I just use it because it’s shorter.
Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made
31–40 of 279 posts
Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made
#32Keybinds (in normal mode): Shift + ZZ -> :x (save only if needed and quit) Shift + ZQ -> :q! (quit without saving)
> Shift + ZZ
That’s a real “geez, our keymap is almost exhausted!” keybind.
Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made
#33Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made
#34TIL that :wq is like :x
I only knew about :x. So thus far I’ve only edited with :x, and then used :q! to quit without writing the changes.
Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made
#35I learned to do `:wq` after I learned that `:X` encrypts your file. When typing without really paying attention to the screen, I've twice encrypted my file with password like `cd tmp`, then saved the config file, breaking my system.
After that, I switched to `:wq` (and sometimes `:w` `:q`) which is much safer against over-typing.
Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made
#36I've been using ZZ all these years
Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made
#37Shift 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.
What do you mean? Super easy and fluid, I've been doing it for about a decade. Left pinky on left shift, left middle finger (you could try ring I suppose) on zz, tap twice.
Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made
#38Never liked ":wq" construct since I started to use vi, almost three decades ago. Always used ":x". Now realizing, it had a hidden benefit. Good for me.
Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made
#39Keybinds (in normal mode): Shift + ZZ -> :x (save only if needed and quit) Shift + ZQ -> :q! (quit without saving)
> Shift + ZZ That’s a real “geez, our keymap is almost exhausted!” keybind.
I always thought of it as an "easy enough to type but hard enough to never cause an accidental quit" mapping.
Re: Tell HN: Vim users, `:x` is like `:wq` but writes only when changes are made
#40Why would it write if no changes have been made?
Its one of the things about exiting Vim. If you type :q, and there are unsaved changes it will prompt you to save it first and not let you quit.
So most people do :wq so that it saves and then quit or do :q! to quit without saving changes. Most people stop using :q.