Bug 53128

NetBeans should offer an editor that has the same
feel/keybindings as the traditional 'vi', 'vim'
and 'emacs' editors.

This kind of feature could be configured in
NetBeans as easily as a radio button or check box
where an traditional user of vi or emacs can do
all of his or her edits with a vi or emacs type of
editor. But, can also reap all the other benefits
built into NetBeans.
 
The following text summarizes comments from a
developer who has used vi and vim for 15 years and
would like to try NetBeans if Source Editor
behaved in a similar manner as vi:

"It's possible to do most of what NetBeans 4.x has
in a good editor such as vim, emacs, or jedit. But
NetBeans has all of the integration done already
in one standard package.  However, the editor key
bindings will prevent me from using it as a
replacement for vi or vim. Similar sort of
argument exists for emacs users as well.

Please note that a lot of vi users have actually
migrated to vim, which supports features such as
multiple buffers, windows, splitting windows, and
a lot of other features.  NetBeans should look at
the vim extensions to vi as well and make those
available in a NetBeans vi type editor.

Also, note that vim (and especially emacs) are
more than just keybindings.  Both editors are
extremely programmable. Many developers take
advantage of the programmability to extend the
editor, and also to add IDE features as needed.
Some of the more common extensions should be
looked at as well."