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How to Save Files with a New Name in Vim

vim save as

Are you tired of constantly copying and pasting your Vim files to create new versions? Vim has a solution for this problem: the :saveas command. This command allows you to save a copy of the current file with a new name, without having to create a duplicate file manually. In this article, we’ll explore how to use the :saveas command in Vim, along with some related concepts and methods.

What is the :saveas command?

The :saveas command in Vim allows you to save the current file with a new name. It creates a new file with the specified name and writes the current buffer to it. The original file remains unchanged.

Here’s the syntax for the :saveas command:

:saveas {filename}

{filename} is the name of the new file you want to create. It can be a relative or absolute path.

How to Use the :saveas Command

To use the :saveas command, follow these steps:

  1. Open the file you want to save as a new file in Vim.
  2. Enter the :saveas command followed by the name of the new file you want to create.
  3. Hit Enter.

Here’s an example:

$ vim oldfile.txt

You are now editing the oldfile.txt file. To save it as a new file called newfile.txt, enter the following command:

:saveas newfile.txt

Vim will create a new file called newfile.txt and write the contents of oldfile.txt to it. The original file oldfile.txt remains unchanged.

:w command

The :w command in Vim allows you to save the current file. It overwrites the existing file with any changes you’ve made.

Here’s the syntax for the :w command:

:w

:wq command

The :wq command in Vim allows you to save the current file and exit Vim. It overwrites the existing file with any changes you’ve made, and then quits Vim.

Here’s the syntax for the :wq command:

:wq

:x command

The :x command in Vim is similar to the :wq command, but it only saves the file if changes have been made. If the file has not been modified, it simply exits Vim.

Here’s the syntax for the :x command:

:x

Conclusion

The :saveas command in Vim is a quick and easy way to create a new version of an existing file. By using this command, you can avoid having to manually create a duplicate file and copy the contents over. Additionally, you can still keep the original file intact.

In this article, we’ve explored how to use the :saveas command in Vim, along with some related concepts and methods. By mastering these commands, you’ll be able to work more efficiently and effectively in Vim.

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