The INed editor allows you to edit files that have up to 65,500 lines (regardless of the number of characters per line), provided the system allows files that large. The maximum file size allowed by a system varies. If you need to edit a file that is longer than 65,500 lines, use the split command to divide the file before editing it. (Use the cat command to rejoin the file when you complete the edit session.)
Note: Some INed editor functions do not work with files that are larger than 20,000 lines.
When you edit an ASCII file, the INed editor creates a corresponding ... (dots) file. Dots files are hidden files that the INed editor uses for recovery in case of system failure. The name of a dots file starts with three periods (...) followed by the first three characters of the file name, followed by a string of numbers and letters.
Dots files accumulate, and you should delete them periodically to free space in the file system. You should always delete the dots file when you are restoring a file into a directory where there is already a file with the same name. For example, if you back up a file, edit the file with the INed editor, and then restore the same file, you will see errors in the file when you try to edit it with the INed editor. In this case, use the del command to delete the dots file.
When you use the file manager, the INed editor records history information in the .index file in the current directory. Extensive use of the file manager can cause the .index file to become large. You can reduce the size of an .index file by using the rmhist command. When you use the rmhist command on an .index file, you lose history recorded in the .index file.
The cat command, del command, key maps command, split command in AIX Version 4.3 Commands Reference.
INed Editor Functions for the Standard Keyboard is a table that shows the INed editor command keys on a standard keyboard.