Overview
This chapter covers the two main text editing tools you will use in the UNIX environment: the vi (pronounced "vee eye" or "veye" as in the word Viable) editor and the CDE Text Editor. These text editors are primarily used for creating and modifying files that customize your work environment and for writing script files to automate tasks. System administrators use text editors to create and modify system files used for networking, security, application sharing, etc. The vi editor has been a part of the UNIX operating system nearly since its inception and is universally available with UNIX systems. Vi is a very flexible and powerful editor with many options. These will be reviewed here with examples of their use. You will work with the vi editor and the CDE editor as part of this chapter.