+++
title = """
  Useless things you may want to know: on the origin of "vi"
  """
author = ["Michał Sapka"]
date = 2024-11-25T23:44:00+01:00
categories = ["blog"]
draft = false
weight = 2001
image_dir = "blog/images"
image_max_width = 600
Abstract = "Where did vi(1) came from?"
+++

We all know, that `vim(1)` stands for "vi improved", but what the buttocks is "vi"?

Well, in the ancient times, a great editor was born - `ex(1)`.
While `ed(1)` still is _the_ standard editor, it's lineage is not that simple.
The `ex(1)` editor expanded on `ed(1)`'s line-oriented text editing.
In short: `ed(1)` was designed before computer displays were common, but `ex(1)` came out later.

Therefore, `ex(1)` added a visual mode, where changes were displayed on the display.
Like in Star Trek!
This mode was enabled by calling the `:visual` command, or (in short) `:vi`.

There you go, cyberpalls.
You're now armed with a bulletproof story for the upcoming X-Mass parties!

`vim(1)` stands for `visual mode of ex, the improved standard text editor, improved`.
(and, yup. `vi(1)` is a standalone program as well.
But we're talking about naming here).