How to Install Vim on Ubuntu

Vim (Vi IMproved) is one of the best Linux text editors with extensive customization features. It is a must-have for any Ubuntu user who is a terminal enthusiast, system administrator, or software developer. With command knowledge, no other text editor allows for extensive editing like Vim.

This guide is meant to help you install Vim on Ubuntu, from the simplest to the more involved methods.

Understanding Vim and Its Variants

Vim is an upgraded version of the vi editor, which comes standard with every Unix system. It features:

• Modal editing (two or more modes of inserting text and executing commands)
• Highly customizable through .vimrc settings profile
• Advanced search and replace features
• Syntax highlighting for many hundreds of programming languages
• A plug-in system for extending functionality
• Support for many development tools

Acquiring Vim requires a bit of research regarding its different versions. For Ubuntu, the following apply:

1. vim-tiny: a minimal version with basic features enabled (frequently comes pre-installed with Ubuntu)
2. vim: Standard version with the typical features enabled
3. vim-gtk3: GUI version supporting GTK3(gVim)
4. vim-nox: an upgraded version that permits the use of some scripts (Perl, Python, Ruby, etc.)
5. vim-athena: GUI version that uses the Athena widget set
6. neovim: New implementation of Vim with modern extensions

Depending on whether you prefer a GUI or require additional languages, select the variant that matches your work style. 

Method 1: Install Vim Using APT (Recommended)

Ubuntu has a default package manager, the Advanced Package Tool (APT). This section helps you get started with Vim on Ubuntu using the APT package by describing multiple installation methods. To install the standard version of Vim, follow the below steps:

Before proceeding with the Vim installation, first, check the Ubuntu version to avoid compatibility issues.

Step 1: Update Package Index

Make sure you update the package list because it will add any more recent changes made to the repositories. Doing so makes sure that all installed packages, as well as the operating system, are up to date. It helps to avoid problems while installing new packages:

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install Vim in Ubuntu

This is the simplest method to install Vim on Ubuntu. These are the available packages for Vim:

1. Minimal Package (vim-tiny) 

For Basic functionality, install the Vim tiny editor:

sudo apt install vim-tiny

2. Vim Install Ubuntu (Standard Version) 

This is more suited for the average user. To install the standard version of Vim, use the below command. It installs the regular version of Vim with standard features.

sudo apt install vim

3. Install Vim Full Version (vim-gtk3 or vim-gnome)

For the GUI version with GTK3 support, install the below package. It includes a GUI and additional features:

sudo apt install vim-gtk3

4. All Variants – Installs All Available Vim Packages

For those who want all available packages for Vim installed in one go:

sudo apt install vim-*

Step 3: Verify Installation

As Vim is now installed, let’s check whether it has been installed correctly. For this purpose, you can check the version installed:

vim --version

This command shows the version and details of a compilation of Vim installed.

Method 2: Install Vim Using Snap

Snap is a type of universal package manager used in many distributions of Linux. Installing Snap ensures you get the same experience when using Vim.

Step 1: Check Whether Snap is Installed

Most modern versions of Ubuntu come with Snap pre-installed. Check that with:

snap --version

If not installed, you can install Snap on Ubuntu with:

sudo apt install snapd

Step 2: Using Snap To Install Vim

Remember that when installing Snap, you might have to use the command vim-editor instead of vim to access it:

sudo snap install --edge vim-editor 

Step 3: Confirm Installation

After installation, check the installed version:

vim-editor --version

Method 3: Install Vim Using the Ubuntu Software Center

For those who prefer a graphical interface, this method is fit for you. Let’s follow the instructions below:

Open “Ubuntu Software” from the application window. Then in the search bar, look for “vim”; if not installed, get the most up-to-date version (vim, vim-gtk3, etc.):

Click “Install” and enter your password when prompted. After confirmation, your machine will wait to complete the installation:

Method 4: Install Vim from the Source

If you desire the most updated features of Vim or have specific alteration needs you want fulfilled. Getting a custom version of the software is often most easily done by compiling from source.

Step 1: Install Dependencies

Use the following command to set up the required dependencies:

sudo apt update & sudo apt install build-essential libncurses5-dev libncursesw5-dev git

Step 2: Download Vim Source Code

After that, download and get the available repository using the git command:

git clone https://github.com/vim/vim.git

Step 3: Configure and Compile

In addition to adding support for Ruby, Python 3, Perl, Lua, and GTK3 GUI, the configuration also adds support for them. For this, execute the below command to navigate to the vim directory:

cd vim

After this, execute the following code:

./configure --with-features=huge \
            --enable-multibyte \
            --enable-rubyinterp=yes \
            --enable-python3interp=yes \
            --enable-perlinterp=yes \
            --enable-luainterp=yes \
            --enable-gui=gtk3 \
            --enable-cscope \
            --prefix=/usr/local

Keep in mind that, depending on the speed of your system, compiling the source can take quite a bit of time:

make

Finally, install Vim using the below command:

sudo make install

Step 4: Verify Installation

Let’s confirm the installation of Vim:

/usr/local/bin/vim --version

Once everything is aligned as it should be, now is a good time to use the device for the first time and test whether all operations are seamless. Let’s launch Vim:

vim

You can exit Vim by typing :q and pressing Enter.

Uninstall Vim on Ubuntu

If you need to remove Vim from the Ubuntu operating system, follow the below instructions:

For APT Installations

If the software was added via APT, use:

sudo apt autoremove vim vim-*

For Snap installations:

To erase the software that’s installed using snap, try using this command in the console:

sudo snap remove vim-editor

For GUI installations:

If you installed Vim using the Ubuntu Software Center (GUI), you can remove it just as easily through the same interface:

For Source installations:

If the software was added via source file, navigate to the vim directory using cd ~/vim and run:

sudo make uninstall

That is all from the guide. You now have the tools to install and configure Vim according to your needs, from APT installation to compiling from source.

Conclusion

For Linux operating systems, Vim is certainly one of the most efficient and popular text editors available. The text editor VIM is highly efficient and, when used properly, can greatly increase productivity. There are several ways to install it on Ubuntu; the APT way is the easiest for most users, while the source installation is best for those who require specific features or need the latest version.

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