On some linux distros (debian based) there is a im-tiny package smaller than the full blown vim. Also historically vim was not the default vi clone installed,

On some linux distros (debian based) there is a im-tiny package smaller than the full blown vim. Also historically vim was not the default vi clone installed, which was an optionnally installed package. The default was very often a smaller clone: elvis. Busybox as its own vi clone and most BSD OS are still providing nvi by default