Text Editors for DOS [page 1 of 2]

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Summary comments on just a selected few of the text editors listed on these pages (I'd make a table but am too lazy):


GENERAL TEXT EDITORS.


Borland Turbo Vision (TV) derived text editors...

This family of DOS text editors essentially derive from the same TV programming code and share a user-friendly, text-mode multiple window interface with pulldown menus and mouse support. GUI users will likely be attracted to these editors. Most seem to be restricted to handling smaller files (<64K). There are many of these clones floating around- a few unique ones are listed here. Also see: 1) SETEdit, a powerful programmer's editor with a TV interface. 2) The Connect IDE includes an impressive TV style editor.

1. NE- Editor with multiple windows, mouse support, and a spell checker.

* * * 1/2

NE is a Turbo Vision-derived editor that's a good choice as a simple ASCII word processor or EDIT.COM replacement. Although it can only load files smaller than 64K, it has an undo function and offers numerous text-formatting features. EXE size: 87k + speller 367k

Strengths

  1. Built-in spell checker (English only) is easy to navigate. Can create and use a custom dictionary.
  2. Multiple document interface with mouse support and pulldown menus.
  3. Cut, paste, and undo routines mimic Windows Notepad. Display Clipboard window .
  4. Can automatically load previously opened files or system files.
  5. Includes some word processing functions (center or justify text, reflow paragraph or document, set right margin).
  6. Online help.

Limitations

  1. Many word processing functions are keyboard driven (Word-Star shortcuts) and not accessible from menus.
  2. Can only read/write files < 64K
  3. Spell checker doesn't always update text with corrections (!)
  4. Can't change directories from the File...Open dialog. Use the File...Change Dir command prior to opening the file list.

download ne300b.zip. (370K)


2. EditV- Multiple window text editor with mouse support, smaller files.

* * * * [added 8-16-98 updated 04-03-99].

Intended primarily as a programmer's editor but doubles as a simple to use general editor. The author is still actively developing EditV, and it's getting more interesting with each update. EXE size= 211K; help file= 130K. Author: Bob Ferguson, Netherlands (1999). Suggested by Tomas Brunclik.

Some unique features:

Limitations:

04-03-99: New in v4.1 (04-99): See docs for version history.

download editv41u.zip (180K)


Other general text editors...

Multi-Edit Lite- Multi-window editor. Mouse/menu driven. Large files.

* * * * 1/2

Recommended for the Windows/MAC/GUI crowd....

Finding a freeware editor for DOS which is mouse compatible, menu driven, and handles very large files is difficult (there is EDIT that comes packaged with DOS 6.x, but it lacks important features [e.g., undo]). Nearly all the freeware, CUA compliant DOS editors are similar clones derived from the same TFileEditor object included with Borland's Turbo Vision (e.g., NE), and they won't load files bigger than 64K. A kind reader of these pages pointed me to a "lite" version of Multi-Edit on SimtelNet. The text mode, multiple window interface looks and behaves much like NE but there's much more under the skin:

Features :

  1. Mouse, menu driven, and fast. Shallow learning curve.
  2. Handles huge files and has multiple undo. Multi-Edit Lite can use XMS/EMS memory.
  3. Includes some word processing features (word wrap, reformat paragraph, right margin, tab settings).
  4. Implements text drag and drop.
  5. Supports column, line, and stream text-marking modes.
  6. Keystroke macros- but no macro language.
  7. Performs regular expression text search/ replace.
  8. Can capture command line output to window.
  9. No nag screens or disabled features; includes excellent online help.
  10. EXE size: 240k

Note: Frustrating quirk: The file listing in the File Open/Load dialog is sorted by the second character of the filename- not the first. Instead of scrolling the list, you can find a file more quickly by typing the first few characters of the filename.

*SHAREWARE STATUS NOTE: Multi-Edit Lite is shareware. Quote from the docs: "If you like and use Multi-Edit Lite, we request a donation of $40 (or whatever you feel is appropriate)." (my emphasis).

download melite.zip (224K)


VDE- Excellent text editor designed for word processing.

* * * * * [added 1997 updated 01-05-01]

"This may be the finest piece of word processing code ever written." - John Dvorak, PC Magazine (April 24 1990).

Few die-hard GUI users will probably be attracted to VDE's editing style- but anyone who's tried it will certainly appreciate the hard work and creativity that's been invested in the development of VDE. It is a very mature and stable product (under development since 1987) that offers many text mode word processing features. It's quite easy to use- but if you rely on a mouse to do all your work (e.g., to "pulldown those menus"), this may not be your program. You can use a mouse for tasks like marking text blocks and cursor positioning. Most commands are available as Word-Star key shortcuts which some people love and some people don't. Coded in assembly language, the executable file is remarkably small (80K) for the tasks this program can perform. Includes excellent documentation. VDE is shareware: registration is not required (but encouraged) from individual users. Author: E. Meyer (2000); Also see these VDE resource pages for latest versions, supporting utils, many interesting macros, and discussion lists: Short.Stop (current) / Punky.Com / WolffSoft.

Text editor features:

  1. Multiple file editing with dual windows, cut and paste, compare
  2. v1.9x+ edits larger files (~600K, "Larger files....automatically loaded and saved in multiple segments").
  3. v1.9x+ handle Win9x LFN's (see docs for specifics).
  4. block copy, move, delete, read, write, and zoom
  5. find and replace (forward, backward, ignore case, all files, etc)
  6. protected mode and multi-level undo to avoid unintended changes
  7. keystroke macros with full programming ability
  8. commands to split files, count words, number lists automatically
  9. full-featured directory browser (tag, edit, import, delete, etc)
  10. access to any DOS command or a full DOS shell
  11. variable number of text lines and columns displayable
  12. automatic save to disk at intervals
  13. programmable function keys and many other user configurable options
  14. compatibility with older or limited PC's including laptops, palmtops

Word processor features:

  1. left and right margins, wordwrap, automatic or manual reformat
  2. variable tabs, auto indent, center/flush right, justification
  3. print preview to check format and pagebreaks before printing
  4. customizable printer drivers for special effects (bold, underline, italic, super/subscript, overstrike, proportional fonts, etc)
  5. printing options: headers, pagination, selective print, print to file, single sheet feed, address envelopes
  6. multiple file formats for text exchange (including DOS, WordStar, WordPerfect, XyWrite, NotaBene, Microsoft Word)
  7. integrated spelling checker (registered users only)

01-05-01: v1.92C (01-01) available.

Find the latest version (1.9x, 2001), and an 8088 compatible version (vde165c) at:

Short.Stop's Mostly VDE Software Page


Pedit- MS-DOS EDIT-like editor with added features, Eng. spell checker, thesaurus.

* * * * 1/2 [added 6-97 updated 10-06-99]

Overall, Pedit is one of the more versatile yet user-friendly editors listed here. Although a programmer's editor, Pedit's design also incorporates a selection of word processing features (e.g., a spell checker and thesaurus- English only). Superficially similar to MS-DOS's EDIT (pulldown menus, dialogs, mouse compatible), Pedit is vastly superior in most respects. Loads files as large as available conventional memory. EXE size= about 300K. A smaller (100K) version is included which lacks the speller/ thesaurus (PEDITLGT). Author: Paul Brand, Hong Kong. (1999)

Features:

  1. A large command list; most commands are only available from keyboard.
  2. Enhanced file open dialog (e.g., file size toggle, file delete option).
  3. File usage history list; can save to disk.
  4. Search and replace text.
  5. Adjustable word wrap (in line marking mode).
  6. Simple macro facility, including hard coded macros for commenting code, batch files.
  7. ASCII , line drawing, and foreign character charts.
  8. Extremely large files can be partially loaded at defined offset for editing.
  9. Column and line marking modes (both can be accomplished with the mouse).
  10. Windows clipboard support (copy to).
  11. Can call external compilers using batch file.
  12. Interface and other editor settings adjustable through online dialog.
  13. Printing capability with adjustable left margin.
  14. Easy customization, good built-in help, excellent documentation.
  15. Support for WIN95 long file names
  16. Spell check HTML and RTF documents list here.

Limitations:

  1. Single file editing.
  2. Limited undo functionality.
  3. Spelling user dictionary is limited to 16Kb.

New in v. 4.00 (10-99): " Word wrap on the fly...Pop-up menu when right mouse button is clicked. Key to remove (empty) directories in the file chooser. Key to delete all entries in the pick list. Much more Alt-F1 functions. Changed revert message. Added a light version. Included Windows installer. Included Hex editor."

download pedit.zip (330K)


IE- Mouse and menu driven editor handles large files.

unrated [updated 04-16-99]

A menu driven, multi ("split") window editor that handles big files. External directory browser includes some file management commands. Feature list from the docs:

  1. Edits files in memory; can use all memory on your computer.
  2. Up to 24 files can be loaded at any time
  3. Screen can be divided into up to 12 windows
  4. Each window can display a different file, or different views of the same file.
  5. Supports all VGA and VESA text video modes.
  6. Full mouse support in all video modes.
  7. Screen colours fully configurable. Configurations savable.
  8. Insert extended characters from pop-up ASCII chart.
  9. Block marking.
  10. Bookmarks.
  11. Directory manager (view, copy, move, rename, etc.)
  12. Macros.
  13. On-line hypertext help.
  14. Shell to DOS.

Notes: Requires 386+ PC, VGA+. Text search and replace commands available from keys but not pulldown menu. Can't horizontal scroll with mouse.

04-16-99: new in v1.02 (2-99): Fixes and enhancements...see docs.

Author: Ian Gay, Canada (1999)

download ie102.zip (160K)


Pico- Pine text editor for DOS.
Nano- Open source, enhanced clone of Pico (Pine) text editor.

unrated

1. Pico [added 9-13-98] is a familiar friend to users of the Unix Pine e-mail program. A unique yet easy-to-learn editor, this DOS DJGPP version includes mouse support (text selection and command invocation). Navigation commands are not difficult to master- a command menu is always visible at the bottom of the screen.

Pico was not designed to be a full-featured text editor (e.g., single file editing only, no text replace command in this version) but it can be used for simple word processing tasks (automatically wraps text at right margin, paragraph justification command). Can use a spell checker such as ISPELL. Requires 386+, DPMI server (CWSDPMI) under plain DOS. Win 9x LFN compatible. Handles large files. Includes a separate program (PILOT) which functions as a directory browser.

Remarks: To select text with mouse, double click to mark start of block and single click at end of block. To see available startup command line options, enter "pico -h." v3.96 DJGPP port by Tim Van Holder (1997)

download pico396b.zip (235K)

Also see: 16-bit versions of Pico (no PILOT) can be found packaged with Pine (v3.96 and 3.91 [smaller]) at U. Wahingtion's PC PINE page.

2. Nano [added 12-14-00] is an open source (GPL), enhanced clone of Pico which is now (2000) undergoing active development for Linux platforms. DOS and Win32 ports have also been created.

Some advantages over Pico: GNU autoconf support, truly free license (GNU GPL), goto-line # (no command-line flag needed), case sensitive search, interactive search and replace, regexp s/r support, specify tab width...and more.

386 DOS (DJGPP) executables are available, but have tended not to be as current as latest source distributions. Author: Chris Allegretta (2000). Suggested by Pio Del Real.

Find DOS binaries at the nano Home page.


SMALL TEXT EDITORS.

In a software age where bigger is....well, bigger, these size-optimized editors demonstrate just what can be packed into a little bit of computer code. Included here are small editors suitable for emergency disks, computers lacking disk space/ memory, or quick, portable text editing. They're also just plain fun to explore. All have unique key commands, quirks, and surprises.

1. Terse -Tiny text editor with search/replace, undo.
2. EzEdit -4K dual file text editor.
3. SuperTed -Tiny text editor with word wrap, file import.
4. SLED - Small text editor with big features.
5. SHHED- Small text editor, limited mouse support, directory browser.
6. E - Tiny, friendly text editor for simple word processing.
7. Tiny Editor - Small (9K) customizable multi-file text editor.
8. Tiny EMACS- 4K text editor w/ EMACS key bindings, macros, multi-undo.

  1. The 4K Terse Editor is a classic among DOS aficionados- one of the smallest usable editors ever produced. Author: Yossi Gil, Israel (1992, 94).
  2. EzEdit [updated 7-13-98] This 4K editor handles bigger files than Terse (but with line length constraints), has a column block marking mode (as well as line marking), and an easy to use line drawing feature. Notable changes since v1.0 : COM size decreased to 4K; larger 128-line paste i/o buffer; shell to DOS; undelete command; 25/50 line VGA toggle; Case sensitive search and/or replace with wildcard; Easy setting of screen colors with toggle key; upper case/lower case conversion option. Can be loaded into upper memory blocks. Now includes ASM source. (see source for revision hist.) Author: Craig Hessel (1996)
  3. The 6.4K SuperTed (a modified version of TED, TEDPLUS), is enhanced for use with mail programs and includes nice features like word wrap, text quoting, and reformat existing text. Author: Tony Whyman, UK (1993)
  4. The 17.6K SLED offers a surprising variety of features not present in many larger editors (e.g., loads files as large as available conventional memory, word wrap, reformat, multiple files, auto-indent, directory listing). Maybe the most feature-packed editor for its size. Author: Sam Wilmott, Canada (1987)
  5. The 17.4K SHHED [added 3-7-98] is a programmer's editor which offers easy file loading from a directory browser. The browser can't fully list a larger (100+) directory, so it's best to provide it a filtered filespec. SHHED can also maintain a recent file history which is easily accessed from a pop-up pick list. SHHED is the only small editor listed here that attempts to support a mouse (cursor positioning and scrolling- but no text marking). Word-Star commands. Author: Sverre H. Huseby, Norway. (1992)
  6. E [added 4-4-98] is a 6.6K editor that has a characteristic feature/limitation that I prefer when word processing: it has a line length restriction of 80 columns. This makes it well suited to writing notes or documents because it automatically breaks lines at 80 C (or less if you adjust margin settings). E is not suited to loading text files with lines greater than 80 C (lines get truncated). No mouse support or menus, but the ALT-key commands are easy to remember (ALT-S: Save, ALT-C: Copy block, ALT-W: Wrap text, etc). Loads files as large as available conv. memory. Author: David Nye (1991). Sugg. by R. Bull.
  7. Tiny Editor (T) [added 12-29-98]. Customizable key mapping and colors. Edits files as large as available memory, edits multiple files, ASCII help file (can be edited), margin settings allow automatic word wrap. OS/2 version also included. Author: Tim Baldwin (1992) Suggested by Lars-Erik Sandberg and others.
  8. Tiny EMACS (TM) [added 11-06-99] is another super-optimized editor that packs a significant punch for its miniscule (4K) size. Although non-Emacs users may find the "cut-paste" routines somewhat alien, the editor is not difficult to master and it posseses features not found in any other small editor listed here. Most notable is the multi undo capability which allows correction of typos made several keystrokes/ commands back. TM can also record and playback keystrokes (as well as many commands- even nested macros are supported). TM implements incremental searches. "...search-and-replace seamlessly piggybacks on the incremental search and macro features." Maximum editable file size is about 60K; dynamically soft wraps long lines but has the distinction/quirk of splitting words at right wrap margin. Author: Brian Kelley (1999).

Here's a more detailed, quickly researched feature comparison:
(see key for abbreviations; revised 11-06-99):

PROGRAM=======TERSE==EZEDT==STED==E=====TM====TE==SLED==SHED
Size(K) ........4......4....6.4...6.7...4.....9.2..17...17
Packed : ).....3.6....3.6...4.2...4.5...3.7...7.0..11...11
File loading ...c.....c/i...c/i...c/i...c/i...c/i..c/i..c/b
Max f-size(K)...65...~200...65....cm....60....cm...cm...cm
Max columns.... nl ...128....?....80....nl ...255..16K..255
Mark modes .....s.....l/c....s....l...."s".....s...s/l...s
Copy/paste .....y......n.....n....y.....n......y....y....y
Cut/paste ......y......y.....y....y.....y......y....y....y
Undo ...........y......y.....y....n.....y......n....n....n
Mult. Undo......n......n.....n....n.....y......n....n....n
Find txt .......y......y.....y....y.....y......y....y....y
Replace txt ....y......y.....y....y.....y......y....y....y 
PROGRAM=======TERSE==EZEDT==STED==E=====TM====TE==SLED==SHED 
Soft wrap ......n......n.....y ...y.....y......y....y....n
Hard reflow ....n......n.....y....y.....n......y....y....n
Auto-indent ....n......n.....n....o.....n......n....o....o
Macros..........n......n.....n....n.....y......n....n....n
Multi files.....n......2.....n....n.....n......y....y....n
Quote text .....n......n.....y....n.....n......y....n....n
r/w Unix text..r/w.....r.....n....n....r/w.....n...r/w...r
Shell to DOS ...y......y.....n....y.....n......y....y....n
Mouse supp .....n......n.....n....n.....n......n....n....y
File history....n......n.....n....n.....n......n....n....y
Online Hlp .....y......n.....y....y.....n......y....y....y
Configurable....n......n.....n....y.....y......y....y....y

Key and notes:

Shareware info: Terse is shareware, free for individual use. SLED is now a freeware program- but was originally fee-ware. Most FTP sites still carry the old zip with the shareware documentation. The author later modified the documentation to indicate freeware status, but the new zip has not been widely distributed. Thanks to Yves Bellefeuille for the link to the freeware "version" on the author's site.

  1. download terse12.zip (Terse v1.2, 20K; 1992 ) or ters151f.zip (v1.51f, 200K, 1994)
  2. download ezedit20.zip (EzEdit, 35K)
  3. download superted.zip (SuperTed, 33K)
  4. download sled.zip (Sled, 32K)
  5. download shhed240.zip (SHHED, 22K)
  6. download e14.zip (E, 38K)
  7. download tinyed.zip (T, 69K)
  8. download tm13.zip (TM, 12K)

WORD PROCESSORS.

Also see: VDE


Word (MS) - Powerful DOS word processor, Y2K upgrade.

unrated [added 07-21-99]

This Y2K "update" is actually a (nearly?) complete and wholly functional MS WORD for DOS word processing package with spell checker, thesaurus, and print drivers. Microsoft® is distributing it as a "complimentary upgrade for customers of Microsoft Word 5.0" (Perhaps too complimentary...) This pack is missing fonts??

Go to Microsoft's download page. (Wd55_eng.exe is a PKZIP exe, about 3.3MB)


PcWord- Free word processor.

unrated [added 07-05-00]

From the docs: "A fast, compact, flexible Text-Processor; Uses HyperText functions to facilitate links for Table of Contents and Index, with automatic page numbering."

Notes: Loads multiple documents. Appears to handle files as large as available conventional memory. Several video modes supported; mouse support. Print drivers included. EXE size 120K, will run on an XT. Under development since late 1980's (?) and formerly distributed as shareware. Part of the talifree.zip package. Hints: ESC toggles menu bar. ALT-S to change settings.

Author: Andrew Sprott, UK (2000). Home Page. Suggested by Jon-Egil Korsvold.

download talifree.zip (470K)


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