If I need to edit text files directly on my Raspberry Pi my text editor of choice is nano. There are other text editors available but I prefer nano's relatively straightforward interface.
It is a very short video to guide your to create a file using nano text editor in Linux. It is a very short video to guide your to create a file using nano text editor in Linux.
As a command line based utility it may feel strange for users who are more familiar with a graphical interface but it is easy to learn the basics. Syntax colouring is available which makes reading and reviewing scripts easy.
Launching nano
To start nano you can simply type nano at the command prompt. This will launch with a 'new buffer'. In other words an empty text file that has no name.
In order to launch an existing text file you type nano followed by the file name :
- Jun 18, 2017 In the LFCS exam you may be asked to create or modify files. One simple way is to use the program ‘Nano'. Other programs can be used, but it is up to you which program you use. Remember that the point of the exam is not to use any specific tool, but to get the task completed that you are given.
- Nov 19, 2019 In this guide, explain the basic usage of the nano editor, including how to create and open a file, edit a file, save a file, search and replace text, cut and paste text, and more. Installing Nano # Nano text editor is pre-installed on macOS and most Linux distros.
- It will write the buffer into a file named nano.save if the buffer didn't have a name already, or will add a '.save' suffix to the current filename. If an emergency file with that name already exists in the current directory, it will add '.save' plus a number (e.g.
You will see something like this :
Java Create File
nano Main ScreenIf your file is not in the current directory you will need to specify the full path :If the file is a system file you may need to use elevated permissions :
Note: Always use the -w switch when opening system files. It disables wrapping long lines and ensures the file isn't modified in a way that may affect your system.
Editing Text
Once in nano you can start typing. Additional functions can be activated by using the CTRL or ESC keys. These short-cuts are listed at the end of this post. You can list these keys while in nano using CTRL+G (Press and hold the CTRL key then press the G key) :
nano Help Pages (CTRL+G)Return to the main screen using CTRL+X.
To get you started here is a brief summary of nano's most useful features.
Saving and Quiting
Starcraft ii wings of liberty. To save a file you can use CTRL+O.
To quit nano you can use CTRL+X. You will be prompted to save your file if it has changed and you can answer this prompt with either a Y or a N. If you've changed your mind at this point you can return the main edit screen using CTRL+C.
Cutting and Pasting
Cut a line using CTRL+K. To copy a line use ALT+6.
Paste a line at the cursor position using CTRL+U.
To cut or copy multiple lines use CTRL+K or ALT+6 on each line and then paste them all using a single CTRL+U. They are pasted in the order that you cut/copied them. Using CTRL+U again will paste another set of text if required.
Free online 3d architecture design program. You can also mark a block of text before cutting. Position your cursor at the start of the text and press CTRL+6. Then position your cursor after the text and use CTRL+K or ALT+6 to cut or copy. CTRL+U to paste.
Searching and Replacing Text
To search for text use CTRL+W. Enter the text you need to find and press Enter. To repeat the search use ALT+W.
To perform a search and replace use ALT+R.
You can't open files once nano is running. Although you can insert a file into the current buffer you can not open a file directly once you are in nano. You need to launch it from the command line. I find this quite strange. If you need to edit a number of files you need to quit and then load each one in turn from the command line.
Key Short-cut Summary
For some reason the official nano website keeps the nano 'Control' and 'Meta' short-cuts a closely guarded secret so I have listed them here.
Control
To get you started here is a brief summary of nano's most useful features.
Saving and Quiting
Starcraft ii wings of liberty. To save a file you can use CTRL+O.
To quit nano you can use CTRL+X. You will be prompted to save your file if it has changed and you can answer this prompt with either a Y or a N. If you've changed your mind at this point you can return the main edit screen using CTRL+C.
Cutting and Pasting
Cut a line using CTRL+K. To copy a line use ALT+6.
Paste a line at the cursor position using CTRL+U.
To cut or copy multiple lines use CTRL+K or ALT+6 on each line and then paste them all using a single CTRL+U. They are pasted in the order that you cut/copied them. Using CTRL+U again will paste another set of text if required.
Free online 3d architecture design program. You can also mark a block of text before cutting. Position your cursor at the start of the text and press CTRL+6. Then position your cursor after the text and use CTRL+K or ALT+6 to cut or copy. CTRL+U to paste.
Searching and Replacing Text
To search for text use CTRL+W. Enter the text you need to find and press Enter. To repeat the search use ALT+W.
To perform a search and replace use ALT+R.
You can't open files once nano is running. Although you can insert a file into the current buffer you can not open a file directly once you are in nano. You need to launch it from the command line. I find this quite strange. If you need to edit a number of files you need to quit and then load each one in turn from the command line.
Key Short-cut Summary
For some reason the official nano website keeps the nano 'Control' and 'Meta' short-cuts a closely guarded secret so I have listed them here.
ControlMetaDescriptionCTRL+GDisplay the help textCTRL+XClose the current file buffer / Exit from nanoCTRL+OWrite the current file to diskCTRL+RInsert another file into the current oneCTRL+WSearch for a string or a regular expressionALT+WRepeat last searchCTRL+ALT+RReplace a string or a regular expressionControlMetaDescriptionCTRL+KCut the current line and store it in the cutbufferALT+6Copy the current line and store it in the cutbufferCTRL+UPaste from the cutbuffer into the current lineALT+TCut from the cursor position to the end of the fileALT+AMark text at the cursor positionCTRL+CDisplay the position of the cursorCTRL+_ALT+GGo to line and column numberCTRL+TInvoke the spell checker, if availableALT+}Indent the current lineALT+{Unindent the current lineControlMetaDescriptionCTRL+YMove to the previous screenCTRL+VMove to the next screenCTRL+FMove forward one characterCTRL+BMove back one characterCTRL+SpaceMove forward one wordALT+SpaceMove back one wordCTRL+PMove to the previous lineCTRL+NMove to the next lineCTRL+AMove to the beginning of the current lineCTRL+EMove to the end of the current lineALT+( or ALT+9Move to the beginning of the current paragraphALT+) or ALT+0Move to the end of the current paragraphALT+ or ALT+|Move to the first line of the fileALT+/ or ALT+?Move to the last line of the fileALT+]Move to the matching bracketALT+- or ALT+_Scroll up one line without scrolling the cursorALT++ or ALT+=Scroll down one line without scrolling the cursorALT+< or ALT+,Switch to the previous file bufferALT+> or ALT+.Switch to the next file bufferALT+VInsert the next keystroke verbatimCTRL+IInsert a tab at the cursor positionCTRL+MInsert a newline at the cursor positionCTRL+DDelete the character under the cursorCTRL+HDelete the character to the left of the cursorControlHow To Create A File
MetaDescriptionCTRL+JJustify the current paragraphALT+JJustify the entire fileALT+DCount the number of words, lines, and charactersCTRL+LRefresh (redraw) the current screenALT+XHelp mode enable/disableALT+CConstant cursor position display enable/disableALT+OUse of one more line for editing enable/disableALT+SSmooth scrolling enable/disableALT+PWhitespace display enable/disableALT+YColor syntax highlighting enable/disableALT+HSmart home key enable/disableALT+IAuto indent enable/disableALT+KCut to end enable/disableALT+LLong line wrapping enable/disableALT+QConversion of typed tabs to spaces enable/disableALT+BBackup files enable/disableALT+FMultiple file buffers enable/disableALT+MMouse support enable/disableALT+NNo conversion from DOS/Mac format enable/disableALT+ZSuspension enable/disableNote : Some operations have multiple short-cuts.
The official GNU nano editor homepage : https://www.nano-editor.org/
Nano File Editor
