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

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

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.

Powerful but steep learning curve. Three modes:

• Normal (default): navigation and commands
• Insert (press i): edit text
• Command (:): file/search commands

Basic workflow:

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.

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

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.

Minimal line editor, rarely needed:

ed file.txt

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

Set default editor:

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.