Re: Plain text editor.

David Walker wrote:
> Hey folks,
> 
> A question :].
> I have the common problem of having to pass a parameter to the kernel at
> boot to specify my boot slice (are those the correct terms?).
> Anyway, I have found excellent instructions on how to add an entry to:
> /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.Boot.plist
> to allow this to happen automatically. I know what entry to add and I think
> where to put it.
> It is reported that I need to use a plain text editor to do this.
> Unfortunately I don't know what they are called and how to start one.
> Any info would be just neato.
> I've spent a few hours trying to find out.
> 
> Best Wishes,
> David Walker
> 


David,

       There are several different editors available for OD and most other
Unix systems. Listed in terms of prevalence, they are:

        ed
        vi/vim
        Emacs

ed is archaic (in my opinion) but it is very powerful.  vi is a full
screen text editor that is always available on any Unix/Unix based
system.  You should at some point learn vi.  vim is an improved version
of vi, with the same command set, so if you learn either one, you should
be ok. vim offers syntax highlighting and support for a wide variety of
programming languages.  Emacs is another editor but unlike doesn't have
command modes and editing modes.  It just has a whole bunch of control
key command sequence.

Personally  I prefer Emacs, but I also use vi/vim from time to time
in order to do the quick and dirty edits I need to do.  The Emacs vs. VI
Crusade has been going on forever, so I would try to be careful and not
get sucked into it.

They are both tools, and have their uses. That is all they are.



cheers,

     mehul