There are two vim Ex modes:
vim -e -s),vim -E -s).Vim improved Ex mode allows for more advanced commands than the vi compatible Ex-mode, however what are the main differences? Or where I can find them?
This is actually documented in a somewhat 'hidden' non-obvious way, from :help Ex-mode
Q Switch to "Ex" mode. This is a bit like typing ":"
commands one after another, except:
- You don't have to keep pressing ":".
- The screen doesn't get updated after each command.
- There is no normal command-line editing.
- Mappings and abbreviations are not used.
In fact, you are editing the lines with the "standard"
line-input editing commands (<Del> or <BS> to erase,
CTRL-U to kill the whole line).
Vim will enter this mode by default if it's invoked as
"ex" on the command-line.
Use the ":vi" command :visual to exit "Ex" mode.
Note: In older versions of Vim "Q" formatted text,
that is now done with gq. But if you use the
vimrc_example.vim script "Q" works like "gq".
gQ
gQ Switch to "Ex" mode like with "Q", but really behave
like typing ":" commands after another. All command
line editing, completion etc. is available.
Use the ":vi" command :visual to exit "Ex" mode.
{not in Vi}
The first paragraph (Q) documents ex mode (-e), and the second one documents the improved ex mode (-E).
With ex mode (-e), Vim tries to "emulate" Ex as much as possible, and a number of Vim improvements won't work (such as mappings, user-defined functions, line editing).
With improved ex mode (-E), Vim "really behaves like typing ":" commands after another".