LINUX NANO EDITOR FOR BEGINNERS

In this tutorial, we will discuss the basic usage of the Nano editor, as well as some of
the features it provides.
Please note that all the examples and instructions mentioned in this article have been
tested on Ubuntu 16.10 LTS, and the Nano version we've used is 2.2.6.

The following sections explain the basic usage usage as well as some of the features of
Nano.

1. How to create and open a new file using Nano editor

If you want to create a new file and open it using nano, then you can do this by
running the following command:

$ nano

or

$ nano [file-name]
The second way can also be used to open an existing file. Needless to say, if you want
to open a file which is not located in your current directory, then you have to provide
the absolute or relative path to that file.
The following screenshot shows a file opened in the nano editor:

As you can see, at the bottom of the editor window, there's useful information related
to keyboard shortcuts that let users perform some basic operations such as cut and
paste text. Shortcuts that let you exit the editor and launch help are also there.

2. How to save a file in Nano

To save a file, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+o. When you will hit this key
combination, the editor it will ask you to provide a filename (or confirm the name if it
was already provided when the editor was launched). Just do the needful, and press
Enter to save the file. Here's an example screenshot:

Nano also allows you to save files in different OS formats. For example, you can save in
DOS format by pressing Alt+d. Note that to change the format, first you have to
initiate the usual save process by pressing Ctrl+o, and then use format-specific
shortcut Alt+d .
3. How to cut and paste text in Nano
To cut and paste a particular line, first bring the cursor to that line. Now,
press Ctrl+k to cut, then head to the place where you want to paste it, and finally
use Ctrl+u to paste.

For example, in the screenshot below, if the requirement is to cut the first line and
paste it to the bottom. Then, go to the line and press Ctrl+k. Now, navigate your
cursor to the bottom and press Ctrl+u.

You can also copy a particular string instead of full line. Nano can not directly perform
COPY-PASTE. Instead you should perform
CUT -> PASTE(same position) -> PASTE(another position)
1- From the first character you want to copy, hold SHIFT down and go all the way to the
end using right arrow key.
2- Press CTRL+K, which cuts the text from the file.
3- Press CTRL+U, paste to the same position again.
4- Place the cursor anywhere you want.
5- Press CTRL+U, again.

As you can see in the above two screenshots, ‘made’ was selectively cut and pasted at
the bottom.

4. How to search and replace a word using nano

The tool also allows you to search for a particular word, as well as replace it with
another word.
To search for a word in Nano, press Ctrl+w. Then, you will be asked to enter the word
which you want to search. After entering the word, just hit Enter and the tool will take
you to the matched entry.
You can also replace a keyword with another by pressing Alt+R. When you press this
key combination, Nano asks you for the word which you want to be replaced. After
entering the word, press enter and now it will ask for the replacement word. After this,
it will ask you to confirm the changes. Once confirmed, changes are made.
Following three screenshots will help you in understanding the whole process.
5. How to place cursor on specific line and column at
startup
If you want, you can also have the cursor placed on a specific line and column of a
file when the editor is launched. This can be done by providing required details when
launching the editor. The command-line switch used for this feature
is +line,column (line determines the line number, whereas column determines the
column number).

$ nano +line,column [filename]

For example:

$ nano +2,5 abc.txt

As you can see in the above screenshot, the cursor was at the second line and fifth
column when the file was opened.

You can use mouse to set cursor position.

For example:

$ nano -cm abc.txt

6. How to backup previous version of a file

The tool allows you to backup the previous version of the file being edited. This is done
after you make changes and save the file. This feature can be accessed using the -
B command line option.
$ nano -B [filename]

For example:

$ nano -B abc.txt

The backup will be saved in the current directory with the same filename but suffixed
with a tilde (~).

Note that files created for the first time can not be backed up.