updated for version 7.3.203
Problem: MS-Windows: Can't run an external command without a console window.
Solution: Support ":!start /b cmd". (Xaizek)
diff --git a/runtime/doc/os_win32.txt b/runtime/doc/os_win32.txt
index 9557f2e..7f224f8 100644
--- a/runtime/doc/os_win32.txt
+++ b/runtime/doc/os_win32.txt
@@ -313,7 +313,36 @@
with :!start do not get passed Vim's open file handles, which means they do
not have to be closed before Vim.
To avoid this special treatment, use ":! start".
- The optional "/min" argument causes the window to be minimized.
+ There are two optional arguments (see the next Q):
+ /min the window will be minimized.
+ /b" no console window will be opened
+ You can only one of these flags at a time. A second second one will be
+ treated as the start of the command.
+
+Q. How do I avoid getting a window for programs that I run asynchronously?
+A. You have two possible solutions depending on what exactly do you want:
+ 1) You may use the /min flag that would run program in minimized state with
+ no other changes. It will work equally for console and GUI applications.
+ 2) You can use /b flag to run console applications without creating a
+ console window for them (GUI applications are not affected). But you
+ should use this flag only if application you run doesn't require any
+ input. Otherwise it will get an EOF error because it's input stream
+ (stdin) would be redirected to \\.\NUL (stdour and stderr too).
+
+ Example for a console application, run Exuberant ctags: >
+ :!start /min ctags -R .
+< When it has finished you should see file named "tags" in your current
+ directory. You should notice the window title blinking on your taskbar.
+ This is more noticable for commands that take longer.
+ Now delete the "tags" file and run this command: >
+ :!start /b ctags -R .
+< You should have the same "tags" file, but this time there will be no
+ blinking on the taskbar.
+ Example for a GUI application: >
+ :!start /min notepad
+ :!start /b notepad
+< The first command runs notepad minimized and the second one runs it
+ normally.
Q. I'm using Win32s, and when I try to run an external command like "make",
Vim doesn't wait for it to finish! Help!