6 Widely Used Linux Text Editors and a Comprehensive Review of Them

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.

6 Widely Used Linux Text Editors
6 Widely Used Linux Text Editors

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:

  1. i – Enter insert mode
  2. :w – Save file
  3. :q – Quit Vim
  4. :wq – Save file and quit Vim
  5. /text – Search for “text”
  6. yy – Copy a line
  7. dd – Delete a line
  8. p – Paste the clipboard content
  9. :set number – Display line numbers
  10. :undo – Undo the previous action

Emacs:

  1. Ctrl-x Ctrl-s – Save file
  2. Ctrl-x Ctrl-c – Quit Emacs
  3. Ctrl-s – Search
  4. Ctrl-w – Cut selected text
  5. Alt-w – Copy selected text
  6. Ctrl-y – Paste the clipboard content
  7. Ctrl-_ – Undo the previous action
  8. Ctrl-x u – Undo the previous action
  9. Ctrl-x 2 – Split the window into two
  10. Ctrl-x o – Switch between windows

Nano:

  1. Ctrl-o – Save file
  2. Ctrl-x – Quit Nano
  3. Ctrl-k – Delete a line
  4. Ctrl-u – Undo the previous deletion
  5. Ctrl-w – Search
  6. Alt-6 – Copy selected text
  7. Ctrl-u – Paste the clipboard content
  8. Ctrl-c – Display current line number
  9. Ctrl-_ – Go to a specified line
  10. Ctrl-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:

  1. Ctrl-o – Open a file
  2. Ctrl-s – Save file
  3. Ctrl-w – Close current file
  4. Ctrl-q – Quit Gedit
  5. Ctrl-z – Undo the previous action
  6. Ctrl-y – Redo the previous action
  7. Ctrl-c – Copy selected text
  8. Ctrl-v – Paste the clipboard content
  9. Ctrl-x – Cut selected text
  10. Ctrl-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:

  1. Ctrl-o – Open a file
  2. Ctrl-s – Save file
  3. Ctrl-w – Close current file
  4. Ctrl-q – Quit Sublime Text
  5. Ctrl-z – Undo the previous action
  6. Ctrl-y – Redo the previous action
  7. Ctrl-c – Copy selected text
  8. Ctrl-v – Paste the clipboard content
  9. Ctrl-x – Cut selected text
  10. Ctrl-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:

  1. Ctrl-o – Open a file
  2. Ctrl-s – Save file
  3. Ctrl-w – Close current file
  4. Ctrl-q – Quit VSCode
  5. Ctrl-z – Undo the previous action
  6. Ctrl-y – Redo the previous action
  7. Ctrl-c – Copy selected text
  8. Ctrl-v – Paste the clipboard content
  9. Ctrl-x – Cut selected text
  10. Ctrl-f – Search

As we come to the end of this journey through Linux text editors, we want to remind you that here at SRVPS, we are more than just a virtual server provider. We are committed to helping our customers succeed in their digital endeavors.

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