QEmacs is a powerful UNIX editor known for its small size.
QEmacs (for Quick Emacs) is a remarkable UNIX editor that packs a punch despite its small size. This review highlights some of the standout features of QEmacs.
One of the most striking elements of QEmacs is its full-screen editor that offers an Emacs look and feel. Users have access to common Emacs features such as multi-buffer, multi-window, command mode, universal argument, keyboard macros, config file with C-like syntax, minibuffer with completion and history. QEmacs is capable of editing files that are hundreds of megabytes without slowing down. This is made possible by highly optimized internal representation and mmaping the file.
QEmacs supports full UTF8 support, including bidirectional editing respecting the Unicode bidi algorithm. It handles Arabic and Indic scripts in progress. This editor also facilitates WYSIWYG HTML/XML/CSS2 mode graphical editing and supports lynx-like rendering on VT100 terminals. QEmacs offers WYSIWYG DocBook mode based on XML/CSS2 renderer. In C mode, QEmacs features coloring with immediate update and Emacs-like auto-indent. In Shell mode, colorized VT100 emulation allows you to work exactly as you would expect. QEmacs even facilitates a compile mode with next/prev error.
QEmacs has input methods for most languages, including Chinese. Input methods come from the Yudit editor. The editor also features a Hexadecimal editing mode with insertion and block commands. Unicode hexa editing of UTF8 files is supported. QEmacs works on any VT100 terminals without termcap. UTF8 VT100 support is included with double-width glyphs.
QEmacs even supports X11, with multiple proportional fonts available at the same time (as XEmacs). X input methods are supported, and Xft extension is supported for anti-aliased font display. Best of all, the full version, including HTML/XML/CSS2/DocBook rendering, is only 150KB big. For those looking for a more basic version (without bidir/unicode scripts/input/X11/C/Shell/HTML/dired), this is also available and only 49KB in size.
The latest version of QEmacs offers new features such as SPACE in minibuffer only doing completion if a completion method is defined. Better C-x k support (initial patch by Manuel Novoa III), set-tab-width, set-indent-width and set-indent-tabs-mode, probe mode for new file (patch by Manuel Novoa III), force blocking mode for tty (patch by Manuel Novoa III), improved image mode (full alpha channel support, full conversion, use improved FFmpeg image conversion routines). The video mode is capable of changing audio and video channels.
Overall, QEmacs is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a small, powerful UNIX editor. With its numerous features and unobtrusive size, QEmacs definitely deserves a try.
One of the most striking elements of QEmacs is its full-screen editor that offers an Emacs look and feel. Users have access to common Emacs features such as multi-buffer, multi-window, command mode, universal argument, keyboard macros, config file with C-like syntax, minibuffer with completion and history. QEmacs is capable of editing files that are hundreds of megabytes without slowing down. This is made possible by highly optimized internal representation and mmaping the file.
QEmacs supports full UTF8 support, including bidirectional editing respecting the Unicode bidi algorithm. It handles Arabic and Indic scripts in progress. This editor also facilitates WYSIWYG HTML/XML/CSS2 mode graphical editing and supports lynx-like rendering on VT100 terminals. QEmacs offers WYSIWYG DocBook mode based on XML/CSS2 renderer. In C mode, QEmacs features coloring with immediate update and Emacs-like auto-indent. In Shell mode, colorized VT100 emulation allows you to work exactly as you would expect. QEmacs even facilitates a compile mode with next/prev error.
QEmacs has input methods for most languages, including Chinese. Input methods come from the Yudit editor. The editor also features a Hexadecimal editing mode with insertion and block commands. Unicode hexa editing of UTF8 files is supported. QEmacs works on any VT100 terminals without termcap. UTF8 VT100 support is included with double-width glyphs.
QEmacs even supports X11, with multiple proportional fonts available at the same time (as XEmacs). X input methods are supported, and Xft extension is supported for anti-aliased font display. Best of all, the full version, including HTML/XML/CSS2/DocBook rendering, is only 150KB big. For those looking for a more basic version (without bidir/unicode scripts/input/X11/C/Shell/HTML/dired), this is also available and only 49KB in size.
The latest version of QEmacs offers new features such as SPACE in minibuffer only doing completion if a completion method is defined. Better C-x k support (initial patch by Manuel Novoa III), set-tab-width, set-indent-width and set-indent-tabs-mode, probe mode for new file (patch by Manuel Novoa III), force blocking mode for tty (patch by Manuel Novoa III), improved image mode (full alpha channel support, full conversion, use improved FFmpeg image conversion routines). The video mode is capable of changing audio and video channels.
Overall, QEmacs is a fantastic option for anyone looking for a small, powerful UNIX editor. With its numerous features and unobtrusive size, QEmacs definitely deserves a try.
What's New
Version 0.3.1: N/A