Do I Really Need to Learn Editors Like VIM/Emacs?

In today's digital age, understanding and utilizing different text editors can significantly enhance your productivity. However, the question remains: do you really need to delve into editors like Vim or Emacs? Let's explore this in detail and delve into the reasons why these editors have become essential tools for many software engineers and developers.

Introduction to Vim and Emacs

Both Vim and Emacs are powerful, highly customizable text editors that offer a multitude of features, making them invaluable for developers who work closely with code. These editors are known for their efficiency, extensive feature sets, and the flexibility they provide in workflows. However, not everyone is familiar with Vim and Emacs' unique benefits, especially when looking for a more straightforward and user-friendly alternative.

My Personal Experience with Vim and Emacs

Before my first job as a software engineer, my familiarity with Vim and Emacs was limited to making basic changes and using save and quit commands. Moving to a large financial institution, where software installations were highly restricted, I faced a challenge. Without the ability to install my preferred text editor, such as Emacs, I had to learn Vim to stay productive.

The journey to mastering Vim was challenging but rewarding. My boss, who was an avid Vim user, was thrilled and even laughed at my occasional reliance on traditional arrow key navigation. Over time, my proficiency in Vim grew, and when I finally managed to install Emacs, I was already habituated to Vim's keybindings. Today, I find it difficult to go back to the standard keybindings for text editing.

The Advantages of Learning Vim Keybindings

Learning Vim keybindings can provide several benefits, which are especially useful for those who spend a significant amount of time editing code or other text-heavy documents.

Efficiency: Vim's modeless approach, where commands can be used without entering a specific mode, allows for rapid text manipulation and editing. Customizability: Vim is highly customizable, allowing users to tailor the editor to their specific needs and preferences. Portability: Since Vim is available on almost every platform, including embedded systems, it's a reliable choice for cross-platform development.

The transition to Emacs, while initially frustrating due to the different keybindings, was eased by the use of the EVIL package, which provides a Vim-like interface within Emacs.

Why You Might Not Need Vim or Emacs

For many developers, using a more integrated development environment (IDE), such as VS Code, Eclipse, or Visual Studio, might be a more practical and user-friendly option. These IDEs offer a comprehensive suite of tools specifically designed for programming, making them ideal for workflow management and code editing.

IDE Features: IDEs like VS Code or Eclipse come with built-in source control management, debugging tools, and rich plugin systems, which can enhance the development experience. Native Integration: IDEs are often designed with specific languages and frameworks in mind, providing tailored support and features. User-Friendliness: IDEs are generally more intuitive and user-friendly, making them more accessible for programmers of all skill levels.

While Vim and Emacs offer unparalleled flexibility and efficiency, particularly in non-IDE contexts, for many programmers, the added convenience and comprehensive toolsets of IDEs make them the preferred choice. However, those who work in environments without access to IDEs or require the flexibility that Vim and Emacs provide may find these editors indispensable.

Conclusion

Whether you should learn Vim or Emacs ultimately depends on your specific needs and environment. For those who thrive in a highly customizable, low-level environment and need to work in situations without access to robust IDEs, Vim and Emacs are invaluable. For others, the ease and comprehensive features of modern IDEs like VS Code or Eclipse might be a better fit.

Recommendations

If you're open to learning Vim keybindings, consider using them in Emacs with the EVIL package or exploring alternatives like Doom Emacs or Spacemacs, which offer streamlined and opinionated setups. For those who prioritize ease of use and comprehensive toolsets, modern IDEs like VS Code, Eclipse, or Visual Studio are excellent choices.