On Nov 5, 2007, at 4:49 PM, Steve Lamb wrote:
David Brodbeck wrote:Using vi requires you to keep track of the editor's state in your head -- you have to remember whether it's ininput mode or command mode. I've never been able to do that reliably.Neither have I. However I did learn early on in my vim life that ESC ininsert mode puts you in command mode. ESC in command mode puts you in command mode. So if you're not sure, just slap escape then you are sure. :))
I have an older friend who's been doing Unix since, well... the beginning, and we were talking about this once, and he pointed out that he and his buddies figured out the in all of the possible modes/ windows, three ESC's would always get you back to command mode from "anywhere" in vi.
I've never really analyzed that statement, but it did start me a new habit... I usually hit it more than once while/if I'm thinking about what to do next and know I need to go to command mode before doing it.
-- Nate Duehr nate@natetech.com