Pico is designed to be a simple, easy-to-use text editor with a
layout very similar
to the pine mailer. The status line at the top of the
display shows pico's
version, the current file being edited and whether or not
there are
outstanding modifications that have not been saved.
The third line from the
bottom is used to report informational messages and for
additional command input.
The bottom two lines list the available editing commands. Each character typed is automatically inserted
into the buffer at the
current cursor position.
Editing commands and cursor movement (besides arrow keys) are
given to pico
by typing special control-key sequences. A caret, '^', is
used to denote
the control key, sometimes marked "CTRL", so the CTRL-q key
combination is
written as ^Q.
The following functions are available in pico (where applicable, c
orresponding
function key commands are in parentheses).
^G(F1)
Display help text.
^F(->)
Move Forward a character.
^B(<-)
Move Backward a character.
^P( )
Move to the Previous line.
^N( )
Move to the Next line.
^A
Move to the beginning of the current line.
^E
Move to the End of the current line.
^V(F8) Move
forward a page of text.
^Y(F7) Move
backward a page of text.
^W(F6) Search for
(where is) text, neglecting case.
^L
Refresh the display.
^D
Delete the character at the cursor position.
backspace Delete the character immediately to the
left
^^
Mark cursor position as beginning of selected text.
Note: Setting mark when already set unselects text.
^K(F9) Cut selected text.
Note: The selected text's boundary on the cursor
side ends at the left edge of the cursor.
^U(F10) Uncut (paste) last cut text
inserting it at the
current cursor position.
^I
Insert a tab at the current cursor position.
^J(F4) Format (justify)
the current paragraph.
Note: paragraphs delimited by blank lines or indentation.
^T(F12) To invoke the spelling checker
^C(F11) Report current cursor position
^R(F5) Insert an external
file at the current cursor position.
^O(F3) Output the current buffer
to a file, saving it.
^X(F2) Exit pico, saving buffer.
(After entering y, press ENTER to exit pico)
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