Running Emacs Within Vim: Possibilities and Practicality

Since the release of Vim 8.1, the ability to run Emacs within a terminal launched from Vim has become a topic of interest. While Vim and Emacs are both powerful text editors, they have distinct functionalities and user bases. This article explores the possibilities of running Emacs within Vim, the potential uses, and the practicality of doing so.

Is it Possible to Run Emacs in Vim?

Vim 8.1 introduced a feature that allows you to launch a terminal session directly within the Vim editor. By using the `:terminal` command, you can open a terminal inside Vim, which can then be used to run any terminal program, including Emacs. This functionality opens up interesting possibilities for integrating the strengths of both editors.

Here’s how it works:

Open Vim from the terminal. Type `:terminal` to launch the terminal inside Vim. In the new terminal emulator, you can run an instance of Emacs.

This integration demonstrates the flexibility of Vim, allowing users to leverage features from both editors. For example, you can use Vim to edit text and switch to the terminal inside Vim to run Emacs for more complex editing tasks. This hybrid approach can be particularly useful for experienced Vim users who occasionally need the advanced editing features of Emacs.

Emacs for Vim Users: Getting Started with Spacemacs

If you're a Vim user exploring the possibility of switching to Emacs or looking for a more user-friendly approach, Spacemacs might be worth considering. Spacemacs combines the power of Emacs with the familiar keystroke commands and functionality of Vim, providing a seamless transition for Vim users.

Why choose Spacemacs?

Keystroke Compatibility: Spacemacs uses Vim-like key bindings, which are already familiar to Vim users. Customizability: Like Emacs, Spacemacs is highly customizable, allowing you to tailor the editor to your needs. Community and Documentation: A strong community and extensive documentation make it easier to learn and use.

Practical Uses of Running Emacs in Vim

While running Emacs as a terminal program within Vim is possible, it is not a practical use for editing text documents. Most programmers find it more efficient to stick to the text editor that best suits their needs for a given task. However, there are some scenarios where running Emacs within Vim can be useful:

Complex Editing Tasks: For tasks that require more advanced editing features or complex code manipulation, including debugging or refactoring, running Emacs in a terminal session can be beneficial. Integration with Vim Features: If you frequently need to switch between Vim and Emacs, running Emacs within Vim can facilitate this workflow. Shell Access: The terminal inside Vim can be used to run shell commands, which can then be integrated into your Vim workflow using Emacs.

Consider these practical aspects when deciding whether to integrate Emacs into your Vim workflow. However, it's important to note that for general text editing, Vim alone or Spacemacs (if you prefer a more unified user experience) might be more efficient.

Overall, while the ability to run Emacs within Vim provides a unique way to integrate the strengths of both editors, its practicality largely depends on the specific needs of the user. For most tasks, sticking to Vim or using Spacemacs as a unified editor is likely to be more efficient and convenient.