Using BBedit to edit system files

Jul 05, '02 11:47:26AM

Contributed by: JoseyWales

Parts of this have already been submitted, but here are a couple of very cool things with BBEdit. I found them out while editing various system files to make my default paper size A4 (please, Apple, let's have a system-wide setting for preferred paper size!).

  1. If you open a root-owned file using BBEdit (either by drag-and-drop, or by using the command line), you will be able to edit it. When you start making changes it will ask you if you're sure; and when you save it it will ask for an admin password. Much easier than "sudo pico ..."

  2. What's more, if you drag-and-drop any package onto BBEdit, the package contents will be viewed in BBEdit's Disk Browser. This gives you a hierarchical view of the files in the package; and if you select a file (e.g. a .plist file) it will preview the file's contents in the Disk Browser. If it's the right file, simply double click and edit as in step 1.
Much easier than fiddling around in the Terminal!

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