Korn Shell Programming by Example

Last-Line Mode

Last-line mode is entered by typing the : command while in command mode. It is referred to as last-line mode because the editor actually places a small prompt (:) on the last line of the screen to indicate that it is ready for you to enter an ex command. Yes, it is expecting you to enter an ex editor command. Remember that the engine of vi is ex. Vi is a visual (screen- oriented) front end to the ex editor. Therefore, any commands you can perform in the ex editor should also work in the vi editor. But you must indicate to vi that you intend to enter an ex command, which you do by typing the : command.