Linux Fundamentals: Editing Files

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers essential commands and terminology for Vim, GNU nano, and gedit text editors as detailed in the Linux Fundamentals lecture.

Vim

A command line file editor that is an implementation of Vi; it is the default text editor for nearly all Linux distributions and is highly customizable.

Command mode (Vim)

The mode in Vim where keystrokes issue commands to the editor rather than entering text.

Insert mode (Vim)

The mode in Vim where keystrokes enter content into the text file; it is activated by pressing "i" and exited by pressing "ESC".

Ex mode (Vim)

A mode accessed from command mode by typing a colon (":"), enabling a command prompt for processing additional commands such as saving and quitting.

Vimtutor

A command entered in the shell that opens a 25-30 minute tutorial of common Vim tasks designed for learning by doing.

GNU nano

A lightweight, common command line text editor in Linux; it displays common shortcuts at the bottom of the screen using the "^" symbol to represent the "CTRL" key.

gedit

A GUI-based text editor with menu buttons that requires a graphical user interface like GNOME, Xfce, or KDE to be installed.

Vim: x

Delete the character at the cursor.

Vim: G

Move the cursor to the bottom of the file.

Vim: gg

Move the cursor to the top of the file.

Vim: 42G

Move the cursor to line $42$ of the file.

Vim: /keyword

Search the file for "keyword".

Vim: y

Yank text (cut).

Vim: p

Put text (paste).

Vim: ZZ

Save changes and exit Vim.

Vim: dd

Delete the line at the cursor.

Vim: u

Undo the last command.

Vim: :s/old/new/g

Globally find "old" and replace with "new".

Vim: o

Enter insert mode and create a line below the cursor.

Vim: A

Enter insert mode and enter text after the cursor.

Vim: h, j, k, l

Commands to move the cursor left, down, up, and right, respectively.

Vim: :wq

Writes file and then quits Vim.

Vim: :q!

Quits Vim without saving changes.

Vim: K

Open the man page for the word at the cursor.

Nano: ^G

Display help text.

Nano: ^O

Write the current file to disk (save).

Nano: ^X

Close the current file buffer and exit from nano.

Nano: ^W

Search for a string or a regular expression.

Nano: ^K

Cut the current line and store it in cutbuffer.

Nano: ^U

Uncut from cutbuffer into the current line (paste).

Nano: ^C

Display the position of the cursor.

Nano: M-W

Repeat the last search.

Nano: M-]

Move to the matching bracket.