- Bash Most Popular Gui Text Editors For Mac
- Mac Text Editor Built In
- Text Editor In Mac
- Gui Text Editors For Linux
We all use text editors to take notes, save web addresses, write code, as well as other uses. Every operating system comes with a default, basic text editor, but most of us install our own enhanced text editors to get more features.
In this article, we’ve gathered links to many different text editors used for different purposes. You can use text editors for basic text editing and taking notes, writing programming code, producing LaTeX documents, writing a book, among many other uses.
- Type: FREE Made for: Mac. Exclusive for Macs, the TextMate is a free text editor that comes with a superb GUI and command console. The tool comes packed with features that make it a blessing not just for the pros but also for those who have just ventured into programming.
- Best Online Bash Editors. Are the online Linux terminals not good enough for Bash scripting? But creating bash scripts in terminal editors and then executing them is not as convinient as using an online Bash editor. These bash editors allow you to easily write shell scripts online and you can run them to check if it works or not.
Notepad and WordPad Replacements
Are you looking for more capabilities than the default Notepad in Windows? Would you rather use a graphical text editor in Linux, rather than the built-in vi? There are many options for useful text editors out there.
Some employ a tabbed interface, such as Jarte (which is based on the WordPad word processing engine and integrates easily with WordWeb), EditPad Lite (which also has the automatic backup), and Notetab Light (which can also calculate the value of mathematical expressions entered in the program). Jarte, EditPad Lite, and Notetab Light are all only available for Windows. Jarte is also available as a portable program.
Typically, Vi is the default text editor in Linux operating systems and it’s a keyboard intensive program with no graphical user interface (GUI). A good text editor for Windows that has hotkeys available for its 312 text-processing functions, innovative features, and timesaving tools is TED Notepad, which is also available as a portable program. Emacs is also available for both Windows and Linux, and is customizable. It also includes a file compare utility and a file manager. You can also add Org-mode to Emacs, which is a personal information management and outlining tool. If you prefer text editors with GUIs, Vim and gEdit are both good options and are available. Vim is essentially the graphical version of Vi. For help editing text files in Vi or Vim, see our Beginner’s Guide.
LeafPad is a light GUI based text editor which is commonly used by Linux users. It can also be installed on Ubuntu Linux using apt repositories. Sudo apt-get install leafpad. It can be loaded from Run Application, by typing leafpad in text box. Geany is a famous cross platform text editors and lot of Linux/Unix users use it.
GetDiz is a Notepad replacement for Windows that allows you to edit many text files quickly from within Windows Explorer and has enhanced functionality for dealing with DIZ and NFO files. It can also display ASCII art correctly. Another ASCII text formatter for Windows is TextMorph, which can also convert text to and from HTML and clean up emails (remove all the “>” symbols, etc.), and search and replace by words or multiple paragraphs.
Programmer’s Text Editors
There are many text editors that provide useful functionality for programmers. Most support syntax highlighting for many programming languages, multiple document editing, and are extendable with plugins. Some also allow editing of remote files through FTP.
PSPad not only supports syntax highlighting, but also matching bracket highlighting for most popular programming languages. It also has a hex editor, macro recorder, and a differencing tool. PSPad also easily integrates with the free version of the TopStyle CSS editor. Notepad++ also supports bracket highlighting and macro recording. It also supports syntax folding and is highly customizable through plugins using the included plugin manager. Both PSPad and Notepad++ are only available for Windows.
The cross-platform (Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X) editor, jEdit, supports syntax highlighting for over 200 programming languages and auto indent, as well as a differencing utility, an FTP browser, and block selecting. It is also extendable using plugins and macros, and there are hundreds of plugins and macros available through the built-in plugin manager feature.
Programmer’s Notepad for Windows supports syntax highlighting using schemes, both built-in and user-defined, code folding and outlining, a tabbed interface with multi-level split views, and the ability to export to HTML (using CSS) and RTF.
If you like the Vi editor in Linux, but prefer a graphical editor that also serves well as a programmer’s text editor, Editra and Komodo Edit are good options. They both provide Vi emulation, as well as support for syntax highlighting in many programming languages and code folding. Editra has a tabbed interface, allows block (un)commenting and (un)indenting, and is extendable using the built-in plugin downloader/installer. Komodo Edit supports background syntax checking and contains a toolbox with shell command integration, macros, and code snippets. Both Editra and Komodo Edit are available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.
Other options include the following:
- Crimson Editor – A very small editor for Windows containing a directory tree view window
- Geany – A small and fast IDE for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X that supports code folding, code navigation, a build system, and a plugin interface
- Notepad2 – A fast, light-weight text editor like Notepad for Windows with syntax highlighting and runs as a portable program
Microsoft Word Replacements
There are also free programs that act as replacements for Microsoft Word. They can be used as text editors, but they have more formatting features than simple text editors. You can add images and tables, change fonts and color, and insert hyperlinks.
AbiWord runs on Windows and Linux and can read and write OpenOffice.org documents, Microsoft Word documents, WordPerfect documents, Rich Text Format documents, and HTML web pages. It has advanced document layout options such as tables, bullets, numbered lists, images, styles, footnotes, and endnotes. It even has a Mail Merge utility like Microsoft Word. You can extend AbiWord with a variety of plugins, which can be selected when you install AbiWord. A portable version is also available that you can run from a USB flash drive.
Bash Most Popular Gui Text Editors For Mac
Angel Writer is a small rich text editor for Windows with a high performance rate that allows you to easily create impressive documents.
Mac Text Editor Built In
Minimalist Text Editors
If you get distracted when you write by the plethora of features in text editors and word processors, you might want to try one of the so-called “minimalist” text editors out there. They are “no-frills” editors that either don’t offer any formatting features or many of the other features of modern word processors, and even third-party text editors, or the features are hidden until you want them. Without all the fancy features staring you in the face, you can concentrate on the task of writing. Below is a list of some of the minimalist text editors we found.
- Dark Room– Available for Windows, requires .NET Framework 2.0, and is available as a portable program.
- JDarkRoom– Available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X
- Q10– Available for Windows and as a portable program
- CopyWriter– Available for Windows and as a portable program
- WriteMonkey– Available for Windows and as a portable program
- Bookwrite– Available for Windows and Linux
- Scribes– Available for Linux
- FocusWriter – Available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X, and as a portable program for Windows
You can even download Word 5.5 from Microsoft for free and run it under DOSBox in Windows.
If you want a simple text editor with the ability to count down from a set word count, try yEdit2 for Windows. If you have to write a certain number of words, yEdit2 can make it easier.
Secure Text Editors
You can also use a text editor as secure place to store private information. There are several text editors that either include encryption as a feature or are specially designed for securely storing text. Notepad++, mentioned in the Programmer’s Text Editors section above, allows you to add encryption functionality using the SecurePad plugin, which is available through the Plugin Manager. SecurePad will encrypt selected text in the current document or the whole document.
Steganos LockNote is a small, simple method for securely storing chunks of information in files. For example, if you purchase a download-only program, you can use LockNote to store the product key or serial number that goes with that program in the same folder, so you always know where to find it.
- CryptNote – Available for Windows and as a portable program
- CryptoTE– Available for Windows and Linux, and as a portable program for Windows
- NotepadCrypt– Available for Windows as a portable program
- Xint– Available for Windows
- f0dder’s fSekrit – Available for Windows and as a portable program
LaTeX Editors
Do you write a lot of scientific papers, documents, or books? If so, there are several text editors that allow you to easily use TeX/LaTeX (document markup language and document preparation system) through a graphical interface to create mathematical content and structured documents like academic articles, theses, and books.
- LaTeX Editor (LEd)– Available for Windows and as a portable program
- LyX– Available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X
- WinEdt– Available for Windows
- TeXstudio– Available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X and as a portable program on Windows and Mac OS X
- Texmaker – Available for Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X
Novel Writing Editor
There’s even an editor that’s meant for writing novels, called yWriter5, available for Windows and Linux. It breaks your novel into chapters and scenes, helping you to keep track of your work. However, yWriter5 does not suggest plot ideas, character names, or write any part of your novel for you. The creative task of writing is still up to you, yWriter5 just makes it easier.
One more text editor to mention is Nano in Linux, which is an easy-to-use text editor you run directly on the command line. Nano is installed by default in Ubuntu and many other Linux distros, and is easier to learn than Vi or emacs.
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In July 2017, the default text editor for Ubuntu (and most other Linux distros) was marked as “no longer being maintained.” As of this post, two new developers have offered to help, but it’s unclear what the future of Gedit holds.
Fortunately, there are many excellent alternatives available.
If you’ve been using Gedit for all these years, you should really consider switching to one of the text editors in this list. They’re far more powerful and will make you twice, even thrice, as productive as before.
1. Visual Studio Code
Download:Visual Studio Code (Free)
Not to be confused with Visual Studio proper, Visual Studio Code is a powerful open-source text editor that runs natively on Linux. Its built-in Intellisense (contextual code completion) blows all other text editors out of the water.
It also has built-in Git integration and a debugging feature that lets you run your source code with break points, call stacks, and an interactive console. But it’s not an IDE! It has the speed and interface of a regular text editor, and that’s why so many users are switching to it.
Text Editor In Mac
And the cherry on top? All kinds of productivity-enhancing features and shortcuts10 Essential Productivity Tips for Visual Studio Code10 Essential Productivity Tips for Visual Studio CodeVisual Studio Code blows other programming text editors out of the water. It's free, open source, lightning fast, and packed with productivity features.Read More that’ll have you coding, scripting, or just taking notes in record time. New functionality can be added through third-party extensions.
2. Sublime Text
Download:Sublime Text ($80, indefinite free trial)
Sublime Text revolutionized the text editor landscape. It took everything that was excellent in the Mac-only TextMate, added a bunch of extra goodies, and made those features available across multiple platforms. It was so good that it inspired the creation of half the text editors in this post.
Gui Text Editors For Linux
Unlike other modern text editors, Sublime Text is written in C++ instead of JavaScript (like Visual Studio Code, Atom, and Brackets are), which gives it a huge performance advantage. It’s the fastest, most responsive text editor I’ve ever used, making it great for less-powerful machines.
To get a sense of what it can do, see our Sublime Text productivity tips11 Sublime Text Tips for Productivity and a Faster Workflow11 Sublime Text Tips for Productivity and a Faster WorkflowSublime Text is a versatile text editor and a gold standard for many programmers. Our tips focus on efficient coding, but general users will appreciate the keyboard shortcuts.Read More. The only downside? It costs $80, though you can use it for free indefinitely if you can mind the occasional nag popup.
3. Atom
Download:Atom (Free)
Atom is an open-source text editor developed by GitHub, the most popular source code host in the world. It’s the best choice for open source enthusiastsWhat Is Open Source Software? [MakeUseOf Explains]What Is Open Source Software? [MakeUseOf Explains]'Open source' is a term that’s thrown around a lot these days. You may know that certain things are open source, like Linux and Android, but do you know what it entails? What is open...Read More because GitHub is arguably the largest force for open source development.
Nearly every aspect of Atom is customizable, hence why it calls itself the “hackable” text editor. It shares a lot of the same built-in productivity features as its inspiration, Sublime Text, and can be improved with extensions.
Yet while Atom is certainly good enough for most, you may run into performance issues with large source files and projects: slow search, choppy scrolling, long load times, etc. Visual Studio Code is better in this regard, but plenty of users still prefer Atom for its open source ideology and commitment.
4. Brackets
Download:Brackets (Free)
Funny enough, Brackets released in the same year as Atom — about one year after Sublime Text’s version 2 debut (which came five years after version 1). You can see the inspiration in the editor design, but Brackets isn’t a clone.
Whereas Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, and Atom all try to be “the one true text editor” for all kinds of programmers and scripters, Brackets specifically focuses on web development. That makes sense when you realize Brackets is maintained by Adobe, who also maintains Dreamweaver and Photoshop.
Brackets has some cool features, like Live Preview and Quick Edit, and it can be improved through extensions. It’s also an open source project, another point in favor. But Brackets is abysmally slow, and that can be hard to get over.
5. Geany
Download:Geany (Free)
Geany is a fast and lightweight text editor based on the GTK+ toolkit, so it will feel right at home if you’re on the GNOME desktopGNOME Explained: A Look at One of Linux's Most Popular DesktopsGNOME Explained: A Look at One of Linux's Most Popular DesktopsYou're interested in Linux, and you've come across 'GNOME', an acronym for GNU Network Object Model Environment. GNOME is one of the most popular open source interfaces, but what does that mean?Read More. And truth be told, Geany is an excellent app. It was my text editor of choice through the early 2010s.
It’s still good today, but just happens to be overshadowed by monsters like Visual Studio Code and Sublime Text.
Expect all the basic features: syntax highlighting, auto-completion, wide support for languages, and the ability to build, compile, and execute code. Geany also has a plugin system, though nowhere near as easy or comprehensive as extensions for newer text editors.
6. Light Table
Download:Light Table (Free)
Light Table sounds more like a photography app than a text editor, but don’t let that fool you. It’s a powerful text editor (some might even say it’s an IDEText Editors vs. IDEs: Which One Is Better For Programmers?Text Editors vs. IDEs: Which One Is Better For Programmers?Choosing between an advanced IDE and a simpler text editor can be hard. We offer some insight to help you make that decision.Read More) that’s been around for a while — even longer than Atom and Brackets!
It allows a great deal of customization, both through keybinds and extensions. Light Table also has a number of crucial debugging functions, like real-time variable tracking and inline evaluation, plus features for rapid development.
Development has slowed down since 2016, but it’s certainly usable as is. Light Table is a strong option if you dislike the other editors in this list.
7. Vim, Emacs, or Nano
Depending on who you ask, standalone GUI text editors are for wimps! If you want to be a “real” programmer or tech geek, you should write code straight in the terminal using Vim, Emacs, or Nano.
Be warned: these editors are NOT for the faint of heart!
Vim is the most powerful but also the hardest to wrap your head around. Emacs has a shallower learning curve and is still full-featured but not as powerful as Vim. Nano is the worst of the three yet also the easiest to learn. If you’ve never used any of them, you might as well go with Vim.
Why put yourself through this? See our reasons to give Vim a chanceThe Top 7 Reasons To Give The Vim Text Editor A ChanceThe Top 7 Reasons To Give The Vim Text Editor A ChanceFor years, I've tried one text editor after another. You name it, I tried it. I used each and every one of these editors for over two months as my primary day-to-day editor. Somehow, I...Read More. Wondering whether Nano will suffice? See our comparison of Vim vs. Nanonano vs. vim: Terminal Text Editors Comparednano vs. vim: Terminal Text Editors ComparedAlthough Linux has become easy enough for practically anyone to use without ever having to use the Terminal, there are some of us who regularly use it or are curious about how one can control...Read More. Vim may take a few months to learn, but it will be worth it.
Which Text Editor Do You Use?
Though Gedit has an uncertain future ahead of it, here’s the good news: you have no lack of choices if it does go under. We’ve living in the golden age of text editors, and you really can’t go wrong with any of them.
Are you going to stick with Gedit and hope for the best? Or will you jump ship for one of the above alternatives? Let us know in the comments!
Explore more about: Linux, Text Editor.
ed is the standard text editor.
I use JEdit. Two essential functions in a text editor is the ability to cut and past blocks of data/text side by side. The other is a good way to edit macro files. With JEdit, you can record a macro and then edit it later as a program file to add functionality.
While some text editors can also do this, I have found that JEdit is really good at it.
Guys, there are so much wrong statements in the last section about CLI editors.
Nano IS great when it suits the job.
And you cannot simple compare Vim vs Emacs like this, go read Wikipedia first then come and write an article, or if you are a reader also go read Wikipedia about the two editors and about the comparison, then make a choice.
My advice, if you have time, try bothYou forget to mention Micro written in Go :)
https://github.com/zyedidia/microI use Mate, (Ubuntu and Debian) so Pluma is my default text editor.
Pluma is my default too, on Gnome.
Just Vi. It'll never die. It's Immortal.
' Emacs has a shallower learning curve and is still full-featured but not as powerful as Vim'
WAT????
I am a vi(m) user for 20+ years, and not a huge fan of Emac, but this statement is wrong on so many levels. Emacs IS different from vim, but stating it is 'not as powerful' is extremely hand-wavy. In fact one of the reasons I chose vim over emacs is - there's SO much to customize in Emacs it becomes a chore :) You can do pretty much anything - it's all emacs Lisp.After using different types of IDE, the best for me (that write both C, javascript and HTML) is qtCreator. You can create Plain C project, modify web code etc... and It is really light instead of the huges eclipse alternatives
VS code is the best one with a lot of features in my opinion, Atom is some what slow.
Geany user here!! I find it very lightweight and powerful for my scripting tasks.
I use SCITE and Bluefish. Geany is also a good choice. I will look into VS Code for Linux as I do use it in Windows for some tasks.
Using Vim is like banging your head against the wall. It feels soooo good when you stop. :-)
I have used many text editors over the years and Vim is the most unintuitive and primitive feeling of them all. It feels like something out of the 1960s. Vim may be powerful but so is Assembler but you don't see too many people recommending Assembler.
vi is out of 1970s :) 1976. It was designed to be the (only) full-screen editor to be usable on extremely slow dialup lines. It is also part of POSIX standard, which means you will find it on pretty much any unix-like system you might come across. It does have a learning curve, but there's no way back once you get used to it.
Unintuitive in your case probably means unfamiliar. I.e. I am suffering every time I have to use a modeless editor. There's a good reason why most editors listed above have 'vi-compatibility plugin'.