Introduction

    You can use the Line Editor (EDLIN) to create, change, and display
    source files or text files. Source files are unassembled programs in
    source language format. Text files appear in a legible format.

    EDLIN is a line text editor that you can use to:

    ■   Create new source files and save them

    ■   Update existing files and save both the updated and original files

    ■   Delete, edit, insert, and display lines

    ■   Search for, delete, or replace text within one or more lines


    The text of files created or edited by EDLIN is divided into lines of
    varying length, up to 253 characters per line.

    Line numbers are generated and displayed by EDLIN during the editing
    process, but are not actually present in the saved file.

    When you insert lines, all line numbers following the inserted text ad-
    vance automatically by the number of lines inserted. When you delete
    lines, all line numbers following the deleted text decrease automati-
    cally by the number of lines deleted. Consequently, line numbers always
    go consecutively from 1 through the last line number.

       Note:
       EDLIN erases the original backup copy (.BAK) of the file when you
       issue an E (End Edit) command, or if the disk space is required
       during the editing session to satisfy a W (Write Lines) command.