pico FAQ

Note: Because UNIX is a case sensitive language, when commands are given in these FAQs, please type them as is. For example, the word 'pine' would be typed all lower case.

Also, to show that something is a command, it will be surrounded by quotes, i.e. 'pine' but when you type the command, do not type the quotes, only what is inside of them.

'pico' is a very easy to use editor. If you are currently attempting to use 'vi' or 'vi' is set as your default editor I suggest you check out 'pico'

To get into 'pico' at your UNIX prompt type 'pico filename'

To move around in 'pico' the basic commands are as follows:

'^d' (ctrl+d) will delete a character
'^k' (ctrl+k) will cut a line of text
'^p' (ctrl+p) or up arrow will move you to the previous line
'^n' (ctrl+n) or down arrow will move you to the next line
'^b' (ctrl+b) or the left arrow will move you backwards
'^f' (ctrl+f) or the right arrow will move you forwards
'^y' (ctrl+y) will move you up a page
'^v' (ctrl+v) will move you down a page
'^w' (ctrl+w) to start a seach
'^x' (ctrl+x) to save
'^c' (ctrl+c) to cancel

Lets try editing a file....

Type 'pico test' at your UNIX prompt.

Hit enter

You will now be in pico and you will see it telling you that this is a new file.

Type something, play with the arrows and above listed commands to see how to move around.

When you are done playing, hit ctrl+x (hold down the ctrl key and hit 'x') to save the changes.

You will see: Save modified buffer (ANSWERING "No" WILL DESTROY CHANGES) ?

Hit 'y'

You will see: File Name to write : test

Hit enter

The file is now saved as 'test'.

To see what you wrote, type 'pico test' and hit enter.

To leave pico, hit ctrl+x as before.

If you did not make changes to the text then you will exit without confirmation.

If you made changes, you will be asked for confirmation as above.

Therefore, if you wish to change the filename from 'test' to something else you may do so when it asks you 'File Name to write : test' during the exit confirmation procedure.

For example: you get to 'File Name to write : test' and you wish to make the name of the file 'etest'.

You can erase the name with the backspace key (or by holding down the ctrl key while hitting 'k'), typing out the whole word 'etest' then hitting enter.

Or, you can move with the left arrow key (or by holding down the ctrl key while hitting 'b') and add an 'e' before the word 'test' then hit enter.

That's it!

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