Re: [dev] Experimental editor

On Fri, Jun 17, 2011 at 11:07, markus schnalke <meillo_AT_marmaro.de> wrote:
> [2011-06-15 14:47] Connor Lane Smith <cls_AT_lubutu.com>
>> On 15 June 2011 12:26, markus schnalke <meillo_AT_marmaro.de> wrote:
> In vi, you enter insert mode, which you consider a real mode, with `i'
> and leave it with Escape. Likewise you enter ex mode (i.e. last-line
> mode), which you consider a quasimode, with `:' and leave it with
> Enter. It surely isn't a mode you stay long in, but there is no reason
> why it shouldn't be seen as a real mode. You understand my point of
> view?

In fact, he shares it. You just think that he thinks that ex mode is a
quasimode, which it isn't, and which he doesn't.

>> This. I want keys to always mean the same thing.
>
> I'd say that the meaning of `f' isn't the same as the meaning of `f'
> if you hold Ctrl at the same time. Where's the difference if you alter
> the meaning of a key with a modifier key or with a mode? Okay, the
> former modification drops as soon as you release the key.

That's the difference that matters. You can never *not* know whether you
are in a quasimode or not.
Also, composition, or complexity of the underlying model. Consider ex
mode. How do you edit text in it? You don't have normal mode to help
you, it only operates on "real" buffers, and you certainly don't have
ex mode available. If "ex mode" were just a command buffer, you could
use every piece of functionality your editor provided, maybe even open
another command buffer operating on the current one.
Or simply, as Connor put it, "all we're doing is editing text."

>> Too often they don't,
>> and you end up not knowing what on Earth is happening. With this
>> approach, all you need to keep in mind is where your cursor is.
>
> Maybe you haven't used vi as it was meant to be used: You're always in
> normal mode (hence the name). Switching to other modes is only a
> temporary thing.
>
> If you wanna know where you are: Hit Escape!

So you got used to the workaround and don't require a solution to the
underlying problem. Great, more power to you! That doesn't mean anyone
else should, or should have to.
That's what quasimodes provide: You don't have to get used to exiting
them, because you can't forget to let go of the trigger.

Martin
Received on Fri Jun 17 2011 - 16:24:59 CEST