Vim

Vim is a free text editor and is the improved version of Vi, one of the first full screen text editors. It has extended functionality over Vi and there are versions to suit almost any operating system.

It is installed by default in most UNIX like operating systems such as GNU/Linux. Vi is small, customisable and very portable with a transportable configuration file and offers some very advanced features. There is syntax highlighting available for a wide variety of programming languages. It is one of the fastest text editors to use for touch typists as almost all commands and settings can be made from the keyboard - often by pressing a single key. This is possible as Vim is a multi-modal editor - something which can confuse those new to the programme. Once accustomed to the Vi / Vim command and insert modes - it is simple to move text and to execute search and replace operations. Reading the extensive manual is recommended though. Versions include gVim, a GUI based version for Windows and Linux.