Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made • Hacker News Board

Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made

#21

Post by KMnO4 » Sat, Jan 07, 2023, 2:28 PM UTC

hitpointdrew wrote: post #17

cmeacham98 wrote: post #5

Keybinds (in normal mode): Shift + ZZ -> :x (save only if needed and quit) Shift + ZQ -> :q! (quit without saving)

I always preferred these over the :wq! And :q!, but for some reason seem way less popular. Most tutorials don’t even mention ZZ and ZQ.

If you’re learning Vim, command mode instructions are a LOT better because they actually show up on the screen.

Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made

#22

Post by ergonaught » Sat, Jan 07, 2023, 2:28 PM UTC

secondcoming wrote: post #9

Why would it write if no changes have been made?

If you tell it to write, and it doesn't write, then it is no longer your tool, but rather someone else's tool that you happen to be using.

Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made

#23

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Jan 07, 2023, 2:29 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made

#24

Post by Tepix » Sat, Jan 07, 2023, 2:29 PM UTC

cyberge99 wrote: post #19

Shift Z Z will instantly save and exit, same as wq!

Isn't it like ":x"?

Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made

#25

Post by tempodox » Sat, Jan 07, 2023, 2:30 PM UTC

... and you can append `a` (`:xa`) to write out all modified buffers and quit.

Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made

#26

Post by 0x45696e6172 » Sat, Jan 07, 2023, 2:30 PM UTC

cmeacham98 wrote: post #5

Keybinds (in normal mode): Shift + ZZ -> :x (save only if needed and quit) Shift + ZQ -> :q! (quit without saving)

I like to add:

Shift + ZA -> :up (save only if needed without quitting.)

by adding to your .vimrc:

    nnoremap ZA :update

Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made

#27

Post by ergonaught » Sat, Jan 07, 2023, 2:30 PM UTC

cyberge99 wrote: post #19

Shift Z Z will instantly save and exit, same as wq!

I just tried this and I think that in 40ish years of typing on computer keyboards, this is the most difficult thing I've ever typed. And I use emacs.

Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made

#28

Post by shiomiru » Sat, Jan 07, 2023, 2:31 PM UTC

Maybe it's just me, but I find :wq a lot easier to type... For :x (or worse, ZZ), I either have to move my hand or bend my ring finger/pinky to reach the keys. On the other hand, my fingers reach both w and q at the same time with very little effort.

Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made

#29

Post by dwater » Sat, Jan 07, 2023, 2:33 PM UTC

secondcoming wrote: post #9

Why would it write if no changes have been made?

Vim is from an era when software was written to do exactly what you commanded it, not what you intended. It was your responsibility as a user to learn how to turn your intentions into commands.

Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made

#30

Post by jstanley » Sat, Jan 07, 2023, 2:37 PM UTC

secondcoming wrote: post #9

Why would it write if no changes have been made?

Why would you ask it to write if you don't want it to write?