To start vi, simply type vi followed by the name of the file you want to edit.
vi myfile
If myfile is a new file, the buffer is empty and the screen appears as follows:
~ ~ ~ "myfile" [New file]
The tilde (~) down the left-hand column of the screen indicates that there is no text in the file, not even blank lines. The prompt line (also called status line) at the bottom of the screen echoes the name and status of the file.