Vi small version without a GUI

1

AlmaLinux uses the vi small version without a GUI. It has very few features built in. It is easy to install the full vim-enhanced package.

I would like to suggest adding more functionality to vi, or install the vim-enhanced as default editor.

What is your opinion on this?

vi --version
VIM - Vi IMproved 8.2 (2019 Dec 12, compiled Mar 26 2026 00:00:00)
Included patches: 1-2637
Modified by <bugzilla@redhat.com>
Compiled by <bugzilla@redhat.com>
Small version without GUI. Features included (+) or not (-):
+acl -farsi +mouse_sgr -tag_old_static
-arabic -file_in_path -mouse_sysmouse -tag_any_white
+autocmd -find_in_path -mouse_urxvt -tcl
-autochdir -float +mouse_xterm -termguicolors
-autoservername -folding +multi_byte -terminal
-balloon_eval -footer -multi_lang +terminfo
-balloon_eval_term +fork() -mzscheme +termresponse
-browse -gettext -netbeans_intg -textobjects
+builtin_terms -hangul_input +num64 -textprop
-byte_offset +iconv -packages -timers
-channel +insert_expand -path_extra -title
-cindent -ipv6 -perl -toolbar
-clientserver -job -persistent_undo +user_commands
-clipboard +jumplist -popupwin -vartabs
+cmdline_compl -keymap -printer +vertsplit
+cmdline_hist -lambda -profile +virtualedit
-cmdline_info -langmap -python +visual
+comments -libcall -python3 +visualextra
-conceal -linebreak -quickfix -viminfo
-cryptv -lispindent -reltime +vreplace
-cscope +listcmds -rightleft +wildignore
+cursorbind +localmap -ruby -wildmenu
-cursorshape -lua +scrollbind +windows
-dialog -menu -signs +writebackup
-diff -mksession -smartindent -X11
-digraphs +modify_fname -sound -xfontset
-dnd +mouse -spell -xim
-ebcdic -mouseshape -startuptime -xpm
-emacs_tags -mouse_dec -statusline -xsmp
-eval -mouse_gpm -sun_workshop -xterm_clipboard
+ex_extra -mouse_jsbterm -syntax -xterm_save
-extra_search -mouse_netterm +tag_binary
system vimrc file: “/etc/virc”
user vimrc file: “$HOME/.virc”
2nd user vimrc file: “~/.vim/virc”
user exrc file: “$HOME/.exrc”
defaults file: “$VIMRUNTIME/defaults.vim”
fall-back for $VIM: “/etc”
f-b for $VIMRUNTIME: “/usr/share/vim/vim82”
Compilation: gcc -c -I. -Iproto -DHAVE_CONFIG_H -O2 -flto=auto -ffat-lto-objects -fexceptions -g -grecord-gcc-switches -pipe -Wall -Werror=format-security -Wp,-D_GLIBCXX_ASSERTIONS -specs=/usr/lib/rpm/redhat/redhat-hardened-cc1 -fstack-protector-strong -specs=/usr/lib/rpm/redhat/redhat-annobin-cc1 -m64 -march=x86-64-v2 -mtune=generic -fasynchronous-unwind-tables -fstack-clash-protection -fcf-protection -D_GNU_SOURCE -D_FILE_OFFSET_BITS=64 -D_REENTRANT -U_FORTIFY_SOURCE -D_FORTIFY_SOURCE=1
Linking: gcc -Wl,-z,relro -Wl,-z,now -specs=/usr/lib/rpm/redhat/redhat-hardened-ld -specs=/usr/lib/rpm/redhat/redhat-annobin-cc1 -L/usr/local/lib -Wl,–as-needed -o vim -lm -lselinux -lncurses -lacl -lattr

2

The vim is in group Standard:

# dnf -q rq --groupmember vim-enhanced
vim-enhanced-2:8.2.2637-26.el9_8.4.x86_64
vim-enhanced-2:8.2.2637-26.el9_8.5.x86_64
  @base
  @standard

It should be possible to tick the “include Standard” even in minimal install:

# dnf -q group info "Minimal Install"
Environment Group: Minimal Install
 Description: Basic functionality.
 Mandatory Groups:
   Core
 Optional Groups:
   Standard

The other environment groups do include Standard:

# dnf -q group info "Server"
Environment Group: Server
 Description: An integrated, easy-to-manage server.
 Mandatory Groups:
   Container Management
   Core
   Hardware Support
   Headless Management
   Server product core
   Standard
 Optional Groups:
  ...

# dnf -q group info "Workstation"
Environment Group: Workstation
 Description: Workstation is a user-friendly desktop system for laptops and PCs.
 Mandatory Groups:
   Common NetworkManager submodules
   Core
   Fonts
   GNOME
   Guest Desktop Agents
   Hardware Support
   Internet Browser
   Multimedia
   Printing Client
   Standard
   Workstation product core
   base-x
 Optional Groups:
  ...

As you said, it is easy to install and almost always installed by default.

I do use Emacs, so minimal vi is more than enough for me …
Heck, even cat and mouse can write files in dire need :winking_face_with_tongue:

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