is a ``text editor'', that is, an interactive program
for creating and modifying ``text'',
using directions provided by a user at
The text is often a document
or perhaps data for a program.
This introduction is meant to simplify learning
The recommended way to learn
is to read this document,
then to read the description in section I of the
(Solicitation of advice from experienced users is also useful.)
They cover material not completely discussed
An appendix summarizes the commands.
This is an introduction and a tutorial.
For this reason, no attempt is made to
cover more than a part of the facilities that
(although this fraction includes the most useful and frequently used
When you have mastered the Tutorial,
there is not enough space to explain basic
We will assume that you know how to log on to
and that you have at least a vague understanding
You must also know what character to type as the end-of-line
on your particular terminal.
Throughout, we will refer to this character,
We'll assume that you have logged in to
and it has just printed the prompt character,
ed (followed by a return)
You are now ready to go \-
is waiting for you to tell it what to do.
Creating Text \- the Append command ``a''
As your first problem, suppose you want to create some text
Perhaps you are typing the very first
draft of a paper; clearly it will have to start
somewhere, and undergo modifications later.
This section will show how to get some text in, just to
Later we'll talk about how to change it.
is first started, it is rather like working
with a blank piece of paper \- there is no text
This must be supplied by the person using
by typing in the text, or by reading it into
We will start by typing in some text, and return shortly to how to
First a bit of terminology.
worked on is said to be ``kept in a buffer.''
buffer as a work space, if you like, or simply as the information
that you are going to be editing.
In effect the buffer is like the
piece of paper, on which we will write things, then change some
of them, and finally file the whole thing away for another day.
by typing instructions called ``commands.''
commands consist of a single letter,
which must be typed in lower case.
(Sometimes the command is preceded by information
about what line or lines of text are to be affected \-
we will discuss these shortly.)
to most commands \- there is no prompting
or typing of messages like ``ready''.
(This silence is preferred
by experienced users, but sometimes a hangup for beginners.)
It means ``append (or add) text lines to the buffer,
writing fresh material on a piece of paper.
So to enter lines of text into the buffer,
followed by the lines of text you want, like this:
to come to the aid of their party.
The only way to stop appending is to type a
line that contains only a period.
that you have finished appending.
(Even experienced users forget that terminating ``\*.''
seems to be ignoring you,
type an extra line with just ``\*.'' on it.
You may then find you've added some garbage lines
to your text, which you'll have to take out later.)
After the append command has been done, the buffer will
to come to the aid of their party.
and ``\*.'' aren't there, because they are
To add more text to what you already have,
command, and continue typing.
If at any time you make an error in the commands you type to
it will tell you by typing
This is about as cryptic as it can be,
but with practice, you can usually
figure out how you goofed.