`Dirty Bit'

The last indicator before the name of the file tells you whether or not the file in the current buffer has been changed since an editing session began. If the file is unchanged, this field will be blank. If any change has been made, a period will appear. In addition, if the editor is waiting for direct input of hexadecimal characters (see the chapter on `Hex Mode' p. ) then the period becomes a question mark. For completeness the settings of the dirty bit can also be toggled. This is done with the command line commands

    set dirty = on
    set dirty = off

If should be noted that turning the dirty bit off is rather dangerous. If you try to leave the editor after turning it off the editor will not notice that the buffer has been changed and leave quietly.

Note: In addition to the attributes of the editor which are indicated in the status bar, there are a number of other optional settings available. (See for example, tabs (p. ), auto-indent (p. ) and word wrap. (p. )) Many of these, including all of the options mentioned above except the caps lock and yank buffer options, can be set differently for different buffers. They can also be stored away in a default file for later editing. For information on this subject, see the chapter on `defaults', p. .