Emacs

Emacs is a highly extensible, customizable text editor and integrated development environment (IDE) known for its powerful editing capabilities and Lisp-based extension system. It provides a wide range of features including syntax highlighting, project management, version control integration, and support for numerous programming languages and file types. Often described as a 'programmable editor', it allows users to modify nearly every aspect of its behavior through Emacs Lisp (Elisp).

Also known as: GNU Emacs, Emacs Editor, Emacs Lisp Editor, XEmacs, Emacs IDE

🧊Why learn Emacs?

Developers should learn Emacs when they need a highly customizable, keyboard-centric editing environment that can be tailored to specific workflows, such as software development, technical writing, or system administration. It is particularly valuable for tasks requiring extensive text manipulation, automation, or integration with tools like Git, shells, and debuggers, making it ideal for power users who prefer efficiency over simplicity. Use cases include programming in languages like Python, Java, or C++, managing complex projects, and automating repetitive editing tasks.

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Learning Resources

GNU Emacs Manual

Emacs Tutorial for Beginners (YouTube)

Master Emacs in 21 Days

Emacs Lisp Intro

Emacs Rocks! (Screencasts)

Related Tools

Emacs Lisp Vim Text Editing Ide Customization Keyboard Shortcuts

Alternatives to Emacs

Vim Visual Studio Code Sublime Text

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