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I am working with Ubuntu

  • Server and Desktop

and both are based with the 18.04 version

I need work with vim - by default it is installed in Server - it has the 8.0.1453 version.

But in the Desktop is not installed, therefore for the Desktop I did the following:

  • sudo apt update
  • sudo apt upgrade
  • sudo apt install vim

All ok, Vim is installed how is expected but again it is based for the 8.0.1453 version.

Even if in the Server I do

  • sudo apt update
  • sudo apt upgrade

Nothing to update but Vim remains with the 8.0.1453 version

I am confused because in Vim - Download page has the following note:

Version

Vim 8.2 is the latest stable version. It is highly recommended, many bugs have been fixed since previous versions.

Therefore from 8.0.1453 to 8.2 there is a considerable difference between the releases.

I am assuming that I should do a reference for a special 'repository' (I had this experience through MySQL), which one? and from where I should take that 'official' reference?

Manuel Jordan
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    Related: Why don't the Ubuntu repositories have the latest versions of software?. I suggest using brew for installing latest version of vim. You can also build from source or use a third-party PPA. – Ravexina Apr 09 '20 at 13:45
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    The jonathonf/vim PPA should have the new version. – muru Apr 09 '20 at 13:50
  • @muru I saw the homepage of that project, it says Unofficial package for Vim ... therefore is safe work around there? – Manuel Jordan Apr 09 '20 at 14:10
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    Depends on what you mean by safe. You can inspect the code used for building those packages at https://git.launchpad.net/~jonathonf/+git/vim-packaging/tree/debian If you're willing to trust the word of a random stranger on the interwebs, I personally use it. If you don't trust random strangers and can't vet the build code, and won't build it yourself, then you should stick to the version in the Ubuntu repos unless you absolutely must have some new feature in 8.2. – muru Apr 09 '20 at 14:15

1 Answers1

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This is what the download page you've linked to suggests:

Unix

The best way to install Vim on Unix is to use the sources. This requires a compiler and its support files. Compiling Vim isn't difficult at all. You can simply type "make install" when you are happy with the default features. Edit the Makefile in the "src" directory to select specific features.

You need to download at the sources and the runtime files. And apply all the latest patches. For Vim 6 up to 7.2 you can optionally get the "lang" archive, which adds translated messages and menus. For 7.3 and later this is included with the runtime files.

Using git This is the simplest and most efficient way to obtain the latest version, including all patches. This requires the "git" command. The explanations are on the GitHub page.

Summary:

git clone https://github.com/vim/vim.git
cd vim/src
make

Using Mercurial This is another simple and most efficient way to obtain the latest version, including all patches. This requires the "hg" command. The explanations are on this page: Mercurial

Summary:

hg clone https://bitbucket.org/vim-mirror/vim
cd vim/src
make

You are probably ok with version 8.0.1453, but good luck anyway.

mikewhatever
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  • Thanks, according with many Linux tutorials, is wise avoid 'make' and work all through repositories ... if 8.0.1453 is ok, I will stay there – Manuel Jordan Apr 09 '20 at 14:08