How To Edit A Large File
I recently needed to edit (actually search) a 1.4 GIG file. I use Sublime Text for almost everything, but knew that it really wasn’t designed for huge files.
My first try was Notepad++ because I love it and remembered using it on a large file before. Nope – it wouldn’t even start.
I thought that I had gVim installed, but didn’t. That took me on a Google search and I found some amazing editors that handle massive files.
One of the editors I found was EmEditor and it rocked this huge file! It opened my 1.4 GIG file in seconds and searched the entire file for a phrase in under 20 seconds. I was blown away. I already own several text editors (Sublime Text is my fave – paid for it) and since I only needed this one-time I won’t be purchasing it.
Another editor I found that handles even larger files is the 010 Editor – it can handle files in size up to 50 GIG – wow! I didn’t install it, but wanted to add it to this list because I think it handles the biggest file out of all editors (I could be wrong, but seriously – 50 GIG?).
If you use or know Linux, then a simple Grep will do the job easily. If you don’t know what Grep is, here’s a great article that shows how powerful it is: https://www.howtoforge.com/tutorial/linux-grep-command/
So when you’re looking to edit a large file (or perhaps huge file), these are great editors to use.
