To edit a series of files, list the file names after the vi command when you start vi from the command prompt:
$ vi paint orwell |
The files appear in the order in which they are listed. First paint appears. When you finish editing paint, type :n to go on to the next file, orwell. To go on to the next file without saving changes in the current file, type :n! instead of :n.
If you have a series of files with related names (for example, test1, test2, test3), you can use wildcard characters to specify a group of files:
$ vi test* |
The files will appear for editing in alphabetical order by name.