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How to create a txt file in Linux easily?

Mathbeul Posted messages 14 Status Member -  
mamiemando Posted messages 33228 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   -

Hello,

I'm looking into switching from Windows to Mint soon, and I have a few questions related to my computer usage for which I can't find answers anywhere (yes, this may not be my last question).

I'm addicted to .txt files; I use them everywhere: leaving information in a folder (like "read me first"), noting an appointment, taking notes, making a list of emails, encoding text before changing the extension from .txt to .html, .rss, or something else (yes, I've gotten used to programming that way). ETC

On Windows, I right-click in an empty space and select New/Text Document, and I create as many as I want.

The thing is, is it that simple on Linux? I don't get that impression; all the forums seem to indicate that I need to enter a code in the terminal, use a word processing software, or some other complication that I find unnecessary. I insist: I CONSTANTLY create text files. If Linux doesn't have this basic function, there's a good chance I'll prefer the upcoming Windows 12 with its omnipresent AI. It's that serious.

How do I create a .txt file (plain text) on Linux?

Thank you for reassuring me; an OS without plain text files makes no sense to me.

2 answers

  1.
    brucine Posted messages 24846 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   4 169
     

    Hello,

    Not really very original.

    In Mint, apart from the command line, you can either right-click, create a new document, blank document, or use the "Text Editor": menu button on the left, text editor; there's also a Notes editor in the same menu.

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    1. jns55
       

      Hello,

      You can check here:

      https://distrosea.com/en/select/linuxmint/

      scroll down the screen to discover the "Start Linux Mint" button.

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      1. Mathbeul Posted messages 14 Status Member 3 > jns55
         

        really great, I was hesitating to test it from a USB stick to get familiar with it before installing, but now it’s even simpler.

        Thanks for the link.

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      2. jns55 > Mathbeul Posted messages 14 Status Member
         

        Hello,

        It's just good for quickly getting a general idea of the OS. If you want an active internet connection, you need to register on the site.

        It's still less responsive than a live USB...

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  2. mamiemando Posted messages 33228 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   7 940
     

    Hello,

    Yes, it's a "basic" feature.

    In text mode (from a terminal), you just need to use the echo command:

    echo "Hello world" > ~/message.txt

    It's even at the heart of Linux commands, so many are designed to manipulate, extract, and reformat text (e.g., find, grep, etc.)

    In graphical mode, it depends on the graphical environment you are using under Linux (Gnome, Cinnamon, KDE...), and hence does not depend on the distribution. In fact, as jns55 says, you can in your file explorer (nautilus, konqueror, dolphin, ...) right-click > New > Text File. And Linux Mint is indeed a good choice to get started.

    Good luck

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