Line editor

Line editor

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Engine

A line editor is a type of text editor that allows users to edit text files by manipulating individual lines of text. Unlike full-screen editors, which display the entire file on the screen, line editors typically only show one line at a time. They were commonly used in the early days of computing when computer terminals had limited display capabilities.

Overview

Line editors provide a simple and efficient way to edit text files, especially when working with large files or on systems with limited resources. They allow users to navigate through the file, make changes to individual lines, and save the modified file. Line editors are typically command-driven, meaning that users enter specific commands to perform various editing operations.

Features

Line editors offer a range of features to facilitate text editing. Some common features include:

• Line navigation: Users can move the cursor to different lines within the file, allowing them to easily locate and edit specific lines of text.
• Line manipulation: Users can insert, delete, or modify lines of text within the file.
• Search and replace: Line editors often provide search and replace functionality, allowing users to find specific text patterns and replace them with desired content.
• Copy and paste: Users can copy lines of text and paste them at different locations within the file.
• Undo and redo: Line editors may support undo and redo operations, enabling users to revert changes or redo previously undone actions.

Examples of Line Editors

Several line editors have been developed over the years. Some notable examples include:

• ed: Developed in the 1960s, ed is one of the earliest line editors. It was widely used on Unix systems and served as the basis for many subsequent editors.
• ex: A line editor derived from ed, ex added additional features such as regular expressions and improved command syntax.
• sed: Short for "stream editor," sed is a powerful line editor that operates on a stream of text. It is commonly used for text manipulation and transformation tasks.
• edlin: Developed by Microsoft for MS-DOS, edlin was a simple line editor included with early versions of the operating system.

See Also

• Text editor
• Full-screen editor
• ed (text editor)
• ex (text editor)
• sed
• edlin