this post was submitted on 12 Nov 2023
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Why use hjkl instead of jkl;? (programming.dev)
submitted 1 year ago by Debuholden@programming.dev to c/neovim@programming.dev
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Hello, I was trying to configure i3 to match the functionality of vim (i3 uses jkl; because h is mapped to horizontal split), but when I was doing it I was wondering what the reason is behind every vim or vim-like editor using hjkl. It's rather inefficient to have to move your index finger to the h key every time you want to move left. I know that the creator of vi had his hjkl keys mapped to arrow keys, but why hasn't this changed. Is it a historical thing, or is there an actual logical reason.

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[–] xigoi@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Most Vim users use j and k more often than h and l (because there are many more ways to move horizontally), so it makes sense to leave them to the strongest fingers.

[–] technom@programming.dev 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That would be a bad design, IMO. The index finger has 2 keys to manage, of which one needs its lateral extension. Though the pinky is weaker, the semicolon is in its resting position.

The actual answer though, is Bill Joy's keyboard. Another commenter has explained it.

[–] xigoi@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Do you also have a problem with WASD controls for games, since the middle finger controls two keys and one requires extension? Or even with actual arrow keys?

[–] technom@programming.dev 1 points 1 year ago

Gamers and typists/coders are completely different species. Besides, WASD keys don't use lateral extension (assuming gamers use touch typing at all). Have you checked out any KB layout communities?