Notepad++ Alternatives For Linux

This article aims to introduce you to some of the most popular Notepad++ alternatives for Linux including the installation, basic features and functions.

Nano textmode Notepad++ Alternative for Linux

Nano is probably the most user friendly text processor for terminal. It comes included by default in most popular Linux distributions.
To create a text file just invoke nano and the file name like in the following example:

# nano <filename>

Some of Nano functions include:

CTRL + G or F1 = get help.
CTRL + X or F2 = save file and exit.
CTRL + O or F3 = Write out.
CTRL + W or F6 = Find a specific string or specific text in the file.
CTRL + K or F9 = cut current line.
CTRL + C = Cancel the operation.

vim textmode Notepad++ Alternative for Linux

Vim is the evolution of the old vi text editor for terminal, it isn’t as user friendly as nano.

Despite being among the most popular text editors together with Nano, Vim doesn’t come by default on distributions like Debian.

To install it as root or invoking sudo run:

# apt install vim -y

For a fast view you can run it:

# vim

As you see the initial screen tells you :q + ENTER is required to exit. In case you need help you can type :q + ENTER. To save and exit you can press :wq and to exit without asking confirmation :q!.

Emacs GUI Notepad++ Alternative for Linux

Emacs is a text editor for GUI based on key bindings, it is fully customizable, and is a
great tool oriented to avoid the mouse while writing on a GUI. It has specific features for programming such as:

Content-aware editing modes, including syntax coloring, for many file types.
Complete built-in documentation, including a tutorial for new users.
Full Unicode support for nearly all human scripts.
Highly customizable, using Emacs Lisp code or a graphical interface.
A packaging system for downloading and installing
An entire ecosystem of functionality beyond text editing, including a project planner, mail and news reader, debugger interface, calendar, and more.

Source: https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/

Despite leading the market together with the most popular text editors Nano and vim, emacs doesn’t come by default on distributions like Debian.

To install it as root or invoking sudo run:

# apt install emacs -y

You can run emacs both from your apps menu or from terminal:

The initial screen will show a tutorial for new users to get started:

You can access some Emacs video tutorials by LinuxHint at:

Gedit GUI Notepad++ Alternative for Linux

Gedit is GNOME’s text editor, it comes by default with GNOME.

Gedit text editor Features:

Full support for internationalized text (UTF-8)

Configurable syntax highlighting for various languages (C, C++, Java, HTML, XML, Python, Perl and many others)
Undo/Redo
Editing files from remote locations
File reverting
Print and print preview support
Clipboard support (cut/copy/paste)
Search and replace with support of regular expressions
Go to specific line
Auto indentation
Text wrapping
Line numbers
Right margin
Current line highlighting
Bracket matching
Backup files
Configurable fonts and colors
A complete online user manual
A flexible plugin system which can be used to dynamically add new advanced features

Source: https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Gedit.

Atom GUI Notepad++ Alternative for Linux

Atom is a text and code editor developed by GitHub and available for Linux, mac and Windows, it supports plugins to add functionalities.

To begin download your package from https://atom.io/.

Debian and Debian based users must download the .deb while Red Hat based distributions the .rpm package.

Save the package into your pc.

To install Atom on Debian run:
Note: the following instructions include a dependency error due library libgconf-2-4 and the troubleshooting process:

# dpkg -i <package>

In this case:

# dpkg -i atom-amd64.deb

If you got a similar error due dependencies, run:

# apt install -f

After installing dependencies run the dpkg command again to install Atom:

# sudo dpkg -i atom-amd64.deb

Geany GUI Notepad++ Alternative for Linux

Geany is another text and code editor supporting over 50 programming languages, it also supports plugins to add functionalities and support many file types.
Geany doesn’t come included in Debian by default but it is available in the repositories, to install it just run:

# apt install geany -y

Once installed Geany can be launched from the apps menu:

Geany default view:

Geany features include:

Syntax highlighting
Code folding
Symbol name auto-completion
Construct completion/snippets
Auto-closing of XML and HTML tags
Call tips
Many supported filetypes including C, Java, PHP, HTML, Python, Perl, Pascal (full list)
Symbol lists
Code navigation
Build system to compile and execute your code
Simple project management
Plugin interface (see Plugins)