Introduction

 

Pico is a good, quick, basic text editor for Unix systems. If you have used the Pine email program you are already somewhat familiar with Pico. If not, don't worry: the basics are picked up very quickly. The following sections tell you what you need to know to get started.

These conventions will be used in what follows:

• Commands to be typed will be put in a typewriter typeface.
• Placeholders--i.e., variables that are to be replaced by something specific when you type a command--are shown in italics.
• The shorthand ^X means that you are to press the Control key (marked Ctrl) and, while this key is still depressed, press X (or whatever letter appears in the sequence).