A
text editor is typically simple piece of
computer software for editing plain text, usually in
ASCII format. Some text editors are small and simple, while others offer a broad and complex range of functionality.
It is to be distinguished from a
word processor in that it does not manage document formatting or other
features of more powerful programs.
Such programs are often bundled with an
operating system or software development package.
For example, machines with
Unix-like systems typically use
vi or
Emacs to edit many
system configuration files which are in plain text, while
Microsoft Windows systems use
the
Notepad program.
Common uses included editing operating system and application configuration files and editing programming language source code.
Commonly used editors: ed, edt, edlin, Emacs, pico, qed,
Red (an editor for VAX/VMS, written in the Forth variant STOIC),
sam?, teco, Vi, VIM.
/Talk