Unix Text Editors

Among Unix users there is great debate about the best text editor to use. The main divide is between whether to use Emacs or Vi. These are powerful programmers editors, which have tons of functionality and scriptability at the cost of a steep learning curve. For those who just want to use a basic editor or feel intimidated by Emacs and Vi there's also UW's Pico and its opensource clone GNU Nano.

Regardless, it's a good idea to at least learn the basics of Emacs and Vi. Pretty much any Unix system will have vi installed, even if they don't have any other editor. And Emacs is popular enough with people in BCS and CS here that sooner or later you will end up confronted with it.

[wiki:/Emacs Emacs] BR [wiki:/Vim Vi(m)] BR [wiki:/Pico Pico and Nano] BR