I use finite differences methods frequently, because its efficiency in functional programming. For single-variables, this is easily better in all situations.
If you don't know the symbolic representation of a function, then you can still compute the numerical derivative. Additionally, evaluating the the function at a point is much more efficient than parsing the terms (which you might not know) symbolically.
You know, I agree that I shouldn't care. That was a momentary sentiment.
Either way, I use vim, and, as a result, I have to listen to pro-and-con debates unwillingly... all the time. At the time, this was an example.
In actuality there is no right answer to what browser is best. Personally, I think vim is fast and easier-on-the-hands than emacs. In particular, I never have to lift my hands from the main row, where in emacs I too-frequently have to press combinations of keys and shift my positioning.
This all comes from someone who originally used emacs, then converted to vim.