How to reload .vimrc file without restarting vim on Linux/Unix

How to reload .vimrc file without restarting vim session

The procedure to reload .vimrc in Vim without restart:

1. Start vim text editor by typing: vim filename
2. Load vim config file by typing vim command: Esc followed by :vs ~/.vimrc
3. Add customization like:
   filetype indent plugin on
   set number
   syntax on
4. Use :wq to save a file and exit from ~/.vimrc window.
5. Reload ~/.vimrc by typing any one of the following command:
   :so $MYVIMRC
   OR
   :source ~/.vimrc

Fig.01: Editing ~/.vimrc and reloading it when needed without quiting vim so that you can continuing editing program

How to may keys for edit and reload ~/.vimrc

Append the following in your ~/.vimrc file

" Edit vimr configuration file
nnoremap confe :e $MYVIMRC<CR>
" Reload vims configuration file
nnoremap confr :source $MYVIMRC<CR>

Now just press Esc followed by confe to edit ~/.vimrc file. To reload type Esc followed by confr. Some people like to use the <Leader> key in a .vimrc file. So above mapping becomes:

" Edit vimr configuration file
nnoremap <Leader>ve :e $MYVIMRC<CR>
" " Reload vimr configuration file
nnoremap <Leader>vr :source $MYVIMRC<CR>

The <Leader> key is mapped to \ by default. So you just press \ followed by ve to edit the file. To reload the ~/vimrc file you press \ followed by vr
And there you have it, you just reload .vimrc file without restarting vim ever.