3.4.1 Xedit

Xedit is a text editor for X Windows. To start xedit, enter the command xedit, optionally with the filename of the file you want to edit.

This page presents only the rudiments of xedit. For more detail, you should read the man page.

The startup screen, if no file is supplied, looks like this:

Loading and Saving Files

The text line along the top of the window, to the right of Load is for entering a filename. You must move the cursor into the text area in order to make it active. Enter the filename you wish to edit, then click on Load. If you have entered the name correctly, your file should appear. If you use a relative pathname for the file, be sure that it is relative to xedit's working directory.

The Quit and Save are largely self-explanatory. If there is no filename, you should type one in the top line before pressing Save. To quit even though you have not saved the file, press Quit twice.

Search and Replace

Searching and replacing text is done via Control-S and Control-R. Hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard, and press S or R. The only difference is that S searches forward by default, while R searches backward by default.

Typing text

The middle text pane is for any error and information messages that xedit may produce. The bottom pane is for you to type in. Be sure to keep the mouse pointer in the frame as you type.

To type in a new location, you must move the text insertion point. Click the left mouse button where you want the text to go.

Cut and Paste in xedit

With xedit, you have to cut and paste with the mouse. To delete a selection, press Ctrl-W.


Keith Orpen, who is still writing this, would like to hear your comments and suggestions.