Aquamacs Emacs

Aquamacs Emacs

Aquamacs Emacs is a free open-source text editor and command-line interface for macOS based on GNU Emacs. It has an intuitive, Aqua-inspired graphical user interface while providing advanced text editing features of Emacs.
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Aquamacs Emacs: Free Open-Source Text Editor for macOS

A free and open-source text editor based on GNU Emacs, offering an intuitive Aqua-inspired interface with advanced editing features

What is Aquamacs Emacs?

Aquamacs Emacs is a free and open-source text editor and command-line interface application for macOS operating systems. It is based on the popular GNU Emacs text editor but is customized with a native Mac graphical user interface and integrated into the macOS desktop environment.

Aquamacs provides the powerful and extensible text editing capabilities of Emacs in an easy-to-use package for macOS. Like Emacs, it supports extensive text editing and formatting features, flexible customization and scripting capabilities, and advanced programming tooling. However, its user interface takes cues from macOS Aqua design guidelines for a native look, feel, and behavior.

Key features of Aquamacs Emacs include:

  • Native macOS menu bars, dock icons, keyboard shortcuts and dialogs
  • Single document interface modeless UI
  • Support for macOS services and AppleScript integration
  • Syntax highlighting for over 50 programming languages
  • Robust extendability and customization options
  • Interoperability with standard Emacs configuration files

Although optimized for macOS, Aquamacs Emacs retains full compatibility with GNU Emacs allowing portable configurations across platforms. It can serve as a useful alternative to the standard Emacs for macOS package for those desiring deeper desktop integration with a familiar Aqua interface.

Aquamacs Emacs Features

Features

  1. Text editor and command-line interface
  2. Based on GNU Emacs
  3. Aqua-inspired graphical user interface
  4. Supports Emacs Lisp extension language
  5. Extensible and customizable

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Powerful text editing capabilities

Free and open source

Familiar Emacs keybindings

Integrated with macOS look and feel

Active development community

Cons

Steep learning curve for new users

Not as lightweight as other macOS text editors

Limited native support for macOS features

Less extensible than vanilla Emacs


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