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On linux, I don't use ESC at all anymore, I just press alt + [a normal mode key], while in insert mode. Like `alt + j`, which will leave insert mode and move on

On linux, I don't use ESC at all anymore, I just press alt + [a normal mode key], while in insert mode. Like `alt + j`, which will leave insert mode and move one line down. Some alt based sequences are really useful: * alt + e, a : leave current parenthesis and continue inserting (eg, while typing parameters for a function) * alt + shift + a : insert mode at the end of current line * alt + shift + i : insert mode at the beginning of current line, with indentation * alt + p, a : paste before current position, and continue inserting Maybe there's a modifier key with a similar behavior on macosx?

vram22 9y ago
>* alt + shift + a : insert mode at the end of current line Is that different from just Shift-a or capital A, which puts you into append mode at the end of the current line (no matter where you are on the line when you press it)?
- oelmekki 9y ago
  yep, it does a 'A' in normal mode, after leaving the insert mode (thanks to alt). The different thing is that you do it (alt+shift+a) in insert mode. So the equivalent would be `ESC, A`.
  - vram22 9y ago
    Then I guess that the Alt key generates an ESC char (ASCII code 27 [1]). Seems to tie in with the fact that Emacs docs say that you can use either Alt or ESC for the Meta key - which is used a lot in Emacs commands (IIRC - I am not an Emacs user, just had tried it out earlier and think I remember reading read that). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esc_key https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esc_key
    - oelmekki 9y ago
      I see. thanks for sharing!
vram22 9y ago
>On linux, I don't use ESC at all anymore, I just press alt + [a normal mode key], while in insert mode. Like `alt + j`, which will leave insert mode and move one line down. Why does that work? Is it because Alt + some_key combos generate an escape sequence starting with the actual ESC character? I know that happens with many function key combos, don't remember or not sure about Alt combos.
- oelmekki 9y ago
  This sounds plausible, but I have really no idea of why it works :) I found it by doing a mistype (like it often happens in vim), and didn't see it mentioned in any article that would try to get to the bottom of it yet.
  - vram22 9y ago
    >I found it by doing a mistype (like it often happens in vim) Ha, I probably found it by some similar way, maybe in vim or maybe in DOS / Windows / Linux at the command prompt or in some curses or terminal application.

vram22 9y ago

>* alt + shift + a : insert mode at the end of current line Is that different from just Shift-a or capital A, which puts you into append mode at the end of the current line (no matter where you are on the line when you press it)?

oelmekki 9y ago
yep, it does a 'A' in normal mode, after leaving the insert mode (thanks to alt). The different thing is that you do it (alt+shift+a) in insert mode. So the equivalent would be `ESC, A`.
- vram22 9y ago
  Then I guess that the Alt key generates an ESC char (ASCII code 27 [1]). Seems to tie in with the fact that Emacs docs say that you can use either Alt or ESC for the Meta key - which is used a lot in Emacs commands (IIRC - I am not an Emacs user, just had tried it out earlier and think I remember reading read that). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esc_key https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esc_key
  - oelmekki 9y ago
    I see. thanks for sharing!

vram22 9y ago

>On linux, I don't use ESC at all anymore, I just press alt + [a normal mode key], while in insert mode. Like `alt + j`, which will leave insert mode and move one line down. Why does that work? Is it because Alt + some_key combos generate an escape sequence starting with the actual ESC character? I know that happens with many function key combos, don't remember or not sure about Alt combos.

oelmekki 9y ago
This sounds plausible, but I have really no idea of why it works :) I found it by doing a mistype (like it often happens in vim), and didn't see it mentioned in any article that would try to get to the bottom of it yet.
- vram22 9y ago
  >I found it by doing a mistype (like it often happens in vim) Ha, I probably found it by some similar way, maybe in vim or maybe in DOS / Windows / Linux at the command prompt or in some curses or terminal application.