How to Install vim on CentOS 6.2

In server administration, the ability to edit files efficiently is crucial. One of the most popular text editors in the Linux environment is Vim. However, in some instances, such as on a CentOS 6.2 system, Vim might not be installed by default. This can lead to an error message when you attempt to use Vim for file editing.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of installing Vim on CentOS 6.2, ensuring you have this powerful tool at your disposal.

Before we dive into the installation process, it’s worth noting that this guide assumes you have installed the minimal installation type CentOS 6.2 and have set up your local yum repository. If you’re unsure about this, you can refer to our guide on How to set up a local Yum repository from a CD-ROM/DVD-ROM image on CentOS 6.2. Alternatively, if your server has a direct internet connection, you can use the internet CentOS yum repository.

Installing Vim on CentOS 6.2

The first step in installing Vim on CentOS 6.2 is to run the yum install command. This command will install the vim-enhanced package, which provides a version of Vim with more features than the standard version. Here’s the command you need to run:

yum install vim-enhanced

Upon running this command, the system will begin to load plugins. It will then set up the install process and resolve dependencies.

[root@centos6 ~]# yum install vim-enhanced
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror
Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile
 * base: centos.ipserverone.com
 * extras: centos.ipserverone.com
 * updates: centos.ipserverone.com
Setting up Install Process
Resolving Dependencies
--> Running transaction check
---> Package vim-enhanced.i686 2:7.2.411-1.6.el6 will be installed
--> Processing Dependency: vim-common = 2:7.2.411-1.6.el6 for package: 2:vim-enhanced-7.2.411-1.6.el6.i686
--> Processing Dependency: libgpm.so.2 for package: 2:vim-enhanced-7.2.411-1.6.el6.i686
--> Running transaction check
---> Package gpm-libs.i686 0:1.20.6-12.el6 will be installed
---> Package vim-common.i686 2:7.2.411-1.6.el6 will be installed
--> Finished Dependency Resolution

Dependencies Resolved

=============================================================================================
 Package             Arch        Version                   Repository                   Size
=============================================================================================
Installing:
 vim-enhanced        i686        2:7.2.411-1.6.el6         CentOS6.2-Repository        839 k
Installing for dependencies:
 gpm-libs            i686        1.20.6-12.el6             CentOS6.2-Repository         28 k
 vim-common          i686        2:7.2.411-1.6.el6         CentOS6.2-Repository        6.0 M

Transaction Summary
=============================================================================================
Install       3 Package(s)

Total download size: 6.8 M
Installed size: 19 M
Is this ok [y/N]: y
Downloading Packages:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                        9.9 MB/s | 6.8 MB     00:00
Running rpm_check_debug
Running Transaction Test
Transaction Test Succeeded
Running Transaction
  Installing : gpm-libs-1.20.6-12.el6.i686                                               1/3
  Installing : 2:vim-common-7.2.411-1.6.el6.i686                                         2/3
  Installing : 2:vim-enhanced-7.2.411-1.6.el6.i686                                       3/3

Installed:
  vim-enhanced.i686 2:7.2.411-1.6.el6

Dependency Installed:
  gpm-libs.i686 0:1.20.6-12.el6               vim-common.i686 2:7.2.411-1.6.el6

Complete!

The system will check for the vim-enhanced package and process its dependencies, which include vim-common and libgpm.so.2.

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The system will then check these dependencies and install the necessary packages, which include gpm-libs and vim-common. Once the dependency resolution is finished, the system will provide a summary of the packages to be installed, their architecture, version, repository, and size.

You will be prompted to confirm the installation. Type ‘y’ and press Enter to proceed. The system will then download the packages and run a check debug and transaction test. If these tests succeed, the system will proceed with the transaction and install the packages.

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Upon successful installation, you will see a completion message indicating that vim-enhanced, along with its dependencies, has been installed.

Commands Mentioned

  • yum install vim-enhanced – This command installs the vim-enhanced package on CentOS 6.2.

Conclusion

Installing Vim on CentOS 6.2 is a straightforward process that involves running a single command and confirming the installation. This guide has walked you through the process, ensuring you can now use Vim for your text editing needs on your CentOS 6.2 server. Whether you’re editing configuration files or writing code, Vim offers a powerful and efficient solution.

For more guides on server administration and optimization, check out our articles on Apache, Nginx, LiteSpeed, dedicated server, VPS server, cloud hosting, and shared hosting.

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FAQs

  1. What is the vim-enhanced package?

    The vim-enhanced package is a version of Vim that includes more features than the standard version. It is often used in CentOS systems for advanced text editing.

  2. Why do I need to install vim-common and libgpm.so.2?

    These are dependencies for thevim-enhanced package. vim-common provides files needed by all versions of Vim, while libgpm.so.2 is a library used for mouse support in console applications.

  3. What is a yum repository?

    A yum repository is a storage location from which your system retrieves and installs OS updates and applications. It can be local (on your own system) or remote (on a network).

  4. What is the role of the ‘yum install’ command?

    The ‘yum install’ command is used to install a package and all its dependencies. It makes package management in CentOS and other RHEL-based systems easier.

  5. Why do I need Vim on my CentOS 6.2 server?

    Vim is a highly configurable and efficient text editor. It’s often used for editing configuration files, writing code, or any other text editing tasks in a Linux environment.

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