How to Install Vim on Mac OS X

As a system administrator or software developer, having a robust text editor is essential for your daily tasks. The Vi and Vim editors have been serving the Unix and Linux communities for decades, offering unparalleled flexibility and customization options. However, with Vim's large codebase (~300k lines of code) and Bram Moolenaar as the sole maintainer, maintenance can be a daunting task.

This is where NeoVim comes in – a fork of Vim that aims to simplify maintenance and add new features quickly. Two significant features have already been implemented: asynchronous plugins and the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) API for programmatically controlling NeoVim.

Before installing Vim on your Mac OS X, it's essential to understand what NeoVim has to offer. By installing NeoVim, you'll gain access to these innovative features:

1. Asynchronous plugins: With this feature, plugins can run in the background without interfering with the main editor process, ensuring a smoother and more efficient editing experience.

2. RPC API: The Remote Procedure Call (RPC) API allows GUI programs and other software that speaks the msgpack-rpc messaging protocol to connect to a running NeoVim instance, providing unparalleled control over your text editor.

To install Vim on Mac OS X, follow these steps:

1. Open your Terminal application.

2. Install Homebrew, a popular package manager for macOS, by pasting the following command: `/bin/bash -c '$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)'`

3. Update Homebrew by running `brew update`.

4. Install NeoVim using the command `brew install neovim`.

Once installed, you can launch NeoVim by running `nvim` in your Terminal.

In conclusion, installing Vim on Mac OS X is a straightforward process that offers access to innovative features like asynchronous plugins and the RPC API. By choosing NeoVim over traditional Vim, you'll enjoy a more maintainable, customizable, and efficient text editing experience.

How to install vim on mac os x