this post was submitted on 09 Feb 2025
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Programming

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When I was in high school I found Sublime Text and learned "multiple cursors". Since then, I've transitioned to vscode, mainly because I need LSP (without too much configuration work) for my work.

I keep hearing about how modal editing is faster and I would like to switch to a more performant editor. I've been looking at helix, as the 4th generation of the vi line of editors. Is anyone using it? Is it any good for the main code editor?

The problem that I have is that learning new editing keybindings would probably take me a month of time, before I get to the same amount of productivity (if I ever get here at all). So I'm looking for advice of people who have already done that before.

My code editing does involve a lot of "ctrl-arrow" to move around words, "ctrl-shift-arrow" to select words, "home/end" to move to beginning/end of the line, "ctrl-d" for "new cursor at next occurrence", "shift-alt-down" for "new cursor in the line below", "ctrl-shift-f" for "format file" and a few more to move around using LSP-provided "declaration"/"usages".

I would have to unlearn all of that.

Also, I do use "ctrl-arrow" to edit this post. Have you changed keybindings in firefox too?

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[โ€“] 0101100101@programming.dev 4 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

I get this, but an IDE should be invisible and grow as you do and not require you to learn lots of janky things before it becomes a little bit useful for you.

Need the basics, great, here they are. Don't understand some advanced feature? Well the IDE has it here, but it isn't in your way, mess with it as and when you want. It'll still be there.

I don't think one IDE does everything for different languages and its ok to swap editors depending on your workflow, your project and your ever-changing skillset.

[โ€“] jeffhykin@lemm.ee 4 points 19 hours ago* (last edited 19 hours ago)

I get this, but

Why not say "I get this, and ..." ?

I don't think the idea of a learn-as-you-go editor goes against the idea of watching skilled devs with their favorite tool