Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!apple!spies!zorch!xanthian From: xanthian@zorch.SF-Bay.ORG (Kent Paul Dolan) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy Subject: Re: HEY- editor wars! Keywords: editor Message-ID: <1991Jan29.140613.20469@zorch.SF-Bay.ORG> Date: 29 Jan 91 14:06:13 GMT References: <1991Jan28.165534.110@convex.com> <1991Jan28.201856.7624@cbnews.att.com> <1991Jan28.214019.14781@convex.com> Organization: SF-Bay Public-Access Unix Lines: 61 swarren@convex.com (Steve Warren) writes: > I backspace over and continue typing. In vi this requires you to > (after the mistake) hit the to switch modes, then type 'x' to > delete the character, then type 'a' to go back into insert mode at the > end of the line. All you need to do in emacs is hit the backspace key > to accomplish the same thing. itch@cbnews.att.com (richard.m.brack) writes: > This is not true at all. I use the backspace key in vi all the time to > go back and correct a typo. You don't have to use 'x' 'a' all > the time. Just to make sure, let me try the backspace key, yep, worked swarren@convex.com (Steve Warren) writes: > So THAT'S the reason I don't get in these discussions!!! ;^) > Actually I just tried this and it does work as Richard stated. Well, you had the right idea, but the wrong example; you just want to compare fixing up an error far enough back that you don't want to type all the stuff between over again. In emacs, this is: mark current spot navigate to error remove error with backspace type correction return to mark while in vi, it is: change mode to control mode mark current spot navigate to error remove error with "x" \ change mode to insert mode >-- these can sometimes be replaced by: type correction / change mode to substitute mode change mode to control mode type correction return to mark change mode to insert mode which is what emacs users don't like about vi, while what vi users don't like about emacs is the more primitive navigation tools. Of course, if you have an emacs point and shoot mouse interface, you are even further ahead of the game, presuming you like to use a mouse while editing (I hate it). > However, I stand by my assertion that it is just as inefficient to > have to switch modes for [most] editing and switch again for text > insertion, as it is to have to hold down a key for editing > commands in emacs. Oh, probably a lot worse, though emacs users tend to be able to stand supported by their left pinky alone after a while. Kent, the man from xanth.