What is "text-editor"

Types of text editors

Some text editors are small and simple, while others offer a wide and complex range of functionality. For example, Unix and Unix-like operating systems have vi editor (or a variant), but many also include Emacs editor.5 Microsoft Windows systems come with very simple Notepad, though many people, especially programmers prefer to use one of many other Windows text editors with more features. Apple Inc. Macintosh with its classic Mac OS had a native Simpletext editor, which was replaced in OSX by Textedit. Some editors, like Wordstar, have dual operation modes allowing them to be a text editor or word processor.

Professional-oriented text editors have no limit on the size of the file to be opened. In particular, they start quickly, even when editing large files, and are able to edit files that are too large to fit into the main computer memory. Simpler text editors often read files in an array in RAM memory. In larger files it is a slow process, and very large files often do not fit.

The ability to read and write very large files is required by many professional users. For example, system administrators may need to read extensive log files. Programmers may need to change large source files, or analyze immensely large texts, such as an entire dictionary placed in a single file.

Some text editors specialize in computer languages for custom editing (programming editors). For example, Emacs can be customized for Lisp programming. These usually allow the editor to simulate the key combinations and features of other editors, so that users do not have to learn the native combinations of commands.

Another important group of programming editors uses REXX a scripting language. These editors allow entering the two REXX commands and statements directly on the command line at the bottom of the screen (can be hidden and activated by a combination of keys). These editors are generally referred to as "orthodox editors", most representatives of this class are derived from Xedit, IBM’s editor for VM/CMS. Among them are: THE, Kedit, Slickedit, X2, Uni-Edit, Ultraedit, and Sedit. Some vi derivatives, such as Vim also flexible with macro language support, and have a command line at the bottom for entering commands. They can be considered another branch of the family of orthodox editors.

Many text editors for software developers include syntax highlighting highlighting source code and automatic completion to make programs easier to read and write. Programming editors often lets you select the name of a subprogram or variable, and then jump to its definition and back. Often, a utility like ctags helper is used to locate settings.