Company
Date Published
Author
Zheng Tao
Word count
1406
Language
English
Hacker News points
2

Summary

The terminal predates human computer interaction and has remained largely unchanged since its introduction, with a focus on command-line interfaces that require users to remember commands and type them onto the computer. This approach is in contrast to modern graphical user interfaces that rely on recognition rather than recall. The article discusses how different terminal programs, including Vim, Emacs, Nano, and Tmux, have distinct ways of quitting, often involving complex key sequences or modes that can be difficult for users to navigate. Despite their limitations, these programs offer valuable functionality, such as keyboard accessibility and cross-platform compatibility, making them essential tools in certain environments. The article concludes by highlighting the need for a more user-friendly terminal experience, with a focus on simplicity and recognition over memorization.