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A buffer generally has one front end that displays the text of the buffer (this is called the view front end) and front end that processes the user's commands (the command front end). These two front ends are usually the same but may be different. The view front end governs the “look” of the editor; for example, MAINED usually indicates a left and right border while MAINVI usually has no borders. The command front end interprets keystrokes and determines how they affect the edited text; it is the command front commands that are described in the documentation for each front end.
MAINVI provides commands for switching the command or view front end to another front end, either for the duration of a single series of commands or until another command is given to switch front ends. A front end may also be killed if it is not currently in use and will not be subsequently used. These commands are mentioned elsewhere in this manual, but are repeated here for reference:
| Command | MAINVI | MAINED |
|---|---|---|
| Switch to command front end s until another command is given to switch command front end; if cmds present, execute, then switch back to current command front end | :swf s {cmds} | Q..Bs {cmds} |
| Switch both command and view front ends to s until another command is given to switch; if cmds present, execute, then switch back to current command and view front ends | :swfv s {cmds} | +Q..Bs {cmds} |
| Switch both command and view front ends for all existing buffers, and change default for new buffers | :frontend s | +QQ..Bs |
| Switch to MAINED command and view front ends; if cmds present, execute, then switch back to current command and view front ends | :swm {cmds} | not applicable |
| Switch view front end to s until another command is given to switch view front end | :swv s | Q..Vs |
| Kill front end s | :killf s | -Q..Bs |
| Show buffer status information including front end information | not provided | +Q= |