Re: Who uses vi?

umberto.quaia_at_tin.it
Date: 09/02/03 

Date: Tue, 02 Sep 2003 12:23:42 +0200

"ViperDK \(Daniel K.\)" <ViperDK@gmx.net> writes:

> i still use the cheap "ee" editor and i wonder how many people use vi and
> wheter it's worth the efford to get used to it or even with emacs - or
> wheter its only a part of history.

I use both Vim and Emacs, and I'm really fond of them.

They're THE editors. First things I do after installing Microsoft
Windows is to install Vim and (X)Emacs ports for Windows. Even for
editing remote files, I prefer to net use remote share and then use
vim -n \\remote\path\file
(I install vim command line version too, of course ;-) ).

Graphical syntax highlighting is useful when you're programming. You
can see at a glance if there's something missing and program flow is
easier to follow. Only pity is that on Windows many programs which Vim
and Emacs interface to are not available... But on FreeBSD, Linux and
UNIX you can use them in all their glory!

One of the funny things of Emacs is that it teaches commands to you.
You type M-x, part of a command, then TAB tells you all the commands
available starting with that command. The same when you open a
file. With both editors, you can move between files efficiently and
graphically compare them. They can find/show matching parenthesis for
you. I've worked on a thick publication made with LaTeX. They've been
invaluable tools for comparing versions and correcting errors. You can
enable and disable auto-fill mode as needed, suit them to the needed
indent style, virtually anything.

And let's not forget ed commands. I have some scripts which use ed
commands to automatically manipulate database schemas to divide them
in pieces, eliminate unwanted parts/modify owners and the like.

Really unbeatable!

My question is, instead.
Why are you even thinking of using other editors?

You are missing a whole world of possibility.

You have to learn some commands, but both editors have inline manuals,
and results are definitely worth the effort!

The useful part of vi is that you can find it everywhere.
You can't tell the same about ee, pico, or whichever editor of the
moment.

Emacs too is generally available for every platform, but many
administrators don't install it because it eats more space than vi.

So it's a good idea to know vi, at least the main commands.

Umberto Quaia

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