How to comment multiple lines in Vim Editor in Linux
Last Updated : 25 Sep, 2023
Vim Editor in Linux is one of the most used text editors for writing scripts, codes, and textual data. There are different types of features offered by the Vim Editor through which we can create the text more comfortably. Various types of shortcuts, modes, and bindings are available in Vim Editor. While developing a code, we usually need to comment out the code for better understanding and readability, Also the configuration files need comments so that they can be easily understandable. To add multiple lined comments in Vim Editor we can use the below specified steps and comment out the multiple lines in Vim Editor in Linux.
How to comment on multiple lines in Vim Editor in Linux?
For commenting on multiple lines in Vim Editor in Linux, we have various methods through which it will be easy for us to comment on multiple lines in one go. Below are the methods that can help us to comment on multiple lines:
So, we will see each of the methods in a step-by-step manner.
Method 1: Commenting Using Line Numbers
Follow the below steps to comment on multiple lines in Vim Editor using Line Numbers:
Step 1: Firstly, we need to open the file in which we need to comment out the multiple lines. We have the basic example python script which we will be using for the demonstration. So open the file in Vim editor using the below command:
vim file.py
Opening File in Vim EditorStep 2: After opening the file in Vim Editor, we need to press the ESC key on our keyboard so that Vim will open in the command mode and we can enter the Vim commands into it.
Opening Command Mode in VimStep 3: Once the command mode gets opened we need to enter the below command. This will comment out the multiple lines in the one go.
Syntax:
:[start line],[end line]s/^/#
Command:
:5,10s/^/#
Entering CommandThis will comment out the lines from 5 to 10 at the same time. You can change the start and end lines as per your need.
Lines Commented SuccessfullyMethod 2: Commenting Using Visual Mode
In this method, we will be commenting on the multiple lines using the Visual Mode. So follow the below steps to comment out multiple lines using Visual Mode:
Step 1: We need to switch from the "Normal" Mode to "Visual Mode" by using the "Ctrl+V" key on our Keyboard. Visual Mode allows us with different operations like delete, copy, cut, etc.
Switching from Normal to Visual ModeStep 2: After switching to the Visual Mode, we need to select the lines from the start to the end by using the "Up" and "Down" keys on our keyboard. Along with this, we can also use the alphabet letter "k" for upward selection and "j" for downward selection.
Selecting Lines to be commentedStep 3: Now, we need to switch from the Visual Mode to the Insert Mode by pressing the shortcut "Shift+i".
Switching to Insert ModeStep 4: After switching to the Insert Mode, we need to enter the command symbol as "#" and then press the ESC key. This will comment on the lines that were selected in Step 2. The lines that we have selected will get commented on in a single one rather than commenting line by line in Vim Editor.
Entering # to Comment Selected LinesMethod 3: Commenting Using Regular Expression
In this method, we will be using the Regular Expressions to comment out multiple lines. As Vim Editor has the support for Regular Expressions, this can be used to comment out the multiple lines. Follow the below steps to comment out multiple lines using Regular Expressions.
Step 1: First, we need to use the "Command" Mode in the Vim editor by using the "ESC" key on our keyboard.
Opening Command ModeStep 2: After switching to the Command Mode, we need to enter the below regex expression and then press the "Enter" key on the keyboard.
:g/\count1/s/^/#
The regex entered will comment out all the lines that contain the word count1 into it. We can customize it as per our needs by changing the word.
Entering Regex PatternStep 3: After pressing the Enter key, the lines containing the "count1" word will get commented out from the entire code.
Lines Commented according to Regex Conclusion
As Vim Editor is a terminal-based editor, but still there are many approaches and methods through which we can add comments to multiple lines in Vim Editor. Using the custom patterns, we can comment on the lines that follow the custom pattern. Also, by using the specific range command, we can comment on the multiple lines with he starting and ending line numbers. This makes the task of commenting easy in Vim Editor.
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