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Why does a txt file take so long to open in Notepad or Wordpad

Oldjim
Resting Legend
Posts: 38,460
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Registered: ‎15-06-2007

Why does a txt file take so long to open in Notepad or Wordpad

Occasionally I want to check the routerstats log which is about 67,000 lines long
If I use Notepad or Wordpad it takes ages to fully open so I can see the last few lines but if I use Word or Libre Office (writer or calc) it is much quicker
11 REPLIES 11
twocvbloke
Seasoned Hero
Posts: 6,399
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Registered: ‎06-11-2014

Re: Why does a txt file take so long to open in Notepad or Wordpad

Hang on a sec, I'll go find where I read the reason....
Edit:
Found it, the reason is:
"Microsoft Windows: A collection of 32bit extensions and a graphical shell for a 16bit patch to an 8bit O.S. originally coded for a 4bit microprocessor written by a 2bit company who cant stand 1 bit of competition."
Grin
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Why does a txt file take so long to open in Notepad or Wordpad

NotePad++ Is the dog's danglies as far as editors go.
You can get it from here if you want it : http://notepad-plus-plus.org/
avatastic
Grafter
Posts: 1,136
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Registered: ‎30-07-2007

Re: Why does a txt file take so long to open in Notepad or Wordpad

+1 for np++.
As for the reason, <note|word>pad will be trying to load the entire file at once, Word/Libre Office will step through the file as you scroll through it.
F9 member since 4 Sep 1999
F9 ADSL customer since 27 Aug 2004
DLM manages your line the same way DRM manages your rights.
Look at all the pretty graphs! (now with uptime logging!)
Strat
Community Veteran
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Re: Why does a txt file take so long to open in Notepad or Wordpad

I knew there was something I forgot to reinstall after my rebuild.
Edit: I've just reinstalled it with the latest version and it has an interesting built-in opening page.
Windows 10 Firefox 109.0 (64-bit)
To argue with someone who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead - Thomas Paine
VileReynard
Hero
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Registered: ‎01-09-2007

Re: Why does a txt file take so long to open in Notepad or Wordpad

Quote
jeremy@hector:~$ tail ~/'Links/Link to Manuals/Ubuntu_Linux_Bible.pdf'
0046435628 00000 n
0046435738 00000 n
0046435848 00000 n
0046435949 00000 n
0046439495 00000 n
trailer
<</Size 11675>>
startxref
116
%%EOF

Gives an instant response for the last few lines of a 45MByte file. Grin Grin Grin

"In The Beginning Was The Word, And The Word Was Aardvark."

dvorak
Moderator
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Registered: ‎11-01-2008

Re: Why does a txt file take so long to open in Notepad or Wordpad

prefer UltraEdit myself..
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Oldjim
Resting Legend
Posts: 38,460
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Fixes: 63
Registered: ‎15-06-2007

Re: Why does a txt file take so long to open in Notepad or Wordpad

With Notepad ++ it is instantaneous  Grin
Oldjim
Resting Legend
Posts: 38,460
Thanks: 787
Fixes: 63
Registered: ‎15-06-2007

Re: Why does a txt file take so long to open in Notepad or Wordpad

I should have used Google to find the answer
Turning Word Wrap off just about fixes it but it still isn't as fast as Notepad ++ although by default it doesn't use Word Wrap
sjptd
Grafter
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Registered: ‎01-09-2014

Re: Why does a txt file take so long to open in Notepad or Wordpad

I use Notepad++ as general editor of choice.  However, for very large files I find others quicker, such as EditPad Lite, which can also open files too big for Notepad++.  As it doesn't read into main memory searches can be slower.
JayG
Pro
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Registered: ‎30-10-2011

Re: Why does a txt file take so long to open in Notepad or Wordpad

Quote from: Strat
I knew there was something I forgot to reinstall after my rebuild.
Edit: I've just reinstalled it with the latest version and it has an interesting built-in opening page.

That's an extra special version just for forum moderators!!  Grin
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: Why does a txt file take so long to open in Notepad or Wordpad

There is of course Emacs, this is way more than an editor, but can take a bit of getting used to and involves a fair bit of keyboard ballet. Having said that it does come with it's own Psychotherapist and is also supported on Windows.