pico(1) UNIX Programmer's Manual pico(1)
Name
pico - simple text editor
Syntax
pico [-f] [+n] [-nn] [-t] [-v] [-w] [-z] [file]
Description
pico is a simple, display-oriented text editor.commands are
displayed at the bottom of the screen, and context-sensitive
help is provided. As characters are typed they are immedi-
ately inserted into the text. Editing commands are entered
using control-key combinations.
The editor has five basic features: paragraph justification,
case-insensitive searching, block cut/paste, a spelling
checker, and a file browser.
Paragraph justification takes place in the paragraph that
contains the cursor, or, if the cursor is between lines, in
the paragraph immediately below. Paragraphs are delimited
by blank lines, or by lines beginning with a space or tab.
Unjustification can be done immediately after justification
using the control-U key combination.
String searches are not sensitive to case. A search begins
at the current cursor position and wraps around the end of
the text. The most recent search string is offered as the
default in subsequent searches.
Blocks of text can be moved, copied or deleted with creative
use of the command for mark (ctrl-underscore), delete
(ctrl-k) and undelete (ctrl-u).
The spell checker examines all words in the text. It then
offers, in turn, each misspelled word for correction while
simultaneously highlighting it in the text. Spell checking
can be cancelled at any time. Alternatively, pico will sub-
stitute for the default spell checking routine a routine
defined by the SPELL environment variable. The replacement
routine should read standard input and write standard out-
put.
The file browser is offered as an option in the "Read File"
and "Write Out" command prompts. It is intended to help in
searching for specific files and navigating directory
hierarchies. Filenames with sizes and names of directories
in the current working directory are presented for selec-
tion. The current working directory is displayed on the top
line of the display while the list of available commands
takes up the bottom two. Several basic file manipulation
functions are supported: file renaming, copying, and dele-
tion.
More specific help is available in pico's online help.
Options
-f Use function keys for commands. This option supported
only in conjunction with UW Enhanced NCSA telnet.
+n Causes pico to be started with the cursor located n
lines into the file. (Note: no space between "+" sign
and number)
-nn The -nn option enables new mail notification. The n
argument is optional, and specifies how often, in
seconds, your mailbox is checked for new mail. For
example, -n60 causes pico to check for new mail once
every minute. The default interval is 180 seconds,
while the minimum allowed is 30. (Note: no space
between "+" sign and number)
-t Enable "tool" mode. Intended for when pico is used as
the editor within other tools (e.g., Elm, Pnews). pico
will not prompt for save on exit, and will not rename
the buffer during the "Write Out" command.
-v View the file only, disallowing any editing.
-w Disable word wrap (thus allow editing of long lines).
-z Enable ^Z suspension of pico.
Lastly, when a running pico is disconnected (i.e., receipt
of a SIGHUP), pico will save the current work if needed
before exiting. Work is saved under the current filename
with ".save" appended. If the current work is unnamed, it
is saved under the filename "pico.save".
Bugs
The manner in which lines longer than the display width are
dealt is not immediately obvious. Lines that continue
beyond the edge of the display are indicated by a '$' char-
acter at the end of the line. Long lines are scrolled hor-
izontally as the cursor moves through them.
Files
pico.save Unnamed interrupted work saved here
*.save Interrupted work is saved here
Authors
Michael Seibel, mikes@cac.washington.edu
Laurence Lundblade, lgl@cac.washington.edu
pico is originally derived from MicroEmacs 3.6