Editing Files

Although there are several text based editors on our systems, the one that we will focus on will be a simple text editor called nano. To start nano, type the command:

$ nano

You will be greeted by a screen that looks like:

Type some words into the editor and when you would like to save the file press the control (ctrl) and the x keys a the the same time.

You will be asked if you want to save the buffer (i.e. all of your changes)

Save modified buffer (ANSWERING "No" WILL DESTROY CHANGES) ?                            
 Y Yes
 N No           ^C Cancel

If you want to save, press 'Y' otherwise press 'N'. It will then ask you to type in the filename. Call it 'hello.txt' and press enter

File Name to Write: hello.txt                                                           
^G Get Help           ^T To Files           M-M Mac Format        M-P Prepend
^C Cancel             M-D DOS Format        M-A Append            M-B Backup File

Note, that on the bottom of the screen, you will see *^C** right next to the word 'Cancel'. When ever you see the ^ character, substitute it with the control key. In otherwords, ^G is CNTL + G and that key combination will bring up the help pages.*