Why do I not use Emacs? A good question, and the reason is more about vim, not Emacs. Both of them are fairly comparable and achieve similar levels in extensibility, flexibility and productivity, except in complete contrast ways. They really contrast each other in various ways. Let me list a couple here, which are based on the difference that vim is a modal editor and Emacs is not:
- The default mode of vim is the command mode (though you can start vim in easy mode, which behaves like a modeless editor ready for editing), and you need to type some commands before you can start editing. Emacs is always in the editing mode.
- Emacs uses a lot of
ControlandMetaorAltkeys to execute the commands. I have got used to using the core keys of the keyboard so much that I find using the combination keys as inconvenient as the mouse.
There are some other differences, but these two are enough to make me feel extremely uncomfortable with Emacs. I think Emacs is great, but not suitable for someone who is deep into vim. I believe it is true the other way round too.
I did not use Emacs because I was started with vi and it has done everything I wanted. I tried Emacs for about an hour and found myself frustrated over having to use the Control key so much. I think it is a matter of philosophy behind the tools, and the more you start believing in it, the more you are drawn away from others.
February 9th, 2008 at 2:54 am
I agree with 2 points :
- Emacs has way too many Ctrl and Alt key combinations even for simple operations.
- For someone who is deep into vim, it is VERY difficult, if not impossible, to get used to Emacs.
February 10th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
M-x viper. Emacs has a vi emulation mode, and I wouldn’t use emacs without it. That way I get all the goodies that emacs has (and vim might have grown since).