1.2.1 Problems Saving Files

• You try to write your file, but you get one of the following messages:

  File exists
  File file exists - use w!
  [Existing file]
  File is read only

  Type :w! file to overwrite the existing file, or type :w newfile to save the edited version in a new file.

• You want to write a file, but you don't have write permission for it. You get the message "Permission denied."

  Use :w newfile to write out the buffer into a new file. If you have write permission for the directory, you can use mv to replace the original version with your copy of it. If you don't have write permission for the directory, type :w pathname/file to write out the buffer to a directory in which you do have write permission (such as your home directory, or /tmp).

• You try to write your file, but you get a message telling you that the file system is full.

  Type :!rm junkfile to delete a (large) unneeded file and free some space. (Starting an ex command with an exclamation point gives you access to UNIX.)

  Or type :!df to see whether there's any space on another file system. If there is, choose a directory on that file system and write your file to it with :w pathname. (df is the UNIX command to check a disk's free space.)

• The system puts you into open mode and tells you that the file system is full.

  The disk with vi's temporary files is filled up. Type :!ls /tmp to see whether there are any files you can remove to gain some disk space.[3] If there are, create a temporary UNIX shell from which you can remove files or issue other UNIX commands. You can create a shell by typing :sh; type [CTRL-D] or exit to terminate the shell and return to vi. (On most UNIX systems, when using a job-control shell, you can simply type [CTRL-Z] to suspend vi and return to the UNIX prompt; type fg to return to vi.) Once you've freed up some space, write your file with :w!.

  [3] Your vi may keep its temporary files in /usr/tmp, /var/tmp, or your current directory; you may need to poke around a bit to figure out where exactly you've run out of room.

• You try to write your file, but you get a message telling you that your disk quota has been reached.

  Try to force the system to save your buffer with the ex command :pre (short for :preserve). If that doesn't work, look for some files to remove. Use :sh (or [CTRL-Z] if you are using a job-control system) to move out of vi and remove files. Use [CTRL-D] (or fg) to return to vi when you're done. Then write your file with :w!.

1.2.2 Exercises

The only way to learn vi is to practice. You now know enough to create a new file and to return to the UNIX prompt. Create a file called practice, insert some text, and then save and quit the file.