CSCI 3294 (Unix Power Tools), Fall 2010:
Homework 4

Credit:

20 points.

Reading

Read about the following topics in the list of suggested readings, either in one of the suggested readings or in another book or reference. (This is the topic for October 4.)

• Text editors; vi and emacs.

Problems

Answer the following questions. You may write out your answers by hand or using a word processor or other program, but please submit hard copy, either in class or in my mailbox in the department office. Answers to most questions will involve experimentation on a UNIX or Linux system. You are free to use any appropriate system (unless a specific problem says otherwise); if you use something other than Fedora Linux please tell me what.

Text editors; vi and emacs

1. (8 points) Spend at least half an hour (more if you have the time and interest) working through the vim tutorial (and/or reading other parts of the online help). Start the tutorial by typing vimtutor at the command prompt. Access online help by typing :help or :help sometopic; exit help by typing :q. Then tell me at least two things you learned that you didn't know before and you think you might find useful. (If you have already read part of this tutorial for a previous class, read further in it than you have before.)

2. (8 points) Repeat the previous question, but with the emacs tutorial and/or online help. Start it by typing emacs and then control-h followed by t. Access online help as described in the tutorial. By default emacs will create a new window if it can. If you don't want that, start it with emacs -nw. (If you have already read part of this tutorial for a previous class, read further in it than you have before.)

3. (4 points) Which editor do you feel more inclined to learn more about at this point (considering features, ease of use, etc.). Why? (``Neither'' is an acceptable answer if you explain why!)