It is possible that you might need to tweak your programs or to view output files. There are many options to edit text on a Linux system. Some are text-only (console mode) and some use a graphical user interface.

Nano is a very simple console text editor. To use it to edit a file, type:

$ nano [file name]

Note that nano may automatically wrap long lines (unless started with -w) and it does not have an undo function.

Gedit is a simple GUI text editor. You will need an X-server to run it. It's only installed on some of the machines (econ1-5).

$ gedit [file name]

Emacs is one of the oldest text-editors (along with vi(m)). If you have an X-server running it will start with a GUI otherwise it will automatically start in console-mode. To start, enter the command:

$ emacs

To edit a file, use:

$ emacs [file name]

You can find an interactive emacs tutorial by typing C-h t (Control+h together, then t). To quit, type C-x C-c

You can run Vim with:

$ vim

Upon starting Vim, you will be in 'command mode'. In command mode, you cannot actually edit a file. To edit the file type i to enter 'insert mode' and type Esc to return to 'command mode'. A tutorial is available for Vim, by typing :help and pressing enter (in command mode). To quit, type :quit+Enter (in command mode).