Text editing in Terminal

Editing text files directly in the terminal is an essential skill for any Linux user. Whether you are writing code, editing configuration files, or making quick notes, knowing how to use terminal-based text editors is invaluable.

Getting Started with Vim

Vim is a powerful and highly configurable text editor built for efficiency. It has a steep learning curve but offers unmatched flexibility and speed once mastered. In this section, we learn how to start Vim, navigate through files, and understand its modal nature, where different modes (Normal, Insert, Visual, and Command) serve different purposes.

Basic Editing in Vim

We delve into basic editing tasks in Vim, such as inserting and deleting text, saving changes, and quitting the editor. Commands like i for insert mode, :w to save, and :q to quit become foundational skills. We also explore simple navigation commands to move within the text.

Advanced Vim Features

Vim's advanced features enable efficient text manipulation and navigation. We cover features like search and replace (/ and :s commands), using registers for copy-pasting, macros for recording repetitive tasks, and split windows for multitasking. These features help enhance productivity and streamline editing workflows.

Customizing Vim

Customization is one of Vim's strengths. Users can tailor Vim to their preferences by editing the .vimrc configuration file. We learn how to set options, create key mappings, and install plugins to extend Vim's functionality. Popular plugins like NerdTree for file navigation and Fugitive for Git integration are also discussed.

Text Editing with Nano

Nano is a simpler, more user-friendly text editor compared to Vim. It is ideal for beginners and quick edits. We learn how to open files, navigate within them, and perform basic editing tasks using straightforward keyboard shortcuts. Commands like Ctrl + O to save and Ctrl + X to exit make Nano an accessible choice for new users.

Mastering terminal-based text editors like Vim and Nano significantly enhances your efficiency and capability in managing text files on a Linux system. This chapter introduces the basics and advanced features of Vim, along with the simplicity of Nano, equipping you with the tools needed for effective text editing in the terminal. For more detailed information, refer to the Notion link:

Text Editing in Terminal⁠

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This is not the way.

Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (

CtrlP

) instead.