Take the 2-minute tour ×
Unix & Linux Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for users of Linux, FreeBSD and other Un*x-like operating systems.. It's 100% free, no registration required.

I am logged into a linux server via ssh. From the bash shell, is there any standard way of bringing up some kind of text editing environment so I can create and edit a text file? I am aware that there exist apps like emacs and vi, but I don't know if they are appropriate for basic text file editing or if I should use something simpler, or if not, which one to use.

share|improve this question

1 Answer 1

up vote 6 down vote accepted

It's well-known fact, that vi has only two modes: it beeps and spoils text (:

So, if you're newbie and know nothing about vi and emacs, the best choice for you will be smth simple like nano. It has hint in footer and it's easy to edit and save your edits.

But in case you want to be a good administrator, you should learn vi or emacs, beacuse there're great and powerfull editor's that can save a lot of time during text writing/editing.

ps. A little vi hint: To exit from vi just type :q .

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.
{"cc_re__cc_re__cc_by_sa_3_0": ["                  <li><a href=\"//area51.stackexchange.com\" title=\"proposing new sites in the Stack Exchange network\">Area 51</a></li>\r\n                        <li><a href=\"//careers.stackoverflow.com\">Stack Overflow Careers</a></li>\r\n                    \r\n                </ol>\r\n            </td>\r\n    </tr>\r\n</table>\r\n                </div>\r\n            </div>\r\n\r\n            <div id=\"copyright\">\r\n                site design / logo &#169; 2015 stack exchange inc; user contributions licensed under <a href=\"http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/\" rel=\"license\">cc by-sa 3.0</a> \r\n                with <a href=\"http://blog.stackoverflow.com/2009/06/attribution-required/\" rel=\"license\">attribution required</a>\r\n            </div>\r\n            <div id=\"svnrev\">\r\n                rev 2015.3.26.2411\r\n            </div>\r\n                <div id=\"additional-notices\">\r\n                    Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group. <br>This site is not affiliated with Linus Torvalds or The Open Group in an"], "copyright__copyright__copyright": ["nd it's easy to edit and save your edits.\n\nBut in case you want to be a good administrator, you should learn vi or emacs, beacuse there're great and powerfull editor's that can save a lot of time during text writing/editing.\n\nps. A little vi hint: To exit from vi just type :q .\n\nshare|improve this answer\n\nYour Answer\n\n\u00a0\ndiscard\n\nBy posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.\n\nNot the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question."]}