Kakoune vs Remacs: What are the differences?

Introduction

Kakoune and Remacs are two popular text editors with unique features that cater to different needs. Below are key differences between the two.

1. Mode of Operation: Kakoune operates in a modal editing style where the user switches between modes for different operations, similar to Vim. Remacs, on the other hand, is an Emacs variant that maintains the traditional non-modal editing style, allowing users to perform all actions in a single mode.

2. Extensibility: Kakoune emphasizes minimalism and extensibility through a powerful selection model that can be extended using the built-in scripting language. In contrast, Remacs stays true to the extensibility of Emacs, offering a vast array of features and a well-established ecosystem of plugins and packages for extensive customization.

3. Backend: Kakoune is designed with a client-server architecture, allowing for remote editing, multiple cursors, and seamless integration with external tools, while Remacs is a fork of Emacs that aims to maintain compatibility with Emacs core functionality while introducing improvements and bug fixes.

4. Configuration: Kakoune's configuration is file-based, using a simple text file to define keybindings and settings. Remacs, being an Emacs variant, has a highly customizable configuration system based on Lisp, providing flexibility in defining complex commands and configurations.

5. User Interface: Kakoune has a minimalist user interface with a focus on efficiency and simplicity, utilizing a command-line interface for most interactions. Remacs, on the other hand, offers a more visually rich user interface with extensive GUI support for modern features such as image viewing and inline annotations.

6. Community and Development: Kakoune has a smaller but dedicated community that focuses on performance and innovative features, with regular updates and improvements. Remacs, as part of the larger Emacs ecosystem, benefits from a vast community of developers contributing to its continuous development and feature enhancements.

In Summary, Kakoune and Remacs differ in their mode of operation, extensibility, backend architecture, configuration system, user interface, and community support.