# CRiSP Editor Emulator

> Emacs CRiSP mode

**Wikidata**: [Q116621775](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116621775)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/crisp-editor-emulator

## Summary
CRiSP Editor Emulator is an Emacs mode that emulates the CRiSP text editor's key bindings and behavior within GNU Emacs and XEmacs. It was created by Gary D. Foster and is distributed as a free software package through GNU ELPA. The emulator allows users familiar with CRiSP to work in Emacs without learning new key bindings.

## Key Facts
- Created by Gary D. Foster, an academic researcher from Sun Microsystems
- First released on March 1, 1996
- Latest stable version is 1.3.6, released November 19, 2018
- Licensed as free software under Q27016754
- Part of the GNU Project and distributed through GNU ELPA since August 29, 2014
- Available for both GNU Emacs and XEmacs platforms
- Simulates both BRIEF and CRiSP editors
- Maintained by Gary D. Foster since 1996
- Has multiple aliases including emacs-crisp, crisp.el, and XEmacs CRiSP mode

## FAQs
### Q: What is CRiSP Editor Emulator used for?
A: CRiSP Editor Emulator provides Emacs users with CRiSP editor key bindings and behavior, allowing those familiar with CRiSP to work in Emacs without learning new shortcuts. It emulates the CRiSP text editor's interface within Emacs.

### Q: Who created the CRiSP Editor Emulator?
A: Gary D. Foster, an academic researcher from Sun Microsystems, created the CRiSP Editor Emulator. He has maintained it since its inception in 1996.

### Q: How can I install CRiSP Editor Emulator?
A: CRiSP Editor Emulator is available through GNU ELPA (Emacs Lisp Package Archive) and can be installed using Emacs' package manager. It's also available for XEmacs through the app-xemacs/crisp Gentoo package.

## Why It Matters
CRiSP Editor Emulator serves an important niche by bridging the gap between different text editor ecosystems. For developers and users who have invested significant time learning CRiSP's key bindings and workflow, switching to Emacs would typically require learning an entirely new set of commands and behaviors. This emulator eliminates that barrier, allowing users to leverage Emacs's extensive ecosystem and extensibility while maintaining their familiar CRiSP interface. As part of the GNU Project and GNU ELPA, it represents the open source community's commitment to user choice and compatibility. The emulator's longevity—maintained since 1996—demonstrates its continued relevance and the dedicated user base that relies on it. By supporting both GNU Emacs and XEmacs, it ensures broad accessibility across the Emacs family of editors.

## Notable For
- One of the longest-maintained Emacs emulation modes, with continuous development since 1996
- Provides seamless transition for CRiSP users moving to Emacs without learning new key bindings
- Part of the official GNU ELPA package repository, ensuring quality and distribution
- Supports both major Emacs variants (GNU Emacs and XEmacs)
- Created by a Sun Microsystems researcher, bringing enterprise-level development to the open source community

## Body
### Development History
CRiSP Editor Emulator was created by Gary D. Foster, who was working as an academic researcher at Sun Microsystems at the time. The project began on March 1, 1996, and Foster has maintained it continuously since then. The emulator was added to GNU ELPA on August 29, 2014, making it officially part of the GNU Project's package distribution system.

### Technical Specifications
The emulator is written in Emacs Lisp and functions as a major mode within Emacs. It simulates both the BRIEF and CRiSP editors, providing users with familiar key bindings and behaviors from these editors while working in Emacs. The package has gone through several stable releases, with version 1.3.6 being the latest as of November 19, 2018.

### Distribution and Availability
CRiSP Editor Emulator is distributed through multiple channels. It's available as a package in GNU ELPA

## References

1. [Source](https://elpa.gnu.org/packages/crisp.html)
2. [[ELPA] New package "brief" editor emulator is now officially released. 2018](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/emacs-devel/2018-08/msg00413.html)
3. [Source](https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs/elpa.git/tree/crisp.el?h=externals/crisp)
4. [crisp version 1.3.6. 2018](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2018-11/msg00016.html)
5. [crisp version 1.3.5. 2018](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2018-10/msg00018.html)
6. [crisp version 1.3.4. 2014](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2014-08/msg00007.html)
7. [Source](https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs/elpa.git/tree/brief.el?h=externals/brief)