Linux Text Editors: Vi editor

Linux Text Editors

• Scripts are written in text editors
• Many Linux programs depend on text-based data files as input
• Linux operating system services make use of text-based configuration files

Common Linux Text-Based Editors

• Emacs is customizable, has modes for use as an IDE for languages such as Java or C, and requires installation
• Nano is a text editor that is suitable for beginners
• Gedit is included with the Gnome desktop and operates in the GUI environment only
• Vi is a native editor in Linux and Unix, with most distros using vim as an enhanced replacement

Vi Editor Modes

• Command mode means keystrokes are commands instead of text
• Insert mode places any entered character at the current cursor position
• Replace mode makes any entered character replace the one at the cursor

Starting Vi

• To create a new file, the confirmation message will appear
• The "i" key is used to add text
• The Esc key exits insert mode and returns to command mode
• ":w" command saves changes

Cursor Movement Commands

• "l" or Right arrow: Moves one character to the right
• "h" or Left arrow: Moves one character to the left
• "j" or Down arrow: Moves one line down
• "k" or Up arrow: Moves one line up
• "0": Moves to the beginning of the current line
• "^": Moves to the first non-whitespace character
• "$": Moves to the end of the current line
• "w": Moves to the next word or punctuation character
• "W": Moves to the next word, ignoring punctuation
• Ctrl+f or Page Down: Moves one page down
• Ctrl+b or Page Up: Moves one page up
• "numberG": Moves to a line number, for example, 1G goes to the first line
• "G": Moves to the last line

Appending and Inserting Lines in Vi

• "A" command appends text to an existing file, after moving the cursor to the line end
• "o" command inserts a blank line below the current line
• "O" command inserts a line above the current line

Text Deletion Commands

• "x": Deletes the current character
• "3x": Deletes the current character and the next two characters
• "dd": Deletes the current line
• "5dd": Deletes the current line and the next four lines
• "dW": Deletes from the cursor until the next word begins
• "d$": Deletes from the cursor to the line end
• "d0": Deletes from the cursor to the line start
• "d^": Deletes from the cursor to the first non-whitespace character
• "dG": Deletes from the current line to the file end
• "d20G": Deletes from the current line to the 20th line

Text Yanking/Pasting Commands

• "yy": Copies the current line
• "5yy": Copies the current line and the next four lines
• "yW": Copies from the cursor to the next word start
• "y$": Copies from the cursor to the line end
• "y0": Copies from the cursor to the line start
• "y^": Copies from the cursor to the first non-whitespace character
• "yG": Copies from the current line to the file end
• "y20G": Copies from the current line to the 20th line

Productivity Software

• It supports working with word-processed documents, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, databases, and graphic images

LibreOffice

• LibreOffice is an office suite for Linux

LibreOffice Writer

• LibreOffice Writer (word processing) features AutoComplete, which suggests words and phrases using a built-in dictionary and by scanning opened documents

LibreOffice Calc

• LibreOffice Calc (spreadsheet) has Advanced DataPilot for pulling in raw data for cross-tabulation, summarization, and conversion, and real-time data stream integration

LibreOffice Impress

• LibreOffice Impress (presentation) features Fontworks for 2D/3D images, multi-monitor support, and Presenter Console extensions for slide control

LibreOffice Draw

• LibreOffice Draw (vector graphics and flowcharts) is suitable for technical drawings, brochures, and posters, with graphical object manipulation and 3D support

LibreOffice Base

• LibreOffice Base (database) provides native drivers for MySQL/MariaDB, Adabas D, MS Access, and PostgreSQL

LibreOffice Math

• LibreOffice Math Formula enables you to insert formatted mathematical and scientific formulas

GIMP

• GIMP is the recommended image editor for Linux, featuring a customizable interface, photo enhancement, digital retouching, and hardware support