HOW TO USE THE PICO TEXT EDITOR

In this document:

• Words printed in computer font represent things that you should type exactly as they appear here, or else things that will appear on the computer screen.

• Words printed in italics represent things that you will need to come up with a name for and then type it in. For example, below you will be asked to type pico filename. What this means is that you must make up a "filename", and then type it in. Suppose that your filename is "myfile". Then you would type:

  pico myfile

• To tell the computer to do something with what you just typed in, you usually need to hit the "enter" or "return" key (different keyboards call it different things). In this document, this will be indicated as "<return>"

1. Access UBUnix

2. At the UBUnix prompt (">"), type:

   pico filename <return>

3. You will then see a blank Pico screen with a list of commands at the bottom.

4. Start typing.

   • Use the "back space" key or Control+h (sometimes written: ^h) to erase.

   • Use the arrow keys to move around.

   • The two most useful keys:

     • ^g --- gives the help screen;
       -- to exit from the help screen and return to the file you were editing, type ^x

     • ^x --- to quit PICO; you will be prompted as follows:
       save modified buffer (ANSWERING "NO" WILL DESTROY CHANGES)?
       -- then: type Y for "yes" (to save it) or N for "no";
       -- if you typed Y, then you will be prompted as follows:
       File Name to write:
       -- then: type or modify your file name, & hit <return>;
       -- (this quits Pico & returns you to Unix).

   • Other useful keys:

     • ^o --- saves your file

     • ^j --- puts text on one line, wrapping if necessary;
       -- use ^u to undo this

     • ^r --- inserts text from another file
       -- (prompts you for file name)

     • ^w --- to search for a string

     • ^y --- move up to previous screen of text

     • ^v --- move down to next screen of text

     • ^^ --- i.e., Control+^ ; i.e., Control+6:
       -- Used for highlighting text:
       -- ^^ "marks" the 1st character to be highlighted;
       -- then: use arrow keys (rightarrow, downarrow) to highlight rest of text

     • ^k --- cuts (deletes) highlighted text

     • ^u --- uncuts (restores) deleted text