Vi used hjkl because its creator's keyboard didn't have physical cursor keys. Instead, the arrows were printed on the hjkl keys. I've been using vim/neovim for like 2/3 months now, and i really like it, but i got a problem, sometimes instead of using hjkl i'm using arrow keys, but i want to always use hjkl.
1 besides their position and hand movement required, is there any difference between using hjkl and the arrow keys? I have repeatedly read that it is highly recommended to use the h,j,k,l keys for increased productivity. I am a vim user (not a beginner not advanced).
Why use the keys hjkl on the same line instead of keys in a triangle like wasd for moving on video games? Can i use either one interchangeably and expect the same behavior? Vim has got much better cursor motion commands than hjkl. Hjkl condition you to switch to normal mode for movement.
I found this convincing history on stackoverlow: Why not something equivalent with right hand, like ijkl or pl;'? ^h for backspace, ^j for line feed, ^k for upline, and ^l for forward space. There are other reasons in addition to hands on the home row.
You can use hjkl to move around one space at a time, or you can move by words, paragraphs and so on. The arrow keys were printed on hjkl because the corresponding control codes all moved the cursor in directions roughly similar to the cursor keys: Vim uses hjkl because vi did. There's the attitude that if you're using the arrow keys, you're using vim wrong.
Vimtutor arrow keys v/s hjkl why hjkl is highly recommended? I use the arrow keys. I have tried to use the. If you're in normal mode, there's no point in using the arrow keys instead of hjkl since they're further away.
I think it's more convenice using arrow key.