[zahlman]

> but vim macros are an interactive scripting language specifically designed to tersely express text transformations

Yes, I think this is important here. Although it's still hard for me to imagine a level of mastery where one deliberately "writes" macros (what, directly in the vimrc?) as opposed to recording them. Perhaps it's within my grasp to optimize them later, but.

All that said, there are quite a few things I don't like about Vim even though the overall editing model clicks with me, and ideas I've had for something I'd like better. Although I guess I really should check out alternatives before running my mouth about that…

[bccdee]

> a level of mastery where one deliberately "writes" macros (what, directly in the vimrc?)

Oh it's so simple you'll kick yourself. If you save the macro to the q register, just paste from the q register and it'll print out the corresponding inputs. Copy the inputs into the w register and now you have that macro saved in a second place.

Some people probably do save macros in their vimrc this way, but I use it to correct typos I made when recording the macro. BIG help.

[zahlman]

> but I use it to correct typos I made when recording the macro.

Oh you mean like, now that you have the keystrokes inserted into the current document temporarily, edit and move back to a register?

[bccdee]

Exactly. Modifier sequences and escape presses show up as special characters and can be inserted with `C-v Esc` or whathaveyou. It works seamlessly.