UMBC CMSC 104 * CSEE | 104 | current 104

Editing with Pico

From the UNIX system prompt, you start up Pico by typing

pico filename <Return>

or

pico <Return>

Pico is an easy-to-use, flexible editor with internal help. Simply type in your text, using the arrow keys to move within and among lines. Pico commands are single-letter commands that are typed while holding down the Control (or Ctrl) key. In the command list that follows, the symbol for the Ctrl key is a ^ (caret). More complete information on Pico is available from its internal help (type ^g).

Selected Pico Commands

Commands can be entered in upper or lower case. Unless otherwise noted, the symbol ^ indicates that you should hold down the Control or Ctrl key while typing the letter that follows.

Command
Description
Navigating the File
Use Right-, Left-, Up- and Down-Arrow keys to move. Also:
^A Move to the beginning of the current line.
^E Move to the end of the current line.
^V Move forward a screen-length.
^Y Move backward a screen-length.
^W Search for text, ignoring case.
Editing
^D Delete the character at the cursor position.
<del> Backspace or Delete key deletes the character to the left of the cursor.
^^ (Ctrl-^) Mark cursor position as beginning of selected text. Use the arrow keys to indicate range of text you wish to select. Use ^^ again to "unselect" already selected text.
^K Cut the selected text (displayed in inverse characters).
Note: If the selected text is to the left of the cursor, the character under the cursor is not selected.
^U Paste ("uncut") the most recently cut text, inserting it at the current cursor position.
^R Insert an external file at the current cursor position.
Formatting
^I Insert a tab at the current cursor position.
<tab> Same as ^I.
^J Justify the current paragraph, joining lines up to the next blank line or indentation. (Paragraphs are delimited by blank lines or indentation.)
Help with Pico, Spelling, and Screen Display
^G Get Pico's online help.
^T Start up the spelling checker.
^L Refresh the screen.
Saving Your Work and Exiting
^O Write the current buffer to an external file, saving it.
^X Exit Pico, saving buffer to a file.

Last Modified: 1-Sep-2005