how to open *.conf files in linux terminal

webb.ryan · 10-27-2007, 02:06 AM

Hello everyone^^,

I have a little problem with opening a file for example, a squid.conf file in a linux terminal..

if i am in windows and for example the squid.conf is at c:\squid\squid.conf, i would just type in the commandd prompt:

c: <enter>
cd squid <enter>
squid.conf <enter>

then the squid.conf will appear in a text editor(notepad).

...I tried the same in linux terminal(konsole) and the file wont open..
if someone can show me, i would be very greatful...

~ryan

KrazyKanuk · 10-27-2007, 02:15 AM

try cd squid then pico|vi|nano squid.conf vi editor is most popular I believe pico is my personal preference.

webb.ryan · 10-27-2007, 02:41 AM

KrazyKanuk,

thanks for your kind reply, i will try your suggestion.

~ryan^^

webb.ryan · 10-27-2007, 02:50 AM

krazykanuk,

yes your suggestion worked thanks!...

but i had a problem with editing the conf file.
how do i open it with gEdit? (also using the linux terminal)

~ryan

Poetics · 10-27-2007, 02:53 AM

Regardless of what editor you'd like to use, you should be able to view it by typing the editor's name and then the filename, for example:

Code:

$ pico testfile.conf
$ vi testfile.conf
$ mcedit testfile.conf
$ gedit testfile.conf

And so on (the '$' represents the prompt).

KrazyKanuk · 10-27-2007, 02:58 AM

I would think start gedit then goto File then Open the file won't be listed because it is hidden (hence the period at the beginning of the filename) but if you have a place where you can type in a location or filename you can open it like that. I don't have gedit so I can't check to make sure. Using the terminal is easy just "vi /path to squid.conf/squid.conf" (without quotes).

mrrangerman · 10-27-2007, 05:56 AM

Also if you just want to view a files content use the cat command,like so cat /path/file.conf if the file is a large file pipe it to less or more like so cat /path/file.name | less or cat /path/file.name | more
But if you need to make changes to the file, as others have said use your favorite editor.

webb.ryan · 10-27-2007, 06:15 AM

thank you very much for all your replies!

i now understand how to open and change! yey!

~warmest thanks
~~Ryan^^