The meaning of “modal”

In lesson 1 we called Helix a modal editor. So what exactly does that mean?

A modal editor provides different modes of operation, each suited to a particular job. Helix has a mode for issuing commands, a mode for inserting text, and a mode for growing selections. This is different from modeless editors — the ones you’re probably used to — which have a single state where every key inserts a character.

Click on the editor and try typing your name. It probably doesn’t do what you expect. That’s because Helix starts in normal mode, which is for issuing editing commands — not insert mode, which is what we use to enter text.

Unfamiliar, but it makes real sense:

• every key on the keyboard can have a specialized meaning, which varies by mode
• commands compose, so Helix has few awkward chorded shortcuts like “ctrl+shift+r”
• each mode can lay out its keys so your fingers stay near the home row