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This is common knowledge already, but the Esc key to change modes was chosen because it made sense when used in ADM-3A[1], which was the terminal used to develo

This is common knowledge already, but the Esc key to change modes was chosen because it made sense when used in ADM-3A[1], which was the terminal used to develop the initial vi version. Although many people today use Caps Lock for this, the Esc in these terminals was originally in Tab's position. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADM-3A https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADM-3A

kps 3y ago
TECO, though not a visual editor, used the same `[count] command [text ESC]` structure as vi. (It's not a mode switch, it's an argument terminator.)
csdvrx 3y ago
In my vim: - using Tab while in insert mode leaves the insert mode - using Tab while typing commands enables the autocomplete I believe this is a great setup to be closer to the home row when it's not possible to remap Caps to Esc (when alone)+Control (when chorded)
- kugurerdem 3y ago
  But what do you use to insert tabs then? For me, giving up Caps Lock would be a lot more convenient than giving up Tab, because I almost never use Caps Lock, whereas I use Tab a lot.
  - csdvrx 3y ago
    Initially, this was my "alternative" setup when I couldn't have Caps lock mapped to both Esc+Control and only doing control, but I've found it easier than using Control-[ for Esc (I never got into this habit) and more reliable that betting wherever I expect Esc to be on the keyboard is where Esc will actually be, or that I'll be on a system with Caps properly remapped. I need to reliably enter/leave edit mode way more than I need to insert tabs, but I can still insert tabs when needed with Ctrl-q Tab When do you need to insert tabs in vim? Personally, I rarely need to insert raw tabs: the only exception may be Makefiles (and for that I have a configuration)
  - AmalgatedAmoeba 3y ago
    Wouldn’t consider it a real alternative, but you increase/decrease indentation in insert mode with ^t/^d
kugurerdem 3y ago
I didn't know that, that's a really cool information. Thank you! :)

kps 3y ago

TECO, though not a visual editor, used the same `[count] command [text ESC]` structure as vi. (It's not a mode switch, it's an argument terminator.)

csdvrx 3y ago

In my vim: - using Tab while in insert mode leaves the insert mode - using Tab while typing commands enables the autocomplete I believe this is a great setup to be closer to the home row when it's not possible to remap Caps to Esc (when alone)+Control (when chorded)

kugurerdem 3y ago
But what do you use to insert tabs then? For me, giving up Caps Lock would be a lot more convenient than giving up Tab, because I almost never use Caps Lock, whereas I use Tab a lot.
- csdvrx 3y ago
  Initially, this was my "alternative" setup when I couldn't have Caps lock mapped to both Esc+Control and only doing control, but I've found it easier than using Control-[ for Esc (I never got into this habit) and more reliable that betting wherever I expect Esc to be on the keyboard is where Esc will actually be, or that I'll be on a system with Caps properly remapped. I need to reliably enter/leave edit mode way more than I need to insert tabs, but I can still insert tabs when needed with Ctrl-q Tab When do you need to insert tabs in vim? Personally, I rarely need to insert raw tabs: the only exception may be Makefiles (and for that I have a configuration)
- AmalgatedAmoeba 3y ago
  Wouldn’t consider it a real alternative, but you increase/decrease indentation in insert mode with ^t/^d

kugurerdem 3y ago

I didn't know that, that's a really cool information. Thank you! :)