Paged 2-dimensional editor
==========================

I went back "The Craft of Text Editing" book by Craig A. Finseth [1].
Chapter 4 "Editing models" describes few unusual to me text editing
strategies.  I think that combination of 2 of such modes would result
in interesting and vary simple editing environment.


Two-Dimensional Array of Bytes
------------------------------

This model presents content of text files a grid of cells of either
predefined width and height or infinite width and height.  In this
model user can type at any place in the screen with overwrite text as
natural fit for that model.  This idea mirrors a physical piece of
grid paper.


Paged Models
------------

In those models editor always shows N number of lines that fit on
single "page".  User can toggle between pages of text.  Free scrolling
line by line is not possible.  This model reflects physical notebook
with pages of paper.


Editor idea
-----------

I'm pretty sure editors like that where a common thing in the past but
today those are hard to find.  I would very much like to try make
editor which combines both ideas, sounds like easy and fun project.
Such software could be good for drawing ASCII art but OFC the ultimate
test goal would be to write code in environment like that.  I wander
how free form text and division into pages would affect code structure.

I like this way of looking at text files as it models the physical
notebook with some number of pages where you can write in any place of
the page, write comments in margin section, text don't move around but
you can overwrite existing text and you navigate the notebook by
flipping pages.  Searching for text could return not only line and
column number but also page number.  Jumping between pages that are
far from each other, like first page, to middle page to last page
would be natural as file/notebook could be organised in such way where
table of contents is on first page, useful notes on last page and main
content in between.  Similar to book planners.


Dead model
----------

No wander this model of text editing is dead.  It makes sense that at
the beginning people naturally tried to model real world when making
first computer programs.  Many things where still printed of pieces of
paper, so thinking in pages made sense.  Later as more workflows modes
into digital space a more abstract ideas where discovered, models of
thinking not restricted by physical world like infinite canvas with
multiple layers, non destructive editing, unlimited undo or 3D spaces.

Still, I found this idea fascinating and worth trying.  The usefulness
of any software depends on context.  In one environment Ed-like editor
is more desired than modern editors so maybe there is still a place
for paged model.

	A: A piece of gold, a pile of mud. Which is more useful?
	B: The gold, of course.
	A: But to a seed?
	- Shaolin 2011


[1] https://www.finseth.com/craft/

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