Linux in a Nutshell, Third Edition

Saving and Exiting

Writing a file means saving the edits and updating the file’s modification time.

Command	Action
ZZ	Quit vi, writing the file only if changes were made.
:x	Same as ZZ.
:wq	Write and quit file.
:w	Write file.
:w file	Save copy to file.
: n1,n2 w file	Write lines n1 to n2 to new file.
: n1,n2 w >> file	Append lines n1 to n2 to existing file.
:w!	Write file (overriding protection).
:w! file	Overwrite file with current buffer.
:w %. new	Write current buffer named file as file.new.
:q	Quit file.
:q!	Quit file (discarding edits).
Q	Quit vi and invoke ex.
:vi	Return to vi after Q command.
%	Current filename.
#	Alternate filename.