Using Nano to edit conf files in your ESX Server installation

After trying VI, I was looking for something more easy, more “user-friendly“. Then I stumble through an article on Tom Howarth's blog about Nano editor. Nano it's already installed with your ESX server so you don't have to download it again. This tiny little editor can help you edit configuration files in your ESX Server installation more easily then VI. For example when you open your conf file (like etc/fstab) you don't have to enter into insert mode like you would have to in VI, which get thinks more easy. So let's get started and learn some basics.

Opening files

Opening files is simple in nano, simply type:

# nano -w /etc/fstab

If you want to save the changes you've made, press Ctrl+O.

To exit nano, type Ctrl+X. You see it's very straightforward….

To create a new file just type: # nano filename

To cut and paste:

To cut a single line, you use Ctrl+K (hold down Ctrl and then press K). The line disappears. To paste it, you simply move the cursor to where you want to paste it and punch Ctrl+U. The line reappears. To move multiple lines, simply cut them with several Ctrl+Ks in a row, then paste them with a single Ctrl+U. The whole paragraph appears wherever you want it.

When you want just to cut or copy single word or one sentence:

just move the cursor to the beginning of the text you want to cut. Hit Ctrl+6 (or Alt+A). Now move your cursor to the end of the text you want to cut: the marked text gets highlighted. If you need to cancel your text marking, simply hit Ctrl+6 again. Press Ctrl+K to cut the marked text. Use Ctrl+U to paste it.

If you're interested in tweaking nano, be sure to read /etc/nanorc