This wikiHow teaches you how to use the Terminal application on Linux to create text files. After that, you can use one of Linux's built-in text editing programs to modify the file.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Opening Terminal
Step 1. Open Terminal
How, click Menu, and look for the Terminal app icon, which is a black box with a white ">_" symbol inside. Click the icon when you find it. Usually, Terminal is in the bar on the left side of the Menu window.
You can also click the search bar at the top of the Menu window and type in a terminal to start a search
Step 2. Type ls into Terminal, then press Enter
The terminal will open to your home directory, but the ls command displays all the folders in your current directory. To create a text file in one of these directories, you will need to change the current directory.
Step 3. Locate the directory where you want to load the text file
All directory names listed under the ls command (eg "Desktop") are places you can go.
Step 4. Type in cd directory
You will replace the name " directory " with the desired directory name. This command changes Terminal from the current directory to one of the names you created.
- For example, type cd Desktop to change the location of the Terminal command to the Desktop directory.
- If you want to create a text file in a special folder within the selected directory, include a "/" symbol after the directory and type in the file name. For example, type cd Documents/Others to create an “Others” directory within the Documents directory.
Step 5. Press Enter
This will execute your command, and the Terminal's target directory will change from the home directory to the directory you specified.
Step 6. Choose a text editing program
You can create simple text files quickly, or you can use Vim or Emacs to create and edit text files in more depth. Once you're in the directory where you want your text files to be, it's time to create your text files.
Part 2 of 4: Creating Text Files Quickly
Step 1. Type
cat > filename.txt
to Terminals.
You will replace “filename” with the desired text file name (eg “sample”).
For example: when creating a file called “cat”, type cat > cat.txt
Step 2. Press Enter
Thus, a new text file with the specified name will appear in the current directory. Your cursor will appear on a blank line in Terminal.
Step 3. Enter the document text
You can type normally like any other text document. To save the current line of text and move to the next line, press Enter.
If your text file directory opens, please double click the text file when it appears to open it
Step 4. Press Ctrl+Z
This shortcut saves your work and returns you to the Terminal command line so you can continue entering commands.
Step 5. Type
ls -l filename.txt
to Terminals.
You will replace "filename" with the name of your text file. This command will search for your files, and ensure they are safely stored in your directory.
- For example: to open a file named "textfile", please type ls -ltextfile.txt.
- The letters in this code are lowercase “L”, not uppercase “i”.
Step 6. Press Enter
This will show the time, date, and name of your file to the next line indicating that you created and saved the file in your directory.
Part 3 of 4: Using Vim
Step 1. Type
vi filename.txt
to Terminals.
The "vi" part of this command selects Vim as the text editing program. You will replace "filename" with the name of the new file you want.
- For example, for a file named " tamin ", please type vi tamin.txt.
- If your current directory has a file with the same name, this command will open the file.
Step 2. Press Enter
A new file will be created and opened in the Vim editor. You'll see a blank Terminal window with a (~) symbol on each line, as well as a text file name at the bottom of the window.
Step 3. Press the i key on the keyboard
This will put the document into " Insert " mode, and you can enter text as needed.
you will see -- INSERT -- appears at the bottom of the window when pressing the I key.
Step 4. Enter the text of your document
You can type normally like any other text document. To save the current line of text and move to the next line, press Enter.
Step 5. Press the Esc key
This key is usually located in the upper-left corner of the computer keyboard. This button will put Vim into " Command " mode.
You will see a cursor appear at the bottom of the window
Step 6. Type
:w
go to Terminal and press Enter.
This command will save the document as it is.
Step 7. Type
:q
go to Terminal and press Enter.
This will let you exit Vim and return to the main Terminal interface. Your text file is now in the specified directory.
- You can check text files by typing ls into Terminal and pressing Enter and then searching for the text file name.
- You can also type:wq to save the file and exit Vim in one command.
Step 8. Reopen the file from a Terminal window
As when creating a file, type vi filename.txt to open the file. This time, when you open the file, you will see all the changes that were previously made.
Part 4 of 4: Using Emacs
Step 1. Type
emacs filename.txt
to Terminals.
You will replace “filename” with the desired text file name.
Step 2. Press Enter
Provided that the name of your text file does not match an existing text file in the current directory, a new text file will open in the Emacs editor.
- For example, a file named "newfile" can be opened by typing emacs newfile.txt.
- If you enter the name of a file that is already in the directory, this command will open the file.
Step 3. Get to know Emacs commands
Emacs comes with many useful commands that let you view documents, look for related information or help, manipulate text, and understand your code. These commands fall into two categories: Control commands and Meta commands.
- Control Command written like this: C-. To run the Control command, hold down the Ctrl key and press the desired letter key at the same time. (eg Ctrl and A keys).
- Meta Command (or Escape) is written as follows: M- or ESC. The letter "M" refers to the alt=""Image" or Esc key on the keyboard because not all computers have the Alt key.</li" />
- The Meta command is written like this: Ca b (or Ma b) and you have to hold down Ctrl (or alt=""Image" or Esc) while pressing the first key (for example a), then release both keys and immediately press the second key ((b).</li" />
Step 4. Enter the document text
You can type normally like any other text document. To save the current line and move to the next line, press Enter.
Step 5. Press Ctrl+X, then press S to save your file.
Step 6. Press Ctrl+X, then press Ctrl+C.
This will let you exit the Emacs text editor and return to the directory in Terminal. Your text file should be saved under the name you chose and be in this directory.
Step 7. Reopen the text file
To do this, just type emacs filename.txt into Terminal. As long as you're in the same directory as the file, the text file will open in Emacs. You can continue editing, if you want.
Tips
- Vim is a program that is generally accessible on all versions of Linux, while Emacs is a more user-friendly editor making it easier for beginners to use.
- You can open the “Help” window in Emacs by pressing Ctrl+H, then release both keys and press T immediately. The Help menu displays additional command keys and other functions in the Emacs editor that can help as you write.
