Chapter 4. Using Bless
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## Chapter 4. Using Bless

## Working with files

Bless supports multiple tabs in the Data View. Each tab contains data that belong to either an existing or a new file. In case the data is related to an existing file, the file's name is displayed on the tab label. Otherwise the tab is marked with a name of the form "Untitled `N`", where `N` is a number.

When a file has been modified since its last save, an asterisk "*" is displayed next to its name.

### Note

Bless can currently handle regular files and block device files (eg /dev/hda).

### Creating a new file

To create a new file for editing use File → New (Ctrl+N).

This action creates a new tab with an empty file.

### Opening an existing file

To open an existing file for editing use File → Open (Ctrl+O).

You may also open one or more existing files by dragging and dropping them into the Bless window.

This action normally creates a new tab containing the opened file. An exception to this happens when the tab that was active before opening the new file contained an empty file. In that case the old tab is replaced with the new one.

### Saving a file

- To save a file make sure the tab that contains it is active and use File → Save (Ctrl+S).

- To save a file under a different name or at another location, make sure the tab that contains it is active and use File → Save As (Shift+Ctrl+S).

### Note

If the data in a tab isn't related to an existing file (for example if it is a new file), the Save action actually performs a Save As action.

### Closing a file

To close a file, make sure the tab that contains it is active and use File → Close (Ctrl+W).

You can also close a file by clicking on the close icon on its tab label:

Figure 4.1. Closing a tab

### Note

If the file has changed since the previous save you will be prompted to save it.

### Changing the active file

You can switch between tabs, therefore making the file the tab contains the active one, using a number of ways:

- By clicking on the tab label of the tab you want to switch to.

- By pressing Alt+`N`, where `N` is the number of the tab you want to switch to. This method works for the first nine tabs. For example to switch to the second tab you should press Alt+2.

- By pressing Alt+Left arrow or Alt+Right arrow, you can switch to the tab immediately to the left or right of the currently active tab.

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