[sublimetext2] Showing the same file in both columns of a Sublime Text window

When I have 2 columns set in a Sublime Text window, can I display the same file in both columns?

View -> Layout -> Choose one option or use shortcut

Layout        Shortcut

Single        Alt + Shift + 1
Columns: 2    Alt + Shift + 2
Columns: 3    Alt + Shift + 3
Columns: 4    Alt + Shift + 4
Rows: 2       Alt + Shift + 8
Rows: 3       Alt + Shift + 9
Grid: 4       Alt + Shift + 5

Inside sublime editor,Find the Tab named View,

View --> Layout --> "select your need"

It is possible to edit same file in Split mode. It is best explained in following youtube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2cMEeE1aOk

I regularly work on the same file in 2 different positions. I solved this in Sublime Text 3 using origami and chain with some additional config.

My workflow is Ctrl + k + 2 splits the view of the file in two (horizontal) panes with the lower one active. Use Ctrl + k + o to toggle between the panes. When done ensure the lower pane is the active and press Ctrl + F4 to close the duplicated view and the pane.

In sublime global settings (not origami settings!) add

"origami_auto_close_empty_panes": true,

Add the following shortcuts

  { "keys": ["ctrl+k", "2"], 
    "command": "chain", 
    "args": {
      "commands": [
        ["create_pane", {"direction": "down"}],
        ["clone_file_to_pane", {"direction": "down"}],
      ],
    }
  },

  { "keys": ["ctrl+k", "o"], "command": "focus_neighboring_group" },

I would suggest you to use Origami. Its a great plugin for splitting the screen. For better information on keyboard short cuts install it and after restarting Sublime text open Preferences->Package Settings -> Origami -> Key Bindings - Default

For specific to your question I would suggest you to see the short cuts related to cloning of files in the above mentioned file.

Kinda little late but I tried to extend @Tobia's answer to set the layout "horizontal" or "vertical" driven by the command argument e.g.

{"keys": ["f6"], "command": "split_pane", "args": {"split_type": "vertical"} } 

Plugin code:

import sublime_plugin


class SplitPaneCommand(sublime_plugin.WindowCommand):
    def run(self, split_type):
        w = self.window
        if w.num_groups() == 1:
            if (split_type == "horizontal"):
                w.run_command('set_layout', {
                    'cols': [0.0, 1.0],
                    'rows': [0.0, 0.33, 1.0],
                    'cells': [[0, 0, 1, 1], [0, 1, 1, 2]]
                })
            elif (split_type == "vertical"):
                w.run_command('set_layout', {
                    "cols": [0.0, 0.46, 1.0],
                    "rows": [0.0, 1.0],
                    "cells": [[0, 0, 1, 1], [1, 0, 2, 1]]
                })

            w.focus_group(0)
            w.run_command('clone_file')
            w.run_command('move_to_group', {'group': 1})
            w.focus_group(1)
        else:
            w.focus_group(1)
            w.run_command('close')
            w.run_command('set_layout', {
                'cols': [0.0, 1.0],
                'rows': [0.0, 1.0],
                'cells': [[0, 0, 1, 1]]
            })

Its Shift + Alt + 2 to split into 2 screens. More options are found under the menu item View -> Layout.
Once the screen is split, you can open files using the shortcuts:
1. Ctrl + P (From existing directories within sublime) or
2. Ctrl + O(Browse directory)

Here is a simple plugin to "open / close a splitter" into the current file, as found in other editors:

import sublime_plugin

class SplitPaneCommand(sublime_plugin.WindowCommand):
    def run(self):
        w = self.window
        if w.num_groups() == 1:
            w.run_command('set_layout', {
                'cols': [0.0, 1.0],
                'rows': [0.0, 0.33, 1.0],
                'cells': [[0, 0, 1, 1], [0, 1, 1, 2]]
            })
            w.focus_group(0)
            w.run_command('clone_file')
            w.run_command('move_to_group', {'group': 1})
            w.focus_group(1)
        else:
            w.focus_group(1)
            w.run_command('close')
            w.run_command('set_layout', {
                'cols': [0.0, 1.0],
                'rows': [0.0, 1.0],
                'cells': [[0, 0, 1, 1]]
            })

Save it as Packages/User/split_pane.py and bind it to some hotkey:

{"keys": ["f6"], "command": "split_pane"},

If you want to change to vertical split change with following

        "cols": [0.0, 0.46, 1.0],
        "rows": [0.0, 1.0],
        "cells": [[0, 0, 1, 1], [1, 0, 2, 1]]