Text editors
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A text editor is nothing but a computer application that let you change, enter, store and print text-only data. Text editors are part of operating system and software development environment. Typical use case includes
- Editing configuration files
- Writing/editing programming source code
- Creating/editing documentation
In Linux or Unix-like system, the two most popular text editors are vi (or Vim) and Emacs.
Typical features of a text editors
- Find and replace
- Cut, copy, and paste
- Text formatting
- Auto-indentation
- Syntax highlighting
- Undo and redo
- Ability to edit or open multiple files
- Plugins to extend functionality of a text editor
A list of text editors on a Linux or Unix-like system
- vi - The default for Unix systems and must be included in all POSIX compliant systems.
- nvi - The standard vi in BSD distributions.
- Vim - vi clone with many new added feaures including a graphical user interface.
- Emacs/GNU Emacs/Xemacs - Emacs programmer's editor.
- Pico - A simple and easy-to-use text editor for new users.
- Nano - A clone of Pico GPL licensed. It is also easy-to-use text editor for new users.
- Micro - A modern and intuitive terminal-based text editor.
- Joe - WordStar style like user interface. Easy to use.
- ee - Easy editor is a part of FreeBSD base system.
- ed - Line-oriented text editor. It is the default line editor on Unix since the birth of Unix operating system.