# A very simple guide to GNU Emacs

**Published:** September 6, 2016
**Tags:** Editor

**Summary:** A beginner guide to GNU Emacs: why use it for coding, how to install it on Ubuntu, and the essential file, edit and cursor shortcuts


---

This guide was written in Emacs editor.

## Introduction to GNU Emacs

GNU Emacs is a text editor in GNU project.

Why should we use Emacs for code editing?

- High perfomancce
- Many awesome features for programming:
  - Jump to any header file.
  - Autocompletion.
  - Showing function arguments.
  - Quickly comment.
  - And many more features depending on your configuration.

## Installation

This guide uses GNU Emacs running on Ubuntu 16.04.

To Install Emacs, you can simply open Terminal and type:

```
sudo apt-get install emacs
```

If you're using another operating system, just Google and you can easily find the installation guide for your OS.

## Using Emacs

To start Emacs, open Terminal and type `emacs&` to open Emacs GUI or `emacs -nw` to open Emacs Terminal.

### Basic shortcuts in Emacs

Firstly, in Emacs shortcuts, 'C' will stand for Ctrl key and 'M' will stand for Meta key (Esc key or Alt key on your keyboard).

#### 1.File:

| Shortcut | Description          |
| -------- | -------------------- |
| C-x C-f  | Open file            |
| C-x C-s  | Save                 |
| C-x C-w  | Save as              |
| C-x s    | Save all             |
| C-x C-v  | Revert to file       |
| M-x      | Revert Buffer        |
| C-x k    | Close Windows/Buffer |
| C-x C-c  | Quit                 |

#### 2.Edit:

| Shortcut           | Description                                             |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| C-\_               | Undo                                                    |
| C-Space            | Begin Selection                                         |
| C-g                | Cancel Seclection                                       |
| C-w                | Cut Seclection                                          |
| C-k                | Cut Line (From current position to the end of the line) |
| C-y                | Paste                                                   |
| C-x r s `<number>` | Copy Selection to Numbered Clipboard                    |
| C-x r i `<number>` | Paste from Numbered Clipboard                           |
| Delete or C-d      | Delete                                                  |
| M-Delete           | Delete Word Before The Cursor                           |
| M-d                | Fwd Delete Word                                         |

#### 3.Cursor Movement:

| Shortcut      | Description                     |
| ------------- | ------------------------------- |
| M-f           | Word Forward                    |
| M-b           | Word Backward                   |
| C-a / C-e     | Jump to beginning / end of line |
| M-\{ / M-\}   | Paragraph Forward / Backward    |
| C-v / M-v     | Page Forward / Backward         |
| M-< / M->     | Jump to beginning / end of file |
| M-C-a / M-C-e | C Function Forward / Backward   |

Above is a very basic guide to GNU Emacs. You can find more documents about Emacs at : [GNU Emacs - GNU Projects](https://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/).