How To Install Nano Text Editor on Manjaro

In this tutorial, we will show you how to install Nano Text Editor on Manjaro. In the vast universe of Linux, the nano text editor shines as a beacon of simplicity and user-friendliness. Originally designed as a replacement for Pico, Nano has carved out its niche among Linux users, offering a straightforward and intuitive interface for text editing tasks. Whether you’re a seasoned system administrator or a Linux enthusiast, understanding how to use Nano can significantly streamline your workflow.

This article assumes you have at least basic knowledge of Linux, know how to use the shell, and most importantly, you host your site on your own VPS. The installation is quite simple and assumes you are running in the root account, if not you may need to add ‘sudo‘ to the commands to get root privileges. I will show you the step-by-step installation of Nano Text Editor on a Manjaro Linux.

Prerequisites

• A server or desktop running one of the following operating systems: Manjaro, and other Arch-based distributions.
• It’s recommended that you use a fresh OS install to prevent any potential issues.
• SSH access to the server (or just open Terminal if you’re on a desktop).
• A stable internet connection is crucial for downloading and installing packages. Verify your connection before proceeding.
• Access to a Manjaro Linux system with a non-root sudo user or root user.

Install Nano Text Editor on Manjaro

Step 1. Before installing any new software, it’s a good practice to update your system. This ensures that you have the latest versions of packages and their dependencies. To update your Manjaro system, open the terminal and run the following command:

sudo pacman -Syu
sudo pacman -S base-devel

Step 2. Installing Nano Text Editor on Manjaro.

After updating your system, you can install Nano using Pacman. Run the following command in your terminal:

sudo pacman -S nano

To ensure that Nano has been installed correctly, you can check its version by running:

nano --version

If the installation is successful, this command will display the version of Nano installed on your system.

Step 3. Basic Syntax and Usage of Nano.

With nano installed on your system, it’s time to familiarize yourself with its interface and command structure. Nano’s simplicity lies in its intuitive command structure and easy-to-navigate interface.

• Opening and Creating Files

To open an existing file or create a new one, use the nano command followed by the filename. For example, nano myfile.txt will open the file myfile.txt if it exists, or create a new file with that name if it doesn’t.

• Navigating Within the Text

Navigating within the text in nano is as simple as using the arrow keys. To move to the beginning or end of the line, use Ctrl+A and Ctrl+E respectively. These shortcuts can significantly speed up your text navigation process.

• Editing Text

Editing text in nano is as straightforward as typing at the cursor’s position. To delete text, use the Backspace key. Remember, nano operates in a ‘what you see is what you get’ mode, meaning that there are no hidden formatting or control characters.

• Saving and Exiting Files

To save changes in nano, use Ctrl+O and then hit Enter. This will write the changes to the disk. To exit nano, use Ctrl+X. If you have unsaved changes, nano will prompt you to save them before exiting.

Step 4. Setting Nano as the Default Text Editor.

If you find yourself using Nano frequently, you might find it convenient to set it as your default text editor. This means that whenever a text editor is called for, your system will use Nano by default. Here’s how to do it:

nano ~/.bashrc

At the end of the file, add the following line:

export EDITOR=nano

Save the file and exit, then apply the changes, close the terminal and open a new one, or run the following command:

source ~/.bashrc

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Nano Text Editor. Thanks for using this tutorial to install the latest version of GNU Nano Editor on the Manjaro system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official GNU Nano website.