From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!eagle!mhtsa!ihnss!houxi!houxf!ziegler
Newsgroups: net.unix-wizards
Title: Re: EMACS control character warning
Article-I.D.: houxf.169
Posted: Mon Jun 14 10:11:34 1982
Received: Tue Jun 15 01:01:33 1982

Two points about EMACS and xon/xoff:

First, the trouble with VT100s and VT52s is that in certain configurations
they are NOT ASCII TERMINALS.  This means that they cannot transmit and
receive all 128 ASCII characters properly.  We had a similar problem with
these beasts here, and after a lot of hassling we found a way around it.  I
will agree with you, however, that it would be nice if the editor didn't
require that.  One of the nice things about EMACS is the fact that you can
get around such problems.  I still see it as a terminal/transmission problem,
not an editor problem.  Flow control does not belong at the application
layer.

Second, it is because EMACS uses the escape character the way it does that
I am able to use the arrow keys on my terminal (an HP125 - a 2601 based
terminal with an extra Z80 and CP/M).  In fact, I have set up EMACS macros
to use all of the screen editting keys on the keyboard, including such
functions as insert/delete character/line, next/previous page, home up/down,
roll up/down, and the usual assortment of arrow keys.  These keys all transmit
escape sequences, which made it very easy to use them in EMACS.  In fact, I
have also written macros to use the arrow and function keys on VT100s, despite
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS  This fact makes it easier to learn
EMACS, not harder, since I use keys that are clearly labeled as to their
purpose rather than slightly mmnemonic control or escape sequences.

I don't want to spawn a debate about the good and bad points of EMACS or any
other screen editor; I simply find EMACS to be a fine tool to use because it
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

	Joe Ziegler
	...ihnss!houxf!ziegler
	BTL LZ 3F-308
	(201) 576-3533