Are CTRL+C and <esc> the same?

Question

I tried entering the key sequence <esc>+<n>+i+<some-char>+<esc> and it'll type <some-char> <n> times.

But if I'm using a macbook keyboard there is no escape key, so I tried this instead <CTRL+C>+<n>+i+<some-char>+<CTRL+C>, and it didn't type <some-char> <n> times; is there an alternative way to do this on a Macbook, or when you don't have an esc key?

Answer 1

<esc> and <C-c> are mostly similar.

They will differ in some cases such as the following:

• Doing a vertical insert (<C-v>, then going down, then i to insert the same character, or text, on multiple lines): <esc> will leave the insert mode and insert the typed text on the selected lines, whereas <C-c> will leave the insert mode and will only insert the text where the cursor was (cancelling the vertical insert).
• When using input(), the behaviour changes, cf: https://stackoverflow.com/a/56163617/3866623
• <n>i, as in your question, esc will insert n times what you typed, <C-c> will cancel the input and insert it once.

<C-c> is pretty much cancelling the action and going back in Normal mode.

If you want an alternative to <esc>, <C-[> (CTRL-[) is doing exactly the same, in case you don't have an escape key.

For reference, :help i_CTRL-[ and :help i_CTRL-C:

<Esc> or CTRL-[    End insert or Replace mode, go back to Normal mode. Finish 
                   abbreviation.                                                   
                   Note: If your <Esc> key is hard to hit on your keyboard, 
                   train yourself to use CTRL-[. If Esc doesn't work and you 
                   are using a Mac, try CTRL-Esc. Or disable Listening under
                   Accessibility preferences.

CTRL-C             Quit insert mode, go back to Normal mode.  Do not check for     
                   abbreviations.  Does not trigger the InsertLeave autocommand    
                   event.