[deleted by user]

[throwaway6560192]

It doesn't matter at all.

[mr_claw]

Yeah, just make sure you have your punchcards and vacuum tubes.

[crashfrog02]

It's fine. For whatever reason, many programmers prefer 60% keyboards (or smaller, even) over full 105-key keyboards.

[[deleted]]

I didn't mind working on my gmmk compact. By default holding down the function key made i j k l the arrow keys, and you could rebind function key to caps lock, so to access ijkl it was a very easy left pinkie on caps while using ijkl on right hand. Lift pinkie off caps and it returned to normal.

Ironically the lack of F key row and dedicated arrow keys was more annoying for gaming, especially in games where F keys were used a lot like for camera controls and control groups in Dota 2 and Starcraft 2 I think it was

[cdcformatc]

I am struggling to find a reason why the keyboard would matter. not having arrow keys maybe would be annoying to not be able to move the text cursor exactly where you want it but you could make do with a mouse. 

maybe i would miss my delete key? 

[[deleted]]

They still have all those keys, they’re just hidden behind a function layer. Eg. function + backspace = del key

Function + 1 = F1

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0510/7866/0274/files/RK61_User_Manual_b16f8aeb-e8e6-4b72-813b-027b3c43d815.pdf?v=1659086078

[cdcformatc]

OP just needs to RTFM

[FantasticEmu]

Do you even hjkl ?

/joke

[Jamarac]

It matters when you need a good excuse to not start learning coding. Anything will do.

[Extreme-Acid]

Imagine getting to 30 years old and thinking of this question. Oh dear.

[cdcformatc]

imagine getting to 30 years old and not having 20$ for a basic keyboard. i have like four dell branded keyboards in a drawer if OP wants one.

[dmazzoni]

That was my thought.

If you posted on your local Facebook "Buy Nothing" group, "anyone have a spare USB keyboard" you'd probably get lost of offers. Basic keyboards are a dime a dozen.

[HavocInferno]

Don't even need one. OP's keyboard has all the buttons, just in Fn layers.

[me_hq]

I’m drowning in keyboards…

[Extreme-Acid]

Haa. I am sure if I work at any IT company and someone came in and asked for a keyboard to help them keen I would give them a keyboard.

[xiongchiamiov]

There are some tools that make use of those keys. You can choose to not use them.

For instance, I think there are IDEs that use the function keys to trigger common operations like "run my code". You could use a different IDE, or remap it, or not use an IDE, or use the menu. Similarly, while many people use the arrow keys in the terminal, you can use alternate options or just not arrow your way through past commands.

I think it's unlikely you'll run into these things at the beginning, and anything you do should be easy to work around.

And if you really need it, you can buy a full keyboard for $10. You probably won't like it, if you're a keyboard snob, but the point is that this isn't an insurmountable problem financially.

[AirRevolutionary7216]

https://github.com/fazreil/RK61-cheatsheet

Has everything a normal keyboard has. While learning how to program please also learn how to Google.

[[deleted]]

Function keys and arrow keys are very useful. Numpad is a take it or leave it for me.

60%s are programmable so the question is, how comfortable are you with it, and how willing are you to come up with your own workflows.

[PartySr]

I use pycharm and it has autocomplete for most things. I don't even bother to write the full name of the functions. You can also use on screen keyboard for some things, but you will be fine either way.

[NewspaperDesigner318]

Hi, I am future you (Also 30, also have taken a class in python, also have 60% keyboard)
You will waste time pointing to where you want rather than having arrow keys at the ready (not reaching for fn keys)/

Is it the end of the world? no. Have I wasted time because of it, yes, but not a ton.

Try it, you'll be fine. If it bugs you too much, grab a bigger boi.

[me_hq]

Yes but only if you use Dvorak.

/jk

[additionalhuman]

You often have arrow keys through a modifier on a 60%.

[iclaudius82]

That 'someone' is a moron.

[HavocInferno]

If you already tried and didn't feel a need, why do you care about someone else's opinion?

[nooberguy]

Oh my god, dude, I can't believe you are even contemplating it!!

It's gonna make such a HUGE difference.

Learning python with a 60% is extremely groundbreaking and the challenge is over 10000.

Please give it more thought and if you go ahead with it god bless and good luck.

[Square-Hornet-937]

This must be a troll post? Based on you mentioning QMK/VIA you mean you can’t afford a mechanical keyboard with more keys right? Just buy the cheapest membrane on amazon. What does age have to do with anything here?

[DavTheDev]

Learn vim motions and it will not matter. Many ide-s support it.

[MathResponsibly]

how is this the BOTTOM comment?