what is the command in linux to edit or view a conf file?
Im running Mandrake Network Firewall and since it doesnt have a direct GUI interface i need the commands for the shell to edit shorewall and squid which it runs.

Can any1 help?

Well, you have a lot of different editors which you can use like vi, vim, emacs and so on, but if you are new to linux i would recommend to use pico or nano (not standards in most systems) but install one of them and then type nano/pico <the file you want to edit> and voilá!

Note: I dont know if this is the answer you are looking for but i wish u good luck!

Thanks! I will =]

because its MNF i dont think you can install any new editors, but im sure vim or something will do!!

Thanks for your help,

scammeh^

You could also check if mc is installed - (Midnight Commander) - try typing mc at the prompt, F3 to edit files...

Hi,

you could try vi. It's on every system. It can be a bit tedious to use at first, but if you get it 'in your fingers' it's really a very useful editor.
Very very very short tutorial:
open a file
vi <filename> (if it doesn't exist, it's created now) <enter>
scroll through the file with either the arrow keys or with the h-j-k-l keys (left-down-up-right).
To insert text, type i (INSERT appears on the bottom line)
To delete text (one char at a time), you can use DEL on most systems, either in INSERT mode or noet inINSERT mode ... to stop editing, press ESC.
To save the file type (not in INSERT mode!)
:wq! (the : gives you a command prompt on the bottom line)
To exit without changing the file enter
:q!
Help with:
:help



To view a file you can use LESS.
less <filename><enter>
Scroll through the text with arrow keys or PGUP/PGDWN keys.
Exit with:
:q

Hope this helps.
There is also a more extensive builtin tutorial in vi. It takes about 30 min to complete and teaches you some more tricks (like search/replace and the like). You can enter this tutor in the help file:
:help
in the help file, scroll down until you find the tutor tag [tutor];
place your cursor on it and press ctrl-]

wow thanks!!

exactly what i need!

cheers guys!