Linux/Unix: Editors & Help Tools – vi, nano, man & More for Every User

Introduction – Edit and Explore with Confidence

Every Linux user eventually needs to edit configuration files and look up command documentation—often without a GUI. Whether you’re writing a script, fixing a config, or just learning a command’s syntax, mastering command-line editors like vi, nano, and help tools like man, info, and whatis is crucial for efficiency and self-sufficiency.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• How to use vi/vim and nano editors in the terminal
• What tools help you look up command info (man, info, --help, etc.)
• When to use which, type, whatis, and apropos to find or verify commands

Topics Covered

Linux/Unix: vi/vim Editor Basics

Launch & Modes

vi filename

vi starts in normal mode. Press i to enter insert mode, and Esc to return to normal mode.

Common Commands

Delete, Copy, Paste

dd      # Delete a line
yy      # Copy a line
p       # Paste below

Linux/Unix: Other Editors (nano, gedit, emacs)

nano – Simple CLI Editor

nano file.txt

Beginner-friendly editor with on-screen shortcuts.

gedit – Graphical Editor (GNOME)

gedit file.txt &

GUI editor for desktop environments.

emacs – Advanced Programmable Editor

emacs file.txt

Ideal for power users who want customization and scripting.

Linux/Unix: Manuals & Help (man, info, –help)

man – Manual Pages

man ls

Displays detailed documentation, flags, examples.

info – Enhanced Docs (with hyperlinks)

info coreutils

Navigate using arrows and Enter, great for GNU commands.

--help – Quick Command Guide

ls --help

Shows usage, options, and flag explanations quickly.

Linux/Unix: Command Lookup (type, which, whatis, apropos)

type – Built-in or External?

type cd

Tells whether a command is a shell built-in or binary.

which – Find Executable Path

which python3

Displays the full path to the binary.

whatis – One-Line Description

whatis ssh

Displays brief info about a command.

apropos – Search All Manpage Descriptions

apropos network

Finds commands related to a given keyword.

Summary – Recap & Next Steps

Linux equips you with versatile tools to edit files and explore command syntax from the terminal itself. By combining editors like vi and nano with help tools such as man, info, and type, you become a more independent and capable user or sysadmin.

Key Takeaways:

• Use vi for powerful editing and nano for simplicity
• Access man for full documentation and --help for quick references
• Use type, which, and apropos to locate or understand commands

Real-World Applications:

• Edit cron jobs or shell scripts directly on remote servers
• Debug command usage with built-in help options
• Identify command sources to avoid aliasing issues

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between vi and vim?
vim stands for Vi IMproved—it adds syntax highlighting, undo levels, and plugins. Both share the same command structure.

How do I save and quit in vi?
Press Esc to go to normal mode, then type:

:wq

Is nano easier for beginners?
Yes, nano shows all shortcuts at the bottom and doesn’t require mode switching like vi.

When should I use apropos?
Use it when you don’t remember the command but know what you want to do:

apropos permission

How can I find out what a command does?
Use:

whatis command_name

Or get full docs with man.