Recommended Text Editors for CentOS (Alternatives to Windows Notepad)
CentOS, being a Linux distribution, does not include Windows Notepad by default. However, you can use the following free, open-source, and feature-rich alternatives that cater to different needs—from simple text editing to advanced code development.
Notepadqq is a Linux-native text editor designed to mimic the look and feel of Windows Notepad while adding developer-friendly features. It supports syntax highlighting for multiple languages (Python, Java, C++, etc.), multi-tab editing, code folding, find/replace with regex, and file comparison.
sudo dnf install epel-release
sudo dnf install notepadqq
Gedit is the default text editor for the GNOME desktop environment (common in CentOS). It offers a clean, intuitive GUI with syntax highlighting, auto-indentation, search/replace, and plugin support (e.g., for spell-checking or FTP integration).
sudo yum install gedit # CentOS 7 or earlier
sudo dnf install gedit # CentOS 8/Stream 8+
VS Code is a cross-platform, highly customizable editor from Microsoft. It supports syntax highlighting, code completion, debugging, Git integration, and a vast library of extensions (e.g., for Python, web development, or Docker).
sudo snap install --classic code # Snap package (recommended)
Nano is a command-line text editor that’s simple to use and pre-installed on most CentOS systems. It’s ideal for quick edits (e.g., configuration files) and supports basic navigation (arrow keys), search/replace, and copy/paste.
nano filename.txt # Open file
Ctrl+O to save, Ctrl+X to exit
Vim is a powerful, keyboard-driven editor known for its efficiency and extensibility. It supports macros, regex searches, split windows, and plugin ecosystems (e.g., vim-airline for status bars). While it has a steep learning curve, it’s indispensable for advanced users.
vim filename.txt # Open file
i to enter insert mode, Esc to exit, :wq to save/quit
Geany is a lightweight IDE (Integrated Development Environment) that combines a text editor with basic development tools. It supports project management, code compilation/run, syntax highlighting, and plugin extensions (e.g., for LaTeX or PHP).
sudo yum install geany # CentOS 7 or earlier
sudo dnf install geany # CentOS 8/Stream 8+
Each of these editors caters to different user needs—whether you’re a casual user, a developer, or a system administrator. For most CentOS users, Gedit (GUI) or Vim (CLI) will be the most practical starting points.