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Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.3. Last change: 2011 Feb 07
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00003112. Textlock |textlock|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000032
33{Vi does not have any of these commands}
34
35==============================================================================
361. Variables *variables*
37
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000039 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000040There are six types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000042Number A 32 bit signed number. |expr-number| *Number*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000043 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
44
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000045Float A floating point number. |floating-point-format| *Float*
46 {only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
47 Examples: 123.456 1.15e-6 -1.1e3
48
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000049String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000050 |expr-string| Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000051
52Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
53 Example: function("strlen")
54
55List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
56 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000057
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000058Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
59 value. |Dictionary|
60 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
61
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000062The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
63are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000064
65Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
Bram Moolenaar24ea3ba2010-09-19 19:01:21 +020066the Number. Examples:
67 Number 123 --> String "123" ~
68 Number 0 --> String "0" ~
69 Number -1 --> String "-1" ~
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +020070 *octal*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000071Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
72to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
Bram Moolenaar24ea3ba2010-09-19 19:01:21 +020073the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples:
74 String "456" --> Number 456 ~
75 String "6bar" --> Number 6 ~
76 String "foo" --> Number 0 ~
77 String "0xf1" --> Number 241 ~
78 String "0100" --> Number 64 ~
79 String "-8" --> Number -8 ~
80 String "+8" --> Number 0 ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000081
82To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
83 :echo "0100" + 0
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +000084< 64 ~
85
86To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different
87base, use |str2nr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000088
89For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
90
91Note that in the command >
92 :if "foo"
93"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
94use strlen(): >
95 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000096< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
97List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000098
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000099 *E805* *E806* *E808*
100When mixing Number and Float the Number is converted to Float. Otherwise
101there is no automatic conversion of Float. You can use str2float() for String
102to Float, printf() for Float to String and float2nr() for Float to Number.
103
104 *E706* *sticky-type-checking*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000105You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
106to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000107equivalent though, as well are Float and Number. Consider this sequence of
108commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000109 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000110 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000111 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error! l is still a Number
112 :let l = 4.4 " changes type from Number to Float
113 :let l = "string" " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000114
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000115
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001161.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000117 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000118A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000119in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
120around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000121
122 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
123 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000124< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000125A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:", "t:" or "b:". You
126cannot have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000127
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000128A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
129Dictionary entry. Example: >
130 :function dict.init() dict
131 : let self.val = 0
132 :endfunction
133
134The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
135function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
136
137A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
138 :call Fn()
139 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000140
141The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000142 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143
144You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
145arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000146 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000147
148
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001491.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000150 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000151A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000152can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000153position in the sequence.
154
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000155
156List creation ~
157 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000158A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000159Examples: >
160 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
161 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000162
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000163An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000164List of Lists: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000165 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000166
167An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
168
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000169
170List index ~
171 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000172An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000173after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
174 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000175 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000176
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000177When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000178 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000179<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000180A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
181the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000182 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
183
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000184To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000185is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000186 :echo get(mylist, idx)
187 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
188
189
190List concatenation ~
191
192Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
193 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000194 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000195
196To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
197it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
198
199
200Sublist ~
201
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000202A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
203separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000204 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000205
206Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000207similar to -1. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000208 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
209 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
210 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000211
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000212If the first index is beyond the last item of the List or the second item is
213before the first item, the result is an empty list. There is no error
214message.
215
216If the second index is equal to or greater than the length of the list the
217length minus one is used: >
Bram Moolenaar9e54a0e2006-04-14 20:42:25 +0000218 :let mylist = [0, 1, 2, 3]
219 :echo mylist[2:8] " result: [2, 3]
220
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000221NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000222using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000223mylist[s : e].
224
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000225
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000226List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000227 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000228When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
229variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
230change "bb": >
231 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
232 :let bb = aa
233 :call add(aa, 4)
234 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000235< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000236
237Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
238works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000239a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000240 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
241 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000242 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000243 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
244 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000245< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000246 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000247< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000248
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000249To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000250copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000251
252The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000253List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000254the same value. >
255 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
256 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
257 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000258< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000259 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000260< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000261
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000262Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
263same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000264exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
265different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
266variables. Example: >
267 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000268< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000269 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000270< 0
271
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000272Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000273can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000274
275 :let a = 5
276 :let b = "5"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000277 :echo a == b
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000278< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000279 :echo [a] == [b]
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000280< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000281
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000282
283List unpack ~
284
285To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
286square brackets, like list items: >
287 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
288
289When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
290this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
291and a variable name: >
292 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
293
294This works like: >
295 :let var1 = mylist[0]
296 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000297 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000298
299Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
300empty list then.
301
302
303List modification ~
304 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000305To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000306 :let list[4] = "four"
307 :let listlist[0][3] = item
308
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000309To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000310modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000311 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
312
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000313Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
314examples: >
315 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
316 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
317 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000318 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000319 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
320 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000321 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000322 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000323 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000324 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000325
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000326Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000327 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
328 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
329
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000330
331For loop ~
332
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000333The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
334to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000335 :for item in mylist
336 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000337 :endfor
338
339This works like: >
340 :let index = 0
341 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000342 : let item = mylist[index]
343 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000344 : let index = index + 1
345 :endwhile
346
347Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000348results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000349the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000350
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000351If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000352function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000353
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000354Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000355requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
356 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
357 : call Doit(lnum, col)
358 :endfor
359
360This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
361must remain the same to avoid an error.
362
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000363It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000364 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
365 : call Doit(i, j)
366 : if !empty(rest)
367 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
368 : endif
369 :endfor
370
371
372List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000373 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000374Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000375 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000376 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000377 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
378 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
379 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000380 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
381 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000382 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
383 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000384 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
385 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000386 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
387 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000388
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000389Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
390example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
391 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
392
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000393
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003941.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000395 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000396A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000397entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
398ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000399
400
401Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000402 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000403A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000404braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
405only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000406 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
407 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000408< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000409A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
410String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000411entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000412Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000413
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000414A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000415nested Dictionary: >
416 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
417
418An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
419
420
421Accessing entries ~
422
423The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
424 :let val = mydict["one"]
425 :let mydict["four"] = 4
426
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000427You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000428
429For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
430form can be used |expr-entry|: >
431 :let val = mydict.one
432 :let mydict.four = 4
433
434Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
435key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000436 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000437
438
439Dictionary to List conversion ~
440
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000441You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000442turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
443
444Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
445 :for key in keys(mydict)
446 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
447 :endfor
448
449The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
450 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
451
452To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
453 :for v in values(mydict)
454 : echo "value: " . v
455 :endfor
456
457If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000458a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000459 :for [key, value] in items(mydict)
460 : echo key . ': ' . value
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000461 :endfor
462
463
464Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000465 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000466Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
467Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
468Dictionary: >
469 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
470 :let adict = onedict
471 :let adict['a'] = 11
472 :echo onedict['a']
473 11
474
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000475Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
476more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000477
478
479Dictionary modification ~
480 *dict-modification*
481To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
482use |:let| this way: >
483 :let dict[4] = "four"
484 :let dict['one'] = item
485
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000486Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
487Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
488 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
489 :unlet dict.aaa
490 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000491
492Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000493 :call extend(adict, bdict)
494This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
495in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000496Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
497expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
498adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000499
500Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000501 :call filter(dict, 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000502This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000503
504
505Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000506 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000507When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000508special way with a dictionary. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000509 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000510 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000511 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000512 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
513 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000514
515This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
516Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
517the function was invoked from.
518
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000519It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
520Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
521
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000522 *numbered-function* *anonymous-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000523To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
524assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000525 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
526 :function mydict.len() dict
527 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000528 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000529 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000530
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000531The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000532that references this function. The function can only be used through a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000533|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
534remaining that refers to it.
535
536It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000537
Bram Moolenaar1affd722010-08-04 17:49:30 +0200538If you get an error for a numbered function, you can find out what it is with
539a trick. Assuming the function is 42, the command is: >
540 :function {42}
541
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000542
543Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000544 *E715*
545Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000546 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
547 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
548 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
549 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
550 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
551 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
552 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
553 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000554
555
5561.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000557 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000558If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
559function.
560
561When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
562start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
563stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
564
565When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
566start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
567stored in the session file |session-file|.
568
569variable name can be stored where ~
570my_var_6 not
571My_Var_6 session file
572MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
573
574
575It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
576|curly-braces-names|.
577
578==============================================================================
5792. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
580
581Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
582
583|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
584
585|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
586
587|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
588
589|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
590 expr5 != expr5 not equal
591 expr5 > expr5 greater than
592 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
593 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
594 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
595 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
596 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
597
598 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
599 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
600 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
601 matching case
602
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000603 expr5 is expr5 same |List| instance
604 expr5 isnot expr5 different |List| instance
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000605
606|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000607 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
608 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
609
610|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
611 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
612 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
613
614|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
615 - expr7 unary minus
616 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000617
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000618
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000619|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a |List|
620 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a |List|
621 expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary|
622 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with |Funcref| variable
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000623
624|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000625 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000626 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000627 [expr1, ...] |List|
628 {expr1: expr1, ...} |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000629 &option option value
630 (expr1) nested expression
631 variable internal variable
632 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
633 $VAR environment variable
634 @r contents of register 'r'
635 function(expr1, ...) function call
636 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
637
638
639".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
640Example: >
641 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
642
643All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
644
645
646expr1 *expr1* *E109*
647-----
648
649expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
650
651The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
652non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
653otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
654Example: >
655 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
656
657Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
658other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
659Example: >
660 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
661
662To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
663 :echo lnum == 1
664 :\ ? "top"
665 :\ : lnum == 1000
666 :\ ? "last"
667 :\ : lnum
668
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000669You should always put a space before the ':', otherwise it can be mistaken for
670use in a variable such as "a:1".
671
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000672
673expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
674---------------
675
676 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
677The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
678are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
679
680 input output ~
681n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
682zero zero zero zero
683zero non-zero non-zero zero
684non-zero zero non-zero zero
685non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
686
687The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
688
689 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
690
691Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
692
693 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
694
695Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
696arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
697
698 let a = 1
699 echo a || b
700
701This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
702so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
703
704 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
705
706This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
707only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
708
709
710expr4 *expr4*
711-----
712
713expr5 {cmp} expr5
714
715Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
716if it evaluates to true.
717
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000718 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000719 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
720 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
721 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
722 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
723 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000724 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000725 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
726equal == ==# ==?
727not equal != !=# !=?
728greater than > ># >?
729greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
730smaller than < <# <?
731smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
732regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
733regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000734same instance is
735different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000736
737Examples:
738"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
739"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
740"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
741
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000742 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000743A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
744"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
745Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000746
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000747 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000748A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
749equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000750recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
751
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000752 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000753A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
754equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000755
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000756When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| this checks if the expressions are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000757referring to the same |List| instance. A copy of a |List| is different from
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000758the original |List|. When using "is" without a |List| it is equivalent to
759using "equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000760different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000761is false.
762
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000763When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000764and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000765because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
766
767When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
768results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
769necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
770
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000771When using the operators with a trailing '#', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000772'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp(): case matters.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000773
774When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000775'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp(): case is ignored.
776
777'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000778
779The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
780argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
781This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
782matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
783portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
784single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
785Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
786(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
787can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
788 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
789 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
790
791
792expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
793---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000794expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000795expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
796expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000797
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +0000798For |Lists| only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000799result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000800
801expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
802expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
803expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000804
805For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
806
807Note the difference between "+" and ".":
808 "123" + "456" = 579
809 "123" . "456" = "123456"
810
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000811Since '.' has the same precedence as '+' and '-', you need to read: >
812 1 . 90 + 90.0
813As: >
814 (1 . 90) + 90.0
815That works, since the String "190" is automatically converted to the Number
816190, which can be added to the Float 90.0. However: >
817 1 . 90 * 90.0
818Should be read as: >
819 1 . (90 * 90.0)
820Since '.' has lower precedence than '*'. This does NOT work, since this
821attempts to concatenate a Float and a String.
822
823When dividing a Number by zero the result depends on the value:
824 0 / 0 = -0x80000000 (like NaN for Float)
825 >0 / 0 = 0x7fffffff (like positive infinity)
826 <0 / 0 = -0x7fffffff (like negative infinity)
827 (before Vim 7.2 it was always 0x7fffffff)
828
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000829When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
830
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000831None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000832
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000833. and % do not work for Float. *E804*
834
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000835
836expr7 *expr7*
837-----
838! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
839- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
840+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
841
842For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
843For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
844For '+' the number is unchanged.
845
846A String will be converted to a Number first.
847
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000848These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000849 !-1 == 0
850 !!8 == 1
851 --9 == 9
852
853
854expr8 *expr8*
855-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000856expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000857
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000858If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
859expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100860Number. This doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings, see |byteidx()| for
861an alternative.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000862
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000863Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
864text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
865cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000866 :let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000867
868If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000869String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
870compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
871
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000872If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000873for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000874error. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000875 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
876
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000877Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
878|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
879error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000880
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000881
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000882expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000883
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000884If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
885from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100886expr1b are used as a Number. This doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings, see
887|byteidx()| for computing the indexes.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000888
889If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
890string minus one is used.
891
892A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
893the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
894
895If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
896expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
897
898Examples: >
899 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
900 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
901 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
902 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100903<
904 *sublist* *slice*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000905If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000906the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000907just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000908 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
909 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
910 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
911
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000912Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
913error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000914
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000915
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000916expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000917
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000918If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
919name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
920expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000921
922The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
923but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
924
925There must not be white space before or after the dot.
926
927Examples: >
928 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
929 :echo dict.one
930 :echo dict .2
931
932Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
933always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
934
935
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000936expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000937
938When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
939
940
941
942 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000943number
944------
945number number constant *expr-number*
946
947Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
948
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000949 *floating-point-format*
950Floating point numbers can be written in two forms:
951
952 [-+]{N}.{M}
953 [-+]{N}.{M}e[-+]{exp}
954
955{N} and {M} are numbers. Both {N} and {M} must be present and can only
956contain digits.
957[-+] means there is an optional plus or minus sign.
958{exp} is the exponent, power of 10.
959Only a decimal point is accepted, not a comma. No matter what the current
960locale is.
961{only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
962
963Examples:
964 123.456
965 +0.0001
966 55.0
967 -0.123
968 1.234e03
969 1.0E-6
970 -3.1416e+88
971
972These are INVALID:
973 3. empty {M}
974 1e40 missing .{M}
975
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +0000976 *float-pi* *float-e*
977A few useful values to copy&paste: >
978 :let pi = 3.14159265359
979 :let e = 2.71828182846
980
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000981Rationale:
982Before floating point was introduced, the text "123.456" was interpreted as
983the two numbers "123" and "456", both converted to a string and concatenated,
984resulting in the string "123456". Since this was considered pointless, and we
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +0000985could not find it intentionally being used in Vim scripts, this backwards
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000986incompatibility was accepted in favor of being able to use the normal notation
987for floating point numbers.
988
989 *floating-point-precision*
990The precision and range of floating points numbers depends on what "double"
991means in the library Vim was compiled with. There is no way to change this at
992runtime.
993
994The default for displaying a |Float| is to use 6 decimal places, like using
995printf("%g", f). You can select something else when using the |printf()|
996function. Example: >
997 :echo printf('%.15e', atan(1))
998< 7.853981633974483e-01
999
1000
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001001
1002string *expr-string* *E114*
1003------
1004"string" string constant *expr-quote*
1005
1006Note that double quotes are used.
1007
1008A string constant accepts these special characters:
1009\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
1010\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
1011\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
1012\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
1013\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
1014\X.. same as \x..
1015\X. same as \x.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001016\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001017 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
1018\U.... same as \u....
1019\b backspace <BS>
1020\e escape <Esc>
1021\f formfeed <FF>
1022\n newline <NL>
1023\r return <CR>
1024\t tab <Tab>
1025\\ backslash
1026\" double quote
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02001027\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W. This is for use
1028 in mappings, the 0x80 byte is escaped. Don't use <Char-xxxx> to get a
1029 utf-8 character, use \uxxxx as mentioned above.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001030
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001031Note that "\xff" is stored as the byte 255, which may be invalid in some
1032encodings. Use "\u00ff" to store character 255 according to the current value
1033of 'encoding'.
1034
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001035Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
1036
1037
1038literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
1039---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001040'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001041
1042Note that single quotes are used.
1043
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001044This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001045meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001046
1047Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001048to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001049 if a =~ "\\s*"
1050 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001051
1052
1053option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
1054------
1055&option option value, local value if possible
1056&g:option global option value
1057&l:option local option value
1058
1059Examples: >
1060 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
1061 if &insertmode
1062
1063Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
1064and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
1065anyway.
1066
1067
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001068register *expr-register* *@r*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001069--------
1070@r contents of register 'r'
1071
1072The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
1073Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001074register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00001075registers.
1076
1077When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
1078evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001079
1080
1081nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
1082-------
1083(expr1) nested expression
1084
1085
1086environment variable *expr-env*
1087--------------------
1088$VAR environment variable
1089
1090The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
1091result is an empty string.
1092 *expr-env-expand*
1093Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
1094expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
1095are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
1096the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
1097fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
1098does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
1099 :echo $version
1100 :echo expand("$version")
1101The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
1102variable (if your shell supports it).
1103
1104
1105internal variable *expr-variable*
1106-----------------
1107variable internal variable
1108See below |internal-variables|.
1109
1110
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001111function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001112-------------
1113function(expr1, ...) function call
1114See below |functions|.
1115
1116
1117==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +020011183. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E461*
1119
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001120An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1121cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1122|curly-braces-names|.
1123
1124An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001125An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1126|:unlet|.
1127Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1128been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001129
1130There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1131specified by what is prepended:
1132
1133 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1134|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1135|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001136|tabpage-variable| t: Local to the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001137|global-variable| g: Global.
1138|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1139|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1140|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001141|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001142
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001143The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1144delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001145 :for k in keys(s:)
1146 : unlet s:[k]
1147 :endfor
1148<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001149 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1150A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1151Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1152This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1153|:bdelete|.
1154
1155One local buffer variable is predefined:
1156 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1157b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1158 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1159 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1160 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1161 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001162 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1163 : call My_Update()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001164 :endif
1165<
1166 *window-variable* *w:var*
1167A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1168is deleted when the window is closed.
1169
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001170 *tabpage-variable* *t:var*
1171A variable name that is preceded with "t:" is local to the current tab page,
1172It is deleted when the tab page is closed. {not available when compiled
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001173without the |+windows| feature}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001174
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001175 *global-variable* *g:var*
1176Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001177access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001178place if you like.
1179
1180 *local-variable* *l:var*
1181Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001182But you can also prepend "l:" if you like. However, without prepending "l:"
1183you may run into reserved variable names. For example "count". By itself it
1184refers to "v:count". Using "l:count" you can have a local variable with the
1185same name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001186
1187 *script-variable* *s:var*
1188In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1189accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1190
1191They can be used in:
1192- commands executed while the script is sourced
1193- functions defined in the script
1194- autocommands defined in the script
1195- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1196 defined in the script (recursively)
1197- user defined commands defined in the script
1198Thus not in:
1199- other scripts sourced from this one
1200- mappings
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001201- menus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001202- etc.
1203
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001204Script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1205Take this example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001206
1207 let s:counter = 0
1208 function MyCounter()
1209 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1210 echo s:counter
1211 endfunction
1212 command Tick call MyCounter()
1213
1214You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1215that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1216"Tick" was defined is used.
1217
1218Another example that does the same: >
1219
1220 let s:counter = 0
1221 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1222
1223When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001224script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001225defined.
1226
1227The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1228function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1229
1230 let s:counter = 0
1231 function StartCounting(incr)
1232 if a:incr
1233 function MyCounter()
1234 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1235 endfunction
1236 else
1237 function MyCounter()
1238 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1239 endfunction
1240 endif
1241 endfunction
1242
1243This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1244when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1245called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1246
1247When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1248They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1249maintain a counter: >
1250
1251 if !exists("s:counter")
1252 let s:counter = 1
1253 echo "script executed for the first time"
1254 else
1255 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1256 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1257 endif
1258
1259Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1260variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1261
1262
1263Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1264
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001265 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1266v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1267 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1268 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1269
1270 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1271v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1272 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1273
1274 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1275v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1276 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1277
1278 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001279v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1280 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1281 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1282 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001283 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1284 highlighted text is used.
1285 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1286
1287 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1288v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1289 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1290
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001291 *v:char* *char-variable*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001292v:char Argument for evaluating 'formatexpr' and used for the typed
Bram Moolenaar945e2db2010-06-05 17:43:32 +02001293 character when using <expr> in an abbreviation |:map-<expr>|.
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001294
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001295 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1296v:charconvert_from
1297 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1298 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1299
1300 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1301v:charconvert_to
1302 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1303 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1304
1305 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1306v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1307 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1308 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1309 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1310 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1311 possible to append this variable directly after the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001312 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001313 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1314 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1315 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1316 in 'printexpr'.
1317
1318 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1319v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1320 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1321 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1322 can be used.
1323
1324 *v:count* *count-variable*
1325v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001326 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001327 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1328< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1329 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001330 When there are two counts, as in "3d2w", they are multiplied,
1331 just like what happens in the command, "d6w" for the example.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001332 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001333 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1334
1335 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1336v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1337 used.
1338
1339 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1340v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1341 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1342 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1343 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1344 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1345 command.
1346 See |multi-lang|.
1347
1348 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001349v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001350 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1351 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1352 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1353 Example: >
1354 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +02001355< Note: if another deadly signal is caught when v:dying is one,
1356 VimLeave autocommands will not be executed.
1357
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001358 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1359v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1360 Example: >
1361 :let v:errmsg = ""
1362 :silent! next
1363 :if v:errmsg != ""
1364 : ... handle error
1365< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1366
1367 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1368v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1369 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1370 Example: >
1371 :try
1372 : throw "oops"
1373 :catch /.*/
1374 : echo "caught" v:exception
1375 :endtry
1376< Output: "caught oops".
1377
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001378 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1379v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1380 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1381 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1382 deleted file no longer exists
1383 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1384 changed and buffer is modified
1385 changed file contents has changed
1386 mode mode of file changed
1387 time only file timestamp changed
1388
1389 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1390v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1391 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1392 do with the affected buffer:
1393 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1394 the file was deleted).
1395 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1396 was no autocommand. Except that when
1397 only the timestamp changed nothing
1398 will happen.
1399 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1400 everything that needs to be done.
1401 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1402 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1403
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001404 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001405v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001406 option used for ~
1407 'charconvert' file to be converted
1408 'diffexpr' original file
1409 'patchexpr' original file
1410 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001411 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001412
1413 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1414v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1415 evaluating:
1416 option used for ~
1417 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1418 'diffexpr' output of diff
1419 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1420 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001421 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001422 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1423 file and different from v:fname_in.
1424
1425 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1426v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1427 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1428
1429 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1430v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1431 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1432
1433 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1434v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1435 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001436 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001437
1438 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1439v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001440 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001441
1442 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1443v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001444 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001445
1446 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1447v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001448 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001449
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001450 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1451v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1452 events. Values:
1453 i Insert mode
1454 r Replace mode
1455 v Virtual Replace mode
1456
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001457 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001458v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001459 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1460 Read-only.
1461
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001462 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1463v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1464 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1465 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1466 The value is system dependent.
1467 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1468 command.
1469 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1470 in a different language than what is used for character
1471 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1472
1473 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1474v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1475 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1476 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1477 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1478 command. See |multi-lang|.
1479
1480 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar368373e2010-07-19 20:46:22 +02001481v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr|, 'formatexpr' and
1482 'indentexpr' expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel'
1483 and 'guitabtooltip'. Only valid while one of these
1484 expressions is being evaluated. Read-only when in the
1485 |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001486
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00001487 *v:mouse_win* *mouse_win-variable*
1488v:mouse_win Window number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1489 First window has number 1, like with |winnr()|. The value is
1490 zero when there was no mouse button click.
1491
1492 *v:mouse_lnum* *mouse_lnum-variable*
1493v:mouse_lnum Line number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1494 This is the text line number, not the screen line number. The
1495 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1496
1497 *v:mouse_col* *mouse_col-variable*
1498v:mouse_col Column number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1499 This is the screen column number, like with |virtcol()|. The
1500 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1501
Bram Moolenaard812df62008-11-09 12:46:09 +00001502 *v:oldfiles* *oldfiles-variable*
1503v:oldfiles List of file names that is loaded from the |viminfo| file on
1504 startup. These are the files that Vim remembers marks for.
1505 The length of the List is limited by the ' argument of the
1506 'viminfo' option (default is 100).
1507 Also see |:oldfiles| and |c_#<|.
1508 The List can be modified, but this has no effect on what is
1509 stored in the |viminfo| file later. If you use values other
1510 than String this will cause trouble.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001511 {only when compiled with the |+viminfo| feature}
Bram Moolenaard812df62008-11-09 12:46:09 +00001512
Bram Moolenaar8af1fbf2008-01-05 12:35:21 +00001513 *v:operator* *operator-variable*
1514v:operator The last operator given in Normal mode. This is a single
1515 character except for commands starting with <g> or <z>,
1516 in which case it is two characters. Best used alongside
1517 |v:prevcount| and |v:register|. Useful if you want to cancel
1518 Operator-pending mode and then use the operator, e.g.: >
1519 :omap O <Esc>:call MyMotion(v:operator)<CR>
1520< The value remains set until another operator is entered, thus
1521 don't expect it to be empty.
1522 v:operator is not set for |:delete|, |:yank| or other Ex
1523 commands.
1524 Read-only.
1525
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001526 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1527v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1528 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
Bram Moolenaar8af1fbf2008-01-05 12:35:21 +00001529 you want to cancel Visual or Operator-pending mode and then
1530 use the count, e.g.: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001531 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1532< Read-only.
1533
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001534 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001535v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001536 See |profiling|.
1537
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001538 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1539v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1540 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1541 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1542 Read-only.
1543
1544 *v:register* *register-variable*
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01001545v:register The name of the register in effect for the current normal mode
1546 command. If none is supplied it is the default register.
1547 Also see |getreg()| and |setreg()|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001548
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001549 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1550v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1551 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1552 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1553 typed command.
1554 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1555 hit-enter prompt.
1556
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001557 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1558v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1559 Read-only.
1560
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001561
1562v:searchforward *v:searchforward* *searchforward-variable*
1563 Search direction: 1 after a forward search, 0 after a
1564 backward search. It is reset to forward when directly setting
1565 the last search pattern, see |quote/|.
1566 Note that the value is restored when returning from a
1567 function. |function-search-undo|.
1568 Read-write.
1569
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001570 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1571v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1572 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1573 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1574 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1575 executed. Read-only.
1576 Example: >
1577 :!mv foo bar
1578 :if v:shell_error
1579 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1580 :endif
1581< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1582
1583 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1584v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1585
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001586 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1587v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1588 the swap file found. Read-only.
1589
1590 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1591v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1592 for handling an existing swap file:
1593 'o' Open read-only
1594 'e' Edit anyway
1595 'r' Recover
1596 'd' Delete swapfile
1597 'q' Quit
1598 'a' Abort
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001599 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001600 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1601 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1602
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001603 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001604v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001605 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001606 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001607 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001608 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001609
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001610 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1611v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001612 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001613 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1614 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1615 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1616 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1617 terminal.
1618 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1619 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1620 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1621 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1622 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1623
1624 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1625v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1626 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1627 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1628 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1629
1630 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1631v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001632 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001633 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1634 Example: >
1635 :try
1636 : throw "oops"
1637 :catch /.*/
1638 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1639 :endtry
1640< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1641
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001642 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001643v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001644 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001645 |filter()|. Read-only.
1646
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001647 *v:version* *version-variable*
1648v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1649 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1650 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1651 compatibility.
1652 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1653 if has("patch123")
1654< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1655 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1656 completely different.
1657
1658 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1659v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1660
Bram Moolenaar727c8762010-10-20 19:17:48 +02001661 *v:windowid* *windowid-variable*
1662v:windowid When any X11 based GUI is running or when running in a
1663 terminal and Vim connects to the X server (|-X|) this will be
Bram Moolenaar264e9fd2010-10-27 12:33:17 +02001664 set to the window ID.
1665 When an MS-Windows GUI is running this will be set to the
1666 window handle.
1667 Otherwise the value is zero.
1668 Note: for windows inside Vim use |winnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar727c8762010-10-20 19:17:48 +02001669
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001670==============================================================================
16714. Builtin Functions *functions*
1672
1673See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1674
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001675(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001676
1677USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1678
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001679abs( {expr}) Float or Number absolute value of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001680acos( {expr}) Float arc cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001681add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001682append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001683append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001684argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001685argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001686argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001687argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001688asin( {expr}) Float arc sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001689atan( {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001690atan2( {expr}, {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001691browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1692 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001693browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001694bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001695buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1696bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001697bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1698bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1699bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1700byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001701byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001702call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1703 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001704ceil( {expr}) Float round {expr} up
1705changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001706char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001707cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001708clearmatches() none clear all matches
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001709col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001710complete( {startcol}, {matches}) none set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001711complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001712complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001713confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1714 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001715copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001716cos( {expr}) Float cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001717cosh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001718count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1719 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001720cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1721 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001722cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {coladd}])
1723 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {coladd}
1724cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001725deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001726delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1727did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001728diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1729diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001730empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001731escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001732eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001733eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001734executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1735exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001736extend( {expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001737 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001738exp( {expr}) Float exponential of {expr}
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00001739expand( {expr} [, {flag}]) String expand special keywords in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001740feedkeys( {string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001741filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001742filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001743filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1744 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001745finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001746 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001747findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001748 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001749float2nr( {expr}) Number convert Float {expr} to a Number
1750floor( {expr}) Float round {expr} down
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001751fmod( {expr1}, {expr2}) Float remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00001752fnameescape( {fname}) String escape special characters in {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001753fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001754foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1755foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001756foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001757foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001758foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001759foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001760function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00001761garbagecollect( [at_exit]) none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001762get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001763get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001764getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1765 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001766getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001767getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1768getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001769getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1770getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001771getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001772getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001773getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1774getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001775getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001776getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001777getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001778getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1779getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001780getloclist( {nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001781getmatches() List list of current matches
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00001782getpid() Number process ID of Vim
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001783getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001784getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001785getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001786getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02001787gettabvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in tab {nr}
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001788gettabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {name})
1789 any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001790getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1791getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001792getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00001793glob( {expr} [, {flag}]) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1794globpath( {path}, {expr} [, {flag}])
1795 String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001796has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001797has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00001798haslocaldir() Number TRUE if current window executed |:lcd|
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001799hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1800 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001801histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1802histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1803histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1804histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1805hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1806hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1807hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001808iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1809indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001810index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1811 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001812input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1813 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001814inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001815inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001816inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1817inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001818inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001819insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001820isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001821islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001822items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001823join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001824keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001825len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1826libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001827libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1828line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1829line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001830lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001831localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001832log( {expr}) Float natural logarithm (base e) of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001833log10( {expr}) Float logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001834map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02001835maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr} [, {dict}]]])
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001836 String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1837mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1838 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001839match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001840 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001841matchadd( {group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
1842 Number highlight {pattern} with {group}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001843matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001844matchdelete( {id}) Number delete match identified by {id}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001845matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001846 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001847matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1848 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001849matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1850 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001851max( {list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1852min( {list}) Number minimum value of items in {list}
1853mkdir( {name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001854 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001855mode( [expr]) String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01001856mzeval( {expr}) any evaluate |MzScheme| expression
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001857nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1858nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001859pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001860pow( {x}, {y}) Float {x} to the power of {y}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001861prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001862printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
1863pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001864range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1865 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001866readfile( {fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001867 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00001868reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
1869reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001870remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1871 String send expression
1872remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1873remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1874 Number check for reply string
1875remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1876remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1877 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001878remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001879remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001880rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1881repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1882resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001883reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001884round( {expr}) Float round off {expr}
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001885search( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
1886 Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001887searchdecl( {name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001888 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001889searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001890 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001891searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001892 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001893searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001894 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001895server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1896 Number send reply string
1897serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1898setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1899setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1900setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001901setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1902 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001903setmatches( {list}) Number restore a list of matches
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001904setpos( {expr}, {list}) Number set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001905setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001906setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02001907settabvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in tab page {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001908settabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window
1909 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001910setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00001911shellescape( {string} [, {special}])
1912 String escape {string} for use as shell
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00001913 command argument
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001914simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001915sin( {expr}) Float sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001916sinh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001917sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001918soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001919spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001920spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1921 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001922split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001923 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01001924sqrt( {expr}) Float square root of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001925str2float( {expr}) Float convert String to Float
1926str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert String to Number
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02001927strchars( {expr}) Number character length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02001928strdisplaywidth( {expr} [, {col}]) Number display length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001929strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001930stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1931 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001932string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001933strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1934strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1935 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001936strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1937 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001938strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02001939strwidth( {expr}) Number display cell length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001940submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001941substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1942 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001943synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001944synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1945 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1946synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaar483c5d82010-10-20 18:45:33 +02001947synconcealed( {lnum}, {col}) List info about concealing
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001948synstack( {lnum}, {col}) List stack of syntax IDs at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001949system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001950tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1951tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1952tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1953 Number number of current window in tab page
1954taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001955tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001956tempname() String name for a temporary file
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001957tan( {expr}) Float tangent of {expr}
1958tanh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001959tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1960toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001961tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1962 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01001963trunc( {expr}) Float truncate Float {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001964type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02001965undofile( {name}) String undo file name for {name}
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02001966undotree() List undo file tree
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001967values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001968virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1969visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1970winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1971wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1972winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1973winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001974winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001975winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001976winrestview( {dict}) none restore view of current window
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00001977winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001978winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001979writefile( {list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001980 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001981
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001982abs({expr}) *abs()*
1983 Return the absolute value of {expr}. When {expr} evaluates to
1984 a |Float| abs() returns a |Float|. When {expr} can be
1985 converted to a |Number| abs() returns a |Number|. Otherwise
1986 abs() gives an error message and returns -1.
1987 Examples: >
1988 echo abs(1.456)
1989< 1.456 >
1990 echo abs(-5.456)
1991< 5.456 >
1992 echo abs(-4)
1993< 4
1994 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
1995
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001996
1997acos({expr}) *acos()*
1998 Return the arc cosine of {expr} measured in radians, as a
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02001999 |Float| in the range of [0, pi].
2000 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002001 [-1, 1].
2002 Examples: >
2003 :echo acos(0)
2004< 1.570796 >
2005 :echo acos(-0.5)
2006< 2.094395
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002007 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002008
2009
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002010add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002011 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
2012 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002013 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
2014 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002015< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002016 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002017 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002018
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002019
2020append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002021 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
2022 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002023 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
2024 the current buffer.
2025 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002026 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002027 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002028 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002029 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002030<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002031 *argc()*
2032argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
2033 current window. See |arglist|.
2034
2035 *argidx()*
2036argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
2037 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
2038
2039 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00002040argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002041 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
2042 Example: >
2043 :let i = 0
2044 :while i < argc()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002045 : let f = escape(fnameescape(argv(i)), '.')
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002046 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
2047 : let i = i + 1
2048 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00002049< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
2050 returned.
2051
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002052asin({expr}) *asin()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002053 Return the arc sine of {expr} measured in radians, as a |Float|
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002054 in the range of [-pi/2, pi/2].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002055 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002056 [-1, 1].
2057 Examples: >
2058 :echo asin(0.8)
2059< 0.927295 >
2060 :echo asin(-0.5)
2061< -0.523599
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002062 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002063
2064
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002065atan({expr}) *atan()*
2066 Return the principal value of the arc tangent of {expr}, in
2067 the range [-pi/2, +pi/2] radians, as a |Float|.
2068 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2069 Examples: >
2070 :echo atan(100)
2071< 1.560797 >
2072 :echo atan(-4.01)
2073< -1.326405
2074 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2075
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002076
2077atan2({expr1}, {expr2}) *atan2()*
2078 Return the arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}, measured in
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002079 radians, as a |Float| in the range [-pi, pi].
2080 {expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002081 Examples: >
2082 :echo atan2(-1, 1)
2083< -0.785398 >
2084 :echo atan2(1, -1)
2085< 2.356194
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002086 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002087
2088
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002089 *browse()*
2090browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
2091 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
2092 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2093 The input fields are:
2094 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
2095 {title} title for the requester
2096 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2097 {default} default file name
2098 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2099 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2100
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002101 *browsedir()*
2102browsedir({title}, {initdir})
2103 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
2104 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2105 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
2106 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
2107 to be used.
2108 The input fields are:
2109 {title} title for the requester
2110 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2111 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2112 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2113
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002114bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
2115 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2116 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002117 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002118 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002119 exactly. The name can be:
2120 - Relative to the current directory.
2121 - A full path.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002122 - The name of a buffer with 'buftype' set to "nofile".
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002123 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002124 Unlisted buffers will be found.
2125 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
2126 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
2127 long name to be able to find them.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002128 bufexists() may report a buffer exists, but to use the name
2129 with a |:buffer| command you may need to use |expand()|. Esp
2130 for MS-Windows 8.3 names in the form "c:\DOCUME~1"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002131 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
2132 file name.
2133 *buffer_exists()*
2134 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
2135
2136buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
2137 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2138 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002139 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002140
2141bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
2142 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2143 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002144 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002145
2146bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
2147 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
2148 ":ls" command.
2149 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
2150 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
2151 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002152 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002153 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
2154 match an empty string is returned.
2155 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
2156 alternate buffer.
2157 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002158 or middle of the buffer name is accepted. If you only want a
2159 full match then put "^" at the start and "$" at the end of the
2160 pattern.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002161 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
2162 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
2163 buffers are searched for.
2164 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
2165 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
2166 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
2167< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
2168 string is returned. >
2169 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
2170 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
2171 bufname("%") name of current buffer
2172 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
2173< *buffer_name()*
2174 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
2175
2176 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002177bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
2178 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002179 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002180 above.
2181 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
2182 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
2183 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002184 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
2185 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
2186< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
2187 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
2188 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
2189 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
2190 *buffer_number()*
2191 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
2192 *last_buffer_nr()*
2193 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
2194
2195bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
2196 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
2197 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002198 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002199 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
2200
2201 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
2202
2203< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
2204 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002205 Only deals with the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002206
2207
2208byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
2209 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
2210 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
2211 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
2212 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
2213 one.
2214 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
2215 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
2216 feature}
2217
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00002218byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
2219 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
2220 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
2221 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
2222 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
2223 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
2224 Example : >
2225 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
2226< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
2227 same: >
2228 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
2229 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
2230< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
2231 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
2232 is returned.
2233
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002234call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002235 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002236 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002237 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002238 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
2239 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002240 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
2241 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002242
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002243ceil({expr}) *ceil()*
2244 Return the smallest integral value greater than or equal to
2245 {expr} as a |Float| (round up).
2246 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2247 Examples: >
2248 echo ceil(1.456)
2249< 2.0 >
2250 echo ceil(-5.456)
2251< -5.0 >
2252 echo ceil(4.0)
2253< 4.0
2254 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2255
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00002256changenr() *changenr()*
2257 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
2258 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
2259 with the |:undo| command.
2260 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
2261 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
2262 one less than the number of the undone change.
2263
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002264char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
2265 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
2266 char2nr(" ") returns 32
2267 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
2268< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002269 char2nr("á") returns 225
2270 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002271< |nr2char()| does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002272
2273cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
2274 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
2275 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
2276 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
2277 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
2278 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
2279 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00002280 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002281
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00002282clearmatches() *clearmatches()*
2283 Clears all matches previously defined by |matchadd()| and the
2284 |:match| commands.
2285
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002286 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00002287col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002288 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2289 . the cursor position
2290 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
2291 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
2292 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2293 returned)
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002294 Additionally {expr} can be [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line
2295 and column number. Most useful when the column is "$", to get
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002296 the last column of a specific line. When "lnum" or "col" is
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002297 out of range then col() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002298 To get the line number use |line()|. To get both use
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002299 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002300 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
2301 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2302 Examples: >
2303 col(".") column of cursor
2304 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
2305 col("'t") column of mark t
2306 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002307< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002308 For an uppercase mark the column may actually be in another
2309 buffer.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002310 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
2311 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
2312 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
2313 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
2314 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
2315 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
2316 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
2317<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002318
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002319complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
2320 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2321 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002322 with CTRL-R = |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O or
2323 with an expression mapping.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002324 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2325 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2326 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2327 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2328 match.
2329 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2330 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2331 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002332 inserting anything that would cause completion to stop.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002333 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2334 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2335 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2336 Example: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002337 inoremap <F5> <C-R>=ListMonths()<CR>
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002338
2339 func! ListMonths()
2340 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2341 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2342 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2343 return ''
2344 endfunc
2345< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2346 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2347
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002348complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2349 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2350 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2351 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2352 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2353 the list.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002354 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002355 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002356
2357complete_check() *complete_check()*
2358 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2359 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2360 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2361 zero otherwise.
2362 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2363 'completefunc' option.
2364
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002365 *confirm()*
2366confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2367 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2368 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2369 choice this is 1.
2370 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2371 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002372
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002373 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2374 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2375 used (and translated).
2376 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2377 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002378
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002379 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2380 by '\n', e.g. >
2381 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2382< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2383 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2384 not need to be the first letter: >
2385 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2386< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2387 the default shortcut key.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002388
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002389 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2390 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2391 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2392 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002393
2394 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
2395 is only used for the icon of the GTK, Mac, Motif and Win32
2396 GUI. It can be one of these values: "Error", "Question",
2397 "Info", "Warning" or "Generic". Only the first character is
2398 relevant. When {type} is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2399
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002400 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2401 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2402
2403 An example: >
2404 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2405 :if choice == 0
2406 : echo "make up your mind!"
2407 :elseif choice == 3
2408 : echo "tasteful"
2409 :else
2410 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2411 :endif
2412< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2413 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002414 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002415 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2416 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2417 the horizontal layout is always used.
2418
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002419 *copy()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002420copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002421 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002422 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2423 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002424 copy, and vice versa. But the items are identical, thus
2425 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002426 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002427
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002428cos({expr}) *cos()*
2429 Return the cosine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
2430 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2431 Examples: >
2432 :echo cos(100)
2433< 0.862319 >
2434 :echo cos(-4.01)
2435< -0.646043
2436 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2437
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002438
2439cosh({expr}) *cosh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002440 Return the hyperbolic cosine of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002441 [1, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002442 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002443 Examples: >
2444 :echo cosh(0.5)
2445< 1.127626 >
2446 :echo cosh(-0.5)
2447< -1.127626
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002448 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002449
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002450
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002451count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002452 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002453 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002454 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002455 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002456 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2457
2458
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002459 *cscope_connection()*
2460cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2461 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2462 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2463 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2464 if there are no cscope connections;
2465 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2466
2467 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2468 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2469
2470 {num} Description of existence check
2471 ----- ------------------------------
2472 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2473 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2474 {dbpath}.
2475 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2476 {dbpath}.
2477 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2478 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2479 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2480 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2481
2482 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2483
2484 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2485
2486 # pid database name prepend path
2487 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2488<
2489 Invocation Return Val ~
2490 ---------- ---------- >
2491 cscope_connection() 1
2492 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2493 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2494 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2495 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2496 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2497 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2498 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2499<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002500cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2501cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002502 Positions the cursor at the column (byte count) {col} in the
2503 line {lnum}. The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002504 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002505 with two or three items {lnum}, {col} and {off}. This is like
2506 the return value of |getpos()|, but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002507 Does not change the jumplist.
2508 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2509 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2510 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002511 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002512 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2513 line.
2514 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002515 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2516 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00002517 position within a <Tab> or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar798b30b2009-04-22 10:56:16 +00002518 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002519
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002520
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002521deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002522 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002523 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002524 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2525 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002526 copy, and vice versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002527 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002528 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2529 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2530 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2531 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2532 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2533 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002534 *E724*
2535 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002536 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2537 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002538 Also see |copy()|.
2539
2540delete({fname}) *delete()*
2541 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002542 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2543 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002544 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002545
2546 *did_filetype()*
2547did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2548 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2549 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2550 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2551 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2552 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2553 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2554 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2555 file.
2556
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002557diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2558 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2559 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2560 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2561 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2562 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2563 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2564 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2565
2566diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2567 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2568 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2569 diff change zero is returned.
2570 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2571 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2572 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2573 line.
2574 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2575 syntax information about the highlighting.
2576
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002577empty({expr}) *empty()*
2578 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002579 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002580 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002581 For a long |List| this is much faster than comparing the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002582 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002583
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002584escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2585 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2586 backslash. Example: >
2587 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2588< results in: >
2589 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002590< Also see |shellescape()|.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002591
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002592 *eval()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002593eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2594 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002595 This works for Numbers, Floats, Strings and composites of
2596 them. Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing
2597 functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002598
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002599eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2600 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2601 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2602 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2603 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2604
2605executable({expr}) *executable()*
2606 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2607 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002608 arguments.
2609 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2610 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2611 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2612 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002613 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2614 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002615 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002616 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002617 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2618 extension.
2619 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2620 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002621 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2622 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2623 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002624 The result is a Number:
2625 1 exists
2626 0 does not exist
2627 -1 not implemented on this system
2628
2629 *exists()*
2630exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2631 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2632 which contains one of these:
2633 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2634 not if it really works)
2635 +option-name Vim option that works.
2636 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2637 done by comparing with an empty
2638 string)
2639 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2640 or user defined function (see
2641 |user-functions|).
2642 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002643 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002644 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2645 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00002646 that evaluating an index may cause an
2647 error message for an invalid
2648 expression. E.g.: >
2649 :let l = [1, 2, 3]
2650 :echo exists("l[5]")
2651< 0 >
2652 :echo exists("l[xx]")
2653< E121: Undefined variable: xx
2654 0
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002655 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2656 command or command modifier |:command|.
2657 Returns:
2658 1 for match with start of a command
2659 2 full match with a command
2660 3 matches several user commands
2661 To check for a supported command
2662 always check the return value to be 2.
Bram Moolenaar14716812006-05-04 21:54:08 +00002663 :2match The |:2match| command.
2664 :3match The |:3match| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002665 #event autocommand defined for this event
2666 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2667 pattern (the pattern is taken
2668 literally and compared to the
2669 autocommand patterns character by
2670 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002671 #group autocommand group exists
2672 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2673 event.
2674 #group#event#pattern
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002675 autocommand defined for this group,
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002676 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002677 ##event autocommand for this event is
2678 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002679 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2680
2681 Examples: >
2682 exists("&shortname")
2683 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2684 exists("*strftime")
2685 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2686 exists("bufcount")
2687 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002688 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002689 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002690 exists("#filetypeindent")
2691 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2692 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002693 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002694< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2695 name.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002696 There must be no extra characters after the name, although in
2697 a few cases this is ignored. That may become more strict in
2698 the future, thus don't count on it!
2699 Working example: >
2700 exists(":make")
2701< NOT working example: >
2702 exists(":make install")
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00002703
2704< Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2705 variable itself. For example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002706 exists(bufcount)
2707< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00002708 but gets the value of "bufcount", and checks if that exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002709
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002710exp({expr}) *exp()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002711 Return the exponential of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002712 [0, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002713 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002714 Examples: >
2715 :echo exp(2)
2716< 7.389056 >
2717 :echo exp(-1)
2718< 0.367879
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002719 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002720
2721
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002722expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2723 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar81af9252010-12-10 20:35:50 +01002724 The result is a String. 'wildignorecase' applies.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002725
2726 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2727 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2728 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2729
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002730 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002731 for a non-existing file is not included.
2732
2733 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2734 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2735 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2736
2737 % current file name
2738 # alternate file name
2739 #n alternate file name n
2740 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2741 <afile> autocmd file name
2742 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2743 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2744 <sfile> sourced script file name
Bram Moolenaar81af9252010-12-10 20:35:50 +01002745 <slnum> sourced script file line number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002746 <cword> word under the cursor
2747 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2748 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2749 message |server2client()|
2750 Modifiers:
2751 :p expand to full path
2752 :h head (last path component removed)
2753 :t tail (last path component only)
2754 :r root (one extension removed)
2755 :e extension only
2756
2757 Example: >
2758 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2759< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2760 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2761 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2762< Use this: >
2763 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2764< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2765 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2766 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2767 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2768 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2769<
2770 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2771 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2772 to modify normal file names.
2773
2774 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2775 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2776 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2777 '/' added.
2778
2779 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2780 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2781 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2782 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002783 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2784 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2785 files in the current directory and below: >
2786 :echo expand("**/README")
2787<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002788 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2789 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002790 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002791 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002792 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002793 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2794 "$FOOBAR".
2795
2796 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2797 getting the raw output of an external command.
2798
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002799extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002800 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
2801 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002802
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002803 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002804 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2805 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2806 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2807 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002808 Examples: >
2809 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2810 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaardc9cf9c2008-08-08 10:36:31 +00002811< When {expr1} is the same List as {expr2} then the number of
2812 items copied is equal to the original length of the List.
2813 E.g., when {expr3} is 1 you get N new copies of the first item
2814 (where N is the original length of the List).
2815 Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002816 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002817 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002818<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002819 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002820 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2821 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2822 used to decide what to do:
2823 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2824 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002825 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002826 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2827
2828 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2829 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2830 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2831 Returns {expr1}.
2832
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002833
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002834feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) *feedkeys()*
2835 Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002836 come from a mapping or were typed by the user. They are added
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002837 to the end of the typeahead buffer, thus if a mapping is still
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002838 being executed these characters come after them.
2839 The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
2840 {string}.
2841 To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
2842 and "\..." notation |expr-quote|. For example,
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00002843 feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the <Enter> key. But
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002844 feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
2845 If {mode} is absent, keys are remapped.
2846 {mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00002847 'm' Remap keys. This is default.
2848 'n' Do not remap keys.
2849 't' Handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
2850 if coming from a mapping. This matters for undo,
2851 opening folds, etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002852 Return value is always 0.
2853
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002854filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2855 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2856 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2857 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2858 expression, which is used as a String.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002859 If you don't care about the file being readable you can use
2860 |glob()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002861 *file_readable()*
2862 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2863
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002864
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002865filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2866 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2867 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002868 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If {file} is a
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002869 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2870
2871
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002872filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002873 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002874 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002875 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002876 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002877 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002878 Examples: >
2879 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2880< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2881 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2882< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2883 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002884< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002885
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002886 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2887 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2888 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2889
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002890 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2891 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002892 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002893
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002894< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002895 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2896 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002897
2898
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002899finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar5b6b1ca2007-03-27 08:19:43 +00002900 Find directory {name} in {path}. Supports both downwards and
2901 upwards recursive directory searches. See |file-searching|
2902 for the syntax of {path}.
2903 Returns the path of the first found match. When the found
2904 directory is below the current directory a relative path is
2905 returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002906 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2907 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002908 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00002909 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002910 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002911 {only available when compiled with the |+file_in_path|
2912 feature}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002913
2914findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2915 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002916 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
2917 Example: >
2918 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002919< Searches from the directory of the current file upwards until
2920 it finds the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002921
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002922float2nr({expr}) *float2nr()*
2923 Convert {expr} to a Number by omitting the part after the
2924 decimal point.
2925 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a Number.
2926 When the value of {expr} is out of range for a |Number| the
2927 result is truncated to 0x7fffffff or -0x7fffffff. NaN results
2928 in -0x80000000.
2929 Examples: >
2930 echo float2nr(3.95)
2931< 3 >
2932 echo float2nr(-23.45)
2933< -23 >
2934 echo float2nr(1.0e100)
2935< 2147483647 >
2936 echo float2nr(-1.0e150)
2937< -2147483647 >
2938 echo float2nr(1.0e-100)
2939< 0
2940 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2941
2942
2943floor({expr}) *floor()*
2944 Return the largest integral value less than or equal to
2945 {expr} as a |Float| (round down).
2946 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2947 Examples: >
2948 echo floor(1.856)
2949< 1.0 >
2950 echo floor(-5.456)
2951< -6.0 >
2952 echo floor(4.0)
2953< 4.0
2954 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2955
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002956
2957fmod({expr1}, {expr2}) *fmod()*
2958 Return the remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}, even if the
2959 division is not representable. Returns {expr1} - i * {expr2}
2960 for some integer i such that if {expr2} is non-zero, the
2961 result has the same sign as {expr1} and magnitude less than
2962 the magnitude of {expr2}. If {expr2} is zero, the value
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002963 returned is zero. The value returned is a |Float|.
2964 {expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002965 Examples: >
2966 :echo fmod(12.33, 1.22)
2967< 0.13 >
2968 :echo fmod(-12.33, 1.22)
2969< -0.13
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002970 {only available when compiled with |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002971
2972
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002973fnameescape({string}) *fnameescape()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002974 Escape {string} for use as file name command argument. All
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002975 characters that have a special meaning, such as '%' and '|'
2976 are escaped with a backslash.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002977 For most systems the characters escaped are
2978 " \t\n*?[{`$\\%#'\"|!<". For systems where a backslash
2979 appears in a filename, it depends on the value of 'isfname'.
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002980 A leading '+' and '>' is also escaped (special after |:edit|
2981 and |:write|). And a "-" by itself (special after |:cd|).
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002982 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002983 :let fname = '+some str%nge|name'
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002984 :exe "edit " . fnameescape(fname)
2985< results in executing: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002986 edit \+some\ str\%nge\|name
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002987
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002988fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2989 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2990 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2991 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2992 Example: >
2993 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2994< results in: >
2995 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002996< Note: Environment variables don't work in {fname}, use
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002997 |expand()| first then.
2998
2999foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
3000 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
3001 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
3002 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
3003
3004foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
3005 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
3006 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
3007 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
3008
3009foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
3010 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003011 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003012 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
3013 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
3014 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
3015 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
3016 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
3017 previous line is usually available.
3018
3019 *foldtext()*
3020foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
3021 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
3022 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
3023 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
3024 The returned string looks like this: >
3025 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003026< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003027 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
3028 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
3029 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
3030 options is removed.
3031 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
3032
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00003033foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
3034 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
3035 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
3036 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
3037 returned.
3038 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
3039 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
3040 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
3041 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
3042
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003043 *foreground()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003044foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003045 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
3046 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
3047 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
3048 |remote_foreground()| instead.
3049 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3050 Win32 console version}
3051
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003052
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003053function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003054 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003055 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
3056
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003057
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00003058garbagecollect([at_exit]) *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003059 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00003060 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
3061 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
3062 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
3063 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
3064 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003065 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
3066 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
3067 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00003068 When the optional "at_exit" argument is one, garbage
3069 collection will also be done when exiting Vim, if it wasn't
3070 done before. This is useful when checking for memory leaks.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00003071
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003072get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003073 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003074 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
3075 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003076get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003077 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003078 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
3079 {default} is omitted.
3080
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003081 *getbufline()*
3082getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003083 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
3084 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
3085 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003086
3087 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3088
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00003089 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
3090 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003091
3092 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003093 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003094
3095 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
3096 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003097 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003098 returned.
3099
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00003100 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003101 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003102
3103 Example: >
3104 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003105
3106getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
3107 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
3108 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
3109 must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003110 When {varname} is empty returns a dictionary with all the
3111 buffer-local variables.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00003112 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
3113 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
3114 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003115 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3116 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
3117 returned, there is no error message.
3118 Examples: >
3119 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
3120 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
3121<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003122getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003123 Get a single character from the user or input stream.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003124 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
3125 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003126 Return zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003127 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003128 not consumed. Return zero if no character available.
3129
3130 Without {expr} and when {expr} is 0 a whole character or
3131 special key is returned. If it is an 8-bit character, the
3132 result is a number. Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
3133 Otherwise a String is returned with the encoded character.
3134 For a special key it's a sequence of bytes starting with 0x80
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003135 (decimal: 128). This is the same value as the string
3136 "\<Key>", e.g., "\<Left>". The returned value is also a
3137 String when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used that is
3138 not included in the character.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003139
3140 When {expr} is 1 only the first byte is returned. For a
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003141 one-byte character it is the character itself as a number.
3142 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003143
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003144 When the user clicks a mouse button, the mouse event will be
3145 returned. The position can then be found in |v:mouse_col|,
3146 |v:mouse_lnum| and |v:mouse_win|. This example positions the
3147 mouse as it would normally happen: >
3148 let c = getchar()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003149 if c == "\<LeftMouse>" && v:mouse_win > 0
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003150 exe v:mouse_win . "wincmd w"
3151 exe v:mouse_lnum
3152 exe "normal " . v:mouse_col . "|"
3153 endif
3154<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003155 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
3156 user that a character has to be typed.
3157 There is no mapping for the character.
3158 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
3159 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
3160 sequence. Examples: >
3161 getchar() == "\<Del>"
3162 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
3163< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
3164 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
3165 :function FindChar()
3166 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
3167 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
3168 : normal l
3169 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
3170 : break
3171 : endif
3172 : endwhile
3173 :endfunction
3174
3175getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
3176 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
3177 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
3178 These values are added together:
3179 2 shift
3180 4 control
3181 8 alt (meta)
3182 16 mouse double click
3183 32 mouse triple click
3184 64 mouse quadruple click
3185 128 Macintosh only: command
3186 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003187 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003188 without a modifier.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003189
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003190getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
3191 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
3192 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
3193 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
3194 Example: >
3195 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003196< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003197
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003198getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003199 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
3200 byte count. The first column is 1.
3201 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
3202 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003203 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
3204
3205getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
3206 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
3207 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003208 : normal Ex command
3209 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
3210 / forward search command
3211 ? backward search command
3212 @ |input()| command
3213 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003214 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
3215 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
3216 otherwise.
3217 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003218
3219 *getcwd()*
3220getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
3221 working directory.
3222
3223getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
3224 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
3225 given file {fname}.
3226 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
3227 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard827ada2007-06-19 15:19:55 +00003228 If the size of {fname} is too big to fit in a Number then -2
3229 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003230
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003231getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
3232 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
3233 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
3234 |hl-Normal|.
3235 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
3236 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
3237 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
3238 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00003239 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003240 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
3241 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003242 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
3243 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003244
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003245getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
3246 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
3247 permissions of the given file {fname}.
3248 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
3249 empty string is returned.
3250 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
3251 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
3252 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
3253 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
3254 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
3255 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
3256< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
3257 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003258
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003259getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
3260 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
3261 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
3262 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
3263 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
3264 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
3265
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003266getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
3267 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
3268 file of the given file {fname}.
3269 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
3270 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
3271 results:
3272 Normal file "file"
3273 Directory "dir"
3274 Symbolic link "link"
3275 Block device "bdev"
3276 Character device "cdev"
3277 Socket "socket"
3278 FIFO "fifo"
3279 All other "other"
3280 Example: >
3281 getftype("/home")
3282< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
3283 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
3284 "file" are returned.
3285
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003286 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003287getline({lnum} [, {end}])
3288 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
3289 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003290 getline(1)
3291< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
3292 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
3293 To get the line under the cursor: >
3294 getline(".")
3295< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
3296 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
3297
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003298 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
3299 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003300 including line {end}.
3301 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
3302 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003303 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003304 Example: >
3305 :let start = line('.')
3306 :let end = search("^$") - 1
3307 :let lines = getline(start, end)
3308
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003309< To get lines from another buffer see |getbufline()|
3310
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00003311getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
3312 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
3313 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
3314 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003315 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003316 returned. Otherwise, same as |getqflist()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003317
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003318getmatches() *getmatches()*
3319 Returns a |List| with all matches previously defined by
3320 |matchadd()| and the |:match| commands. |getmatches()| is
3321 useful in combination with |setmatches()|, as |setmatches()|
3322 can restore a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|.
3323 Example: >
3324 :echo getmatches()
3325< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3326 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3327 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3328 :let m = getmatches()
3329 :call clearmatches()
3330 :echo getmatches()
3331< [] >
3332 :call setmatches(m)
3333 :echo getmatches()
3334< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3335 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3336 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3337 :unlet m
3338<
3339
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003340getqflist() *getqflist()*
3341 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
3342 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
3343 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
3344 bufname() to get the name
3345 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
3346 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003347 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
3348 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003349 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003350 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003351 text description of the error
3352 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
3353 valid non-zero: recognized error message
3354
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003355 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003356 returned. Quickfix list entries with non-existing buffer
3357 number are returned with "bufnr" set to zero.
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003358
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003359 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
3360 do something with them: >
3361 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
3362 :for d in getqflist()
3363 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
3364 :endfor
3365
3366
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003367getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003368 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003369 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003370 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
3371< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003372 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003373 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
3374 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
3375 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003376 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3377
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003378
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003379getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
3380 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
3381 The value will be one of:
3382 "v" for |characterwise| text
3383 "V" for |linewise| text
3384 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
3385 0 for an empty or unknown register
3386 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
3387 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3388
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02003389gettabvar({tabnr}, {varname}) *gettabvar()*
3390 Get the value of a tab-local variable {varname} in tab page
3391 {tabnr}. |t:var|
3392 Tabs are numbered starting with one.
3393 Note that the name without "t:" must be used.
3394
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003395gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}) *gettabwinvar()*
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003396 Get the value of window-local variable {varname} in window
3397 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
3398 When {varname} starts with "&" get the value of a window-local
3399 option.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003400 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
3401 use |getwinvar()|.
3402 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
3403 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
3404 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
3405 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003406 When {varname} is empty a dictionary with all window-local
3407 variables is returned.
3408 Note that {varname} must be the name without "w:".
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003409 Examples: >
3410 :let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
3411 :echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00003412<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003413 *getwinposx()*
3414getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
3415 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
3416 -1 if the information is not available.
3417
3418 *getwinposy()*
3419getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003420 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003421 information is not available.
3422
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003423getwinvar({winnr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
3424 Like |gettabwinvar()| for the current tabpage.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003425 Examples: >
3426 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
3427 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
3428<
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003429glob({expr} [, {flag}]) *glob()*
3430 Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. See |wildcards| for the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003431 use of special characters.
3432 The result is a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003433 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
3434 characters.
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003435 Unless the optional {flag} argument is given and is non-zero,
3436 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3437 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3438 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar81af9252010-12-10 20:35:50 +01003439 'wildignorecase' always applies.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003440 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
3441 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
3442
3443 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
3444 any external command. Example: >
3445 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
3446 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
3447< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003448 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003449
3450 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
3451 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
3452
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003453globpath({path}, {expr} [, {flag}]) *globpath()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003454 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
3455 the results. Example: >
3456 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
3457< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
3458 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003459 |glob()|. A path separator is inserted when needed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003460 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
3461 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
3462 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
3463 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
3464 error message.
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003465 Unless the optional {flag} argument is given and is non-zero,
3466 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3467 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3468 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003469
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003470 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
3471 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
3472 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
3473 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003474< Upwards search and limiting the depth of "**" is not
3475 supported, thus using 'path' will not always work properly.
3476
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003477 *has()*
3478has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
3479 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
3480 string. See |feature-list| below.
3481 Also see |exists()|.
3482
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003483
3484has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003485 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
3486 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003487
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00003488haslocaldir() *haslocaldir()*
3489 The result is a Number, which is 1 when the current
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003490 window has set a local path via |:lcd|, and 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003491
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003492hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003493 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
3494 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
3495 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
3496 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003497 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00003498 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
3499 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003500 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
3501 buffer are checked for a match.
3502 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
3503 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
3504 n Normal mode
3505 v Visual mode
3506 o Operator-pending mode
3507 i Insert mode
3508 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
3509 c Command-line mode
3510 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
3511
3512 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003513 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003514 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
3515 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
3516 :endif
3517< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
3518 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
3519
3520histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
3521 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
3522 one of: *hist-names*
3523 "cmd" or ":" command line history
3524 "search" or "/" search pattern history
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003525 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003526 "input" or "@" input line history
3527 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
3528 shifted to become the newest entry.
3529 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
3530 otherwise 0 is returned.
3531
3532 Example: >
3533 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
3534 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
3535< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3536
3537histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003538 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003539 for the possible values of {history}.
3540
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003541 If the parameter {item} evaluates to a String, it is used as a
3542 regular expression. All entries matching that expression will
3543 be removed from the history (if there are any).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003544 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003545 If {item} evaluates to a Number, it will be interpreted as
3546 an index, see |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will
3547 be removed if it exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003548
3549 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
3550 otherwise 0 is returned.
3551
3552 Examples:
3553 Clear expression register history: >
3554 :call histdel("expr")
3555<
3556 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
3557 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
3558<
3559 The following three are equivalent: >
3560 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
3561 :call histdel("search", -1)
3562 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
3563<
3564 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
3565 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
3566 :call histdel("search", -1)
3567 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
3568
3569histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
3570 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
3571 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
3572 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
3573 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
3574 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
3575
3576 Examples:
3577 Redo the second last search from history. >
3578 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
3579
3580< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
3581 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
3582 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
3583<
3584histnr({history}) *histnr()*
3585 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
3586 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
3587 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
3588
3589 Example: >
3590 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
3591<
3592hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
3593 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
3594 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
3595 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
3596 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
3597 item.
3598 *highlight_exists()*
3599 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
3600
3601 *hlID()*
3602hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
3603 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
3604 zero is returned.
3605 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003606 group. For example, to get the background color of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003607 "Comment" group: >
3608 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
3609< *highlightID()*
3610 Obsolete name: highlightID().
3611
3612hostname() *hostname()*
3613 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003614 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003615 256 characters long are truncated.
3616
3617iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
3618 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
3619 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003620 When the conversion completely fails an empty string is
3621 returned. When some characters could not be converted they
3622 are replaced with "?".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003623 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
3624 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
3625 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
3626 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
3627 can be done.
3628 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
3629 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
3630 UTF-8 and use: >
3631 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
3632< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
3633 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
3634 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02003635 {only available when compiled with the |+multi_byte| feature}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003636
3637 *indent()*
3638indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
3639 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
3640 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
3641 |getline()|.
3642 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
3643
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003644
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003645index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003646 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003647 value equal to {expr}. There is no automatic conversion, so
3648 the String "4" is different from the Number 4. And the number
3649 4 is different from the Float 4.0. The value of 'ignorecase'
3650 is not used here, case always matters.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003651 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
3652 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003653 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
3654 case must match.
3655 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
3656 Example: >
3657 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003658 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003659
3660
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003661input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003662 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003663 the command-line. The {prompt} argument is either a prompt
3664 string, or a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used
3665 in the prompt to start a new line.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003666 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3667 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003668 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003669 for lines typed for input().
3670 Example: >
3671 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3672 : echo "Cheers!"
3673 :endif
3674<
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003675 If the optional {text} argument is present and not empty, this
3676 is used for the default reply, as if the user typed this.
3677 Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003678 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3679
3680< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3681 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003682 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003683 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003684 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003685 more information. Example: >
3686 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3687<
3688 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3689 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003690 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3691 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3692 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3693 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3694 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3695 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3696 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3697
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003698 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003699 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3700 :function GetFoo()
3701 : call inputsave()
3702 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3703 : call inputrestore()
3704 :endfunction
3705
3706inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003707 Like |input()|, but when the GUI is running and text dialogs
3708 are supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003709 Example: >
3710 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3711 :if n != ""
3712 : let &sw = n
3713 :endif
3714< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3715 omitted an empty string is returned.
3716 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3717 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003718 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003719
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003720inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003721 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
3722 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
3723 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003724 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003725 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003726 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3727 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3728 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003729 Make sure {textlist} has less than 'lines' entries, otherwise
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003730 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003731 the start of the string. And put a prompt in the first item.
3732 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003733 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3734 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3735
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003736inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003737 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous |inputsave()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003738 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3739 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3740 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3741
3742inputsave() *inputsave()*
3743 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3744 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3745 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3746 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3747 many inputrestore() calls.
3748 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3749
3750inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3751 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3752 two exceptions:
3753 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3754 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3755 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3756 |history| stack.
3757 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3758 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003759 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003760
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003761insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003762 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003763 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003764 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003765 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3766 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003767 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003768 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3769 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3770 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003771< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003772 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003773 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003774
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003775isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3776 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3777 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3778 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3779 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3780
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003781islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003782 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3783 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003784 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3785 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003786 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3787 :lockvar 1 alist
3788 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3789 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3790
3791< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003792 message. Use |exists()| to check for existence.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003793
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003794items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003795 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3796 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3797 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3798 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003799
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003800
3801join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3802 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3803 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3804 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3805 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3806 add it there too: >
3807 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003808< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003809 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3810 The opposite function is |split()|.
3811
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003812keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003813 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003814 arbitrary order.
3815
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003816 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003817len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3818 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3819 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003820 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003821 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003822 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3823 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003824 Otherwise an error is given.
3825
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003826 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3827libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3828 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3829 with single argument {argument}.
3830 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3831 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3832 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3833 limited.
3834 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3835 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3836 to Vim.
3837 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3838 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3839 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3840 null-terminated string.
3841 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3842
3843 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3844 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3845 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3846 very probably crash.
3847
3848 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3849 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3850 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3851 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3852 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3853 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3854 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3855 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3856 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3857 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3858
3859 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003860 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003861 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3862 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3863 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3864 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3865 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3866 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003867 {only in Win32 and some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003868 feature is present}
3869 Examples: >
3870 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003871<
3872 *libcallnr()*
3873libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003874 Just like |libcall()|, but used for a function that returns an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003875 int instead of a string.
3876 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3877 feature is present}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003878 Examples: >
3879 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003880 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3881 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3882<
3883 *line()*
3884line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3885 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3886 . the cursor position
3887 $ the last line in the current buffer
3888 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3889 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003890 w0 first line visible in current window
3891 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar9ecd0232008-06-20 15:31:51 +00003892 v In Visual mode: the start of the Visual area (the
3893 cursor is the end). When not in Visual mode
3894 returns the cursor position. Differs from |'<| in
3895 that it's updated right away.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003896 Note that a mark in another file can be used. The line number
3897 then applies to another buffer.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003898 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
3899 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003900 Examples: >
3901 line(".") line number of the cursor
3902 line("'t") line number of mark t
3903 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3904< *last-position-jump*
3905 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3906 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003907 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 1 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal! g`\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003908
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003909line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3910 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3911 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3912 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3913 line returns 1.
3914 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3915 below the last line: >
3916 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3917< This is the file size plus one.
3918 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3919 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3920 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3921
3922lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3923 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3924 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3925 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3926 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3927 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3928 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3929
3930localtime() *localtime()*
3931 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3932 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3933
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003934
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003935log({expr}) *log()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02003936 Return the natural logarithm (base e) of {expr} as a |Float|.
3937 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003938 (0, inf].
3939 Examples: >
3940 :echo log(10)
3941< 2.302585 >
3942 :echo log(exp(5))
3943< 5.0
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02003944 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003945
3946
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003947log10({expr}) *log10()*
3948 Return the logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10 as a |Float|.
3949 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
3950 Examples: >
3951 :echo log10(1000)
3952< 3.0 >
3953 :echo log10(0.01)
3954< -2.0
3955 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
3956
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003957map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003958 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003959 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3960 {string}.
3961 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar627b1d32009-11-17 11:20:35 +00003962 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item
3963 and for a |List| |v:key| has the index of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003964 Example: >
3965 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003966< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003967
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003968 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003969 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003970 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3971 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003972
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003973 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3974 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003975 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003976
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003977< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003978 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3979 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003980
3981
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02003982maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr} [, {dict}]]]) *maparg()*
3983 When {dict} is omitted or zero: Return the rhs of mapping
3984 {name} in mode {mode}. The returned String has special
3985 characters translated like in the output of the ":map" command
3986 listing.
3987
3988 When there is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is
3989 returned.
3990
3991 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3992 command.
3993
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003994 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003995 "n" Normal
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02003996 "v" Visual (including Select)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003997 "o" Operator-pending
3998 "i" Insert
3999 "c" Cmd-line
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004000 "s" Select
4001 "x" Visual
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004002 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
4003 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00004004 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004005
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004006 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
4007 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004008
4009 When {dict} is there and it is non-zero return a dictionary
4010 containing all the information of the mapping with the
4011 following items:
4012 "lhs" The {lhs} of the mapping.
4013 "rhs" The {rhs} of the mapping as typed.
4014 "silent" 1 for a |:map-silent| mapping, else 0.
Bram Moolenaar05365702010-10-27 18:34:44 +02004015 "noremap" 1 if the {rhs} of the mapping is not remappable.
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004016 "expr" 1 for an expression mapping (|:map-<expr>|).
4017 "buffer" 1 for a buffer local mapping (|:map-local|).
4018 "mode" Modes for which the mapping is defined. In
4019 addition to the modes mentioned above, these
4020 characters will be used:
4021 " " Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
4022 "!" Insert and Commandline mode
Bram Moolenaar166af9b2010-11-16 20:34:40 +01004023 (|mapmode-ic|)
Bram Moolenaar05365702010-10-27 18:34:44 +02004024 "sid" The script local ID, used for <sid> mappings
4025 (|<SID>|).
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004026
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004027 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
4028 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00004029 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
4030 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
4031 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
4032
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004033
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004034mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004035 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
4036 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
4037 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004038 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
4039 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004040 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
4041 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
4042
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004043 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004044 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
4045 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
4046 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
4047 mapcheck("b") no no no
4048
4049 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
4050 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
4051 mapping for {name} exactly.
4052 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
4053 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
4054 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
4055 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
4056 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
4057 then the global mappings.
4058 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
4059 without being ambiguous. Example: >
4060 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
4061 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
4062 :endif
4063< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
4064 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
4065
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004066match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004067 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
4068 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004069 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004070 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004071 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
4072 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004073 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004074 If there is no match -1 is returned.
4075 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004076 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004077 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004078< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004079 *strpbrk()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004080 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004081 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
4082< *strcasestr()*
4083 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
4084 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
4085 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
4086<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004087 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004088 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004089 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004090 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004091 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
4092< result is again "4". >
4093 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
4094< result is again "4". >
4095 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
4096< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004097 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004098 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
4099 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
4100 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
4101 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004102 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
4103 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00004104 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
4105 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004106
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004107 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00004108 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004109 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
4110 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
4111< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004112 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
4113 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004114
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004115 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
4116 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004117 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004118 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
4119
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004120 *matchadd()* *E798* *E799* *E801*
4121matchadd({group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
4122 Defines a pattern to be highlighted in the current window (a
4123 "match"). It will be highlighted with {group}. Returns an
4124 identification number (ID), which can be used to delete the
4125 match using |matchdelete()|.
4126
4127 The optional {priority} argument assigns a priority to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004128 match. A match with a high priority will have its
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004129 highlighting overrule that of a match with a lower priority.
4130 A priority is specified as an integer (negative numbers are no
4131 exception). If the {priority} argument is not specified, the
4132 default priority is 10. The priority of 'hlsearch' is zero,
4133 hence all matches with a priority greater than zero will
4134 overrule it. Syntax highlighting (see 'syntax') is a separate
4135 mechanism, and regardless of the chosen priority a match will
4136 always overrule syntax highlighting.
4137
4138 The optional {id} argument allows the request for a specific
4139 match ID. If a specified ID is already taken, an error
4140 message will appear and the match will not be added. An ID
4141 is specified as a positive integer (zero excluded). IDs 1, 2
4142 and 3 are reserved for |:match|, |:2match| and |:3match|,
4143 respectively. If the {id} argument is not specified,
4144 |matchadd()| automatically chooses a free ID.
4145
4146 The number of matches is not limited, as it is the case with
4147 the |:match| commands.
4148
4149 Example: >
4150 :highlight MyGroup ctermbg=green guibg=green
4151 :let m = matchadd("MyGroup", "TODO")
4152< Deletion of the pattern: >
4153 :call matchdelete(m)
4154
4155< A list of matches defined by |matchadd()| and |:match| are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004156 available from |getmatches()|. All matches can be deleted in
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004157 one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004158
4159matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004160 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004161 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
4162 Return a |List| with two elements:
4163 The name of the highlight group used
4164 The pattern used.
4165 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
4166 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004167 This is useful to save and restore a |:match|.
4168 Highlighting matches using the |:match| commands are limited
4169 to three matches. |matchadd()| does not have this limitation.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004170
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004171matchdelete({id}) *matchdelete()* *E802* *E803*
4172 Deletes a match with ID {id} previously defined by |matchadd()|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004173 or one of the |:match| commands. Returns 0 if successful,
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004174 otherwise -1. See example for |matchadd()|. All matches can
4175 be deleted in one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004176
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004177matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004178 Same as |match()|, but return the index of first character
4179 after the match. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004180 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
4181< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004182 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
4183 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
4184 do it with matchend(): >
4185 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
4186 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
4187< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
4188
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004189 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for |match()|. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004190 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
4191< results in "7". >
4192 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
4193< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004194 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004195
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004196matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004197 Same as |match()|, but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004198 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
4199 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00004200 in |:substitute|. When an optional submatch didn't match an
4201 empty string is used. Example: >
4202 echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
4203< Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004204 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
4205
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004206matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004207 Same as |match()|, but return the matched string. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004208 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
4209< results in "ing".
4210 When there is no match "" is returned.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004211 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for |match()|. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004212 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
4213< results in "ing". >
4214 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
4215< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004216 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004217 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004218
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004219 *max()*
4220max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
4221 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4222 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004223 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004224
4225 *min()*
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00004226min({list}) Return the minimum value of all items in {list}.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004227 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4228 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004229 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004230
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004231 *mkdir()* *E739*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004232mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
4233 Create directory {name}.
4234 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
4235 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
4236 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
4237 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004238 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
Bram Moolenaared39e1d2008-08-09 17:55:22 +00004239 for others. This is only used for the last part of {name}.
4240 Thus if you create /tmp/foo/bar then /tmp/foo will be created
4241 with 0755.
4242 Example: >
4243 :call mkdir($HOME . "/tmp/foo/bar", "p", 0700)
4244< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004245 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4246 :if exists("*mkdir")
4247<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004248 *mode()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004249mode([expr]) Return a string that indicates the current mode.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004250 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
4251 a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then the full mode is
4252 returned, otherwise only the first letter is returned. Note
4253 that " " and "0" are also non-empty strings.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004254
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004255 n Normal
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004256 no Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004257 v Visual by character
4258 V Visual by line
4259 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
4260 s Select by character
4261 S Select by line
4262 CTRL-S Select blockwise
4263 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004264 R Replace |R|
4265 Rv Virtual Replace |gR|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004266 c Command-line
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004267 cv Vim Ex mode |gQ|
4268 ce Normal Ex mode |Q|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004269 r Hit-enter prompt
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004270 rm The -- more -- prompt
4271 r? A |:confirm| query of some sort
4272 ! Shell or external command is executing
4273 This is useful in the 'statusline' option or when used
4274 with |remote_expr()| In most other places it always returns
4275 "c" or "n".
4276 Also see |visualmode()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004277
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01004278mzeval({expr}) *mzeval()*
4279 Evaluate MzScheme expression {expr} and return its result
4280 convert to Vim data structures.
4281 Numbers and strings are returned as they are.
4282 Pairs (including lists and improper lists) and vectors are
4283 returned as Vim |Lists|.
4284 Hash tables are represented as Vim |Dictionary| type with keys
4285 converted to strings.
4286 All other types are converted to string with display function.
4287 Examples: >
4288 :mz (define l (list 1 2 3))
4289 :mz (define h (make-hash)) (hash-set! h "list" l)
4290 :echo mzeval("l")
4291 :echo mzeval("h")
4292<
4293 {only available when compiled with the |+mzscheme| feature}
4294
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004295nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
4296 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
4297 that is not blank. Example: >
4298 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
4299< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4300 below it, zero is returned.
4301 See also |prevnonblank()|.
4302
4303nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
4304 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
4305 value {expr}. Examples: >
4306 nr2char(64) returns "@"
4307 nr2char(32) returns " "
4308< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
4309 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
4310< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
4311 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
4312 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004313 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004314
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00004315 *getpid()*
4316getpid() Return a Number which is the process ID of the Vim process.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004317 On Unix and MS-Windows this is a unique number, until Vim
4318 exits. On MS-DOS it's always zero.
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00004319
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004320 *getpos()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004321getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
4322 see |line()|.
4323 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
4324 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4325 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
4326 is the buffer number of the mark.
4327 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4328 column is 1.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004329 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
4330 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00004331 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004332 character.
4333 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
4334 let save_cursor = getpos(".")
4335 MoveTheCursorAround
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004336 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004337< Also see |setpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004338
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004339pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
4340 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
4341 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
4342 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
4343 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
4344 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
4345< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
4346 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
4347
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004348pow({x}, {y}) *pow()*
4349 Return the power of {x} to the exponent {y} as a |Float|.
4350 {x} and {y} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4351 Examples: >
4352 :echo pow(3, 3)
4353< 27.0 >
4354 :echo pow(2, 16)
4355< 65536.0 >
4356 :echo pow(32, 0.20)
4357< 2.0
4358 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4359
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004360prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
4361 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
4362 that is not blank. Example: >
4363 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
4364< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4365 above it, zero is returned.
4366 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
4367
4368
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004369printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
4370 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
4371 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004372 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004373< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004374 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004375
4376 Often used items are:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004377 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004378 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004379 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
4380 %c single byte
4381 %d decimal number
4382 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
4383 %x hex number
4384 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
4385 %X hex number using upper case letters
4386 %o octal number
4387 %f floating point number in the form 123.456
4388 %e floating point number in the form 1.234e3
4389 %E floating point number in the form 1.234E3
4390 %g floating point number, as %f or %e depending on value
4391 %G floating point number, as %f or %E depending on value
4392 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004393
4394 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
4395 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
4396 the result.
4397
4398 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004399 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004400
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004401 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004402
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004403 flags
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004404 Zero or more of the following flags:
4405
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004406 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
4407 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
4408 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
4409 of the number is increased to force the first
4410 character of the output string to a zero (except
4411 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
4412 precision of zero).
4413 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
4414 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
4415 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004416
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004417 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
4418 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
4419 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
4420 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
4421 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004422
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004423 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
4424 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
4425 The converted value is padded on the right with
4426 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
4427 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004428
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004429 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
4430 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004431
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004432 + A sign must always be placed before a number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004433 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004434 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004435
4436 field-width
4437 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004438 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
4439 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
4440 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
4441 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004442
4443 .precision
4444 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
4445 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
4446 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
4447 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
4448 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004449 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004450 For floating point it is the number of digits after
4451 the decimal point.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004452
4453 type
4454 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
4455 be applied, see below.
4456
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004457 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
4458 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004459 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004460 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
4461 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
4462 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004463 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004464< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004465 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004466
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004467 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004468
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004469 *printf-d* *printf-o* *printf-x* *printf-X*
4470 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004471 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
4472 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
4473 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004474 conversions.
4475 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
4476 digits that must appear; if the converted value
4477 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
4478 zeros.
4479 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
4480 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
4481 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
4482 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
4483
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004484 *printf-c*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004485 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
4486 resulting character is written.
4487
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004488 *printf-s*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004489 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
4490 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
4491 specified are used.
4492
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004493 *printf-f* *E807*
4494 f The Float argument is converted into a string of the
4495 form 123.456. The precision specifies the number of
4496 digits after the decimal point. When the precision is
4497 zero the decimal point is omitted. When the precision
4498 is not specified 6 is used. A really big number
4499 (out of range or dividing by zero) results in "inf".
4500 "0.0 / 0.0" results in "nan".
4501 Example: >
4502 echo printf("%.2f", 12.115)
4503< 12.12
4504 Note that roundoff depends on the system libraries.
4505 Use |round()| when in doubt.
4506
4507 *printf-e* *printf-E*
4508 e E The Float argument is converted into a string of the
4509 form 1.234e+03 or 1.234E+03 when using 'E'. The
4510 precision specifies the number of digits after the
4511 decimal point, like with 'f'.
4512
4513 *printf-g* *printf-G*
4514 g G The Float argument is converted like with 'f' if the
4515 value is between 0.001 (inclusive) and 10000000.0
4516 (exclusive). Otherwise 'e' is used for 'g' and 'E'
4517 for 'G'. When no precision is specified superfluous
4518 zeroes and '+' signs are removed, except for the zero
4519 immediately after the decimal point. Thus 10000000.0
4520 results in 1.0e7.
4521
4522 *printf-%*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004523 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
4524 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004525
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00004526 When a Number argument is expected a String argument is also
4527 accepted and automatically converted.
4528 When a Float or String argument is expected a Number argument
4529 is also accepted and automatically converted.
4530 Any other argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004531
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00004532 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004533 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
4534 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004535 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004536
4537
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004538pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
4539 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
4540 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004541 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
4542 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004543
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004544 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004545range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004546 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004547 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
4548 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
4549 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
4550 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
4551 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00004552 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
4553 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
4554 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004555 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004556 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004557 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
4558 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004559 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00004560 range(0) " []
4561 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004562<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004563 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004564readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004565 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
4566 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004567 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
4568 NL appears somewhere).
Bram Moolenaar06583f12010-08-07 20:30:49 +02004569 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004570 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
4571 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
4572 added.
4573 - No CR characters are removed.
4574 Otherwise:
4575 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
4576 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
Bram Moolenaar06583f12010-08-07 20:30:49 +02004577 - When 'encoding' is Unicode any UTF-8 byte order mark is
4578 removed from the text.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004579 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
4580 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
4581 lines of a file: >
4582 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
4583 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
4584 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004585< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
4586 are returned, or as many as there are.
4587 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004588 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
4589 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
4590 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004591 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
4592 the result is an empty list.
4593 Also see |writefile()|.
4594
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004595reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
4596 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
4597 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
4598 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
4599 Without an argument it returns the current time.
4600 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
4601 specified in the argument.
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004602 With two arguments it returns the time passed between {start}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004603 and {end}.
4604 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
4605 reltime().
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02004606 {only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004607
4608reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
4609 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
4610 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
4611 microseconds. Example: >
4612 let start = reltime()
4613 call MyFunction()
4614 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
4615< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
4616 The accuracy depends on the system.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004617 Leading spaces are used to make the string align nicely. You
4618 can use split() to remove it. >
4619 echo split(reltimestr(reltime(start)))[0]
4620< Also see |profiling|.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02004621 {only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004622
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004623 *remote_expr()* *E449*
4624remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004625 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004626 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004627 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
4628 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
4629 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004630 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
4631 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
4632 remote_read() is stored there.
4633 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4634 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4635 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4636 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
4637 and the result will be the empty string.
4638 Examples: >
4639 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
4640 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
4641<
4642
4643remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
4644 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
4645 This works like: >
4646 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
4647< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
4648 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
4649 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004650 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
4651 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004652 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4653 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
4654 Win32 console version}
4655
4656
4657remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
4658 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
4659 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004660 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004661 name of a variable.
4662 Returns zero if none are available.
4663 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
4664 See also |clientserver|.
4665 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4666 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4667 Examples: >
4668 :let repl = ""
4669 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
4670
4671remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
4672 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
4673 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
4674 See also |clientserver|.
4675 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4676 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4677 Example: >
4678 :echo remote_read(id)
4679<
4680 *remote_send()* *E241*
4681remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004682 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004683 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
4684 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004685 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
4686 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
4687 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004688 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4689 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4690 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4691 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
4692 up the display.
4693 Examples: >
4694 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
4695 \ remote_read(serverid)
4696
4697 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
4698 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
4699 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
4700 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004701<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004702remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004703 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004704 return the item.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004705 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004706 return a List with these items. When {idx} points to the same
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004707 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
4708 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
4709 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004710 Example: >
4711 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004712 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004713remove({dict}, {key})
4714 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
4715 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
4716< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
4717
4718 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004719
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004720rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
4721 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
4722 should also work to move files across file systems. The
4723 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
4724 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
Bram Moolenaar798b30b2009-04-22 10:56:16 +00004725 NOTE: If {to} exists it is overwritten without warning.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004726 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4727
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004728repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
4729 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
4730 result. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004731 :let separator = repeat('-', 80)
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004732< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004733 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004734 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004735 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
4736< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004737
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004738
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004739resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
4740 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
4741 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
4742 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
4743 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
4744 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
4745 stopped after 100 iterations.
4746 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
4747 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
4748 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
4749 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
4750 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
4751
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004752 *reverse()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004753reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004754 {list}.
4755 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4756 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
4757
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004758round({expr}) *round()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00004759 Round off {expr} to the nearest integral value and return it
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004760 as a |Float|. If {expr} lies halfway between two integral
4761 values, then use the larger one (away from zero).
4762 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4763 Examples: >
4764 echo round(0.456)
4765< 0.0 >
4766 echo round(4.5)
4767< 5.0 >
4768 echo round(-4.5)
4769< -5.0
4770 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4771
4772
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004773search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004774 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004775 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004776
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004777 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
4778 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004779 'c' accept a match at the cursor position
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004780 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004781 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004782 'p' return number of matching sub-pattern (see below)
4783 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004784 'w' wrap around the end of the file
4785 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
4786 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
4787
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00004788 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
4789 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
4790 flag.
4791
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004792 'ignorecase', 'smartcase' and 'magic' are used.
4793
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004794 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
4795 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
4796 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
4797 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
4798 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
4799< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
4800 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004801 A zero value is equal to not giving the argument.
4802
4803 When the {timeout} argument is given the search stops when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004804 more than this many milli seconds have passed. Thus when
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004805 {timeout} is 500 the search stops after half a second.
4806 The value must not be negative. A zero value is like not
4807 giving the argument.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02004808 {only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004809
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004810 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
4811 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004812 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
4813 *search()-sub-match*
4814 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
4815 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
4816 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004817 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004818
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004819 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
4820 flag is used.
4821
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004822 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
4823 :let n = 1
4824 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
4825 : exe "argument " . n
4826 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
4827 : " first search to find match at start of file
4828 : normal G$
4829 : let flags = "w"
4830 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004831 : s/foo/bar/g
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004832 : let flags = "W"
4833 : endwhile
4834 : update " write the file if modified
4835 : let n = n + 1
4836 :endwhile
4837<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004838 Example for using some flags: >
4839 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
4840< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
4841 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
4842 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
4843 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
4844 line:
4845 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
4846 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
4847 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
4848 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
4849 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
4850
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004851
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004852searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
4853 Search for the declaration of {name}.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004854
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004855 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
4856 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
4857 first match in the function.
4858
4859 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
4860 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
4861 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
4862
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004863 Moves the cursor to the found match.
4864 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4865 Example: >
4866 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
4867 echo getline('.')
4868 endif
4869<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004870 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004871searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
4872 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004873 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
4874 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
4875 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004876 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
4877 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
4878 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
4879 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
4880 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
4881 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004882
4883 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
4884 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
4885 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
4886 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
4887 typical use is: >
4888 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
4889< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
4890
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004891 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
4892 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004893 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004894 outer pair. Implies the 'W' flag.
4895 'm' Return number of matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004896 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004897 Note: it's nearly always a good idea to use the 'W' flag, to
4898 avoid wrapping around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004899
4900 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
4901 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
4902 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
4903 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
4904 or a string.
4905 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
4906 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
4907 and -1 returned.
4908
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004909 For {stopline} and {timeout} see |search()|.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004910
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004911 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
4912 patterns are used like it's on.
4913
4914 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
4915 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
4916 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
4917 if 1
4918 if 2
4919 endif 2
4920 endif 1
4921< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
4922 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
4923 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004924 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004925 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
4926 "endif 2".
4927 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
4928 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
4929 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
4930 the matching start.
4931
4932 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
4933
4934 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
4935 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
4936
4937< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
4938 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
4939 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
4940 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
4941 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
4942 match.
4943 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
4944
4945 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
4946
4947< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
4948 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
4949 highlighting recognized as strings: >
4950
4951 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
4952 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
4953<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004954 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004955searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
4956 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004957 Same as |searchpair()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004958 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4959 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004960 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02004961 returns [0, 0]. >
4962
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004963 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
4964<
4965 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
4966
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004967searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *searchpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004968 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004969 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4970 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
4971 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4972 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004973 Example: >
4974 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
4975
4976< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
4977 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
4978 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
4979< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
4980 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
4981
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004982server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
4983 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
4984 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
4985 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4986 Note:
4987 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004988 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004989 before calling any commands that waits for input.
4990 See also |clientserver|.
4991 Example: >
4992 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
4993<
4994serverlist() *serverlist()*
4995 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
4996 When there are no servers or the information is not available
4997 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
4998 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4999 Example: >
5000 :echo serverlist()
5001<
5002setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
5003 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
5004 {val}.
5005 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
5006 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
5007 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
5008 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
5009 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
5010 Examples: >
5011 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
5012 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
5013< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5014
5015setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
5016 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005017 {pos}. The first position is 1.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005018 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
5019 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005020 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
5021 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
5022 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
5023 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
5024 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005025 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
5026 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
5027 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
5028 line.
5029
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005030setline({lnum}, {text}) *setline()*
5031 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {text}.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005032 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005033 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {text} will be
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005034 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005035 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
5036 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005037 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005038< When {text} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005039 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
5040 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
5041< This is equivalent to: >
5042 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
5043 : call setline(n, l)
5044 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005045< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
5046
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00005047setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
5048 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
5049 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005050 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
5051 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00005052 Otherwise, same as |setqflist()|.
5053 Also see |location-list|.
5054
5055setmatches({list}) *setmatches()*
5056 Restores a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|. Returns 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005057 if successful, otherwise -1. All current matches are cleared
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00005058 before the list is restored. See example for |getmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005059
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005060 *setpos()*
5061setpos({expr}, {list})
5062 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
5063 . the cursor
5064 'x mark x
5065
5066 {list} must be a |List| with four numbers:
5067 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
5068
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005069 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005070 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005071 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
5072 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
5073 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005074 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005075
5076 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005077 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark. If "col" is
5078 smaller than 1 then 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005079
5080 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
5081 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005082 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005083 character.
5084
Bram Moolenaar08250432008-02-13 11:42:46 +00005085 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
5086 An error message is given if {expr} is invalid.
5087
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005088 Also see |getpos()|
5089
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005090 This does not restore the preferred column for moving
5091 vertically. See |winrestview()| for that.
5092
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005093
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00005094setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00005095 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
5096 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
5097 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
5098 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005099
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005100 bufnr buffer number; must be the number of a valid
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005101 buffer
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005102 filename name of a file; only used when "bufnr" is not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005103 present or it is invalid.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005104 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005105 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005106 col column number
5107 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005108 when zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005109 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005110 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005111 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005112
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005113 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
5114 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
5115 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005116 If the "filename" and "bufnr" entries are not present or
5117 neither the "lnum" or "pattern" entries are present, then the
5118 item will not be handled as an error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005119 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
5120 be used.
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02005121 If you supply an empty {list}, the quickfix list will be
5122 cleared.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005123 Note that the list is not exactly the same as what
5124 |getqflist()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005125
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00005126 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
5127 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
5128 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
5129 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
5130 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
5131 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
5132
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005133 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
5134
5135 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
5136 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
5137 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
5138
5139
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005140 *setreg()*
5141setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
5142 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
5143 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
5144 then the value is appended.
Bram Moolenaarc6485bc2010-07-28 17:02:55 +02005145 {options} can also contain a register type specification:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005146 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
5147 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
5148 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
5149 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
5150 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
5151 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005152 in the longest line (counting a <Tab> as 1 character).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005153
5154 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
5155 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
5156 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
5157 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
5158
5159 Examples: >
5160 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
5161 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
5162 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
5163
5164< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
5165 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005166 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005167 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
5168 ....
5169 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
5170
5171< You can also change the type of a register by appending
5172 nothing: >
5173 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
5174
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02005175settabvar({tabnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabvar()*
5176 Set tab-local variable {varname} to {val} in tab page {tabnr}.
5177 |t:var|
5178 Note that the variable name without "t:" must be used.
5179 Tabs are numbered starting with one.
5180 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
5181 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
5182 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5183
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00005184settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabwinvar()*
5185 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
5186 {val}.
5187 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
5188 use |setwinvar()|.
5189 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005190 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
5191 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
5192 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
5193 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00005194 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
5195 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
5196 Examples: >
5197 :call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
5198 :call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
5199< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5200
5201setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
5202 Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005203 Examples: >
5204 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
5205 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005206
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005207shellescape({string} [, {special}]) *shellescape()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005208 Escape {string} for use as a shell command argument.
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005209 On MS-Windows and MS-DOS, when 'shellslash' is not set, it
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005210 will enclose {string} in double quotes and double all double
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005211 quotes within {string}.
5212 For other systems, it will enclose {string} in single quotes
5213 and replace all "'" with "'\''".
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005214 When the {special} argument is present and it's a non-zero
5215 Number or a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then special
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005216 items such as "!", "%", "#" and "<cword>" will be preceded by
5217 a backslash. This backslash will be removed again by the |:!|
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005218 command.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005219 The "!" character will be escaped (again with a |non-zero-arg|
5220 {special}) when 'shell' contains "csh" in the tail. That is
5221 because for csh and tcsh "!" is used for history replacement
5222 even when inside single quotes.
5223 The <NL> character is also escaped. With a |non-zero-arg|
5224 {special} and 'shell' containing "csh" in the tail it's
5225 escaped a second time.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005226 Example of use with a |:!| command: >
5227 :exe '!dir ' . shellescape(expand('<cfile>'), 1)
5228< This results in a directory listing for the file under the
5229 cursor. Example of use with |system()|: >
5230 :call system("chmod +w -- " . shellescape(expand("%")))
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005231
5232
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005233simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
5234 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
5235 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
5236 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
5237 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
5238 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
5239 not removed either.
5240 Example: >
5241 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
5242< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
5243 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
5244 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
5245 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
5246 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
5247
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005248
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005249sin({expr}) *sin()*
5250 Return the sine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
5251 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5252 Examples: >
5253 :echo sin(100)
5254< -0.506366 >
5255 :echo sin(-4.01)
5256< 0.763301
5257 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5258
5259
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005260sinh({expr}) *sinh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005261 Return the hyperbolic sine of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005262 [-inf, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005263 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005264 Examples: >
5265 :echo sinh(0.5)
5266< 0.521095 >
5267 :echo sinh(-0.9)
5268< -1.026517
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005269 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005270
5271
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005272sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005273 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
5274 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
5275 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
5276< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005277 Numbers sort after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005278 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005279 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005280 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
5281 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005282 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 or
5283 bigger if the first one sorts after the second one, -1 or
5284 smaller if the first one sorts before the second one.
5285 Example: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005286 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
5287 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
5288 endfunc
5289 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005290< A shorter compare version for this specific simple case, which
5291 ignores overflow: >
5292 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
5293 return a:i1 - a:i2
5294 endfunc
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005295<
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00005296 *soundfold()*
5297soundfold({word})
5298 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005299 language in 'spelllang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00005300 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
5301 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00005302 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
5303 the method can be quite slow.
5304
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005305 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00005306spellbadword([{sentence}])
5307 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
5308 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
5309 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
5310 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
5311
5312 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
5313 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
5314 result is an empty string.
5315
5316 The return value is a list with two items:
5317 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
5318 - The type of the spelling error:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005319 "bad" spelling mistake
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00005320 "rare" rare word
5321 "local" word only valid in another region
5322 "caps" word should start with Capital
5323 Example: >
5324 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
5325< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
5326
5327 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
5328 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
5329 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005330
5331 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005332spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005333 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005334 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
5335 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
5336
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005337 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
5338 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
5339 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
5340
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005341 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
5342 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00005343 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
5344 replace a line.
5345
5346 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005347 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
5348 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005349
5350 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00005351 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
5352 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005353
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005354
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005355split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005356 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
5357 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
5358 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005359 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005360 removing the matched characters.
5361 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
5362 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00005363 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
5364 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005365 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005366 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005367< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005368 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00005369< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
5370 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
5371< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005372 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
5373 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
5374< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005375
5376
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005377sqrt({expr}) *sqrt()*
5378 Return the non-negative square root of Float {expr} as a
5379 |Float|.
5380 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|. When {expr}
5381 is negative the result is NaN (Not a Number).
5382 Examples: >
5383 :echo sqrt(100)
5384< 10.0 >
5385 :echo sqrt(-4.01)
5386< nan
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005387 "nan" may be different, it depends on system libraries.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005388 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5389
5390
5391str2float( {expr}) *str2float()*
5392 Convert String {expr} to a Float. This mostly works the same
5393 as when using a floating point number in an expression, see
5394 |floating-point-format|. But it's a bit more permissive.
5395 E.g., "1e40" is accepted, while in an expression you need to
5396 write "1.0e40".
5397 Text after the number is silently ignored.
5398 The decimal point is always '.', no matter what the locale is
5399 set to. A comma ends the number: "12,345.67" is converted to
5400 12.0. You can strip out thousands separators with
5401 |substitute()|: >
5402 let f = str2float(substitute(text, ',', '', 'g'))
5403< {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5404
5405
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00005406str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
5407 Convert string {expr} to a number.
5408 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 8, 10 or 16.
5409 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
5410 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
5411 with the default String to Number conversion.
5412 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
5413 different base the result will be zero.
5414 Text after the number is silently ignored.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005415
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00005416
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005417strchars({expr}) *strchars()*
5418 The result is a Number, which is the number of characters
5419 String {expr} occupies. Composing characters are counted
5420 separately.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005421 Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strwidth()|.
5422
5423strdisplaywidth({expr}[, {col}]) *strdisplaywidth()*
5424 The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
5425 String {expr} occupies on the screen.
5426 When {col} is omitted zero is used. Otherwise it is the
5427 screen column where to start. This matters for Tab
5428 characters.
Bram Moolenaar4d32c2d2010-07-18 22:10:01 +02005429 The option settings of the current window are used. This
5430 matters for anything that's displayed differently, such as
5431 'tabstop' and 'display'.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005432 When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
5433 Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
5434 Also see |strlen()|, |strwidth()| and |strchars()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005435
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005436strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
5437 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
5438 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
5439 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
5440 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
5441 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
5442 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
5443 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
5444 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
5445 Examples: >
5446 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
5447 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
5448 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
5449 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
5450 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
5451 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005452< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
5453 :if exists("*strftime")
5454
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005455stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
5456 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
5457 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005458 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
5459 This can be used to find a second match: >
Bram Moolenaar81af9252010-12-10 20:35:50 +01005460 :let colon1 = stridx(line, ":")
5461 :let colon2 = stridx(line, ":", colon1 + 1)
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005462< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005463 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005464 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005465 See also |strridx()|.
5466 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005467 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
5468 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
5469 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005470< *strstr()* *strchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005471 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
5472 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
5473
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005474 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005475string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005476 Float, String or a composition of them, then the result can be
5477 parsed back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005478 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005479 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005480 Number 123
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005481 Float 123.123456 or 1.123456e8
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005482 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005483 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00005484 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005485 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005486 Also see |strtrans()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005487
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005488 *strlen()*
5489strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00005490 {expr} in bytes.
5491 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
5492 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005493
5494 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00005495<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005496 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
5497 For other types an error is given.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005498 Also see |len()|, |strchars()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and
5499 |strwidth()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005500
5501strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
5502 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00005503 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005504 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
5505 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
5506 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
5507 end of the {src}. >
5508 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
5509 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
5510 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005511 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005512< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
5513 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00005514 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005515<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005516strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
5517 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
5518 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
5519 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
5520 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
5521 match: >
5522 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
5523 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
5524< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005525 For pattern searches use |match()|.
5526 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00005527 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005528 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005529 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005530< *strrchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005531 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
5532 function strrchr().
5533
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005534strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
5535 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
5536 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
5537 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
5538 echo strtrans(@a)
5539< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
5540 starting a new line.
5541
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005542strwidth({expr}) *strwidth()*
5543 The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
5544 String {expr} occupies. A Tab character is counted as one
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005545 cell, alternatively use |strdisplaywidth()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005546 When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
5547 Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005548 Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strchars()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005549
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005550submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
5551 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
5552 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
5553 the whole matched text is returned.
5554 Example: >
5555 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
5556< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
5557 A line break is included as a newline character.
5558
5559substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
5560 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
5561 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
5562 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
5563 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
5564 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005565 'ignorecase' is still relevant. 'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005566 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
5567 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
5568 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005569 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005570 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
5571 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
5572 unmodified.
5573 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
5574 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
5575 Example: >
5576 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
5577< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
5578 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
5579< results in "TESTING".
5580
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005581synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005582 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005583 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005584 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
5585 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00005586
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005587 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00005588 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
5589
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005590 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005591 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005592 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
5593 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
5594 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
5595 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
5596 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
5597
5598 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
5599 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
5600<
Bram Moolenaar7510fe72010-07-25 12:46:44 +02005601
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005602synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
5603 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
5604 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
5605 about a syntax item.
5606 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005607 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005608 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
5609 used (GUI, cterm or term).
5610 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
5611 {what} result
5612 "name" the name of the syntax item
5613 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
5614 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
5615 term: empty string)
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00005616 "bg" background color (as with "fg")
Bram Moolenaar12682fd2010-03-10 13:43:49 +01005617 "font" font name (only available in the GUI)
5618 |highlight-font|
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00005619 "sp" special color (as with "fg") |highlight-guisp|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005620 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
5621 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
5622 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00005623 "sp#" like "fg#" for "sp"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005624 "bold" "1" if bold
5625 "italic" "1" if italic
5626 "reverse" "1" if reverse
5627 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
Bram Moolenaar12682fd2010-03-10 13:43:49 +01005628 "standout" "1" if standout
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005629 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005630 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005631
5632 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
5633 cursor): >
5634 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
5635<
5636synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
5637 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
5638 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
5639 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
5640 ":highlight link" are followed.
5641
Bram Moolenaar483c5d82010-10-20 18:45:33 +02005642synconcealed({lnum}, {col}) *synconcealed()*
5643 The result is a List. The first item in the list is 0 if the
5644 character at the position {lnum} and {col} is not part of a
5645 concealable region, 1 if it is. The second item in the list is
5646 a string. If the first item is 1, the second item contains the
5647 text which will be displayed in place of the concealed text,
5648 depending on the current setting of 'conceallevel'. The third
5649 and final item in the list is a unique number representing the
5650 specific syntax region matched. This allows detection of the
5651 beginning of a new concealable region if there are two
5652 consecutive regions with the same replacement character.
5653 For an example use see $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/2html.vim .
5654
5655
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005656synstack({lnum}, {col}) *synstack()*
5657 Return a |List|, which is the stack of syntax items at the
5658 position {lnum} and {col} in the current window. Each item in
5659 the List is an ID like what |synID()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005660 The first item in the List is the outer region, following are
5661 items contained in that one. The last one is what |synID()|
5662 returns, unless not the whole item is highlighted or it is a
5663 transparent item.
5664 This function is useful for debugging a syntax file.
5665 Example that shows the syntax stack under the cursor: >
5666 for id in synstack(line("."), col("."))
5667 echo synIDattr(id, "name")
5668 endfor
Bram Moolenaar0bc380a2010-07-10 13:52:13 +02005669< When the position specified with {lnum} and {col} is invalid
5670 nothing is returned. The position just after the last
5671 character in a line and the first column in an empty line are
5672 valid positions.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005673
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00005674system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
5675 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
5676 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
5677 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
5678 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005679 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005680 Note: Use |shellescape()| to escape special characters in a
5681 command argument. Newlines in {expr} may cause the command to
5682 fail. The characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may
5683 also cause trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005684 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005685
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005686 The result is a String. Example: >
5687 :let files = system("ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h')))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005688
5689< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
5690 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
5691 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
5692 The command executed is constructed using several options:
5693 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
5694 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
5695 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
5696 concatenated commands.
5697
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005698 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
5699 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
5700
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005701 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
5702 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00005703
5704 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
5705 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
5706 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005707 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
5708 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
5709
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005710
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005711tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005712 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005713 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
5714 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
5715 omitted the current tab page is used.
5716 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
5717 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
5718 tablist = []
5719 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
5720 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
5721 endfor
5722< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
5723
5724
5725tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00005726 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
5727 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
5728 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
5729 page is returned (the tab page count).
5730 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
5731
5732
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005733tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
Bram Moolenaard04f4402010-08-15 13:30:34 +02005734 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {tabarg}.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005735 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
5736 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
5737 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
5738 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
5739 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
5740 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
5741 Useful examples: >
5742 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
5743 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
5744< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
5745
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00005746 *tagfiles()*
5747tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
5748 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
5749
5750
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005751taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
5752 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00005753 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
5754 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005755 name Name of the tag.
5756 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005757 defined. It is either relative to the
5758 current directory or a full path.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005759 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
5760 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005761 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005762 entry depends on the language specific
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005763 kind values. Only available when
5764 using a tags file generated by
5765 Exuberant ctags or hdrtag.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005766 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005767 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005768 More entries may be present, depending on the content of the
5769 tags file: access, implementation, inherits and signature.
5770 Refer to the ctags documentation for information about these
5771 fields. For C code the fields "struct", "class" and "enum"
5772 may appear, they give the name of the entity the tag is
5773 contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005774
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00005775 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
5776 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005777
5778 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
5779
5780 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
5781 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
5782 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
5783
5784 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
5785 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
5786 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
5787
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005788tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
5789 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005790 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005791 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
5792 :let tmpfile = tempname()
5793 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005794< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory |tempfile|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005795 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
5796 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
5797
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005798
5799tan({expr}) *tan()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005800 Return the tangent of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005801 in the range [-inf, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005802 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005803 Examples: >
5804 :echo tan(10)
5805< 0.648361 >
5806 :echo tan(-4.01)
5807< -1.181502
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005808 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005809
5810
5811tanh({expr}) *tanh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005812 Return the hyperbolic tangent of {expr} as a |Float| in the
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005813 range [-1, 1].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005814 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005815 Examples: >
5816 :echo tanh(0.5)
5817< 0.462117 >
5818 :echo tanh(-1)
5819< -0.761594
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005820 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005821
5822
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005823tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
5824 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
5825 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
5826 the string).
5827
5828toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
5829 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
5830 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
5831 the string).
5832
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00005833tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
5834 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
5835 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
5836 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
5837 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
5838 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
5839 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
5840
5841 Examples: >
5842 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
5843< returns "Hello THere" >
5844 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
5845< returns "{blob}"
5846
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005847trunc({expr}) *trunc()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005848 Return the largest integral value with magnitude less than or
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005849 equal to {expr} as a |Float| (truncate towards zero).
5850 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5851 Examples: >
5852 echo trunc(1.456)
5853< 1.0 >
5854 echo trunc(-5.456)
5855< -5.0 >
5856 echo trunc(4.0)
5857< 4.0
5858 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5859
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005860 *type()*
5861type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005862 Number: 0
5863 String: 1
5864 Funcref: 2
5865 List: 3
5866 Dictionary: 4
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005867 Float: 5
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005868 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005869 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
5870 :if type(myvar) == type("")
5871 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
5872 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005873 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005874 :if type(myvar) == type(0.0)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005875
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02005876undofile({name}) *undofile()*
5877 Return the name of the undo file that would be used for a file
5878 with name {name} when writing. This uses the 'undodir'
5879 option, finding directories that exist. It does not check if
Bram Moolenaar860cae12010-06-05 23:22:07 +02005880 the undo file exists.
Bram Moolenaar945e2db2010-06-05 17:43:32 +02005881 {name} is always expanded to the full path, since that is what
5882 is used internally.
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02005883 Useful in combination with |:wundo| and |:rundo|.
5884 When compiled without the +persistent_undo option this always
5885 returns an empty string.
5886
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02005887undotree() *undotree()*
5888 Return the current state of the undo tree in a dictionary with
5889 the following items:
5890 "seq_last" The highest undo sequence number used.
5891 "seq_cur" The sequence number of the current position in
5892 the undo tree. This differs from "seq_last"
5893 when some changes were undone.
5894 "time_cur" Time last used for |:earlier| and related
5895 commands. Use |strftime()| to convert to
5896 something readable.
5897 "save_last" Number of the last file write. Zero when no
5898 write yet.
Bram Moolenaar730cde92010-06-27 05:18:54 +02005899 "save_cur" Number of the current position in the undo
5900 tree.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02005901 "synced" Non-zero when the last undo block was synced.
5902 This happens when waiting from input from the
5903 user. See |undo-blocks|.
5904 "entries" A list of dictionaries with information about
5905 undo blocks.
5906
5907 The first item in the "entries" list is the oldest undo item.
5908 Each List item is a Dictionary with these items:
5909 "seq" Undo sequence number. Same as what appears in
5910 |:undolist|.
5911 "time" Timestamp when the change happened. Use
5912 |strftime()| to convert to something readable.
5913 "newhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
5914 that was added. This marks the last change
5915 and where further changes will be added.
5916 "curhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
5917 that was undone. This marks the current
5918 position in the undo tree, the block that will
5919 be used by a redo command. When nothing was
5920 undone after the last change this item will
5921 not appear anywhere.
5922 "save" Only appears on the last block before a file
5923 write. The number is the write count. The
5924 first write has number 1, the last one the
5925 "save_last" mentioned above.
5926 "alt" Alternate entry. This is again a List of undo
5927 blocks. Each item may again have an "alt"
5928 item.
5929
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005930values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005931 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005932 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005933
5934
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005935virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
5936 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
5937 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
5938 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
5939 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
5940 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
5941 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
5942 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00005943 For the byte position use |col()|.
5944 For the use of {expr} see |col()|.
5945 When 'virtualedit' is used {expr} can be [lnum, col, off], where
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005946 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005947 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005948 character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005949 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
5950 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
5951 The accepted positions are:
5952 . the cursor position
5953 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
5954 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
5955 plus one)
5956 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
5957 returned)
5958 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
5959 Examples: >
5960 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
5961 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005962 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
5963< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005964 A more advanced example that echoes the maximum length of
5965 all lines: >
5966 echo max(map(range(1, line('$')), "virtcol([v:val, '$'])"))
5967
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005968
5969visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
5970 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005971 used in the current buffer. Initially it returns an empty
5972 string, but once Visual mode has been used, it returns "v",
5973 "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a single CTRL-V character) for
5974 character-wise, line-wise, or block-wise Visual mode
5975 respectively.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005976 Example: >
5977 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
5978< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
5979 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
5980 Visual mode that was used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005981 If Visual mode is active, use |mode()| to get the Visual mode
5982 (e.g., in a |:vmap|).
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005983 *non-zero-arg*
5984 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
5985 a non-empty String, then the Visual mode will be cleared and
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005986 the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005987 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared. A List,
5988 Dictionary or Float is not a Number or String, thus does not
5989 cause the mode to be cleared.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005990
5991 *winbufnr()*
5992winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005993 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005994 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
5995 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5996 Example: >
5997 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
5998<
5999 *wincol()*
6000wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
6001 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
6002 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
6003
6004winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
6005 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
6006 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
6007 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
6008 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
6009 Examples: >
6010 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
6011<
6012 *winline()*
6013winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006014 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006015 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00006016 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
6017 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006018
6019 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00006020winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
6021 window. The top window has number 1.
6022 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00006023 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00006024 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
6025 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006026 If there is no previous window or it is in another tab page 0
6027 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00006028 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
6029 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006030 Also see |tabpagewinnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006031
6032 *winrestcmd()*
6033winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
6034 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006035 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
6036 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006037 Example: >
6038 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
6039 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
6040 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006041<
6042 *winrestview()*
6043winrestview({dict})
6044 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
6045 the view of the current window.
6046 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
6047 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
6048
6049 *winsaveview()*
6050winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
6051 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
6052 restore the view.
6053 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
6054 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
6055 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00006056 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
6057 not opened when moving around.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006058 The return value includes:
6059 lnum cursor line number
6060 col cursor column
6061 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
6062 curswant column for vertical movement
6063 topline first line in the window
6064 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
6065 leftcol first column displayed
6066 skipcol columns skipped
6067 Note that no option values are saved.
6068
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006069
6070winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
6071 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
6072 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
6073 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
6074 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
6075 Examples: >
6076 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
6077 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
6078 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
6079 :endif
6080<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006081 *writefile()*
6082writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006083 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006084 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
6085 Number.
6086 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
6087 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
6088 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
6089 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
6090 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
6091 to writefile().
6092 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
6093 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
6094 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
6095 fails.
6096 Also see |readfile()|.
6097 To copy a file byte for byte: >
6098 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
6099 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
6100<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006101
6102 *feature-list*
6103There are three types of features:
61041. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
6105 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
6106 :if has("cindent")
61072. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
6108 Example: >
6109 :if has("gui_running")
6110< *has-patch*
61113. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
6112 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
6113 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
6114 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006115< Note that it's possible for patch 147 to be omitted even though 148 is
6116 included.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006117
6118all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
6119amiga Amiga version of Vim.
6120arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
6121arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00006122autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006123balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00006124balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006125beos BeOS version of Vim.
6126browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
6127 work.
6128builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
6129byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
6130cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
6131clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
6132clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
6133cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
6134cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
6135cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
6136comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006137compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006138cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
6139cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006140debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
6141dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
6142dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
6143diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
6144digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
6145dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006146dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006147dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006148ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
6149emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
6150eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
6151 true, of course!
6152ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
6153extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
6154 |'hlsearch'|
6155farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
6156file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006157filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
6158 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006159find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
6160 |+find_in_path|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006161float Compiled with support for |Float|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006162fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
6163 Windows this is not present).
6164folding Compiled with |folding| support.
6165footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
6166fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
6167gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
6168gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
6169gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006170gui_gnome Compiled with Gnome support (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006171gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
6172gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
6173gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
6174gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
6175gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006176gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006177gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
6178gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006179hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
6180iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
6181insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
6182 Insert mode.
6183jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
6184keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
6185langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
6186libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
6187linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
6188 support.
6189lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
6190listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
6191 and the argument list |arglist|.
6192localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
Bram Moolenaar0ba04292010-07-14 23:23:17 +02006193lua Compiled with Lua interface |Lua|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006194mac Macintosh version of Vim.
6195macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
6196menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
6197mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
6198modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
6199mouse Compiled with support mouse.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006200mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
6201mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
6202mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
6203mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006204mouse_sysmouse Compiled with support for sysmouse (*BSD console mouse)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006205mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006206mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
Bram Moolenaar42022d52008-12-09 09:57:49 +00006207multi_byte Compiled with support for 'encoding'
6208multi_byte_encoding 'encoding' is set to a multi-byte encoding.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006209multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
6210multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00006211mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaarb26e6322010-05-22 21:34:09 +02006212netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and connected.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006213netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006214ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
6215os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
6216osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
6217path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
6218perl Compiled with Perl interface.
Bram Moolenaar55debbe2010-05-23 23:34:36 +02006219persistent_undo Compiled with support for persistent undo history.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006220postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
6221printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006222profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006223python Compiled with Python interface.
6224qnx QNX version of Vim.
6225quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00006226reltime Compiled with |reltime()| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006227rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
6228ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
6229scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
6230showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
6231signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
6232smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00006233sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006234spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
Bram Moolenaaref94eec2009-11-11 13:22:11 +00006235startuptime Compiled with |--startuptime| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006236statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
6237 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
6238sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00006239syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006240syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
6241 current buffer.
6242system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
6243tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
6244 |tag-binary-search|.
6245tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
6246 |tag-old-static|.
6247tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
6248 files |tag-any-white|.
6249tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
6250terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
6251termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
6252textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
6253tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
6254 or terminfo file.
6255title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
6256toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
6257unix Unix version of Vim.
6258user_commands User-defined commands.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006259vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006260vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place. |startup|
6261viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006262virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
6263visual Compiled with Visual mode.
6264visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
6265 |blockwise-operators|.
6266vms VMS version of Vim.
6267vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
6268wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
6269wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006270win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01006271win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95 and later, 32 or
6272 64 bits)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006273win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006274win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006275win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006276winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
6277windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006278writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
6279xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
6280xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
6281xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
6282xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
6283xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
6284xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
6285 xterm screen.
6286x11 Compiled with X11 support.
6287
6288 *string-match*
6289Matching a pattern in a String
6290
6291A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
6292the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
6293everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
6294like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
6295line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
6296with ".". Example: >
6297 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
6298 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
6299 aa
6300 xx
6301 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
6302 a
6303 x
6304
6305Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
6306"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
6307"\n".
6308
6309==============================================================================
63105. Defining functions *user-functions*
6311
6312New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
6313functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
6314commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
6315
6316The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
6317builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
6318avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
6319the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
6320
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00006321It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
6322|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006323
6324 *local-function*
6325A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
6326can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
6327and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00006328function from a mapping defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006329instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
6330
6331 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
6332:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
6333
6334:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006335 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6336 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006337 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00006338
6339:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
6340 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
6341 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00006342<
6343 *:function-verbose*
6344When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
6345last defined. Example: >
6346
6347 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
6348 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
6349 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
6350<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00006351See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00006352
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006353 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006354:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006355 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
6356 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
6357 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006358
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006359 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6360 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006361 :function dict.init(arg)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006362< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006363 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006364 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006365 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
6366 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
6367 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006368 *E127* *E122*
6369 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
6370 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
6371 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
6372 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006373
6374 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
6375
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006376 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
6377 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
6378 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
6379 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
6380 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
6381 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
6382 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006383
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006384 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
6385 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006386
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006387 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006388 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006389 local variable "self" will then be set to the
6390 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006391
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006392 *function-search-undo*
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00006393 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006394 will not be changed by the function. This also
6395 implies that the effect of |:nohlsearch| is undone
6396 when the function returns.
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00006397
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006398 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
6399:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
6400 by its own, without other commands.
6401
6402 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
6403:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006404 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6405 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006406 :delfunc dict.init
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006407< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006408 function is deleted if there are no more references to
6409 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006410 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
6411:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
6412 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
6413 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
6414 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
6415 the number 0 is returned.
6416 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
6417 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
6418
6419 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
6420 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
6421 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
6422 are executed first. This process applies to all
6423 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
6424 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
6425
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006426 *function-argument* *a:var*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006427An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006428be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006429 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740* *...*
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006430Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
6431arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
6432may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
6433as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006434can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
6435that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006436 *E742*
6437The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00006438However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can change their contents.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006439Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
6440it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
6441|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006442
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006443When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
6444to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
6445may be larger.
6446
6447It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
6448still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
6449until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
6450inside a function body.
6451
6452 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006453Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
6454will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
6455accessed with "g:".
6456
6457Example: >
6458 :function Table(title, ...)
6459 : echohl Title
6460 : echo a:title
6461 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006462 : echo a:0 . " items:"
6463 : for s in a:000
6464 : echon ' ' . s
6465 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006466 :endfunction
6467
6468This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006469 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
6470 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006471
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006472To return more than one value, return a |List|: >
6473 :function Compute(n1, n2)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006474 : if a:n2 == 0
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006475 : return ["fail", 0]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006476 : endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006477 : return ["ok", a:n1 / a:n2]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006478 :endfunction
6479
6480This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006481 :let [success, div] = Compute(102, 6)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006482 :if success == "ok"
6483 : echo div
6484 :endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006485<
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00006486 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006487:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
6488 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
6489 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006490 used. The returned value is discarded.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006491 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
6492 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
6493 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
6494 function.
6495 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
6496 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
6497 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
6498 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006499 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006500 this works:
6501 *function-range-example* >
6502 :function Mynumber(arg)
6503 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
6504 :endfunction
6505 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
6506<
6507 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
6508 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
6509 the range.
6510
6511 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
6512
6513 :function Cont() range
6514 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
6515 :endfunction
6516 :4,8call Cont()
6517<
6518 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
6519 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
6520
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006521 When the function returns a composite value it can be further
6522 dereferenced, but the range will not be used then. Example: >
6523 :4,8call GetDict().method()
6524< Here GetDict() gets the range but method() does not.
6525
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006526 *E132*
6527The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
6528option.
6529
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006530
6531AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006532 *autoload-functions*
6533When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006534only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
6535the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
6536
6537
6538Using an autocommand ~
6539
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006540This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
6541
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006542The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
6543You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006544That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006545again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
6546
6547Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
6548function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006549
6550 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
6551
6552The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
6553"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
6554
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006555
6556Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006557 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006558This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
6559
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006560Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
6561exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
6562like this: >
6563
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006564 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006565
6566When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
6567"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
6568"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
6569then define the function like this: >
6570
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006571 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006572 echo "Done!"
6573 endfunction
6574
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00006575The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006576exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
6577called.
6578
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006579It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
6580a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006581
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006582 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006583
6584Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
6585
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006586This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
6587
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006588 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006589
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00006590However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
6591for an unknown variable.
6592
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006593When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
6594be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
6595
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006596 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
6597 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006598
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00006599Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
6600defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
6601function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006602And you will get an error message every time.
6603
6604Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006605other and vice versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006606Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006607
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00006608Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
6609|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
6610
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006611==============================================================================
66126. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
6613
6614Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
6615This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
6616{} like this: >
6617 my_{adjective}_variable
6618
6619When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
6620that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
6621name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
6622"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
6623"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
6624
6625One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006626value. For example, the statement >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006627 echo my_{&background}_message
6628
6629would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
6630on the current value of 'background'.
6631
6632You can use multiple brace pairs: >
6633 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
6634..or even nest them: >
6635 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
6636where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
6637
6638However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00006639variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006640 :let foo='a + b'
6641 :echo c{foo}d
6642.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
6643
6644 *curly-braces-function-names*
6645You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
6646Example: >
6647 :let func_end='whizz'
6648 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
6649
6650This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
6651
6652==============================================================================
66537. Commands *expression-commands*
6654
6655:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
6656 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
6657 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
6658 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
6659 is created.
6660
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00006661:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
6662 Set a list item to the result of the expression
6663 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
6664 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
6665 the index can be repeated.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006666 This cannot be used to add an item to a |List|.
6667 This cannot be used to set a byte in a String. You
6668 can do that like this: >
6669 :let var = var[0:2] . 'X' . var[4:]
6670<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006671 *E711* *E719*
6672:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006673 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
6674 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006675 correct number of items.
6676 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
6677 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
6678 When the selected range of items is partly past the
6679 end of the list, items will be added.
6680
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00006681 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006682:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
6683:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
6684:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
6685 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
6686 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
6687
6688
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006689:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
6690 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
6691 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006692:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
6693 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
6694 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
6695 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006696
6697:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
6698 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
6699 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
6700 must be the name of a writable register (see
6701 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
6702 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
6703 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
6704 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
6705 characterwise.
6706 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
6707 :let @/ = ""
6708< This is different from searching for an empty string,
6709 that would match everywhere.
6710
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006711:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006712 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006713 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
6714
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006715:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-&*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006716 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006717 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
6718 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006719 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
6720 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00006721 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006722 Example: >
6723 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006724
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006725:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
6726 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
6727 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
6728
6729:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
6730:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
6731 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
6732 {expr1}.
6733
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006734:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006735:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
6736:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
6737:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006738 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
6739 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
6740
6741:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006742:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
6743:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
6744:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006745 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
6746 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
6747
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00006748:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006749 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006750 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
6751 {name2}, etc.
6752 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006753 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006754 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
6755 command as mentioned above.
6756 Example: >
6757 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006758< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
6759 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
6760 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
6761 :let x = [0, 1]
6762 :let i = 0
6763 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
6764 :echo x
6765< The result is [0, 2].
6766
6767:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
6768:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
6769:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
6770 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006771 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006772
6773:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006774 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006775 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
6776 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
6777 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006778 Example: >
6779 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
6780<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006781:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
6782:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
6783:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
6784 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006785 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +02006786
6787 *E121*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006788:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00006789 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
6790 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00006791 g: global variables
6792 b: local buffer variables
6793 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00006794 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00006795 s: script-local variables
6796 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00006797 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006798
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00006799:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
6800 variable is indicated before the value:
6801 <nothing> String
6802 # Number
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006803 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006804
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006805
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006806:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108* *E795*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006807 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
6808 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006809 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006810 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
6811 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006812 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00006813 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
6814 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006815< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00006816 :unlet dict['two']
6817 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00006818< This is especially useful to clean up used global
6819 variables and script-local variables (these are not
6820 deleted when the script ends). Function-local
6821 variables are automatically deleted when the function
6822 ends.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006823
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006824:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
6825 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
6826 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
6827 A locked variable can be deleted: >
6828 :lockvar v
6829 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
6830 :unlet v
6831< *E741*
6832 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
6833 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
6834
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006835 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
6836 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
6837 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006838 cannot add or remove items, but can
6839 still change their values.
6840 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006841 the items. If an item is a |List| or
6842 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006843 items, but can still change the
6844 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006845 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
6846 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
6847 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
6848 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
6849 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006850 *E743*
6851 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
6852 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
6853 loops.
6854
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006855 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
6856 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00006857 locked when used through the other variable.
6858 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006859 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
6860 :let cl = l
6861 :lockvar l
6862 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
6863< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
6864 See |deepcopy()|.
6865
6866
6867:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
6868 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
6869 opposite of |:lockvar|.
6870
6871
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006872:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
6873:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6874 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6875
6876 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
6877 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
6878 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
6879 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
6880 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
6881 part was not executed either.
6882
6883 You can use this to remain compatible with older
6884 versions: >
6885 :if version >= 500
6886 : version-5-specific-commands
6887 :endif
6888< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
6889 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
6890 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
6891 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
6892 avoid problems: >
6893 :if version >= 600
6894 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
6895 :endif
6896<
6897 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
6898 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
6899
6900 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
6901:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6902 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
6903 executed.
6904
6905 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
6906:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
6907 is no extra ":endif".
6908
6909:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006910 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006911:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
6912 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6913 When an error is detected from a command inside the
6914 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006915 Example: >
6916 :let lnum = 1
6917 :while lnum <= line("$")
6918 :call FixLine(lnum)
6919 :let lnum = lnum + 1
6920 :endwhile
6921<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006922 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006923 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006924
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006925:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006926:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
6927 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006928 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006929 value of each item.
6930 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006931 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00006932 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
6933 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006934 :for item in copy(mylist)
6935< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
6936 next item in the list, before executing the commands
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006937 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006938 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
6939 it will not be found. Thus the following example
6940 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006941 for item in mylist
6942 call remove(mylist, 0)
6943 endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006944< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
6945 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
6946 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006947 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
6948 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006949 to allow multiple item types: >
6950 for item in ["foo", ["bar"]]
6951 echo item
6952 unlet item " E706 without this
6953 endfor
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006954
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006955:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
6956:endfo[r]
6957 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
6958 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
6959 {var2}, etc. Example: >
6960 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
6961 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
6962 :endfor
6963<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006964 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006965:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
6966 to the start of the loop.
6967 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6968 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6969 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6970 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6971 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6972 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006973
6974 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006975:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
6976 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
6977 ":endfor".
6978 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6979 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6980 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6981 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6982 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6983 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006984
6985:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
6986:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
6987 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
6988 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
6989 or autocommand invocations.
6990
6991 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
6992 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
6993 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
6994 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
6995 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
6996 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
6997 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
6998 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
6999 Example: >
7000 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
7001 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
7002<
7003 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
7004 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
7005 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
7006 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
7007 processing is not terminated.
7008
7009 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
7010 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
7011 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
7012 other errors are converted to a value of the form
7013 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
7014 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
7015 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
7016 the error number.
7017 Examples: >
7018 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
7019 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
7020<
7021 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01007022:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next |:catch|,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007023 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
7024 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
7025 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
7026 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
7027 commands are skipped.
7028 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
7029 Examples: >
7030 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
7031 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
7032 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
7033 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
7034 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
7035 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
7036 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
7037 :catch " same as /.*/
7038<
7039 Another character can be used instead of / around the
7040 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
7041 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
7042 {pattern}.
7043 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
7044 an error message because it may vary in different
7045 locales.
7046
7047 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
7048:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
7049 are executed whenever the part between the matching
7050 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
7051 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
7052 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
7053 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
7054
7055 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
7056:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
7057 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
7058 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
7059 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
7060 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
7061 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
7062 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
7063 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
7064 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
7065 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
7066 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
7067 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
7068 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
7069 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
7070 is terminated.
7071 Example: >
7072 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
7073<
7074
7075 *:ec* *:echo*
7076:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
7077 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
7078 Also see |:comment|.
7079 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
7080 cursor to the first column.
7081 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7082 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7083 Example: >
7084 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007085< *:echo-redraw*
7086 A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
7087 And since Vim mostly postpones redrawing until it's
7088 finished with a sequence of commands this happens
7089 quite often. To avoid that a command from before the
7090 ":echo" causes a redraw afterwards (redraws are often
7091 postponed until you type something), force a redraw
7092 with the |:redraw| command. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007093 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
7094<
7095 *:echon*
7096:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
7097 |:comment|.
7098 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7099 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7100 Example: >
7101 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
7102<
7103 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
7104 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
7105 command: >
7106 :!echo % --> filename
7107< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
7108 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
7109< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
7110 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
7111 :echo % --> nothing
7112< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
7113 :echo "%" --> %
7114< This just echoes the '%' character. >
7115 :echo expand("%") --> filename
7116< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
7117
7118 *:echoh* *:echohl*
7119:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
7120 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
7121 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
7122 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
7123< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
7124 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
7125
7126 *:echom* *:echomsg*
7127:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
7128 message in the |message-history|.
7129 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
7130 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
7131 displayed, not interpreted.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007132 The parsing works slightly different from |:echo|,
7133 more like |:execute|. All the expressions are first
7134 evaluated and concatenated before echoing anything.
7135 The expressions must evaluate to a Number or String, a
7136 Dictionary or List causes an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007137 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7138 Example: >
7139 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007140< See |:echo-redraw| to avoid the message disappearing
7141 when the screen is redrawn.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007142 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
7143:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
7144 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
7145 script or function the line number will be added.
7146 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007147 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007148 the message is raised as an error exception instead
7149 (see |try-echoerr|).
7150 Example: >
7151 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
7152< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
7153 And to get a beep: >
7154 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
7155<
7156 *:exe* *:execute*
7157:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02007158 of {expr1} as an Ex command.
7159 Multiple arguments are concatenated, with a space in
7160 between. To avoid the extra space use the "."
7161 operator to concatenate strings into one argument.
7162 {expr1} is used as the processed command, command line
7163 editing keys are not recognized.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007164 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7165 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02007166 :execute "buffer" nextbuf
7167 :execute "normal" count . "w"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007168<
7169 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
7170 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
7171 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
7172
7173< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
7174 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
7175 command: >
7176 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
7177< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
7178
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007179 Be careful to correctly escape special characters in
7180 file names. The |fnameescape()| function can be used
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00007181 for Vim commands, |shellescape()| for |:!| commands.
7182 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007183 :execute "e " . fnameescape(filename)
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00007184 :execute "!ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h'), 1)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007185<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007186 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00007187 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
7188 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007189 :execute 'while i > 5'
7190 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
7191<
7192 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
7193 completely in the executed string: >
7194 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
7195<
7196
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01007197 *:exe-comment*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007198 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
7199 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
7200 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
7201 comment. Example: >
7202 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
7203
7204==============================================================================
72058. Exception handling *exception-handling*
7206
7207The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
7208explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
7209
7210Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
7211|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
7212exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
7213
7214
7215TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
7216
7217Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
7218use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
7219a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
7220 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
7221|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
7222a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
7223be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
7224which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
7225clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
7226
7227 :try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007228 : ...
7229 : ... TRY BLOCK
7230 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007231 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007232 : ...
7233 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
7234 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007235 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007236 : ...
7237 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
7238 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007239 :finally
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007240 : ...
7241 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
7242 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007243 :endtry
7244
7245The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
7246appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
7247from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
7248 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
7249is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
7250script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
7251 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
7252lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
7253patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
7254after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
7255executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
7256":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
7257(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
7258continues in the following line as usual.
7259 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
7260":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
7261that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
7262finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
7263the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
7264the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
7265see |try-nesting|.
7266 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007267remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007268not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
7269try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
7270a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
7271execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
7272exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
7273 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007274thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007275clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
7276catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
7277following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
7278clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
7279
7280The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
7281a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
7282try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
7283from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
7284sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
7285":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
7286":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
7287from the finally clause.
7288 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
7289try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
7290clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
7291":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
7292clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
7293":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
7294this pending exception or command is discarded.
7295
7296For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
7297
7298
7299NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
7300
7301Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
7302conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
7303clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
7304catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
7305of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
7306checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
7307try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007308otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007309nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
7310one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
7311the inner try conditional.
7312
7313When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
7314finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
7315An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
7316thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
7317implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
7318as usual.
7319
7320For examples see |throw-catch|.
7321
7322
7323EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
7324
7325Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
7326'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
7327script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
7328finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
7329a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
7330(see |debug-scripts|).
7331
7332
7333THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
7334
7335You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
7336and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
7337 :throw 4711
7338 :throw "string"
7339< *throw-expression*
7340You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
7341first, and the result is thrown: >
7342 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
7343 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
7344
7345An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
7346command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
7347The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
7348 Example: >
7349
7350 :function! Foo(arg)
7351 : try
7352 : throw a:arg
7353 : catch /foo/
7354 : endtry
7355 : return 1
7356 :endfunction
7357 :
7358 :function! Bar()
7359 : echo "in Bar"
7360 : return 4710
7361 :endfunction
7362 :
7363 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
7364
7365This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
7366executed. >
7367 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
7368however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
7369
7370Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007371abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007372exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
7373 Example: >
7374
7375 :if Foo("arrgh")
7376 : echo "then"
7377 :else
7378 : echo "else"
7379 :endif
7380
7381Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
7382
7383 *catch-order*
7384Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
7385commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
7386command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
7387gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
7388 Example: >
7389
7390 :function! Foo(value)
7391 : try
7392 : throw a:value
7393 : catch /^\d\+$/
7394 : echo "Number thrown"
7395 : catch /.*/
7396 : echo "String thrown"
7397 : endtry
7398 :endfunction
7399 :
7400 :call Foo(0x1267)
7401 :call Foo('string')
7402
7403The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
7404An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
7405specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
7406specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
7407
7408 : catch /.*/
7409 : echo "String thrown"
7410 : catch /^\d\+$/
7411 : echo "Number thrown"
7412
7413The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
7414never taken.
7415
7416 *throw-variables*
7417If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
7418in the variable |v:exception|: >
7419
7420 : catch /^\d\+$/
7421 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
7422
7423You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
7424|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
7425exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
7426 Example: >
7427
7428 :function! Caught()
7429 : if v:exception != ""
7430 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
7431 : else
7432 : echo 'Nothing caught'
7433 : endif
7434 :endfunction
7435 :
7436 :function! Foo()
7437 : try
7438 : try
7439 : try
7440 : throw 4711
7441 : finally
7442 : call Caught()
7443 : endtry
7444 : catch /.*/
7445 : call Caught()
7446 : throw "oops"
7447 : endtry
7448 : catch /.*/
7449 : call Caught()
7450 : finally
7451 : call Caught()
7452 : endtry
7453 :endfunction
7454 :
7455 :call Foo()
7456
7457This displays >
7458
7459 Nothing caught
7460 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
7461 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
7462 Nothing caught
7463
7464A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
7465number in the script or function where it has been used: >
7466
7467 :function! LineNumber()
7468 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
7469 :endfunction
7470 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
7471<
7472 *try-nested*
7473An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
7474a surrounding try conditional: >
7475
7476 :try
7477 : try
7478 : throw "foo"
7479 : catch /foobar/
7480 : echo "foobar"
7481 : finally
7482 : echo "inner finally"
7483 : endtry
7484 :catch /foo/
7485 : echo "foo"
7486 :endtry
7487
7488The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
7489clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
7490conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
7491
7492 *throw-from-catch*
7493You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
7494catch clause: >
7495
7496 :function! Foo()
7497 : throw "foo"
7498 :endfunction
7499 :
7500 :function! Bar()
7501 : try
7502 : call Foo()
7503 : catch /foo/
7504 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
7505 : throw "bar"
7506 : endtry
7507 :endfunction
7508 :
7509 :try
7510 : call Bar()
7511 :catch /.*/
7512 : echo "Caught" v:exception
7513 :endtry
7514
7515This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
7516
7517 *rethrow*
7518There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
7519"v:exception" instead: >
7520
7521 :function! Bar()
7522 : try
7523 : call Foo()
7524 : catch /.*/
7525 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
7526 : throw v:exception
7527 : endtry
7528 :endfunction
7529< *try-echoerr*
7530Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
7531exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
7532Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
7533denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
7534the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
7535
7536 :try
7537 : try
7538 : asdf
7539 : catch /.*/
7540 : echoerr v:exception
7541 : endtry
7542 :catch /.*/
7543 : echo v:exception
7544 :endtry
7545
7546This code displays
7547
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007548 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007549
7550
7551CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
7552
7553Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
7554user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007555an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007556a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
7557catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
7558a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
7559normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
7560(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007561to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007562clause has been executed.)
7563Example: >
7564
7565 :try
7566 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
7567 : set ts=17
7568 :
7569 : " Do the hard work here.
7570 :
7571 :finally
7572 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
7573 : unlet s:saved_ts
7574 :endtry
7575
7576This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
7577changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
7578that function or script part.
7579
7580 *break-finally*
7581Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
7582a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
7583 Example: >
7584
7585 :let first = 1
7586 :while 1
7587 : try
7588 : if first
7589 : echo "first"
7590 : let first = 0
7591 : continue
7592 : else
7593 : throw "second"
7594 : endif
7595 : catch /.*/
7596 : echo v:exception
7597 : break
7598 : finally
7599 : echo "cleanup"
7600 : endtry
7601 : echo "still in while"
7602 :endwhile
7603 :echo "end"
7604
7605This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
7606
7607 :function! Foo()
7608 : try
7609 : return 4711
7610 : finally
7611 : echo "cleanup\n"
7612 : endtry
7613 : echo "Foo still active"
7614 :endfunction
7615 :
7616 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
7617
7618This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007619extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007620return value.)
7621
7622 *except-from-finally*
7623Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
7624a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
7625cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
7626exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
7627 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
7628working correctly: >
7629
7630 :try
7631 : try
7632 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
7633 : while 1
7634 : endwhile
7635 : finally
7636 : unlet novar
7637 : endtry
7638 :catch /novar/
7639 :endtry
7640 :echo "Script still running"
7641 :sleep 1
7642
7643If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
7644think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
7645|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
7646
7647
7648CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
7649
7650If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
7651watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
7652presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
7653exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
7654the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
7655the error exception is.
7656 Error exceptions have the following format: >
7657
7658 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
7659or >
7660 Vim:{errmsg}
7661
7662{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007663the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007664when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
7665a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
7666a space.
7667
7668Examples:
7669
7670The command >
7671 :unlet novar
7672normally produces the error message >
7673 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7674which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7675 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
7676
7677The command >
7678 :dwim
7679normally produces the error message >
7680 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
7681which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7682 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
7683
7684You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
7685 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
7686or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
7687 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
7688
7689Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
7690 :function nofunc
7691and >
7692 :delfunction nofunc
7693both produce the error message >
7694 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7695which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7696 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7697or >
7698 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7699respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
7700command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
7701 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
7702
7703Some commands like >
7704 :let x = novar
7705produce multiple error messages, here: >
7706 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7707 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7708Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
7709one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
7710 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
7711
7712You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
7713 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
7714
7715You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
7716 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
7717
7718You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
7719 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
7720<
7721 *catch-text*
7722NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
7723 :catch /No such variable/
7724only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
7725a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
7726cite the message text in a comment: >
7727 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
7728
7729
7730IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
7731
7732You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
7733
7734 :try
7735 : write
7736 :catch
7737 :endtry
7738
7739But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
7740catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
7741be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
7742
7743 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
7744
7745There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
7746writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
7747then hide the error from the user.
7748 It is much better to use >
7749
7750 :try
7751 : write
7752 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7753 :endtry
7754
7755which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
7756intentionally.
7757
7758For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
7759even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
7760command: >
7761 :silent! nunmap k
7762This works also when a try conditional is active.
7763
7764
7765CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
7766
7767When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007768the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007769script is not terminated, then.
7770 Example: >
7771
7772 :function! TASK1()
7773 : sleep 10
7774 :endfunction
7775
7776 :function! TASK2()
7777 : sleep 20
7778 :endfunction
7779
7780 :while 1
7781 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
7782 : try
7783 : if command == ""
7784 : continue
7785 : elseif command == "END"
7786 : break
7787 : elseif command == "TASK1"
7788 : call TASK1()
7789 : elseif command == "TASK2"
7790 : call TASK2()
7791 : else
7792 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
7793 : continue
7794 : endif
7795 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
7796 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
7797 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
7798 : endtry
7799 :endwhile
7800
7801You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007802a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007803
7804For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
7805your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
7806command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
7807
7808
7809CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
7810
7811The commands >
7812
7813 :catch /.*/
7814 :catch //
7815 :catch
7816
7817catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
7818explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
7819a script in order to catch unexpected things.
7820 Example: >
7821
7822 :try
7823 :
7824 : " do the hard work here
7825 :
7826 :catch /MyException/
7827 :
7828 : " handle known problem
7829 :
7830 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
7831 : echo "Script interrupted"
7832 :catch /.*/
7833 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
7834 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
7835 :endtry
7836 :" end of script
7837
7838Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
7839strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
7840specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
7841 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
7842by pressing CTRL-C: >
7843
7844 :while 1
7845 : try
7846 : sleep 1
7847 : catch
7848 : endtry
7849 :endwhile
7850
7851
7852EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
7853
7854Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
7855
7856 :autocmd User x try
7857 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
7858 :autocmd User x catch
7859 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
7860 :autocmd User x endtry
7861 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
7862 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
7863 :
7864 :try
7865 : doautocmd User x
7866 :catch
7867 : echo v:exception
7868 :endtry
7869
7870This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
7871
7872 *except-autocmd-Pre*
7873For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
7874command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
7875of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
7876abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
7877 Example: >
7878
7879 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
7880 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
7881 :
7882 :try
7883 : write
7884 :catch
7885 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
7886 :endtry
7887
7888Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
7889you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
7890autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
7891script displays: >
7892
7893 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
7894<
7895 *except-autocmd-Post*
7896For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
7897command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
7898an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
7899is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
7900 Example: >
7901
7902 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
7903 :
7904 :try
7905 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7906 :catch
7907 : echo v:exception
7908 :endtry
7909
7910This just displays: >
7911
7912 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
7913
7914If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
7915fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
7916 Example: >
7917
7918 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
7919 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
7920 :
7921 :try
7922 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7923 :catch
7924 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7925 :endtry
7926<
7927You can also use ":silent!": >
7928
7929 :let x = "ok"
7930 :let v:errmsg = ""
7931 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
7932 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
7933 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
7934 :try
7935 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7936 :catch
7937 :endtry
7938 :echo x
7939
7940This displays "after fail".
7941
7942If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
7943autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
7944
7945 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
7946 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
7947 :
7948 :try
7949 : write
7950 :catch
7951 : echo v:exception
7952 :endtry
7953<
7954 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
7955For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
7956autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
7957of the command.
7958 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007959had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007960some way. >
7961
7962 :if !exists("cnt")
7963 : let cnt = 0
7964 :
7965 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
7966 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
7967 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
7968 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7969 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7970 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
7971 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
7972 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7973 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7974 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
7975 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7976 :endif
7977 :
7978 :try
7979 : write
7980 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
7981 : if &modified
7982 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
7983 : else
7984 : echo "Error after writing"
7985 : endif
7986 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7987 : echo "Error on writing"
7988 :endtry
7989
7990When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
7991first >
7992 File successfully written!
7993then >
7994 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
7995then >
7996 Error after writing
7997etc.
7998
7999 *except-autocmd-ill*
8000You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
8001The following code is ill-formed: >
8002
8003 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
8004 :
8005 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
8006 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
8007 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
8008 :
8009 :write
8010
8011
8012EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
8013
8014Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
8015pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
8016similar things in Vim.
8017 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
8018class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
8019string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
8020 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
8021it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
8022for an error when writing "myfile".
8023 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
8024base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
8025parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
8026 Example: >
8027
8028 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
8029 : if a:a < 0
8030 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
8031 : endif
8032 :endfunction
8033 :
8034 :function! Add(a, b)
8035 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
8036 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
8037 : let c = a:a + a:b
8038 : if c < 0
8039 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
8040 : endif
8041 : return c
8042 :endfunction
8043 :
8044 :function! Div(a, b)
8045 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
8046 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
8047 : if (a:b == 0)
8048 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
8049 : endif
8050 : return a:a / a:b
8051 :endfunction
8052 :
8053 :function! Write(file)
8054 : try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008055 : execute "write" fnameescape(a:file)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008056 : catch /^Vim(write):/
8057 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
8058 : endtry
8059 :endfunction
8060 :
8061 :try
8062 :
8063 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
8064 :
8065 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
8066 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
8067 : echo "Range error in" function
8068 :
8069 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
8070 : echo "Math error"
8071 :
8072 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
8073 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
8074 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
8075 : if file !~ '^/'
8076 : let file = dir . "/" . file
8077 : endif
8078 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
8079 :
8080 :catch /^EXCEPT/
8081 : echo "Unspecified error"
8082 :
8083 :endtry
8084
8085The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
8086a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
8087exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
8088 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
8089failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
8090
8091
8092PECULIARITIES
8093 *except-compat*
8094The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
8095exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
8096and/or a catch clause.
8097
8098In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
8099continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
8100after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
8101functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
8102or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
8103(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
8104
8105This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
8106immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008107conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
8108be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008109termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
8110catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
8111by specifying a finally clause.)
8112
8113When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
8114behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
8115scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
8116
8117However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
8118commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
8119conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
8120script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
8121error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
8122messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008123|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
8124not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008125where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
8126error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
8127scripts.
8128
8129 *except-syntax-err*
8130Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
8131the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
8132clauses, however, is executed.
8133 Example: >
8134
8135 :try
8136 : try
8137 : throw 4711
8138 : catch /\(/
8139 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
8140 : catch
8141 : echo "inner catch-all"
8142 : finally
8143 : echo "inner finally"
8144 : endtry
8145 :catch
8146 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
8147 : finally
8148 : echo "outer finally"
8149 :endtry
8150
8151This displays: >
8152 inner finally
8153 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
8154 outer finally
8155The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
8156
8157 *except-single-line*
8158The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
8159a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
8160"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
8161 Example: >
8162 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
8163raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
8164argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
8165error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
8166displayed.
8167
8168 *except-several-errors*
8169When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
8170usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
8171 Example: >
8172 echo novar
8173causes >
8174 E121: Undefined variable: novar
8175 E15: Invalid expression: novar
8176The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
8177 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
8178< *except-syntax-error*
8179But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
8180the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
8181 Example: >
8182 unlet novar #
8183causes >
8184 E108: No such variable: "novar"
8185 E488: Trailing characters
8186The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
8187 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
8188This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
8189not intended by the user. Example: >
8190 try
8191 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
8192 catch /.*/
8193 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
8194 endtry
8195This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
8196a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
8197
8198==============================================================================
81999. Examples *eval-examples*
8200
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008201Printing in Binary ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008202>
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01008203 :" The function Nr2Bin() returns the binary string representation of a number.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008204 :func Nr2Bin(nr)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008205 : let n = a:nr
8206 : let r = ""
8207 : while n
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008208 : let r = '01'[n % 2] . r
8209 : let n = n / 2
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008210 : endwhile
8211 : return r
8212 :endfunc
8213
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008214 :" The function String2Bin() converts each character in a string to a
8215 :" binary string, separated with dashes.
8216 :func String2Bin(str)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008217 : let out = ''
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008218 : for ix in range(strlen(a:str))
8219 : let out = out . '-' . Nr2Bin(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
8220 : endfor
8221 : return out[1:]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008222 :endfunc
8223
8224Example of its use: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008225 :echo Nr2Bin(32)
8226result: "100000" >
8227 :echo String2Bin("32")
8228result: "110011-110010"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008229
8230
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008231Sorting lines ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008232
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008233This example sorts lines with a specific compare function. >
8234
8235 :func SortBuffer()
8236 : let lines = getline(1, '$')
8237 : call sort(lines, function("Strcmp"))
8238 : call setline(1, lines)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008239 :endfunction
8240
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008241As a one-liner: >
8242 :call setline(1, sort(getline(1, '$'), function("Strcmp")))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008243
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008244
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008245scanf() replacement ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008246 *sscanf*
8247There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
8248line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
8249how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
8250"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
8251 :" Set up the match bit
8252 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
8253 :"get the part matching the whole expression
8254 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
8255 :"get each item out of the match
8256 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
8257 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
8258 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
8259
8260The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
8261"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
8262
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008263
8264getting the scriptnames in a Dictionary ~
8265 *scriptnames-dictionary*
8266The |:scriptnames| command can be used to get a list of all script files that
8267have been sourced. There is no equivalent function or variable for this
8268(because it's rarely needed). In case you need to manipulate the list this
8269code can be used: >
8270 " Get the output of ":scriptnames" in the scriptnames_output variable.
8271 let scriptnames_output = ''
8272 redir => scriptnames_output
8273 silent scriptnames
8274 redir END
8275
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008276 " Split the output into lines and parse each line. Add an entry to the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008277 " "scripts" dictionary.
8278 let scripts = {}
8279 for line in split(scriptnames_output, "\n")
8280 " Only do non-blank lines.
8281 if line =~ '\S'
8282 " Get the first number in the line.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008283 let nr = matchstr(line, '\d\+')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008284 " Get the file name, remove the script number " 123: ".
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008285 let name = substitute(line, '.\+:\s*', '', '')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008286 " Add an item to the Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008287 let scripts[nr] = name
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008288 endif
8289 endfor
8290 unlet scriptnames_output
8291
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008292==============================================================================
829310. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
8294
8295When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
8296evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
8297to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
8298recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
8299and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
8300only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
8301recognized.
8302
8303Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
8304missing: >
8305
8306 :if 1
8307 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
8308 :else
8309 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
8310 :endif
8311
8312==============================================================================
831311. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
8314
Bram Moolenaar368373e2010-07-19 20:46:22 +02008315The 'foldexpr', 'formatexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and
8316'foldtext' options may be evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are
8317protected from these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some
8318safety for when these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when
8319the command from a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00008320The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008321
8322These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
8323 - changing the buffer text
8324 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
8325 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008326 - setting certain v: variables (see |v:var|) *E794*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008327 - executing a shell command
8328 - reading or writing a file
8329 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00008330 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00008331This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
8332
8333 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00008334:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00008335 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
8336 'foldexpr'.
8337
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008338 *sandbox-option*
8339A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00008340have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008341restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
8342location. Insecure in this context are:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00008343- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directory
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008344- while executing in the sandbox
8345- value coming from a modeline
8346
8347Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
8348option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
8349
8350==============================================================================
835112. Textlock *textlock*
8352
8353In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
8354to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
8355is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008356actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008357happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
8358
8359This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
8360 - changing the buffer text
8361 - jumping to another buffer or window
8362 - editing another file
8363 - closing a window or quitting Vim
8364 - etc.
8365
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008366
8367 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: