Microsoft has unveiled ‘Edit on Windows,’ a new command-line text editor, during its Build conference. The open-source tool is designed to allow developers to edit files directly within the command line, eliminating the need to switch to another application. This editor, similar to Vim, offers features like multiple file support via_ctrl + P shortcuts, find and replace functionality, and regular expression support. The tool is intended to serve as a default CLI text editor for 64-bit versions of Windows, addressing the lack of a built-in editor in these versions. It will be available to Windows Insiders in the coming months. Christopher Nguyen, product manager of Windows Terminal, noted that the motivation for developing ‘Edit on Windows’ was to provide a default CLI text editor in 64-bit Windows, as 32-bit versions already include MS-DOS Edit. Microsoft also aimed to avoid the notorious ‘how do I exit Vim?’ issue by creating a modeless editor, as reported by The Verge.
Microsoft has introduced ‘Edit on Windows,’ a new command-line text editor, during its Build conference. This open-source tool is designed to let developers edit files directly within the command line, without the need to switch to other applications. The editor, similar to Vim, aims to offer a more user-friendly experience while maintaining the efficiency of command-line operations. It includes features such as support for multiple files via the ctrl + P shortcut, find and, replace functionality, and regular expression support. These features collectively enhance the editing experience for developers working in a Unix-like environment on Windows.
The tool is intended to serve as a default CLI text editor for 64-bit versions of Windows, addressing the absence of a built-in editor in these versions. Christopher Nguyen, product manager of Windows Terminal, explained that the motivation for developing ‘Edit on Windows’ was to provide a default CLI text editor in 64-bit Windows, as 32-bit versions already include MS-DOS Edit. Microsoft also aimed to avoid the notorious ‘how do I exit Vim?’ issue by creating a modeless editor, according to The Verge. This approach is expected to make the editing process more intuitive for users who are new to command-line interfaces.
The editor will be available to Windows Insiders in the coming months, allowing early feedback from the community before its official release. Microsoft’s focus on improving development tools is part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen its position in the software development ecosystem. The introduction of ‘Edit on Windows’ is seen as a significant step forward in providing developers with more efficient and user-friendly command-line tools. As the editor gains traction, it may influence the broader landscape of text editing in command-line environments, potentially impacting the adoption of other similar tools within the developer community.