3 ms·

The terminal is such a wonderful environment. It makes many tasks joyful. I think it stems from its simplicity and logic. You have a simple grid of characters

by mg 2y ago

The terminal is such a wonderful environment. It makes many tasks joyful. I think it stems from its simplicity and logic. You have a simple grid of characters. You type the name of a program, hit enter, and the computer executes it. The output of the program is written below your prompt. Below the output, you can execute the next program. You can chain output and input of programs, allowing all kinds of data flows. The programs can also take over the whole grid and thereby allow all kinds of interfaces. I can't think of a way to describe a window manager or a browser in similar, simple terms, which would explain the basis of all the usefulness they bring.

unshavedyak 2y ago
Agreed. My only real problem is that font size and "UI" size (gutters/etc) being tied feels like an accessibility tax. Aside from that, they're wonderful. I wonder if we could eventually make a "new term" which shares the same foundation, but atop a rich rendered experience. A GUI written with simple primitives (that could also probably be rendered as TUI, frankly), but with slightly more slick (and expensive lol) rendering. I know, i know - blasphemy, i'm sorry. But despite my love for the Term (i've been in it for ~15 years now) i long for _slightly improved_ graphics.
- mbrumlow 2y ago
  It’s called emacs.
  - unshavedyak 2y ago
    I thought Emacs was primarily an editor? Not a general purpose shell, subshells, muxer, etc - not a terminal. I thought emacs would be a singular app? Eg it sounds like you're saying that Vim is the Terminal if Emacs is the thing i'm describing?
- skulk 2y ago
  Emacs seems to fit what you're describing pretty closely. It can render as a GUI and TUI even though the GUI can display things the TUI can't (like fonts/images)
  - seanw444 2y ago
    It's almost like parent was intentionally hinting for someone to mention Emacs. Probably not, but the degree to which they described Emacs was kinda funny. It may be old, but it's been evolving, and I absolutely love it still. Especially now with LSP. And it's not even hard to get into, when things like Doom exist.
- necrotic_comp 2y ago
  Agreed with the siblings, you're describing emacs! :)

by mg 2y ago

unshavedyak 2y ago

Agreed. My only real problem is that font size and "UI" size (gutters/etc) being tied feels like an accessibility tax. Aside from that, they're wonderful. I wonder if we could eventually make a "new term" which shares the same foundation, but atop a rich rendered experience. A GUI written with simple primitives (that could also probably be rendered as TUI, frankly), but with slightly more slick (and expensive lol) rendering. I know, i know - blasphemy, i'm sorry. But despite my love for the Term (i've been in it for ~15 years now) i long for _slightly improved_ graphics.

mbrumlow 2y ago
It’s called emacs.
- unshavedyak 2y ago
  I thought Emacs was primarily an editor? Not a general purpose shell, subshells, muxer, etc - not a terminal. I thought emacs would be a singular app? Eg it sounds like you're saying that Vim is the Terminal if Emacs is the thing i'm describing?
skulk 2y ago
Emacs seems to fit what you're describing pretty closely. It can render as a GUI and TUI even though the GUI can display things the TUI can't (like fonts/images)
- seanw444 2y ago
  It's almost like parent was intentionally hinting for someone to mention Emacs. Probably not, but the degree to which they described Emacs was kinda funny. It may be old, but it's been evolving, and I absolutely love it still. Especially now with LSP. And it's not even hard to get into, when things like Doom exist.
necrotic_comp 2y ago
Agreed with the siblings, you're describing emacs! :)