Vim vs tmux: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will compare the key differences between Vim and tmux. Vim is a highly configurable text editor that is widely used for editing code and text files, while tmux is a terminal multiplexer that enables users to create and manage multiple terminal sessions within a single terminal window.

1. Modes and Editing: One of the significant differences between Vim and tmux is their core functionality. Vim is primarily an editor with various modes, such as command mode, insert mode, and visual mode, allowing efficient editing and navigation. On the other hand, tmux focuses on session management, enabling users to create, switch between, and control multiple terminal sessions.

2. Text Editing vs. Terminal Multiplexing: Vim excels as a text editor, providing powerful features like search and replace, macros, and syntax highlighting. It offers a rich set of functionalities for manipulating and editing text files. Tmux, however, focuses on terminal multiplexing, allowing users to split the terminal screen into panes, run multiple command prompts simultaneously, and manage sessions efficiently.

3. Customizability: Vim is highly customizable, allowing users to configure its behavior through various options, mappings, and plugins. Users can customize Vim to suit their specific needs and workflows, making it a versatile editor for various programming languages. Tmux also offers customization options but mainly for session management, enabling users to bind keys, adjust window layouts, and configure status bars as desired.

4. Command Language: Vim has its own command language, which enables users to execute complex actions and automation scripts. It supports a wide range of commands for manipulation, file handling, and automation. Tmux, on the other hand, uses a more generic command interface similar to many Unix command-line tools, allowing users to issue commands for managing sessions, windows, and panes.

5. Integration with External Tools: Vim supports seamless integration with external tools and plugins, providing features like code completion, linting, debugging, and version control integration through plugins. With the right configuration, it can be turned into a fully-fledged Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Tmux, being primarily a terminal multiplexer, does not offer such extensive integration but can be used in conjunction with other tools and terminal-based applications.

6. Use Cases: Vim is particularly well-suited for editing code, configuring servers, and editing text files. Its powerful editing features and customization options make it a popular choice for developers and system administrators. Tmux, on the other hand, is more focused on terminal-based workflow management and session persistence. It provides a convenient way to work with multiple terminal sessions efficiently, making it useful for remote development, server administration, and working in distributed environments.

In summary, Vim is a highly customizable text editor with powerful editing features, while tmux is a terminal multiplexer focused on session management. Vim's strength lies in text manipulation and code editing, while tmux excels in terminal multiplexing and managing multiple terminal sessions efficiently.