This is a handy-dandy glossary for you to use when you forget what a term means. Feel free to modify and add your own spin to the definitions!
- command: a key on the keyboard that does something while in normal mode. For example, hitting the
hcommand in normal mode will move the cursor left. - normal mode: the "default" mode in Vim. You're usually in this mode whenever you're navigating or modifying text.
- insert mode: whenever you hit a character on the keyboard, and it shows up on the screen, you're probably in insert mode. This is the free mode. A good way to tell if you're in normal mode vs. insert mode is to look at the status near the bottom of the screen. You'll see "--INSERT--" or "--NORMAL--" usually. The other way is to hit the command
h. If your cursor moved left, you're in normal mode. If it entered "h" into the file you're in, then you're in insert mode. - motion: a character that you use with another command to create a combination. In the example
dt", thedis the command and thet"makes up the motion, which together stand for "till the double-quote". - touch-typing: the ability to use muscle memory to find keys, or to type without looking.
- visual mode: the mode you use to "mark" or select text using
vfrom normal mode.