Dedit

Dedit is a name that has appeared in computer software as the designation of a small, text-based editor used in some Unix-like and Plan 9 environments. The tool is described in limited documentation as a lightweight alternative to more feature-rich editors, intended for quick, scriptable edits from a terminal.

Design and operation: dedit is typically line-oriented, with a compact command set that allows users to navigate text, insert or delete lines, and perform simple substitutions. It operates on plain text files, often using standard input and output so it can be chained with other utilities in a Unix-like pipeline. The interface emphasizes minimalism and speed over interactive richness, making it suitable for simple editing tasks within scripts or quick one-off changes.

Context and lineage: The most commonly cited references to dedit come from Plan 9-related material, where it appeared as part of a suite of lightweight editing tools designed for the 9P networked environment. Because Plan 9 and its forks feature diverse documentation, several tools share similar names, and some references to dedit may actually describe different editors or legacy utilities. Consequently, precise historical details can be scarce outside niche archival sources.

See also: ed, sed, Plan 9 from Bell Labs, sam, acme.