I just got done reinstalling my system, and I want to copy over some of my old backed-up config file data to the new system. I don't want to simply replace the new with the old though; I only want to cut & paste parts of them.

So my question is, how can I C&P between two different files using a CLI text editor? I'm sure there's a simple way to do it, but I'm not sure how because you have to switch between running instances in the same shell. I usually use Joe for editing, but if another program is better for cut & paste, don't hesitate to recommend it.

I get lazy and paste the whole file to the end and then cut it up..

do cat file1 >> file2

This copies the entire file1 and pastes it to the end of file2
The open the editor and move things about.

emacs!

Quick tutorial for emacs beginners:

C-x means Control-x
M-x means Meta-x (which, on a PC keyboard is Alt-x)


To open a file: C-x C-f
To save a file: C-x C-s
To save as: C-x C-w
To get out of the minibuffer (for example, if you press C-x C-w and change your mind): C-g

To start marking text: C-space
To copy from mark to cursor: M-w
To cut from mark to cursor: C-w
To insert text: C-y

If you open a second file then you have two active buffers. To switch between active buffers: C-b
A tab here gives a list of possible buffers to switch between

To kill a buffer: C-k

Want more?
M-x help (that is 'M-x' and then type 'help' <RET>)
enters the help system.

Before leaving, make sure to try
M-x tetris
Use arrows and space to control and C-k to exit

To shut down emacs: C-x C-c


Enjoy the world of emacs!
Martin

Thanks for the advice guys, especially the long tutorial. I suppose I should eventually learn how to use Emacs anyway, but I've heard it's kind of the kitchen sink of text editors. I'd much rather use something less bulky for most of my editing. Are there any lighter editors out there that have frame buffering also?

Also, how about Vim? Is there any feature in it that can handle such things? It's available almost everywhere.

Cat-ting the second file onto the first seems like the most convenient way to go about it generally, as long as the second file is a small one. I wouldn't want to cat a very long file like XF86config if I could at all help it, however.