6 Edit: The Screen Editor The inbuilt editor is a convenient method of creating text files. The 1616/OS full screen editor is designed for editing text files, for use as programs. Its commands are similar to those of MicroPro’s WordStar word processing program in ‘non-document’ mode. The 1616/OS editor uses many of the features of the 1616 environment. It works in any of the video modes (320 or 640 columns, or MGR windows) and in text windows of any size. It may be used by application programs which run under 1616/OS .
For example, if you are writing a program, such as a text formatter, or data base, that needs extensive typing, you can have your program call upon the full screen editor for accepting the typing. In other words, it is very much more elaborate than the MS-DOS editor edlin , so you should learn how to use it cor- rectly. Using an editor EDIT exists either as an inbuilt command in the 1616/OS ROMs or as a .xrel transient program. It is present as an inbuilt command in all 27512 based systems (that is, Version 3 and up).
As the inbuilt version can only be invoked once while multitasking, it is worthwhile to keep a copy of the edit.xrel disk version availableforthosetimeswhenyoumaywantmultiplecopiesoftheeditoroperating simultaneously. The disk based version can also be used by those with Version 2 or earlier of 1616/OS . Amuchmoreelaborateversionoftheeditor, DrDoc ,withfullonscreenformatting, andprinter support, can be obtained on disk from Applix for $29.95. This enlarged version unfortunately will not fit in EPROM. The cursor Throughout the description of the editor the term ‘the current line’ refers to the line upon which the 1616’s cursor appears.
The number of this line is displayed on the editor status line. The flashing cursor represents your current working position within the file, and almost all commands are effective at the cursor’s position. In the case of text insertion (single character, block move or copy and file read) the current position may be thought of as being in between the character under the cursor and the one preceding it. Starting the editor The editor is started by typing edit filename . If the file does not exist then edit creates a new one. If you enter a number after the filename then this number Edit: The Screen Editor User Tutorial Manual Page 45