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Thread: Why vim uses h, j, k and l to move the cursor?

  1. #1

    Why vim uses h, j, k and l to move the cursor?

    Anyone knows the mnemonics to remember where each key moves the cursor to?

    I can't find the documentation telling why those keys were chosen, I remember it
    was something like:

    Code:
              ???
               k
               | North
           /-------\
           |       |
    ??? h--|  you  |--l ???
      West |       | East
           \-------/
               | South
               j
         (Lake?) Java
                 ^
    Any ideas about the other 3?
    How strange it is, that a fool or a knave, with riches, should be treated with more respect by the world, than a good man, or a wise man in poverty!

  2. #2
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    Re: Why vim uses h, j, k and l to move the cursor?

    Hi azzamite.

    Not exactly mnemonics, but the way I learned it was like this:

    Since the keys are close together in a row, put your hand over the keyboard and put each finger over a key:
    • index over the h,
    • middle over the j,
    • ring over the k, and
    • pinky over the l.

    Then it is very easy to understand index (h) as left, and pinky as (l) right.

    Just a thought.
    Regards.

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    Re: Why vim uses h, j, k and l to move the cursor?

    When Bill Joy created the vi text editor he used the ADM-3A terminal which had the arrows on the HJKL keys. The ADM-3A terminal did not have dedicated arrow keys.
    Last edited by Old_Grey_Wolf; June 25th, 2013 at 08:00 PM.
    Use whatever OS or desktop works for you. Dual boot or use VMs if you want. Backup your computer regularly, and definitely before upgrading, partitioning, or installing an OS.

    No support requests by PM please.

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    Re: Why vim uses h, j, k and l to move the cursor?

    The terminals that I learn on didn't have arrow keys at all. At work, we didn't get terminals with arrows until 1991.

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    Re: Why vim uses h, j, k and l to move the cursor?

    Quote Originally Posted by Old_Grey_Wolf View Post
    When Bill Joy created the vi text editor he used the ADM-3A terminal which had the arrows on the HJKL keys. The ADM-3A terminal did not have dedicated arrow keys.
    Ah, cool! ... and here's the proof from http://rollmops.wordpress.com/2006/0...tage-computer/



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    Re: Why vim uses h, j, k and l to move the cursor?

    PS:

    And we all know that Gmail uses the same J and K keys for Down and Up through your mails ...

  7. #7

    Re: Why vim uses h, j, k and l to move the cursor?

    Interesting, thanks everyone!
    How strange it is, that a fool or a knave, with riches, should be treated with more respect by the world, than a good man, or a wise man in poverty!

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    Re: Why vim uses h, j, k and l to move the cursor?

    Quote Originally Posted by sanderj View Post
    Ah, cool! ... and here's the proof from http://rollmops.wordpress.com/2006/0...tage-computer/
    I have to admit I didn't realize the significance of cd ~

    LOL
    Last edited by Old_Grey_Wolf; June 25th, 2013 at 09:05 PM.
    Use whatever OS or desktop works for you. Dual boot or use VMs if you want. Backup your computer regularly, and definitely before upgrading, partitioning, or installing an OS.

    No support requests by PM please.

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    Re: Why vim uses h, j, k and l to move the cursor?

    Wow, this thread is educational! Didn't know both things (tilde for home folder and origins of HJKL).

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    Re: Why vim uses h, j, k and l to move the cursor?

    Just as an aside - if I am looking over the shoulders of another software developer and I see him move his fingers over to the arrow keys to navigate around vim then I immediately write him off as a noob ....

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