8

VMS editor EDT allows one to use the keypad to control most of ones editing commands. One of the rather nice features is that the direction of operation can be set to "up" or "down". This then effects commands like "move to next character" and "move to start of line". Another feature is that there are "character", "word" and "line" buffers that one can cut, copy and paste to/from.

I am looking for a Linux editor that has these features?

This is not a request for an EDT editor for Linux. I am "willing" to learn a new editor if it has these features.

Improve this question

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
10

You want emacs.

Emacs has an EDT emulation mode (M-x edt-emulation-mode). This will set up emacs to use the edt keymappings.

Before you can use it, run emacs -q -l edt-mapper. This will let you set up what keys on YOUR keyboard map to the various VT keys(gold, do, etc.).

It works quite well, and you have the extra functionality of emacs, plus the edt keys you're used to.

EDIT: I should look at dates, this was asked ages ago... but the information is still good.

Improve this answer
8

Vim seems to provide all those features. There are plenty of good tutorials for it on the web, but the easiest way to familiarise yourself with the editor is to install it and then run the vimtutor program supplied.

H - Left
J - Down
K - Up
L - Right

4L - 4 characters right
4W - 4 words right

0 - Start of line
$ - End of line
gg- Start of file
GG- End of file
100gg - Line 100

Improve this answer
3
  • 1
    @C W Holeman II: I'm just going to edit the answer with that. Sorry about the long delay :) Commented Aug 14, 2009 at 18:24
  • 1
    Note that EDT has a direction mode so that rather than LLWW, EDT would use: Down AdvChar AdvChar AdvWord AdvWord and rather than HH, EDT would use: Up AdvChar AdvChar. EDT also uses the arrow keys rather than HJKL. Commented Dec 29, 2009 at 4:18
  • 1
    Vim also allows you to use the arrow keys - but using HJKL is supposedly faster if you type properly, as they are in the home row. I, however, do not type properly, so I find the arrow keys just as fast. Commented Dec 29, 2009 at 15:58
3

Emacs's Picture mode is designed to facilitate drawing ASCII diagrams and tables. You can change the direction in which the cursor moves after inserting a character with C-c left, C-c down, etc.

Improve this answer
1
  • "Move left after insertion" looks like it is specific to just the action after a character is inserted. Commented Dec 13, 2012 at 19:58

You must log in to answer this question.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.