Compare Caret vs. Neovim

Caret introduces top-tier text editing capabilities to Chrome OS, leveraging the remarkable Ace editing component. This means you can skip the hassle of installing an alternative operating system just to access a robust editor designed for local file management, specifically tailored for developers. With Caret, you'll benefit from syntax highlighting across numerous programming languages and a range of standard themes derived from Ace, including visual styles reminiscent of popular editors like Eclipse, XCode, and Chrome Dev Tools. Once you experience the efficiency of making various changes with just a couple of keystrokes, returning to a single cursor setup feels nearly impossible. The application supports multiple cursors and selections, along with familiar Sublime keybindings such as Ctrl-D for selecting the next match. Why invest time in memorizing keyboard shortcuts? The command palette (Ctrl-Shift-P) allows you to simply start typing your desired command, enabling Caret to perform a fuzzy search through the menu options, locate the command, and execute it seamlessly for you. This means you can fully immerse yourself in your coding without ever needing to reach for the mouse, enhancing your overall productivity.

Neovim boasts a first-class API that is easily discoverable, versioned, and well-documented. Its use of MessagePack for structured communication allows for extensions to be created in any programming language. Remote plugins operate as co-processes, ensuring safety and asynchronous execution. Various platforms such as GUIs, IDEs, and web browsers can seamlessly integrate Neovim as their editing tool or scripting host. This consistency extends across all environments, utilizing a single build type and command. It also offers modern terminal capabilities, including cursor styling, focus events, and bracketed paste functionality. With a built-in terminal emulator and sensible defaults, Neovim maintains full compatibility with Vim's editing model and Vimscript v1. If you are transitioning from Vim, starting with :help nvim-from-vim is recommended. The current stable release is version 0.5 (RSS), and interested users can check the roadmap for updates and future objectives. Neovim aims to facilitate new applications while maintaining its commitment to Vim's established functionalities, all while featuring 30% less source code than Vim. Additionally, while Lua is integrated into Neovim, it also offers support for Vimscript through the most sophisticated Vimscript engine available, which includes an AST-producing parser for enhanced performance. This dual support allows users to leverage their existing scripts while exploring the capabilities of Lua.