Alternate Remote SSH File Edit on Windows with Filezilla and ScITE
A few weeks ago, I mentioned some solutions to allow editing remote files via SSH from a Windows workstation. While I'm still seriously considering buying SFTPDrive for my main development workstations, I ran across another option: this one free.
When I was messing around in Filezilla (my FTP/SFTP client of choice) last night to change the permissions on some files, I noticed an option on the context menu that I'd somehow missed all this time. Right there above "Create Directory", which I've clicked a couple of hundred times in the last few months alone, was "View/Edit".
After digging through the config options, and making ScITE.exe my editor of choice and I can quickly edit files on any SSH server without having to map a drive. To make the best use of this chain of tools, you do need to change the following ScITE setting to "0" instead of 1.
check.if.already.open=0
This is because, when its set to 1, any new file loaded by ScITE will reuse the current open instance. However, because the file we're editing will only get updated when Filezilla detects that ScITE closes down all the way. That would be a problem if you've got other files open. Your changes to the remote file wouldn't be saved without closing all of your open files.
Once you change that setting, Filezilla will open a new copy of ScITE for each file you want to edit. Still only reasonable for more "quick" edits instead of ongoing development. However, better than nothing and offers an option for those on Windows who don't want to pony up the cash for SFTP Drive or just prefer this way of working.
Like I often say, no matter how much you may prefer Philips-head screwdrivers, sometimes the screw or bolt is a hex-head or slot. We use toolboxes instead of just keeping one tool on our belts because the right tool for the job is often different than it was for yesterday's job.
January 18th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
I use Filezilla too so I looked into what you mentioned. My View/Edit option - both for local and remote - whether I'm highlighting whitespace or an existing element, is greyed out.
I'm back on 2.2.28 after having some hiccups with the 2.2.30a the other, night so maybe you're on an earlier version (or maybe I'm getting tired).
January 18th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
I just checked and you're right. I'm on 2.2.18 (I don't seem to get around to upgrading it very often).
January 22nd, 2007 at 11:43 am
FWIW, 2.2.26a has the edit option. Seems to default to Notepad (which, for me, means Notepad++). Still, handy to know about. Just a few days ago I was lamenting not having CodeWright around anymore. Next to having perl as a macro language, FTP (though no SFTP in those days) support was high on the list of nifties.
March 19th, 2007 at 4:49 am
I use WinSCP and notepad++. Works pretty much the same way.
April 30th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
I wonder why Filezilla can't upload the file every time you save, without exiting the editor? Any discoveries on that?
Tom
April 30th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
I'm pretty sure it's because it's launching the editor, grabbing the process id and waiting for that process to exit as the event to trigger the upload.
That method will work with any editor, without needing any hooks into the save events. The other way is to watch the file modification timestamp on the temp file instead (uploading every time it changes), but all indications are that the chose the former rather than the latter as the solution to this particular problem.
April 30th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
It appears that WinSCP may do this, which would raise the usability a bit from "quick" edits. I'm going to download it and try.
September 26th, 2007 at 11:18 am
You wrote:
"you do need to change the following ScITE setting to "0" instead of 1.
check.if.already.open=0"
Where do I change this in SciTE?
Options includes Open Global Options File, but that just opens a blank page.
EUREKA!
I just entered
check.if.already.open=0
and clicked Save.
Now it works, and the Global Options file is no longer blank (it contains that one line).
September 26th, 2007 at 11:45 am
This is my third comment. It's been over four months since I downloaded WinSCP and Notepad++ and started using them as my web site editor system. I haven't looked back. They are smooth and slick. Highly recommend!
Very rarely use Filezilla or my old editor anymore. Not with what WinSCP does.
Tom