6 Widely Used Linux Text Editors and a Comprehensive Review of Them
Posted on | Meysam Sadeghi |
Introduction
Linux has a rich collection of text editors that cater to various needs. Whether you’re a system administrator or a developer, a good text editor is a must-have tool. In this article, we’re going to take a comprehensive look at six of the most widely used text editors in the Linux world: Vim, Emacs, Nano, Gedit, Sublime Text, and VSCode.
Vim: A Developer’s Power Tool
Vim is a powerful text editor extensively used in Linux environments. Its key features include multiple modes (such as normal mode and command mode), syntax highlighting, plugin support, and advanced navigation capabilities. Vim may have a steep learning curve, but mastering it pays off in productivity and efficiency.
Emacs: An All-in-One Development Environment
Emacs serves as more than a text editor – it’s a complete integrated development environment (IDE). With features like macro coding, syntax highlighting, and the Emacs Lisp scripting engine, Emacs can be customized to suit the needs of any programmer.
Nano: The Lightweight and User-friendly Editor
Nano is a simple, lightweight text editor that’s perfect for new Linux users. Its user interface is straightforward, and all commands are displayed at the bottom of the screen, which makes it an easy tool to learn and use.
Gedit: The Default GNOME Text Editor
Gedit, the default text editor for the GNOME desktop environment, has features like syntax highlighting, macro coding, and support for numerous programming languages. Its user-friendly interface makes it an excellent tool for both beginning and experienced developers.
Sublime Text: The Commercial Powerhouse
Sublime Text is a commercial text editor used for text editing and coding. It has a graphical user interface and boasts features like quick file navigation, syntax highlighting, and a robust plugin system. Although it’s not free, its performance and feature set justify the cost for many users.
VSCode: Microsoft’s Versatile IDE
Visual Studio Code (VSCode) is a text editor and IDE from Microsoft, available for Linux as well. With support for a multitude of programming languages, syntax highlighting, code debugging capabilities, and a powerful extension marketplace, it is one of the most popular tools for developers.
Conclusion
Choosing a text editor depends on your needs and personal preferences. Some Linux users may enjoy the power and customizability of Vim, while others might prefer the simplicity of Gedit or Nano. Remember, the best tool is the one that makes your work easier and more efficient. So, experiment with these text editors and find the one that suits you best.
This article covers the basics of each tool, but each editor has far more features and options than can be covered in one article. So, delve in, explore, and tailor your text editor to fit your workflow. Happy coding!
here are the basic ten commands for each of the Linux text editors introduced in the article:
Vim:
i
– Enter insert mode:w
– Save file:q
– Quit Vim:wq
– Save file and quit Vim/text
– Search for “text”yy
– Copy a linedd
– Delete a linep
– Paste the clipboard content:set number
– Display line numbers:undo
– Undo the previous action
Emacs:
Ctrl-x Ctrl-s
– Save fileCtrl-x Ctrl-c
– Quit EmacsCtrl-s
– SearchCtrl-w
– Cut selected textAlt-w
– Copy selected textCtrl-y
– Paste the clipboard contentCtrl-_
– Undo the previous actionCtrl-x u
– Undo the previous actionCtrl-x 2
– Split the window into twoCtrl-x o
– Switch between windows
Nano:
Ctrl-o
– Save fileCtrl-x
– Quit NanoCtrl-k
– Delete a lineCtrl-u
– Undo the previous deletionCtrl-w
– SearchAlt-6
– Copy selected textCtrl-u
– Paste the clipboard contentCtrl-c
– Display current line numberCtrl-_
– Go to a specified lineCtrl-g
– Display Nano’s help
Gedit:
Note: Gedit is a graphical editor, so most commands are performed via menus and icons. However, there are also some keyboard shortcuts:
Ctrl-o
– Open a fileCtrl-s
– Save fileCtrl-w
– Close current fileCtrl-q
– Quit GeditCtrl-z
– Undo the previous actionCtrl-y
– Redo the previous actionCtrl-c
– Copy selected textCtrl-v
– Paste the clipboard contentCtrl-x
– Cut selected textCtrl-f
– Search
Sublime Text:
Note: Sublime Text is a graphical editor, and most commands are performed via menus and icons. But, there are also some keyboard shortcuts:
Ctrl-o
– Open a fileCtrl-s
– Save fileCtrl-w
– Close current fileCtrl-q
– Quit Sublime TextCtrl-z
– Undo the previous actionCtrl-y
– Redo the previous actionCtrl-c
– Copy selected textCtrl-v
– Paste the clipboard contentCtrl-x
– Cut selected textCtrl-f
– Search
VSCode:
Note: Visual Studio Code is a graphical editor, and most commands are performed via menus and icons. But, there are also some keyboard shortcuts:
Ctrl-o
– Open a fileCtrl-s
– Save fileCtrl-w
– Close current fileCtrl-q
– Quit VSCodeCtrl-z
– Undo the previous actionCtrl-y
– Redo the previous actionCtrl-c
– Copy selected textCtrl-v
– Paste the clipboard contentCtrl-x
– Cut selected textCtrl-f
– Search
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