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Asked: 2024-09-24T13:27:01+05:30 In:

Can you suggest a good hex editor that can be used in the terminal on Ubuntu?

I’ve been diving into some low-level programming work recently and I can’t help but feel the need for a reliable hex editor to use directly in the terminal on my Ubuntu setup. I’ve dabbled a bit with some graphical options, but honestly, I prefer sticking to the command line for most of my tasks. I feel like I can get my work done much quicker and focus without all the distractions.

I’ve done some research and stumbled upon a few hex editors, but nothing has really stood out to me yet. I guess what I’m looking for is something intuitive but powerful—like a tool that doesn’t come with a million options that I’ll never need. I’ve seen mentions of tools like `hexedit`, `bless`, and `xxd`, but I don’t have any personal experience with them, and I’m not sure how they stack up against each other.

Has anyone here used a hex editor in the terminal that they absolutely love? I’d really appreciate any recommendations, especially if you can share why you like it. It would be great to know about features that you find particularly useful—like ability to view as ASCII, search through binary files, or even edit files without issues. I also value speed, so if it’s lightweight and doesn’t have a steep learning curve, that would be a huge bonus.

I’m also curious if anyone has faced any particular challenges using these tools. Like, are there any quirks or limitations I should be aware of? Since I’m handling some sensitive data, I definitely want to stay away from anything that might corrupt my files just because I overlooked something.

So, if you’ve got a favorite hex editor that you think I should check out, please share! I’d love to get some community insights into what’s user-friendly, effective, and simply makes hex editing a more enjoyable process. Thanks in advance for your help!

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    2 Answers


    1. If you’re looking for a terminal-based hex editor, two tools stand out based on usability and features: hexedit and hexcurse. hexedit is particularly intuitive, offering a simple and clean interface, perfect for quickly navigating and editing binary files without overwhelming options. It allows you to see both hex and ASCII representations of the data side by side, making it easier to understand what you’re working with. Additionally, it has useful features such as searching and easy file manipulation, ensuring that your hex editing experience is efficient and effective. On the other hand, hexcurse is a bit more advanced; it runs in a full-screen terminal and gives a broader set of functionalities, including a history of changes and more sophisticated searching capabilities. However, it may have a slight learning curve due to its extensive features.

      While both of these tools are robust, they can have their quirks. One common challenge users face with hexedit is that it might not handle very large files as seamlessly as a file manager would, which could lead to performance issues. With hexcurse, the complexity of its features might be daunting at first, but after a short acclimatization period, it becomes an invaluable asset. As you mentioned dealing with sensitive data, always remember to make backups before editing files, as there can be risks of corruption if you inadvertently change key bytes. Overall, I recommend starting with hexedit for its ease of use, and if you find yourself needing more features later, consider trying hexcurse to expand your editing capabilities.



    2. For terminal-based hex editing on Ubuntu, a few options come to mind that might work well for you:

      • hexedit – This is a straightforward and lightweight hex editor that runs in the terminal. It has a simple interface, allowing you to view and edit files easily. You can see both hex and ASCII representations, which is pretty handy. To install it, just run sudo apt install hexedit.
      • xxd – This one is more of a command-line tool than a full-fledged editor, but it can create hex dumps of files and convert them back to binary. You can use it for simple tasks like viewing hex or ASCII, but you’ll need a separate command to edit the binary. It’s part of the vim-common package, so it should already be installed or you can get it with sudo apt install vim-common.
      • bvi (Binary VI) – If you’re familiar with Vim, this might feel like home. It’s a bit more powerful, allowing you to use many Vim commands while working in hex mode. It also has features for searching and editing, but might have a slightly steeper learning curve if you’re not used to Vim. Install it with sudo apt install bvi.

      Many people enjoy hexedit for its simplicity, especially when they want to get their tasks done quickly without getting overwhelmed by options. You’ll find it has just the right amount of features for most low-level programming tasks—like searching for patterns and editing data without too much fuss.

      As for challenges, there can be some limitations with these editors. For example, with xxd, since it’s not a real editor, you need to be careful because editing is a separate step, and it might feel clunky if you’re used to dedicated editors. Also, any hex editor can potentially corrupt files if you’re not careful with what you change, so always keep backups of the files you’re working on, just in case.

      It really comes down to your preference for usability—try them out and see which fits your workflow best. Happy editing!


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