vi:set tabstop=4 doesn't work outside vi -

i've created 2 files named tab1 , tab2. tab1, i've used normal tab using 8 space default.

meanwhile tab2, i've changed using :set tabstop=4 command.

i've tried :set tabstop=4 softtabstop=0 expandtab shiftwidth=4 smarttab

it working fine in vi, instead of having 8 blank spaces, have 4 blank spaces tab.

inside vi

123456789     2    ~                                                                                                           :set tabstop=4

however, when view files again cat command, seems both commands didn't @ all.

please let me know how make changes persistent outside vi when viewing using other utilities such cat.

outside vi

123456789 user@host:~# cat tab1         1 user@host:~# cat tab2         2 user@host:~#

my goal have 4 spaces when using tab permanently outside vi editor this.

please let me know if have solution this. thanks

123456789 user@host:~# cat tab1         1 user@host:~# cat tab2     2 user@host:~#  123456789

you can set tabstop width in terminal tabs(1), e.g.:

$ tabs -4 $ cat tab1     1

Force Net