[SOLVED] How to edit a file in treminal

**harsh_** · June 21st, 2008

I have this file vsftpd.conf; for vsftpd...But when i edit the file using gedit it gives me an error "This file can be only written by root.U don have enuf permisions"

Something to do with sudo/chmod.... Please help and even if i execute sudo gedit vsftpd.conf
then wrie something for the file in the terminal itself??? Please elaborate... I'm new to linux

**Vivaldi Gloria** · June 21st, 2008

Press Alt+F2 and

Code:

gksudo gedit /path_to_the_file/filename

Or in the terminal try

Code:

sudo nano /path_to_the_file/filename

In order to use a program as root use gksudo in graphical environments and sudo in the terminal.

You press Alt+F2 and

Code:

gksudo nautilus

to browse your filesystem as root.

**drs305** · June 21st, 2008

Originally Posted by harsh_

I have this file vsftpd.conf; for vsftpd...But when i edit the file using gedit it gives me an error "This file can be only written by root.U don have enuf permisions"

Something to do with sudo/chmod.... Please help and even if i execute sudo gedit vsftpd.conf
then wrie something for the file in the terminal itself??? Please elaborate... I'm new to linux

When you receive a message like that it means that you are trying to edit a system file or a file owned by another user. You don't normally have permission to change those files. However, you can temporarily gain permission to edit these files by assuming administrative powers.

You do this with the sudo command. Open your text editor with the following command. I use gedit, but you may use nano, vi, etc. For graphical applications, 'gksudo' is preferred over 'sudo'.

Code:

gksudo gedit /path/filename

It will ask for a password. Enter your password. You will not see anything but it will be registered. Hit enter and you should now be able to edit the file.