How to use the command 'edit' (with examples)

The edit command is an alias to the run-mailcap tool’s action for editing. It’s primarily used to open and possibly edit files based on their MIME type, leveraging the system’s mailcap file to determine the appropriate application to handle the task. The edit command essentially allows users to interact with various types of files seamlessly through a consistent interface. This guide will explore different ways to employ this command, along with practical examples and detailed explanations.

Use case 1: Edit action to view any file on default mailcap explorer

Code:

edit filename

Motivation:

The motivation behind this command is the convenience it offers users. By entering a simple command, you can open and edit files without needing to remember or specify which program to use. If you’re frequently working with different file types, this saves time and eliminates uncertainty by delegating the decision of which application to use to the system’s mailcap mechanisms.

Explanation:

• edit: This is the core command that initiates the process. It automatically invokes the appropriate mailcap application to open the file based on its MIME type.
• filename: This represents the file you want to view or edit. When you pass the filename as an argument, the edit command checks the file’s MIME type and uses the mailcap file to determine which application to use for editing.

Example output:

The output of this command is not text-based but rather the opening of the file in the appropriate application. For instance, if you execute edit mydocument.pdf, the document could open in a PDF reader like Evince or Okular, depending on the mailcap configuration.

Use case 2: Using ‘run-mailcap’ for the edit action

Code:

run-mailcap --action=edit filename

Motivation:

Using run-mailcap with explicit action offers more granularity and transparency in command usage, appealing particularly to users who appreciate understanding or controlling the underlying mechanisms. It allows you to specify not just the file, but also explicitly indicate the action you’re requesting (in this case, edit). This can be useful in scripting and situations where clarity in process flow is crucial.

Explanation:

• run-mailcap: This is the root command that provides various actions via the mailcap configuration framework in UNIX-like systems.
• --action=edit: This specifies that the desired action on the file is to edit it. The double hyphen -- before action is a common syntax in command-line interfaces to specify a flag or an option.
• filename: Just like the previous example, this is the name of the file you aim to open or edit. Based on its MIME type, run-mailcap identifies and employs the appropriate application as mapped in the mailcap file.

Example output:

Similar to the first use case, invoking this command will not yield a text output in the terminal but will open the specified file in a suitable editor. For example, executing run-mailcap --action=edit image.jpeg may open the image in an editor like GIMP or an image viewer configured in the mailcap settings.

Conclusion:

The edit command, an alias to certain run-mailcap functionalities, exemplifies the efficiency of UNIX-like systems in handling files of various types through mailcap configurations. Whether employing the simple form or the more explicit run-mailcap command, users can expect streamlined file editing operations, adaptable to their configurations and setups. This flexibility and ease of use make it a powerful tool for users needing to manage diverse file types regularly.