Is it worth learning to code using Vim/Neovim as my daily use editor?
Posted by plasticplate444@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 15 comments
Hi! I have been learning how to code for almost 7 years now and have been using VSCode since the beginning. Currently I usually code in C++ and Typescript majorly for my projects. Is it worth investing my time into learning Vim/Neovim at this stage or should I continue with VSCode?
BusEquivalent9605@reddit
Yes. Vim is 100% worth it.
peterlinddk@reddit
It is always a good idea to try out different editors - VS Code won't last forever, so you'll have to change anyways at some time in the future. Just as well get used to things changing, and check out if you might like some of the alternatives - after all the vim-family has a lot of fans, so maybe you could become one of them!
ElectricalFile5326@reddit
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aqua_regis@reddit
What does this have to do with OP's question? This is not even remotely related to OP's question.
Wrong thread.
aqua_regis@reddit
Uh, you're going to start a "holy war".
IMO, learning the fundamentals of Vim is absolutely beneficial, especially when you want to work with *nix machines/servers or Raspberry Pi microcomputers.
In my day to day work, I stick to VSCode for most of my tasks and Eclipse (yes, I'm old fashioned) for Java as well as sometimes RAD Studio Delphi (with the WordStar keybindings).
superwawa20@reddit
Only if you want to. You’ll need to learn vim basics eventually, but you definitely shouldn’t switch unless you actually want to switch.
Start with downloading a vim keybinds extension for VS code, play around with it for a little bit. I switched to neovim at home for learning purposes, and you really need to commit to customization and set up which is a different skill altogether.
Kok_Nikol@reddit
You can search for videos why vim is great, and you can try vim on it's own in your terminal (if you have vim installed, just open your terminal and run
vimtutor, there are also tons of resources online).If you feel that will bring value to your dev life, learn it.
Almost every IDE on the planet will have vim keybindings, meaning any editor/ide you use in the future will be instantly familiar.
Same goes for any Linux server, vi/vim is installed by default, you'll always have a familiar editor.
ScholarNo5983@reddit
With 7 years of using VSCode you clearly have a good knowledge of using that editor.
I'd suggest trying using Vim/Neovim for at least a month. In that time if you find yourself struggling to code, that suggests VSCode might be the better option for you.
However, if after a few weeks you suddenly find Vim/Neovim is feeling comfortable and you're seeing an increase in productivity, clearly VSCode might not be the best option.
Without you running these tests, you will never know the answer to your question.
TLDR give it a go and see what happens.
speyerlander@reddit
If you think you're gonna like them, sure.
I taught myself vim at my first year of programming, in hindsight it wasn't smart, but it was sure a fun experiment, and I still use it to this day.
I'd advise to stay on VSCode for a while and practice the core movements using the vim extension before moving to vim/neovim as trying to learn everything (both core movements and IDE behavior) can be overwhelming.
no_brains101@reddit
First, 2 questions there. 1. vim vs neovim. neovim is just better vim. That is all there is to that.
And the answer - Why?
Thats it. Thats the whole answer.
You act like it is super hard.
It takes like a few weeks to get used to it, to where you go about the speed you were before, if you decide you like it, you keep going, you probably also keep getting faster at it.
What reason would you want to use it for? They work really really well if you use a terminal first workflow, otherwise, its just another editor.
I like the keybinds, they make me think on the level of "things" and "parts" of the text and not individual characters when I edit them. I find that to be something that I like. Both editors feel very snappy and fast also.
Neovim is very customizable but if you are not willing to do so it will give you less than vscode, and if you are it will give as much or more.
stiky21@reddit
Yes. Become one of us.
Neckbeard_Sama@reddit
no
ditch VSCode also and use a proper IDE
MonkeyRides@reddit
Vim for quick edits, vs for building. Unless you’re old school crazy and just really like vim. Get good with your hotkeys.
DrShocker@reddit
I like using vim bindings so that I have consistent shortcuts in multiple editors. Neovim works decently well, though I'm not personally happy with the ways I've set it up for working with multiple files, which especially because of the header/implementation file separation in C++ may be more important to figure out depending on your file structure.
That said, I have been liking helix lately just because I end up fiddling too much with my neovim config lol.
Crowspec@reddit
Vim and C++ is a great combo.