jpico Editor Basics

jpico is the editor I suggest you use for assignments in this class. Other editors are acceptible, but you are on your own when using them. This page contains commonly used commands and basic information that will help you use jpico more efficiently (hopefully).

First, to run the editor, type jpico <filename> from the intro3 (27)> prompt. This will open the specified file in jpico (if it doesn't exist, it will be opened as a new file). Once in the editor, the screen is basically blank. The top line will tell you the name of the file you are modifying, the row and column you are in, and it tells you that ctrl-G (note: the ^ symbol indicates you should hold down the control key while pressing the letter G. Also, the letter does not have to be capitalized) will bring up a help screen. This help screen can be left visible while you are programming.

This help screen contains all of the special key sequences you can use in jpico. They are VERY useful! Practice with them, and your programming speed will improve dramatically.

As mentioned above, the ^ symbol will indicate that you need to hold down the control key while pressing the associated letter. Similarily, the ^[ means that the escape key must be pressed and released, then the indicated key pressed.

Here are some examples of key sequences that you will find useful:

^K cut the current line of code

^U paste the cut line of code

(note: you can cut several lines in a row (a block) and paste them as a group elsewhere)

^D works like the delete key

^X save and exit

^C exit without save

^O save, but don't exit (use this often....every 5 minutes is not a bad idea)

^[Y go to the top of the file

^[V go to the bottom of the file

^[L go to a specified line number (the computer will prompt you for the number, and then you enter it and hit <enter> and the cursor will be moved there)

^W will find a specified text string that you are asked to enter

There are 5 pages of help. You can use ^[ (the period key) and ^[ (the comma key) to move through them.

One final key sequence that will be a HUGE time saver is

^[G If you press this while your cursor is on a { or (, the cursor will go to the matching } or ). As we get into more programming, the benefits of this will become self-evident.