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Nano (text editor)
Encyclopedia
nano is a text editor
for Unix-like
computing systems or operating environments using a command line interface. It emulates the Pico
text editor, part of the Pine
email client, and also provides additional functionality.
In contrast to Pico, nano is licensed under the GNU General Public License
(GPL). Released as free software
by Chris Allegretta in 1999, today nano is part of the GNU project
.
. The name comes from the system of SI prefix
es, in which nano is 1000 times larger than pico. In February 2001, nano became a part of the GNU Project
.
nano implements some features that Pico lacks, including colored text, regular expression
search and replace, smooth scrolling, multiple buffers, rebindable key support, and (experimental) undoing and redoing of edit changes.
On August 11, 2003, Chris Allegretta officially handed the source code maintenance for nano to David Lawrence Ramsey. On December 20, 2007, Ramsey stepped down as nano's maintainer.
-oriented, controlled with control key
s. For example, Control-O saves the current file; Control-W goes to the search menu. nano puts a two-line "shortcut bar" at the bottom of the screen, listing many of the commands available in the current context. For a complete list, Control-G gets the help screen.
Unlike Pico, nano uses meta key
s to toggle its behavior. For example, Meta-S toggles smooth scrolling mode on and off. Almost all features that can be selected from the command line can be dynamically toggled.
nano can also use pointer devices, such as a mouse, to activate functions that are on the shortcut bar, as well as position the cursor.
Text editor
A text editor is a type of program used for editing plain text files.Text editors are often provided with operating systems or software development packages, and can be used to change configuration files and programming language source code....
for Unix-like
Unix-like
A Unix-like operating system is one that behaves in a manner similar to a Unix system, while not necessarily conforming to or being certified to any version of the Single UNIX Specification....
computing systems or operating environments using a command line interface. It emulates the Pico
Pico (text editor)
Pico is a text editor for Unix and Unix-based computer systems. It is integrated with the Pine e-mail client, which was designed by the Office of Computing and Communications at the University of Washington....
text editor, part of the Pine
Pine (e-mail client)
Pine is a freeware, text-based email client developed at the University of Washington. The first version of this client was written in 1989. Source code was available for only the Unix version under a license written by the University of Washington...
email client, and also provides additional functionality.
In contrast to Pico, nano is licensed under the GNU General Public License
GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
(GPL). Released as free software
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
by Chris Allegretta in 1999, today nano is part of the GNU project
GNU Project
The GNU Project is a free software, mass collaboration project, announced on September 27, 1983, by Richard Stallman at MIT. It initiated GNU operating system development in January, 1984...
.
History
nano was first created in 1999 with the name TIP (This isn't Pico), by Chris Allegretta. His motivation was to create a free software replacement for Pico, which was not distributed under a free software license. The name was changed to nano on January 10, 2000 to avoid a naming conflict with the existing Unix utility tipTip (unix utility)
tip is a unix utility for establishing a terminal connection to a remote system via a modem. It is commonly associated with Sun's Solaris as it comes with that operating system.-Basics:...
. The name comes from the system of SI prefix
SI prefix
The International System of Units specifies a set of unit prefixes known as SI prefixes or metric prefixes. An SI prefix is a name that precedes a basic unit of measure to indicate a decadic multiple or fraction of the unit. Each prefix has a unique symbol that is prepended to the unit symbol...
es, in which nano is 1000 times larger than pico. In February 2001, nano became a part of the GNU Project
GNU Project
The GNU Project is a free software, mass collaboration project, announced on September 27, 1983, by Richard Stallman at MIT. It initiated GNU operating system development in January, 1984...
.
nano implements some features that Pico lacks, including colored text, regular expression
Regular expression
In computing, a regular expression provides a concise and flexible means for "matching" strings of text, such as particular characters, words, or patterns of characters. Abbreviations for "regular expression" include "regex" and "regexp"...
search and replace, smooth scrolling, multiple buffers, rebindable key support, and (experimental) undoing and redoing of edit changes.
On August 11, 2003, Chris Allegretta officially handed the source code maintenance for nano to David Lawrence Ramsey. On December 20, 2007, Ramsey stepped down as nano's maintainer.
Control keys
nano, like Pico, is keyboardComputer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
-oriented, controlled with control key
Control key
In computing, a Control key is a modifier key which, when pressed in conjunction with another key, will perform a special operation ; similar to the Shift key, the Control key rarely performs any function when pressed by itself...
s. For example, Control-O saves the current file; Control-W goes to the search menu. nano puts a two-line "shortcut bar" at the bottom of the screen, listing many of the commands available in the current context. For a complete list, Control-G gets the help screen.
Unlike Pico, nano uses meta key
Meta key
The meta key is a special key on MIT keyboards, such as the space-cadet keyboard, and on Sun Microsystems keyboards, marked as a solid diamond.The key is similar in function to the Macintosh's command key, which has the same location...
s to toggle its behavior. For example, Meta-S toggles smooth scrolling mode on and off. Almost all features that can be selected from the command line can be dynamically toggled.
nano can also use pointer devices, such as a mouse, to activate functions that are on the shortcut bar, as well as position the cursor.
See also
- List of text editors
- Comparison of text editorsComparison of text editorsThis article provides basic comparisons for common text editors. More feature details for text editors are available from the Category of text editor features and from the individual products' articles...
- List of Unix programs
- PicoPico (text editor)Pico is a text editor for Unix and Unix-based computer systems. It is integrated with the Pine e-mail client, which was designed by the Office of Computing and Communications at the University of Washington....