Emacs vs. Eclipse vs. Vim

[dbpokorny at gmail.com]

On Nov 29, 12:44 pm, Josh <jho... at hotmail.com> wrote:
> If you were a beginning programmer and willing to make an investment in
> steep learning curve for best returns down the road, which would you pick?
>
> I know this topic has been smashed around a bit already, but 'learning
> curve' always seems to be an arguement. If you feel that one is easier
> or harder than the others to learn feel free to tell, but let's not make
> that the deciding factor. Which one will be most empowering down the
> road as a development tool?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> JR

I have experience with Vim and Emacs, none with Eclipse. I used Emacs
exclusively until summer 2007 at which point I switched to Vim and
never looked back. To be perfectly honest, the switch was precipitated
by peer pressure, basically one of my friends said, "Emacs, you mean
people still use that? I thought everyone switched to Vi, or rather
Vim, a long time ago." Nevertheless, I am happy that I made the
change.

At any rate, if you are willing to learn Lisp and pour over the Emacs
manuals from time to time, then Emacs may be for you. If you like
programming in Lisp then you may find it appealing and fun to write
Emacs extensions and utilities for your own needs. If "the Lisp way"
rubs your fur in the wrong direction, then Emacs may not be for you.

Vim has a different approach. The learning curve is substantial at the
beginning (softened by the Vim book), but at the end of the day I am
able to move around and manipulate code with less effort, mostly due,
I think, to having multiple modes: insert, visual, normal.

If you really are learning programming, then pick up a copy of SICP,
download Emacs, and veg out for a year and a half <ducks for cover>.

David