gedit

What is gedit?

gedit is a cross-platform, syntax-highlighting text editor.

Why do I need gedit?

To write your code in! Word is a fine program, but it is not a text editor.

Get gedit!

• Gedit’s main site: http://projects.gnome.org/gedit/ . Download links are in the upper right corner.
• (alternate) copy the installer from the Group Guide memory stick.

windows

http://ftp.gnome.org/pub/GNOME/binaries/win32/gedit/2.30/gedit-setup-2.30.1-1.exe

Mac OSX

• http://ftp.gnome.org/pub/GNOME/binaries/mac/gedit/2.30/gedit-2.30.2.dmg
• install using the usual OSX ‘DMG’ style drag and drop installer.
• add the application to your dock if you are so inclined.

Linux

Gedit is probably installed on your machine already.

• ubuntu/debian: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/gedit and follow the instructions
• redhat: yum install gedit
• build form source: http://ftp.gnome.org/pub/GNOME/sources/gedit/2.30/gedit-2.30.2.tar.gz

Verify It Works!

After installing, start gedit up by clicking on its icon, typing gedit from your cli or the like.

Suggested configuration:

In the preferences window

• view, turn on:

  • display line numbers
  • display right margin
  • highlight matching bracket
  • highlight current line
  • syntax-highlighting: Highlight Mode -> Scripts -> Python

• editor:

  • change tab with to 4
  • check the box to insert spaces instead of tabs

• font & colors:

  • choose a good monospace editor font
  • choose a color scheme (Gregg likes Cobalt)

• plugins

  • checkupdate
  • code comment
  • drawspaces
  • filebrowser
  • indentlines
  • python console

Once you are satified, restart gedit. If it looks similar to the screenshot below, you are done!