# Debian Text Editors

Debian provides several text editors with different learning curves and capabilities.

## nano

Beginner-friendly, simple modal editor. Starts in edit mode:

```bash
nano file.txt
```

Common commands (Ctrl prefix):
- `Ctrl+X` — exit
- `Ctrl+O` — save
- `Ctrl+W` — search
- `Ctrl+U` — undo
- `Ctrl+V` — next page

Quick, non-destructive, forgiving. Good for quick edits and scripts.

## vi/vim

Powerful but steep learning curve. Three modes:
- **Normal** (default) — navigation and commands
- **Insert** (press `i`) — edit text
- **Command** (`:`) — file/search commands

Basic workflow:

```bash
vim file.txt
i              # enter insert mode
[edit text]
Esc            # back to normal
:wq            # save and quit
:q!            # quit without saving
```

Useful normal mode commands:
- `dd` — delete line
- `yy` — copy line
- `p` — paste
- `/pattern` — search
- `:%s/old/new/g` — replace all

Vim has syntax highlighting, text objects, macros, and extensive customization.

## emacs

Extensible, powerful, but also steep. Heavy Ctrl usage. Start:

```bash
emacs file.txt
```

Commands:
- `Ctrl+X Ctrl+C` — exit
- `Ctrl+X Ctrl+S` — save
- `Ctrl+S` — search
- `Ctrl+_` — undo

Less common on systems without X11; vim is usually available everywhere.

## ed

Minimal line editor, rarely needed:

```bash
ed file.txt
```

Useful only when nothing else available (embedded systems, minimal recovery).

## Choosing an Editor

Set default editor:

```bash
export EDITOR=vim
export EDITOR=nano
```

Used by `crontab -e`, `visudo`, and many tools. Pick one and learn it:
- Quick edits → `nano`
- Programming → `vim`
- Extensive config → `emacs`

For shell scripts: vim with syntax highlighting makes debugging easier. For one-liners: nano is faster.