines number of spaces that a `[TAB]` indents during editing session. (Printer still uses system tab of 8.)
taglength (tl) | =0 | Defines number of characters that are significant for tags. Default (zero) means that all characters are significant.
tags | =tags /usr/lib/tags | Defines pathname of files containing tags (see the UNIX `ctags` command.) (By default, system searches /usr/lib/tags and the file tags in the current directory.)
term |  | Sets terminal type.
terse | noterse | Displays shorter error messages.
timeout (to) | timeout | Keyboard maps "time out" after 1 second.[1]
ttytype |  | Sets terminal type.
warn | warn | Displays the warning message, "No write since last change."
window (w) |  | Shows a certain number of lines of the file on the screen. Default depends on line speed and terminal type.
wrapscan (ws) | ws | Searches wrap around either end of file.
wrapmargin (wm) | =0 | Defines right margin. If greater than zero, automatically inserts carriage returns to break lines.
writeany (wa) | nowa | Allows saving to any file.

> [1] This option is rarely needed. It's useful only with versions of `vi` that let you map a sequence to several keys (for example, `:map zzz 3dw`). If you set `notimeout`, you have unlimited time to type the command `zzz`, instead of the one second you normally have.

A.5 Other ex Commands |  | C. ex commands