Remaps

Remaps are a powerful way to redefine your vim exerience the way you would like it.

In your vim rc, add the following line

let mapleader = " "
nnoremap <leader>pv :Vex<CR>

First, what is let mapleader = " ". Leader is a way to set a custom key in vim that can be referenced in remaps as <leader>.

Second, what is nnoremap? Well its the syntax for a remap. Lets break it down

mode lhs rhs

mode

lets go over the meaning of the mode. The mode is what mode (INSERT, NORMAL, VISUAL) that this remap should work in. Here is the exact breakdown of the remap.

" normal mode        no recursive execution          map A -> B
n                    nore                            map

lhs

lhs is the set of keys to execute the remap. In this case <leader>pv or <space>pv.

rhs

rhs is the command to execute after the lhs has been typed in. In this case we will type the command :Vex<CR>. Remember, <CR> means enter.

Lets execute it!

Ok, press <leader>pv, did anything happen? No, why not? Of course! Vim never executed these new changes. Lets source the file.

" so = source
" % = current file
:so %

Now lets try again! did anything happen?

Dangers of remaps

It can make your system feel slow..

Exercise time

Sourcing the vimrc kind of stinks huh? Could we remap this?

Take a shot at remapping it.

" I use neovim, btw
nnoremap <Leader><CR> :so ~/.config/nvim/init.vim<CR>

Now I can simply press <space><enter> to resource my vim rc anytime I make changes.