Use VIM as your RUST IDE

Install vim first, if its not already

sudo apt-get install vim

If vi worked in your command line, it is most likely the light version of vi which is installed by default in Ubuntu, and it lacks most functionality of the real vi.

You also need to install

• curl
• git
• CMake
• Python Headers
• Development Tools

I assume most of you have already installed it, if not then install it via

sudo apt-get install curl
sudo apt-get install git
sudo apt-get install build-essential cmake
sudo apt-get install python-dev python3-dev

Install pathogen plugin

Pathogen is a vim plugin which allows you to easily install other plugins, by just adding files into the ~/.vim/bundle (There are other alternatives, but pathogen is most commonly used)

mkdir -p ~/.vim/autoload ~/.vim/bundle
curl -LSso ~/.vim/autoload/pathogen.vim https://tpo.pe/pathogen.vim

• Add this to ~/.vimrc

execute pathogen#infect()
syntax on
filetype plugin indent on

Install syntax highlighting for rust

cd ~/.vim/bundle
git clone https://github.com/rust-lang/rust.vim.git

Install YouCompleteMe

YouCompleteMe - a code-completion engine for Vim with support for C-family languages and Rust

cd ~/.vim/bundle

git clone https://github.com/Valloric/YouCompleteMe

cd ~/.vim/bundle/YouCompleteMe

git submodule update --init --recursive

./install.py --rust-completer

• Download source code of the rust version you are using, for example master branch
• Extract the zip file and put in your Development folder ie. ~/Developer
• Checkout and build racer

mkdir -p ~/Developer/
cd ~/Developer/
git clone --depth 1 --branch master https://github.com/rust-lang/rust rust-master

Add this to your .vimrc

let g:ycm_rust_src_path="/home/<username>/Developer/rust-master/src/"

Install Vim number toggle

vim-numbertoggle adds line numbers to the code you are editing. Line numbers can either show absolute position or position relative to your cursor location. This will boost your productivity later, when you orchestrate vim commands such as moving 10 lines below the current cursor position: 10j.

cd ~/.vim/bundle
git clone git://github.com/jeffkreeftmeijer/vim-numbertoggle.git

Install NERDtree for displaying files in a tab

NERDTree is a file manager, that most text editors have, such as sublime, atom, or eclipse where it lists the files in the directory you are editing from.

cd ~/.vim/bundle
git clone https://github.com/scrooloose/nerdtree.git

• Add this to ~/.vimrc

autocmd VimEnter * NERDTree
autocmd BufEnter * NERDTreeMirror

"CTRL-t to toggle tree view with CTRL-t
nmap <silent> <C-t> :NERDTreeToggle<CR>
"Set F2 to put the cursor to the nerdtree
nmap <silent> <F2> :NERDTreeFind<CR>

Controls

CTRL-t  - Open/Close the files tab
CTRL-n  - Toggle relative / absolute numbering
CTRL-ww - Switch between the files tab and the main window
F2      - Focus cursor to files tab
<Enter> - Open the focused files/directory, duh!
h,j,k,l - Navigate the cursor left, down, up, right respectively
i       - Insert mode, you can start typing in your code.
<ESC>   - Back to default mode, where you can issue commands in vi
:w      - Write/save the file, you are editing
:wqa    - Save the file, then quit the editor closing vi including the files tab

Some advance commands

:bp                 - Open previous file/buffer
:bn                 - Open next file/buffer
:b <filename-part>  - Open the file you are looking for without typing the exact filename
:vsp                - Vertically split the window
:vsp <filename>     - Open the file in vertical split
:sp                 - Horizontal split
:sp <filename>      - Open the file in horizontal split

• You don't really have to quit the editor using wq whenever you want to build the project. A convenient way is to open a new tab in a terminal via <CTRL>-<SHIFT>-t and issue your command (cargo build --release) from there. That way, you don't lose the state of your editor, i.e. you can undo u or redo <CTRL>-r your code changes when needed

Compile without opening another tab

Alternatively, you can compile your project without opening another terminal instance by issuing the command directly from vim using :! <external terminal command>

:! cargo run --release

Try to view some files

vi main.rs

• It should look something like this

Enable mouse support

If you want to use the mouse to point and click files and move the cursor around, add this to your ~/.vimrc

"enable mouse support
set mouse=a

Additionally, you can use arrow keys to move the cursor around. However, if you are really serious about using vi and want to maximize your vi skills, you should minimize the use of the arrow keys or the mouse.

A helpful vim cheatsheet at

• http://vim.rtorr.com/
• My Comprehensive List

Automatically reload files when changed

Sometimes some of your files might get edited outside of your current vi session, such as other editors/code generators, dropbox sync, git pulls.

• Add this to your ~/.vimrc to refresh them automatically

" check file change every 4 seconds ('CursorHold') and reload the buffer upon detecting change
set autoread
au CursorHold * checktime  

Enable the global Clipboard in vim

In Linux distros, you have to install vim-gtk to gain clipboard functionality.

More information here.

sudo apt-get install vim-gtk

Then you can

Copy to + register, which is the global/OS clipboard "+y

Paste from + register "+p

Pasting is equivalent to <CTRL>-<SHIFT>-v in insert mode. It is equivalent to pasting (<CTRL>-v) in terminal.

One step install for those who have never used vim before or people who want to do it automatically

• This will replace your existing ~/.vimrc and .vim, if you have one
• Don't hold me responsible for breaking your vim configuration, your laundry machine or anything else that would make you angry.

sudo apt-get install curl

curl -sSf https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ivanceras/rustupefy/master/setup.sh | sh

Update

• Update it via (same as setup)

curl -sSf https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ivanceras/rustupefy/master/setup.sh | sh

Uninstall

curl -sSf https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ivanceras/rustupefy/master/uninstall.sh | sh