2 ms·
> hjkl shouldn't be the default because the author had a keyboard with those defaults half a century ago hjkl are still a pretty good choice for a modal editor
by mikl 3y ago
> hjkl shouldn't be the default because the author had a keyboard with those defaults half a century ago
hjkl are still a pretty good choice for a modal editor. If you’ve learnt standard touch typing, your right hand will be resting on jkl;, so it’s extremely convenient.
The Vi(m) philosophy is to reduce how much you have to move your hands about, so everything is put as close to the “home row” (asdf + jkl;) as possible.
This is why Vim-spinoffs like Helix and Kakoune, while turning the whole keybinding system on its head, are both keeping hjkl. Not for historical legacy, but because it’s actually a good choice.
- maccard 3y agoI disagree that they're a good choice. A good choice is jkl; > This is why Vim-spinoffs like Helix and Kakoune, while turning the whole keybinding system on its head, are both keeping hjkl. Not for historical legacy, but because it’s actually a good choice. I had a look this morning and I couldn't find anything to back this claim up. My claim would be it's the opposite, it's what the authors are used to, it reduces friction for other people who might change, but it's objectively inferior than having the keys be the same as the home row keys themselves.