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Bram Moolenaar483c5d82010-10-20 18:45:33 +02001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.3. Last change: 2010 Oct 18
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*
1545v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1546 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1547
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001548 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1549v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1550 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1551 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1552 typed command.
1553 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1554 hit-enter prompt.
1555
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001556 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1557v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1558 Read-only.
1559
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001560
1561v:searchforward *v:searchforward* *searchforward-variable*
1562 Search direction: 1 after a forward search, 0 after a
1563 backward search. It is reset to forward when directly setting
1564 the last search pattern, see |quote/|.
1565 Note that the value is restored when returning from a
1566 function. |function-search-undo|.
1567 Read-write.
1568
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001569 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1570v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1571 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1572 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1573 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1574 executed. Read-only.
1575 Example: >
1576 :!mv foo bar
1577 :if v:shell_error
1578 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1579 :endif
1580< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1581
1582 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1583v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1584
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001585 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1586v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1587 the swap file found. Read-only.
1588
1589 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1590v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1591 for handling an existing swap file:
1592 'o' Open read-only
1593 'e' Edit anyway
1594 'r' Recover
1595 'd' Delete swapfile
1596 'q' Quit
1597 'a' Abort
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001598 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001599 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1600 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1601
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001602 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001603v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001604 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001605 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001606 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001607 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001608
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001609 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1610v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001611 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001612 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1613 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1614 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1615 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1616 terminal.
1617 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1618 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1619 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1620 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1621 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1622
1623 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1624v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1625 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1626 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1627 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1628
1629 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1630v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001631 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001632 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1633 Example: >
1634 :try
1635 : throw "oops"
1636 :catch /.*/
1637 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1638 :endtry
1639< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1640
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001641 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001642v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001643 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001644 |filter()|. Read-only.
1645
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001646 *v:version* *version-variable*
1647v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1648 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1649 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1650 compatibility.
1651 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1652 if has("patch123")
1653< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1654 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1655 completely different.
1656
1657 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1658v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1659
Bram Moolenaar727c8762010-10-20 19:17:48 +02001660 *v:windowid* *windowid-variable*
1661v:windowid When any X11 based GUI is running or when running in a
1662 terminal and Vim connects to the X server (|-X|) this will be
Bram Moolenaar264e9fd2010-10-27 12:33:17 +02001663 set to the window ID.
1664 When an MS-Windows GUI is running this will be set to the
1665 window handle.
1666 Otherwise the value is zero.
1667 Note: for windows inside Vim use |winnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar727c8762010-10-20 19:17:48 +02001668
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001669==============================================================================
16704. Builtin Functions *functions*
1671
1672See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1673
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001674(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001675
1676USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1677
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001678abs( {expr}) Float or Number absolute value of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001679acos( {expr}) Float arc cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001680add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001681append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001682append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001683argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001684argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001685argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001686argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001687asin( {expr}) Float arc sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001688atan( {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001689atan2( {expr}, {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001690browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1691 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001692browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001693bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001694buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1695bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001696bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1697bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1698bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1699byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001700byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001701call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1702 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001703ceil( {expr}) Float round {expr} up
1704changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001705char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001706cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001707clearmatches() none clear all matches
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001708col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001709complete( {startcol}, {matches}) none set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001710complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001711complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001712confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1713 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001714copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001715cos( {expr}) Float cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001716cosh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001717count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1718 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001719cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1720 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001721cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {coladd}])
1722 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {coladd}
1723cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001724deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001725delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1726did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001727diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1728diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001729empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001730escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001731eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001732eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001733executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1734exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001735extend( {expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001736 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001737exp( {expr}) Float exponential of {expr}
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00001738expand( {expr} [, {flag}]) String expand special keywords in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001739feedkeys( {string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001740filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001741filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001742filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1743 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001744finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001745 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001746findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001747 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001748float2nr( {expr}) Number convert Float {expr} to a Number
1749floor( {expr}) Float round {expr} down
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001750fmod( {expr1}, {expr2}) Float remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00001751fnameescape( {fname}) String escape special characters in {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001752fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001753foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1754foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001755foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001756foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001757foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001758foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001759function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00001760garbagecollect( [at_exit]) none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001761get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001762get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001763getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1764 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001765getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001766getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1767getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001768getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1769getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001770getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001771getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001772getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1773getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001774getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001775getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001776getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001777getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1778getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001779getloclist( {nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001780getmatches() List list of current matches
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00001781getpid() Number process ID of Vim
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001782getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001783getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001784getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001785getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02001786gettabvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in tab {nr}
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001787gettabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {name})
1788 any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001789getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1790getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001791getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00001792glob( {expr} [, {flag}]) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1793globpath( {path}, {expr} [, {flag}])
1794 String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001795has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001796has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00001797haslocaldir() Number TRUE if current window executed |:lcd|
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001798hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1799 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001800histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1801histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1802histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1803histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1804hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1805hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1806hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001807iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1808indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001809index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1810 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001811input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1812 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001813inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001814inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001815inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1816inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001817inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001818insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001819isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001820islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001821items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001822join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001823keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001824len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1825libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001826libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1827line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1828line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001829lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001830localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001831log( {expr}) Float natural logarithm (base e) of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001832log10( {expr}) Float logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001833map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02001834maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr} [, {dict}]]])
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001835 String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1836mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1837 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001838match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001839 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001840matchadd( {group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
1841 Number highlight {pattern} with {group}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001842matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001843matchdelete( {id}) Number delete match identified by {id}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001844matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001845 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001846matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1847 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001848matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1849 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001850max( {list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1851min( {list}) Number minimum value of items in {list}
1852mkdir( {name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001853 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001854mode( [expr]) String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01001855mzeval( {expr}) any evaluate |MzScheme| expression
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001856nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1857nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001858pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001859pow( {x}, {y}) Float {x} to the power of {y}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001860prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001861printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
1862pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001863range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1864 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001865readfile( {fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001866 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00001867reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
1868reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001869remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1870 String send expression
1871remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1872remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1873 Number check for reply string
1874remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1875remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1876 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001877remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001878remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001879rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1880repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1881resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001882reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001883round( {expr}) Float round off {expr}
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001884search( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
1885 Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001886searchdecl( {name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001887 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001888searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001889 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001890searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001891 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001892searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001893 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001894server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1895 Number send reply string
1896serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1897setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1898setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1899setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001900setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1901 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001902setmatches( {list}) Number restore a list of matches
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001903setpos( {expr}, {list}) Number set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001904setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001905setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02001906settabvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in tab page {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001907settabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window
1908 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001909setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00001910shellescape( {string} [, {special}])
1911 String escape {string} for use as shell
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00001912 command argument
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001913simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001914sin( {expr}) Float sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001915sinh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001916sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001917soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001918spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001919spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1920 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001921split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001922 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001923sqrt( {expr} Float squar root of {expr}
1924str2float( {expr}) Float convert String to Float
1925str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert String to Number
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02001926strchars( {expr}) Number character length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02001927strdisplaywidth( {expr} [, {col}]) Number display length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001928strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001929stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1930 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001931string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001932strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1933strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1934 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001935strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1936 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001937strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02001938strwidth( {expr}) Number display cell length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001939submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001940substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1941 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001942synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001943synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1944 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1945synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaar483c5d82010-10-20 18:45:33 +02001946synconcealed( {lnum}, {col}) List info about concealing
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001947synstack( {lnum}, {col}) List stack of syntax IDs at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001948system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001949tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1950tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1951tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1952 Number number of current window in tab page
1953taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001954tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001955tempname() String name for a temporary file
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001956tan( {expr}) Float tangent of {expr}
1957tanh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001958tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1959toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001960tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1961 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001962trunc( {expr} Float truncate Float {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001963type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02001964undofile( {name}) String undo file name for {name}
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02001965undotree() List undo file tree
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001966values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001967virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1968visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1969winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1970wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1971winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1972winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001973winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001974winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001975winrestview( {dict}) none restore view of current window
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00001976winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001977winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001978writefile( {list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001979 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001980
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001981abs({expr}) *abs()*
1982 Return the absolute value of {expr}. When {expr} evaluates to
1983 a |Float| abs() returns a |Float|. When {expr} can be
1984 converted to a |Number| abs() returns a |Number|. Otherwise
1985 abs() gives an error message and returns -1.
1986 Examples: >
1987 echo abs(1.456)
1988< 1.456 >
1989 echo abs(-5.456)
1990< 5.456 >
1991 echo abs(-4)
1992< 4
1993 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
1994
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001995
1996acos({expr}) *acos()*
1997 Return the arc cosine of {expr} measured in radians, as a
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02001998 |Float| in the range of [0, pi].
1999 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002000 [-1, 1].
2001 Examples: >
2002 :echo acos(0)
2003< 1.570796 >
2004 :echo acos(-0.5)
2005< 2.094395
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002006 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002007
2008
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002009add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002010 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
2011 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002012 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
2013 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002014< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002015 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002016 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002017
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002018
2019append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002020 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
2021 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002022 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
2023 the current buffer.
2024 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002025 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002026 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002027 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002028 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002029<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002030 *argc()*
2031argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
2032 current window. See |arglist|.
2033
2034 *argidx()*
2035argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
2036 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
2037
2038 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00002039argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002040 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
2041 Example: >
2042 :let i = 0
2043 :while i < argc()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002044 : let f = escape(fnameescape(argv(i)), '.')
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002045 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
2046 : let i = i + 1
2047 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00002048< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
2049 returned.
2050
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002051asin({expr}) *asin()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002052 Return the arc sine of {expr} measured in radians, as a |Float|
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002053 in the range of [-pi/2, pi/2].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002054 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002055 [-1, 1].
2056 Examples: >
2057 :echo asin(0.8)
2058< 0.927295 >
2059 :echo asin(-0.5)
2060< -0.523599
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002061 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002062
2063
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002064atan({expr}) *atan()*
2065 Return the principal value of the arc tangent of {expr}, in
2066 the range [-pi/2, +pi/2] radians, as a |Float|.
2067 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2068 Examples: >
2069 :echo atan(100)
2070< 1.560797 >
2071 :echo atan(-4.01)
2072< -1.326405
2073 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2074
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002075
2076atan2({expr1}, {expr2}) *atan2()*
2077 Return the arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}, measured in
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002078 radians, as a |Float| in the range [-pi, pi].
2079 {expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002080 Examples: >
2081 :echo atan2(-1, 1)
2082< -0.785398 >
2083 :echo atan2(1, -1)
2084< 2.356194
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002085 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002086
2087
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002088 *browse()*
2089browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
2090 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
2091 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2092 The input fields are:
2093 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
2094 {title} title for the requester
2095 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2096 {default} default file name
2097 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2098 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2099
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002100 *browsedir()*
2101browsedir({title}, {initdir})
2102 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
2103 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2104 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
2105 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
2106 to be used.
2107 The input fields are:
2108 {title} title for the requester
2109 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2110 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2111 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2112
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002113bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
2114 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2115 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002116 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002117 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002118 exactly. The name can be:
2119 - Relative to the current directory.
2120 - A full path.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002121 - The name of a buffer with 'buftype' set to "nofile".
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002122 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002123 Unlisted buffers will be found.
2124 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
2125 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
2126 long name to be able to find them.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002127 bufexists() may report a buffer exists, but to use the name
2128 with a |:buffer| command you may need to use |expand()|. Esp
2129 for MS-Windows 8.3 names in the form "c:\DOCUME~1"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002130 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
2131 file name.
2132 *buffer_exists()*
2133 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
2134
2135buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
2136 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2137 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002138 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002139
2140bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
2141 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2142 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002143 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002144
2145bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
2146 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
2147 ":ls" command.
2148 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
2149 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
2150 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002151 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002152 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
2153 match an empty string is returned.
2154 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
2155 alternate buffer.
2156 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002157 or middle of the buffer name is accepted. If you only want a
2158 full match then put "^" at the start and "$" at the end of the
2159 pattern.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002160 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
2161 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
2162 buffers are searched for.
2163 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
2164 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
2165 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
2166< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
2167 string is returned. >
2168 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
2169 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
2170 bufname("%") name of current buffer
2171 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
2172< *buffer_name()*
2173 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
2174
2175 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002176bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
2177 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002178 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002179 above.
2180 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
2181 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
2182 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002183 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
2184 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
2185< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
2186 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
2187 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
2188 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
2189 *buffer_number()*
2190 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
2191 *last_buffer_nr()*
2192 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
2193
2194bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
2195 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
2196 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002197 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002198 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
2199
2200 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
2201
2202< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
2203 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002204 Only deals with the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002205
2206
2207byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
2208 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
2209 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
2210 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
2211 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
2212 one.
2213 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
2214 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
2215 feature}
2216
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00002217byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
2218 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
2219 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
2220 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
2221 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
2222 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
2223 Example : >
2224 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
2225< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
2226 same: >
2227 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
2228 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
2229< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
2230 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
2231 is returned.
2232
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002233call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002234 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002235 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002236 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002237 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
2238 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002239 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
2240 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002241
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002242ceil({expr}) *ceil()*
2243 Return the smallest integral value greater than or equal to
2244 {expr} as a |Float| (round up).
2245 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2246 Examples: >
2247 echo ceil(1.456)
2248< 2.0 >
2249 echo ceil(-5.456)
2250< -5.0 >
2251 echo ceil(4.0)
2252< 4.0
2253 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2254
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00002255changenr() *changenr()*
2256 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
2257 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
2258 with the |:undo| command.
2259 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
2260 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
2261 one less than the number of the undone change.
2262
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002263char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
2264 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
2265 char2nr(" ") returns 32
2266 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
2267< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002268 char2nr("á") returns 225
2269 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002270< |nr2char()| does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002271
2272cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
2273 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
2274 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
2275 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
2276 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
2277 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
2278 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00002279 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002280
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00002281clearmatches() *clearmatches()*
2282 Clears all matches previously defined by |matchadd()| and the
2283 |:match| commands.
2284
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002285 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00002286col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002287 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2288 . the cursor position
2289 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
2290 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
2291 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2292 returned)
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002293 Additionally {expr} can be [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line
2294 and column number. Most useful when the column is "$", to get
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002295 the last column of a specific line. When "lnum" or "col" is
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002296 out of range then col() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002297 To get the line number use |line()|. To get both use
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002298 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002299 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
2300 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2301 Examples: >
2302 col(".") column of cursor
2303 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
2304 col("'t") column of mark t
2305 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002306< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002307 For an uppercase mark the column may actually be in another
2308 buffer.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002309 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
2310 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
2311 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
2312 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
2313 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
2314 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
2315 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
2316<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002317
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002318complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
2319 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2320 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002321 with CTRL-R = |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O or
2322 with an expression mapping.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002323 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2324 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2325 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2326 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2327 match.
2328 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2329 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2330 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002331 inserting anything that would cause completion to stop.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002332 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2333 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2334 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2335 Example: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002336 inoremap <F5> <C-R>=ListMonths()<CR>
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002337
2338 func! ListMonths()
2339 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2340 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2341 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2342 return ''
2343 endfunc
2344< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2345 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2346
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002347complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2348 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2349 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2350 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2351 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2352 the list.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002353 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002354 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002355
2356complete_check() *complete_check()*
2357 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2358 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2359 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2360 zero otherwise.
2361 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2362 'completefunc' option.
2363
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002364 *confirm()*
2365confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2366 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2367 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2368 choice this is 1.
2369 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2370 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002371
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002372 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2373 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2374 used (and translated).
2375 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2376 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002377
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002378 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2379 by '\n', e.g. >
2380 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2381< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2382 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2383 not need to be the first letter: >
2384 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2385< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2386 the default shortcut key.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002387
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002388 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2389 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2390 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2391 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002392
2393 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
2394 is only used for the icon of the GTK, Mac, Motif and Win32
2395 GUI. It can be one of these values: "Error", "Question",
2396 "Info", "Warning" or "Generic". Only the first character is
2397 relevant. When {type} is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2398
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002399 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2400 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2401
2402 An example: >
2403 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2404 :if choice == 0
2405 : echo "make up your mind!"
2406 :elseif choice == 3
2407 : echo "tasteful"
2408 :else
2409 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2410 :endif
2411< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2412 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002413 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002414 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2415 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2416 the horizontal layout is always used.
2417
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002418 *copy()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002419copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002420 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002421 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2422 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002423 copy, and vice versa. But the items are identical, thus
2424 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002425 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002426
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002427cos({expr}) *cos()*
2428 Return the cosine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
2429 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2430 Examples: >
2431 :echo cos(100)
2432< 0.862319 >
2433 :echo cos(-4.01)
2434< -0.646043
2435 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2436
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002437
2438cosh({expr}) *cosh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002439 Return the hyperbolic cosine of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002440 [1, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002441 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002442 Examples: >
2443 :echo cosh(0.5)
2444< 1.127626 >
2445 :echo cosh(-0.5)
2446< -1.127626
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002447 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002448
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002449
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002450count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002451 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002452 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002453 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002454 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002455 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2456
2457
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002458 *cscope_connection()*
2459cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2460 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2461 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2462 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2463 if there are no cscope connections;
2464 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2465
2466 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2467 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2468
2469 {num} Description of existence check
2470 ----- ------------------------------
2471 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2472 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2473 {dbpath}.
2474 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2475 {dbpath}.
2476 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2477 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2478 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2479 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2480
2481 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2482
2483 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2484
2485 # pid database name prepend path
2486 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2487<
2488 Invocation Return Val ~
2489 ---------- ---------- >
2490 cscope_connection() 1
2491 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2492 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2493 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2494 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2495 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2496 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2497 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2498<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002499cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2500cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002501 Positions the cursor at the column (byte count) {col} in the
2502 line {lnum}. The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002503 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002504 with two or three items {lnum}, {col} and {off}. This is like
2505 the return value of |getpos()|, but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002506 Does not change the jumplist.
2507 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2508 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2509 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002510 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002511 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2512 line.
2513 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002514 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2515 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00002516 position within a <Tab> or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar798b30b2009-04-22 10:56:16 +00002517 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002518
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002519
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002520deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002521 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002522 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002523 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2524 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002525 copy, and vice versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002526 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002527 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2528 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2529 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2530 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2531 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2532 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002533 *E724*
2534 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002535 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2536 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002537 Also see |copy()|.
2538
2539delete({fname}) *delete()*
2540 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002541 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2542 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002543 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002544
2545 *did_filetype()*
2546did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2547 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2548 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2549 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2550 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2551 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2552 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2553 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2554 file.
2555
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002556diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2557 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2558 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2559 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2560 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2561 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2562 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2563 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2564
2565diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2566 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2567 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2568 diff change zero is returned.
2569 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2570 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2571 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2572 line.
2573 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2574 syntax information about the highlighting.
2575
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002576empty({expr}) *empty()*
2577 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002578 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002579 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002580 For a long |List| this is much faster than comparing the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002581 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002582
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002583escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2584 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2585 backslash. Example: >
2586 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2587< results in: >
2588 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002589< Also see |shellescape()|.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002590
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002591 *eval()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002592eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2593 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002594 This works for Numbers, Floats, Strings and composites of
2595 them. Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing
2596 functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002597
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002598eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2599 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2600 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2601 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2602 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2603
2604executable({expr}) *executable()*
2605 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2606 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002607 arguments.
2608 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2609 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2610 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2611 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002612 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2613 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002614 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002615 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002616 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2617 extension.
2618 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2619 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002620 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2621 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2622 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002623 The result is a Number:
2624 1 exists
2625 0 does not exist
2626 -1 not implemented on this system
2627
2628 *exists()*
2629exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2630 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2631 which contains one of these:
2632 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2633 not if it really works)
2634 +option-name Vim option that works.
2635 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2636 done by comparing with an empty
2637 string)
2638 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2639 or user defined function (see
2640 |user-functions|).
2641 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002642 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002643 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2644 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00002645 that evaluating an index may cause an
2646 error message for an invalid
2647 expression. E.g.: >
2648 :let l = [1, 2, 3]
2649 :echo exists("l[5]")
2650< 0 >
2651 :echo exists("l[xx]")
2652< E121: Undefined variable: xx
2653 0
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002654 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2655 command or command modifier |:command|.
2656 Returns:
2657 1 for match with start of a command
2658 2 full match with a command
2659 3 matches several user commands
2660 To check for a supported command
2661 always check the return value to be 2.
Bram Moolenaar14716812006-05-04 21:54:08 +00002662 :2match The |:2match| command.
2663 :3match The |:3match| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002664 #event autocommand defined for this event
2665 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2666 pattern (the pattern is taken
2667 literally and compared to the
2668 autocommand patterns character by
2669 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002670 #group autocommand group exists
2671 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2672 event.
2673 #group#event#pattern
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002674 autocommand defined for this group,
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002675 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002676 ##event autocommand for this event is
2677 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002678 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2679
2680 Examples: >
2681 exists("&shortname")
2682 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2683 exists("*strftime")
2684 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2685 exists("bufcount")
2686 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002687 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002688 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002689 exists("#filetypeindent")
2690 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2691 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002692 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002693< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2694 name.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002695 There must be no extra characters after the name, although in
2696 a few cases this is ignored. That may become more strict in
2697 the future, thus don't count on it!
2698 Working example: >
2699 exists(":make")
2700< NOT working example: >
2701 exists(":make install")
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00002702
2703< Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2704 variable itself. For example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002705 exists(bufcount)
2706< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00002707 but gets the value of "bufcount", and checks if that exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002708
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002709exp({expr}) *exp()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002710 Return the exponential of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002711 [0, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002712 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002713 Examples: >
2714 :echo exp(2)
2715< 7.389056 >
2716 :echo exp(-1)
2717< 0.367879
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002718 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002719
2720
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002721expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2722 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2723 The result is a String.
2724
2725 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2726 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2727 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2728
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002729 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002730 for a non-existing file is not included.
2731
2732 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2733 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2734 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2735
2736 % current file name
2737 # alternate file name
2738 #n alternate file name n
2739 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2740 <afile> autocmd file name
2741 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2742 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2743 <sfile> sourced script file name
2744 <cword> word under the cursor
2745 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2746 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2747 message |server2client()|
2748 Modifiers:
2749 :p expand to full path
2750 :h head (last path component removed)
2751 :t tail (last path component only)
2752 :r root (one extension removed)
2753 :e extension only
2754
2755 Example: >
2756 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2757< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2758 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2759 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2760< Use this: >
2761 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2762< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2763 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2764 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2765 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2766 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2767<
2768 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2769 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2770 to modify normal file names.
2771
2772 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2773 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2774 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2775 '/' added.
2776
2777 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2778 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2779 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2780 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002781 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2782 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2783 files in the current directory and below: >
2784 :echo expand("**/README")
2785<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002786 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2787 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002788 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002789 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002790 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002791 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2792 "$FOOBAR".
2793
2794 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2795 getting the raw output of an external command.
2796
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002797extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002798 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
2799 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002800
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002801 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002802 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2803 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2804 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2805 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002806 Examples: >
2807 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2808 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaardc9cf9c2008-08-08 10:36:31 +00002809< When {expr1} is the same List as {expr2} then the number of
2810 items copied is equal to the original length of the List.
2811 E.g., when {expr3} is 1 you get N new copies of the first item
2812 (where N is the original length of the List).
2813 Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002814 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002815 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002816<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002817 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002818 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2819 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2820 used to decide what to do:
2821 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2822 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002823 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002824 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2825
2826 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2827 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2828 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2829 Returns {expr1}.
2830
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002831
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002832feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) *feedkeys()*
2833 Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002834 come from a mapping or were typed by the user. They are added
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002835 to the end of the typeahead buffer, thus if a mapping is still
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002836 being executed these characters come after them.
2837 The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
2838 {string}.
2839 To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
2840 and "\..." notation |expr-quote|. For example,
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00002841 feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the <Enter> key. But
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002842 feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
2843 If {mode} is absent, keys are remapped.
2844 {mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00002845 'm' Remap keys. This is default.
2846 'n' Do not remap keys.
2847 't' Handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
2848 if coming from a mapping. This matters for undo,
2849 opening folds, etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002850 Return value is always 0.
2851
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002852filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2853 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2854 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2855 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2856 expression, which is used as a String.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002857 If you don't care about the file being readable you can use
2858 |glob()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002859 *file_readable()*
2860 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2861
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002862
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002863filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2864 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2865 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002866 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If {file} is a
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002867 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2868
2869
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002870filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002871 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002872 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002873 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002874 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002875 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002876 Examples: >
2877 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2878< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2879 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2880< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2881 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002882< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002883
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002884 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2885 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2886 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2887
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002888 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2889 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002890 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002891
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002892< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002893 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2894 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002895
2896
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002897finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar5b6b1ca2007-03-27 08:19:43 +00002898 Find directory {name} in {path}. Supports both downwards and
2899 upwards recursive directory searches. See |file-searching|
2900 for the syntax of {path}.
2901 Returns the path of the first found match. When the found
2902 directory is below the current directory a relative path is
2903 returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002904 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2905 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002906 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00002907 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002908 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002909 {only available when compiled with the |+file_in_path|
2910 feature}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002911
2912findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2913 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002914 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
2915 Example: >
2916 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002917< Searches from the directory of the current file upwards until
2918 it finds the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002919
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002920float2nr({expr}) *float2nr()*
2921 Convert {expr} to a Number by omitting the part after the
2922 decimal point.
2923 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a Number.
2924 When the value of {expr} is out of range for a |Number| the
2925 result is truncated to 0x7fffffff or -0x7fffffff. NaN results
2926 in -0x80000000.
2927 Examples: >
2928 echo float2nr(3.95)
2929< 3 >
2930 echo float2nr(-23.45)
2931< -23 >
2932 echo float2nr(1.0e100)
2933< 2147483647 >
2934 echo float2nr(-1.0e150)
2935< -2147483647 >
2936 echo float2nr(1.0e-100)
2937< 0
2938 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2939
2940
2941floor({expr}) *floor()*
2942 Return the largest integral value less than or equal to
2943 {expr} as a |Float| (round down).
2944 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2945 Examples: >
2946 echo floor(1.856)
2947< 1.0 >
2948 echo floor(-5.456)
2949< -6.0 >
2950 echo floor(4.0)
2951< 4.0
2952 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2953
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002954
2955fmod({expr1}, {expr2}) *fmod()*
2956 Return the remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}, even if the
2957 division is not representable. Returns {expr1} - i * {expr2}
2958 for some integer i such that if {expr2} is non-zero, the
2959 result has the same sign as {expr1} and magnitude less than
2960 the magnitude of {expr2}. If {expr2} is zero, the value
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002961 returned is zero. The value returned is a |Float|.
2962 {expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002963 Examples: >
2964 :echo fmod(12.33, 1.22)
2965< 0.13 >
2966 :echo fmod(-12.33, 1.22)
2967< -0.13
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002968 {only available when compiled with |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002969
2970
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002971fnameescape({string}) *fnameescape()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002972 Escape {string} for use as file name command argument. All
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002973 characters that have a special meaning, such as '%' and '|'
2974 are escaped with a backslash.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002975 For most systems the characters escaped are
2976 " \t\n*?[{`$\\%#'\"|!<". For systems where a backslash
2977 appears in a filename, it depends on the value of 'isfname'.
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002978 A leading '+' and '>' is also escaped (special after |:edit|
2979 and |:write|). And a "-" by itself (special after |:cd|).
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002980 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002981 :let fname = '+some str%nge|name'
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002982 :exe "edit " . fnameescape(fname)
2983< results in executing: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002984 edit \+some\ str\%nge\|name
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002985
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002986fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2987 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2988 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2989 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2990 Example: >
2991 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2992< results in: >
2993 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002994< Note: Environment variables don't work in {fname}, use
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002995 |expand()| first then.
2996
2997foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2998 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2999 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
3000 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
3001
3002foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
3003 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
3004 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
3005 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
3006
3007foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
3008 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003009 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003010 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
3011 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
3012 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
3013 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
3014 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
3015 previous line is usually available.
3016
3017 *foldtext()*
3018foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
3019 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
3020 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
3021 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
3022 The returned string looks like this: >
3023 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003024< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003025 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
3026 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
3027 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
3028 options is removed.
3029 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
3030
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00003031foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
3032 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
3033 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
3034 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
3035 returned.
3036 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
3037 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
3038 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
3039 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
3040
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003041 *foreground()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003042foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003043 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
3044 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
3045 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
3046 |remote_foreground()| instead.
3047 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3048 Win32 console version}
3049
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003050
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003051function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003052 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003053 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
3054
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003055
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00003056garbagecollect([at_exit]) *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003057 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00003058 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
3059 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
3060 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
3061 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
3062 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003063 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
3064 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
3065 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00003066 When the optional "at_exit" argument is one, garbage
3067 collection will also be done when exiting Vim, if it wasn't
3068 done before. This is useful when checking for memory leaks.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00003069
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003070get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003071 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003072 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
3073 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003074get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003075 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003076 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
3077 {default} is omitted.
3078
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003079 *getbufline()*
3080getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003081 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
3082 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
3083 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003084
3085 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3086
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00003087 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
3088 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003089
3090 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003091 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003092
3093 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
3094 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003095 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003096 returned.
3097
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00003098 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003099 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003100
3101 Example: >
3102 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003103
3104getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
3105 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
3106 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
3107 must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003108 When {varname} is empty returns a dictionary with all the
3109 buffer-local variables.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00003110 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
3111 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
3112 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003113 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3114 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
3115 returned, there is no error message.
3116 Examples: >
3117 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
3118 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
3119<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003120getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003121 Get a single character from the user or input stream.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003122 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
3123 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003124 Return zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003125 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003126 not consumed. Return zero if no character available.
3127
3128 Without {expr} and when {expr} is 0 a whole character or
3129 special key is returned. If it is an 8-bit character, the
3130 result is a number. Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
3131 Otherwise a String is returned with the encoded character.
3132 For a special key it's a sequence of bytes starting with 0x80
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003133 (decimal: 128). This is the same value as the string
3134 "\<Key>", e.g., "\<Left>". The returned value is also a
3135 String when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used that is
3136 not included in the character.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003137
3138 When {expr} is 1 only the first byte is returned. For a
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003139 one-byte character it is the character itself as a number.
3140 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003141
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003142 When the user clicks a mouse button, the mouse event will be
3143 returned. The position can then be found in |v:mouse_col|,
3144 |v:mouse_lnum| and |v:mouse_win|. This example positions the
3145 mouse as it would normally happen: >
3146 let c = getchar()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003147 if c == "\<LeftMouse>" && v:mouse_win > 0
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003148 exe v:mouse_win . "wincmd w"
3149 exe v:mouse_lnum
3150 exe "normal " . v:mouse_col . "|"
3151 endif
3152<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003153 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
3154 user that a character has to be typed.
3155 There is no mapping for the character.
3156 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
3157 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
3158 sequence. Examples: >
3159 getchar() == "\<Del>"
3160 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
3161< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
3162 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
3163 :function FindChar()
3164 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
3165 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
3166 : normal l
3167 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
3168 : break
3169 : endif
3170 : endwhile
3171 :endfunction
3172
3173getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
3174 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
3175 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
3176 These values are added together:
3177 2 shift
3178 4 control
3179 8 alt (meta)
3180 16 mouse double click
3181 32 mouse triple click
3182 64 mouse quadruple click
3183 128 Macintosh only: command
3184 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003185 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003186 without a modifier.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003187
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003188getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
3189 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
3190 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
3191 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
3192 Example: >
3193 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003194< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003195
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003196getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003197 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
3198 byte count. The first column is 1.
3199 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
3200 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003201 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
3202
3203getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
3204 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
3205 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003206 : normal Ex command
3207 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
3208 / forward search command
3209 ? backward search command
3210 @ |input()| command
3211 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003212 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
3213 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
3214 otherwise.
3215 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003216
3217 *getcwd()*
3218getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
3219 working directory.
3220
3221getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
3222 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
3223 given file {fname}.
3224 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
3225 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard827ada2007-06-19 15:19:55 +00003226 If the size of {fname} is too big to fit in a Number then -2
3227 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003228
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003229getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
3230 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
3231 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
3232 |hl-Normal|.
3233 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
3234 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
3235 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
3236 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00003237 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003238 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
3239 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003240 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
3241 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003242
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003243getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
3244 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
3245 permissions of the given file {fname}.
3246 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
3247 empty string is returned.
3248 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
3249 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
3250 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
3251 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
3252 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
3253 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
3254< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
3255 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003256
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003257getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
3258 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
3259 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
3260 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
3261 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
3262 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
3263
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003264getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
3265 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
3266 file of the given file {fname}.
3267 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
3268 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
3269 results:
3270 Normal file "file"
3271 Directory "dir"
3272 Symbolic link "link"
3273 Block device "bdev"
3274 Character device "cdev"
3275 Socket "socket"
3276 FIFO "fifo"
3277 All other "other"
3278 Example: >
3279 getftype("/home")
3280< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
3281 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
3282 "file" are returned.
3283
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003284 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003285getline({lnum} [, {end}])
3286 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
3287 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003288 getline(1)
3289< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
3290 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
3291 To get the line under the cursor: >
3292 getline(".")
3293< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
3294 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
3295
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003296 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
3297 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003298 including line {end}.
3299 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
3300 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003301 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003302 Example: >
3303 :let start = line('.')
3304 :let end = search("^$") - 1
3305 :let lines = getline(start, end)
3306
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003307< To get lines from another buffer see |getbufline()|
3308
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00003309getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
3310 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
3311 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
3312 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003313 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003314 returned. Otherwise, same as |getqflist()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003315
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003316getmatches() *getmatches()*
3317 Returns a |List| with all matches previously defined by
3318 |matchadd()| and the |:match| commands. |getmatches()| is
3319 useful in combination with |setmatches()|, as |setmatches()|
3320 can restore a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|.
3321 Example: >
3322 :echo getmatches()
3323< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3324 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3325 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3326 :let m = getmatches()
3327 :call clearmatches()
3328 :echo getmatches()
3329< [] >
3330 :call setmatches(m)
3331 :echo getmatches()
3332< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3333 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3334 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3335 :unlet m
3336<
3337
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003338getqflist() *getqflist()*
3339 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
3340 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
3341 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
3342 bufname() to get the name
3343 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
3344 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003345 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
3346 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003347 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003348 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003349 text description of the error
3350 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
3351 valid non-zero: recognized error message
3352
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003353 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003354 returned. Quickfix list entries with non-existing buffer
3355 number are returned with "bufnr" set to zero.
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003356
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003357 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
3358 do something with them: >
3359 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
3360 :for d in getqflist()
3361 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
3362 :endfor
3363
3364
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003365getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003366 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003367 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003368 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
3369< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003370 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003371 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
3372 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
3373 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003374 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3375
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003376
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003377getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
3378 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
3379 The value will be one of:
3380 "v" for |characterwise| text
3381 "V" for |linewise| text
3382 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
3383 0 for an empty or unknown register
3384 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
3385 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3386
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02003387gettabvar({tabnr}, {varname}) *gettabvar()*
3388 Get the value of a tab-local variable {varname} in tab page
3389 {tabnr}. |t:var|
3390 Tabs are numbered starting with one.
3391 Note that the name without "t:" must be used.
3392
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003393gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}) *gettabwinvar()*
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003394 Get the value of window-local variable {varname} in window
3395 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
3396 When {varname} starts with "&" get the value of a window-local
3397 option.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003398 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
3399 use |getwinvar()|.
3400 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
3401 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
3402 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
3403 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003404 When {varname} is empty a dictionary with all window-local
3405 variables is returned.
3406 Note that {varname} must be the name without "w:".
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003407 Examples: >
3408 :let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
3409 :echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00003410<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003411 *getwinposx()*
3412getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
3413 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
3414 -1 if the information is not available.
3415
3416 *getwinposy()*
3417getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003418 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003419 information is not available.
3420
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003421getwinvar({winnr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
3422 Like |gettabwinvar()| for the current tabpage.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003423 Examples: >
3424 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
3425 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
3426<
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003427glob({expr} [, {flag}]) *glob()*
3428 Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. See |wildcards| for the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003429 use of special characters.
3430 The result is a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003431 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
3432 characters.
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003433 Unless the optional {flag} argument is given and is non-zero,
3434 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3435 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3436 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003437 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
3438 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
3439
3440 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
3441 any external command. Example: >
3442 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
3443 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
3444< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003445 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003446
3447 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
3448 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
3449
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003450globpath({path}, {expr} [, {flag}]) *globpath()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003451 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
3452 the results. Example: >
3453 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
3454< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
3455 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003456 |glob()|. A path separator is inserted when needed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003457 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
3458 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
3459 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
3460 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
3461 error message.
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003462 Unless the optional {flag} argument is given and is non-zero,
3463 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3464 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3465 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003466
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003467 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
3468 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
3469 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
3470 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003471< Upwards search and limiting the depth of "**" is not
3472 supported, thus using 'path' will not always work properly.
3473
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003474 *has()*
3475has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
3476 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
3477 string. See |feature-list| below.
3478 Also see |exists()|.
3479
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003480
3481has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003482 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
3483 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003484
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00003485haslocaldir() *haslocaldir()*
3486 The result is a Number, which is 1 when the current
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003487 window has set a local path via |:lcd|, and 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003488
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003489hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003490 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
3491 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
3492 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
3493 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003494 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00003495 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
3496 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003497 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
3498 buffer are checked for a match.
3499 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
3500 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
3501 n Normal mode
3502 v Visual mode
3503 o Operator-pending mode
3504 i Insert mode
3505 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
3506 c Command-line mode
3507 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
3508
3509 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003510 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003511 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
3512 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
3513 :endif
3514< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
3515 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
3516
3517histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
3518 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
3519 one of: *hist-names*
3520 "cmd" or ":" command line history
3521 "search" or "/" search pattern history
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003522 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003523 "input" or "@" input line history
3524 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
3525 shifted to become the newest entry.
3526 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
3527 otherwise 0 is returned.
3528
3529 Example: >
3530 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
3531 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
3532< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3533
3534histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003535 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003536 for the possible values of {history}.
3537
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003538 If the parameter {item} evaluates to a String, it is used as a
3539 regular expression. All entries matching that expression will
3540 be removed from the history (if there are any).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003541 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003542 If {item} evaluates to a Number, it will be interpreted as
3543 an index, see |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will
3544 be removed if it exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003545
3546 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
3547 otherwise 0 is returned.
3548
3549 Examples:
3550 Clear expression register history: >
3551 :call histdel("expr")
3552<
3553 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
3554 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
3555<
3556 The following three are equivalent: >
3557 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
3558 :call histdel("search", -1)
3559 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
3560<
3561 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
3562 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
3563 :call histdel("search", -1)
3564 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
3565
3566histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
3567 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
3568 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
3569 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
3570 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
3571 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
3572
3573 Examples:
3574 Redo the second last search from history. >
3575 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
3576
3577< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
3578 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
3579 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
3580<
3581histnr({history}) *histnr()*
3582 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
3583 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
3584 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
3585
3586 Example: >
3587 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
3588<
3589hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
3590 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
3591 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
3592 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
3593 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
3594 item.
3595 *highlight_exists()*
3596 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
3597
3598 *hlID()*
3599hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
3600 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
3601 zero is returned.
3602 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003603 group. For example, to get the background color of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003604 "Comment" group: >
3605 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
3606< *highlightID()*
3607 Obsolete name: highlightID().
3608
3609hostname() *hostname()*
3610 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003611 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003612 256 characters long are truncated.
3613
3614iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
3615 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
3616 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003617 When the conversion completely fails an empty string is
3618 returned. When some characters could not be converted they
3619 are replaced with "?".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003620 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
3621 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
3622 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
3623 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
3624 can be done.
3625 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
3626 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
3627 UTF-8 and use: >
3628 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
3629< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
3630 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
3631 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02003632 {only available when compiled with the |+multi_byte| feature}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003633
3634 *indent()*
3635indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
3636 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
3637 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
3638 |getline()|.
3639 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
3640
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003641
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003642index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003643 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003644 value equal to {expr}. There is no automatic conversion, so
3645 the String "4" is different from the Number 4. And the number
3646 4 is different from the Float 4.0. The value of 'ignorecase'
3647 is not used here, case always matters.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003648 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
3649 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003650 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
3651 case must match.
3652 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
3653 Example: >
3654 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003655 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003656
3657
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003658input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003659 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003660 the command-line. The {prompt} argument is either a prompt
3661 string, or a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used
3662 in the prompt to start a new line.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003663 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3664 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003665 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003666 for lines typed for input().
3667 Example: >
3668 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3669 : echo "Cheers!"
3670 :endif
3671<
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003672 If the optional {text} argument is present and not empty, this
3673 is used for the default reply, as if the user typed this.
3674 Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003675 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3676
3677< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3678 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003679 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003680 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003681 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003682 more information. Example: >
3683 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3684<
3685 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3686 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003687 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3688 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3689 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3690 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3691 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3692 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3693 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3694
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003695 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003696 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3697 :function GetFoo()
3698 : call inputsave()
3699 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3700 : call inputrestore()
3701 :endfunction
3702
3703inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003704 Like |input()|, but when the GUI is running and text dialogs
3705 are supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003706 Example: >
3707 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3708 :if n != ""
3709 : let &sw = n
3710 :endif
3711< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3712 omitted an empty string is returned.
3713 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3714 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003715 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003716
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003717inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003718 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
3719 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
3720 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003721 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003722 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003723 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3724 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3725 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003726 Make sure {textlist} has less than 'lines' entries, otherwise
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003727 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003728 the start of the string. And put a prompt in the first item.
3729 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003730 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3731 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3732
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003733inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003734 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous |inputsave()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003735 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3736 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3737 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3738
3739inputsave() *inputsave()*
3740 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3741 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3742 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3743 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3744 many inputrestore() calls.
3745 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3746
3747inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3748 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3749 two exceptions:
3750 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3751 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3752 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3753 |history| stack.
3754 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3755 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003756 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003757
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003758insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003759 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003760 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003761 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003762 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3763 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003764 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003765 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3766 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3767 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003768< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003769 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003770 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003771
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003772isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3773 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3774 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3775 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3776 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3777
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003778islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003779 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3780 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003781 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3782 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003783 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3784 :lockvar 1 alist
3785 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3786 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3787
3788< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003789 message. Use |exists()| to check for existence.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003790
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003791items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003792 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3793 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3794 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3795 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003796
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003797
3798join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3799 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3800 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3801 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3802 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3803 add it there too: >
3804 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003805< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003806 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3807 The opposite function is |split()|.
3808
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003809keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003810 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003811 arbitrary order.
3812
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003813 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003814len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3815 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3816 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003817 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003818 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003819 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3820 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003821 Otherwise an error is given.
3822
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003823 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3824libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3825 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3826 with single argument {argument}.
3827 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3828 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3829 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3830 limited.
3831 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3832 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3833 to Vim.
3834 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3835 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3836 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3837 null-terminated string.
3838 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3839
3840 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3841 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3842 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3843 very probably crash.
3844
3845 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3846 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3847 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3848 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3849 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3850 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3851 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3852 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3853 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3854 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3855
3856 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003857 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003858 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3859 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3860 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3861 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3862 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3863 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003864 {only in Win32 and some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003865 feature is present}
3866 Examples: >
3867 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003868<
3869 *libcallnr()*
3870libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003871 Just like |libcall()|, but used for a function that returns an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003872 int instead of a string.
3873 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3874 feature is present}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003875 Examples: >
3876 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003877 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3878 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3879<
3880 *line()*
3881line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3882 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3883 . the cursor position
3884 $ the last line in the current buffer
3885 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3886 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003887 w0 first line visible in current window
3888 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar9ecd0232008-06-20 15:31:51 +00003889 v In Visual mode: the start of the Visual area (the
3890 cursor is the end). When not in Visual mode
3891 returns the cursor position. Differs from |'<| in
3892 that it's updated right away.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003893 Note that a mark in another file can be used. The line number
3894 then applies to another buffer.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003895 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
3896 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003897 Examples: >
3898 line(".") line number of the cursor
3899 line("'t") line number of mark t
3900 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3901< *last-position-jump*
3902 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3903 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003904 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 1 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal! g`\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003905
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003906line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3907 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3908 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3909 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3910 line returns 1.
3911 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3912 below the last line: >
3913 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3914< This is the file size plus one.
3915 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3916 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3917 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3918
3919lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3920 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3921 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3922 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3923 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3924 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3925 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3926
3927localtime() *localtime()*
3928 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3929 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3930
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003931
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003932log({expr}) *log()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02003933 Return the natural logarithm (base e) of {expr} as a |Float|.
3934 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003935 (0, inf].
3936 Examples: >
3937 :echo log(10)
3938< 2.302585 >
3939 :echo log(exp(5))
3940< 5.0
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02003941 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003942
3943
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003944log10({expr}) *log10()*
3945 Return the logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10 as a |Float|.
3946 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
3947 Examples: >
3948 :echo log10(1000)
3949< 3.0 >
3950 :echo log10(0.01)
3951< -2.0
3952 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
3953
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003954map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003955 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003956 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3957 {string}.
3958 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar627b1d32009-11-17 11:20:35 +00003959 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item
3960 and for a |List| |v:key| has the index of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003961 Example: >
3962 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003963< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003964
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003965 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003966 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003967 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3968 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003969
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003970 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3971 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003972 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003973
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003974< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003975 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3976 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003977
3978
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02003979maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr} [, {dict}]]]) *maparg()*
3980 When {dict} is omitted or zero: Return the rhs of mapping
3981 {name} in mode {mode}. The returned String has special
3982 characters translated like in the output of the ":map" command
3983 listing.
3984
3985 When there is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is
3986 returned.
3987
3988 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3989 command.
3990
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003991 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003992 "n" Normal
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02003993 "v" Visual (including Select)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003994 "o" Operator-pending
3995 "i" Insert
3996 "c" Cmd-line
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02003997 "s" Select
3998 "x" Visual
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003999 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
4000 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00004001 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004002
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004003 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
4004 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004005
4006 When {dict} is there and it is non-zero return a dictionary
4007 containing all the information of the mapping with the
4008 following items:
4009 "lhs" The {lhs} of the mapping.
4010 "rhs" The {rhs} of the mapping as typed.
4011 "silent" 1 for a |:map-silent| mapping, else 0.
4012 "noremap" 1 if the {rhs} of the mapping is remappable.
4013 "expr" 1 for an expression mapping (|:map-<expr>|).
4014 "buffer" 1 for a buffer local mapping (|:map-local|).
4015 "mode" Modes for which the mapping is defined. In
4016 addition to the modes mentioned above, these
4017 characters will be used:
4018 " " Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
4019 "!" Insert and Commandline mode
4020 (|mapmpde-ic|)
4021 "sid" the Script local ID, used for <sid> mappings
4022 (|<SID>|)
4023
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004024 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
4025 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00004026 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
4027 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
4028 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
4029
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004030
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004031mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004032 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
4033 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
4034 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004035 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
4036 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004037 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
4038 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
4039
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004040 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004041 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
4042 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
4043 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
4044 mapcheck("b") no no no
4045
4046 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
4047 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
4048 mapping for {name} exactly.
4049 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
4050 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
4051 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
4052 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
4053 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
4054 then the global mappings.
4055 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
4056 without being ambiguous. Example: >
4057 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
4058 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
4059 :endif
4060< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
4061 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
4062
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004063match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004064 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
4065 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004066 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004067 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004068 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
4069 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004070 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004071 If there is no match -1 is returned.
4072 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004073 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004074 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004075< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004076 *strpbrk()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004077 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004078 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
4079< *strcasestr()*
4080 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
4081 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
4082 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
4083<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004084 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004085 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004086 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004087 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004088 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
4089< result is again "4". >
4090 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
4091< result is again "4". >
4092 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
4093< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004094 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004095 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
4096 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
4097 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
4098 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004099 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
4100 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00004101 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
4102 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004103
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004104 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00004105 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004106 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
4107 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
4108< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004109 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
4110 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004111
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004112 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
4113 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004114 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004115 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
4116
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004117 *matchadd()* *E798* *E799* *E801*
4118matchadd({group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
4119 Defines a pattern to be highlighted in the current window (a
4120 "match"). It will be highlighted with {group}. Returns an
4121 identification number (ID), which can be used to delete the
4122 match using |matchdelete()|.
4123
4124 The optional {priority} argument assigns a priority to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004125 match. A match with a high priority will have its
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004126 highlighting overrule that of a match with a lower priority.
4127 A priority is specified as an integer (negative numbers are no
4128 exception). If the {priority} argument is not specified, the
4129 default priority is 10. The priority of 'hlsearch' is zero,
4130 hence all matches with a priority greater than zero will
4131 overrule it. Syntax highlighting (see 'syntax') is a separate
4132 mechanism, and regardless of the chosen priority a match will
4133 always overrule syntax highlighting.
4134
4135 The optional {id} argument allows the request for a specific
4136 match ID. If a specified ID is already taken, an error
4137 message will appear and the match will not be added. An ID
4138 is specified as a positive integer (zero excluded). IDs 1, 2
4139 and 3 are reserved for |:match|, |:2match| and |:3match|,
4140 respectively. If the {id} argument is not specified,
4141 |matchadd()| automatically chooses a free ID.
4142
4143 The number of matches is not limited, as it is the case with
4144 the |:match| commands.
4145
4146 Example: >
4147 :highlight MyGroup ctermbg=green guibg=green
4148 :let m = matchadd("MyGroup", "TODO")
4149< Deletion of the pattern: >
4150 :call matchdelete(m)
4151
4152< A list of matches defined by |matchadd()| and |:match| are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004153 available from |getmatches()|. All matches can be deleted in
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004154 one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004155
4156matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004157 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004158 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
4159 Return a |List| with two elements:
4160 The name of the highlight group used
4161 The pattern used.
4162 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
4163 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004164 This is useful to save and restore a |:match|.
4165 Highlighting matches using the |:match| commands are limited
4166 to three matches. |matchadd()| does not have this limitation.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004167
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004168matchdelete({id}) *matchdelete()* *E802* *E803*
4169 Deletes a match with ID {id} previously defined by |matchadd()|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004170 or one of the |:match| commands. Returns 0 if successful,
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004171 otherwise -1. See example for |matchadd()|. All matches can
4172 be deleted in one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004173
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004174matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004175 Same as |match()|, but return the index of first character
4176 after the match. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004177 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
4178< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004179 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
4180 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
4181 do it with matchend(): >
4182 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
4183 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
4184< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
4185
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004186 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for |match()|. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004187 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
4188< results in "7". >
4189 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
4190< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004191 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004192
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004193matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004194 Same as |match()|, but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004195 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
4196 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00004197 in |:substitute|. When an optional submatch didn't match an
4198 empty string is used. Example: >
4199 echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
4200< Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004201 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
4202
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004203matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004204 Same as |match()|, but return the matched string. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004205 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
4206< results in "ing".
4207 When there is no match "" is returned.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004208 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for |match()|. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004209 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
4210< results in "ing". >
4211 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
4212< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004213 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004214 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004215
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004216 *max()*
4217max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
4218 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4219 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004220 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004221
4222 *min()*
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00004223min({list}) Return the minimum value of all items in {list}.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004224 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4225 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004226 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004227
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004228 *mkdir()* *E739*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004229mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
4230 Create directory {name}.
4231 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
4232 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
4233 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
4234 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004235 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
Bram Moolenaared39e1d2008-08-09 17:55:22 +00004236 for others. This is only used for the last part of {name}.
4237 Thus if you create /tmp/foo/bar then /tmp/foo will be created
4238 with 0755.
4239 Example: >
4240 :call mkdir($HOME . "/tmp/foo/bar", "p", 0700)
4241< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004242 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4243 :if exists("*mkdir")
4244<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004245 *mode()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004246mode([expr]) Return a string that indicates the current mode.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004247 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
4248 a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then the full mode is
4249 returned, otherwise only the first letter is returned. Note
4250 that " " and "0" are also non-empty strings.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004251
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004252 n Normal
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004253 no Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004254 v Visual by character
4255 V Visual by line
4256 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
4257 s Select by character
4258 S Select by line
4259 CTRL-S Select blockwise
4260 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004261 R Replace |R|
4262 Rv Virtual Replace |gR|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004263 c Command-line
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004264 cv Vim Ex mode |gQ|
4265 ce Normal Ex mode |Q|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004266 r Hit-enter prompt
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004267 rm The -- more -- prompt
4268 r? A |:confirm| query of some sort
4269 ! Shell or external command is executing
4270 This is useful in the 'statusline' option or when used
4271 with |remote_expr()| In most other places it always returns
4272 "c" or "n".
4273 Also see |visualmode()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004274
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01004275mzeval({expr}) *mzeval()*
4276 Evaluate MzScheme expression {expr} and return its result
4277 convert to Vim data structures.
4278 Numbers and strings are returned as they are.
4279 Pairs (including lists and improper lists) and vectors are
4280 returned as Vim |Lists|.
4281 Hash tables are represented as Vim |Dictionary| type with keys
4282 converted to strings.
4283 All other types are converted to string with display function.
4284 Examples: >
4285 :mz (define l (list 1 2 3))
4286 :mz (define h (make-hash)) (hash-set! h "list" l)
4287 :echo mzeval("l")
4288 :echo mzeval("h")
4289<
4290 {only available when compiled with the |+mzscheme| feature}
4291
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004292nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
4293 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
4294 that is not blank. Example: >
4295 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
4296< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4297 below it, zero is returned.
4298 See also |prevnonblank()|.
4299
4300nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
4301 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
4302 value {expr}. Examples: >
4303 nr2char(64) returns "@"
4304 nr2char(32) returns " "
4305< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
4306 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
4307< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
4308 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
4309 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004310 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004311
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00004312 *getpid()*
4313getpid() Return a Number which is the process ID of the Vim process.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004314 On Unix and MS-Windows this is a unique number, until Vim
4315 exits. On MS-DOS it's always zero.
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00004316
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004317 *getpos()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004318getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
4319 see |line()|.
4320 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
4321 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4322 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
4323 is the buffer number of the mark.
4324 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4325 column is 1.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004326 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
4327 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00004328 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004329 character.
4330 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
4331 let save_cursor = getpos(".")
4332 MoveTheCursorAround
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004333 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004334< Also see |setpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004335
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004336pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
4337 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
4338 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
4339 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
4340 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
4341 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
4342< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
4343 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
4344
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004345pow({x}, {y}) *pow()*
4346 Return the power of {x} to the exponent {y} as a |Float|.
4347 {x} and {y} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4348 Examples: >
4349 :echo pow(3, 3)
4350< 27.0 >
4351 :echo pow(2, 16)
4352< 65536.0 >
4353 :echo pow(32, 0.20)
4354< 2.0
4355 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4356
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004357prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
4358 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
4359 that is not blank. Example: >
4360 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
4361< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4362 above it, zero is returned.
4363 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
4364
4365
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004366printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
4367 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
4368 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004369 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004370< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004371 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004372
4373 Often used items are:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004374 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004375 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004376 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
4377 %c single byte
4378 %d decimal number
4379 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
4380 %x hex number
4381 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
4382 %X hex number using upper case letters
4383 %o octal number
4384 %f floating point number in the form 123.456
4385 %e floating point number in the form 1.234e3
4386 %E floating point number in the form 1.234E3
4387 %g floating point number, as %f or %e depending on value
4388 %G floating point number, as %f or %E depending on value
4389 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004390
4391 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
4392 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
4393 the result.
4394
4395 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004396 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004397
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004398 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004399
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004400 flags
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004401 Zero or more of the following flags:
4402
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004403 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
4404 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
4405 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
4406 of the number is increased to force the first
4407 character of the output string to a zero (except
4408 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
4409 precision of zero).
4410 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
4411 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
4412 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004413
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004414 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
4415 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
4416 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
4417 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
4418 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004419
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004420 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
4421 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
4422 The converted value is padded on the right with
4423 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
4424 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004425
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004426 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
4427 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004428
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004429 + A sign must always be placed before a number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004430 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004431 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004432
4433 field-width
4434 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004435 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
4436 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
4437 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
4438 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004439
4440 .precision
4441 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
4442 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
4443 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
4444 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
4445 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004446 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004447 For floating point it is the number of digits after
4448 the decimal point.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004449
4450 type
4451 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
4452 be applied, see below.
4453
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004454 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
4455 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004456 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004457 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
4458 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
4459 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004460 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004461< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004462 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004463
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004464 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004465
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004466 *printf-d* *printf-o* *printf-x* *printf-X*
4467 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004468 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
4469 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
4470 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004471 conversions.
4472 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
4473 digits that must appear; if the converted value
4474 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
4475 zeros.
4476 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
4477 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
4478 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
4479 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
4480
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004481 *printf-c*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004482 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
4483 resulting character is written.
4484
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004485 *printf-s*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004486 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
4487 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
4488 specified are used.
4489
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004490 *printf-f* *E807*
4491 f The Float argument is converted into a string of the
4492 form 123.456. The precision specifies the number of
4493 digits after the decimal point. When the precision is
4494 zero the decimal point is omitted. When the precision
4495 is not specified 6 is used. A really big number
4496 (out of range or dividing by zero) results in "inf".
4497 "0.0 / 0.0" results in "nan".
4498 Example: >
4499 echo printf("%.2f", 12.115)
4500< 12.12
4501 Note that roundoff depends on the system libraries.
4502 Use |round()| when in doubt.
4503
4504 *printf-e* *printf-E*
4505 e E The Float argument is converted into a string of the
4506 form 1.234e+03 or 1.234E+03 when using 'E'. The
4507 precision specifies the number of digits after the
4508 decimal point, like with 'f'.
4509
4510 *printf-g* *printf-G*
4511 g G The Float argument is converted like with 'f' if the
4512 value is between 0.001 (inclusive) and 10000000.0
4513 (exclusive). Otherwise 'e' is used for 'g' and 'E'
4514 for 'G'. When no precision is specified superfluous
4515 zeroes and '+' signs are removed, except for the zero
4516 immediately after the decimal point. Thus 10000000.0
4517 results in 1.0e7.
4518
4519 *printf-%*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004520 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
4521 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004522
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00004523 When a Number argument is expected a String argument is also
4524 accepted and automatically converted.
4525 When a Float or String argument is expected a Number argument
4526 is also accepted and automatically converted.
4527 Any other argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004528
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00004529 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004530 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
4531 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004532 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004533
4534
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004535pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
4536 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
4537 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004538 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
4539 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004540
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004541 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004542range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004543 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004544 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
4545 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
4546 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
4547 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
4548 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00004549 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
4550 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
4551 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004552 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004553 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004554 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
4555 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004556 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00004557 range(0) " []
4558 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004559<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004560 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004561readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004562 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
4563 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004564 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
4565 NL appears somewhere).
Bram Moolenaar06583f12010-08-07 20:30:49 +02004566 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004567 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
4568 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
4569 added.
4570 - No CR characters are removed.
4571 Otherwise:
4572 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
4573 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
Bram Moolenaar06583f12010-08-07 20:30:49 +02004574 - When 'encoding' is Unicode any UTF-8 byte order mark is
4575 removed from the text.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004576 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
4577 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
4578 lines of a file: >
4579 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
4580 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
4581 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004582< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
4583 are returned, or as many as there are.
4584 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004585 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
4586 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
4587 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004588 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
4589 the result is an empty list.
4590 Also see |writefile()|.
4591
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004592reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
4593 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
4594 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
4595 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
4596 Without an argument it returns the current time.
4597 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
4598 specified in the argument.
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004599 With two arguments it returns the time passed between {start}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004600 and {end}.
4601 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
4602 reltime().
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02004603 {only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004604
4605reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
4606 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
4607 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
4608 microseconds. Example: >
4609 let start = reltime()
4610 call MyFunction()
4611 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
4612< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
4613 The accuracy depends on the system.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004614 Leading spaces are used to make the string align nicely. You
4615 can use split() to remove it. >
4616 echo split(reltimestr(reltime(start)))[0]
4617< Also see |profiling|.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02004618 {only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004619
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004620 *remote_expr()* *E449*
4621remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004622 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004623 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004624 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
4625 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
4626 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004627 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
4628 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
4629 remote_read() is stored there.
4630 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4631 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4632 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4633 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
4634 and the result will be the empty string.
4635 Examples: >
4636 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
4637 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
4638<
4639
4640remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
4641 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
4642 This works like: >
4643 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
4644< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
4645 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
4646 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004647 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
4648 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004649 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4650 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
4651 Win32 console version}
4652
4653
4654remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
4655 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
4656 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004657 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004658 name of a variable.
4659 Returns zero if none are available.
4660 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
4661 See also |clientserver|.
4662 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4663 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4664 Examples: >
4665 :let repl = ""
4666 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
4667
4668remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
4669 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
4670 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
4671 See also |clientserver|.
4672 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4673 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4674 Example: >
4675 :echo remote_read(id)
4676<
4677 *remote_send()* *E241*
4678remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004679 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004680 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
4681 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004682 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
4683 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
4684 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004685 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4686 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4687 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4688 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
4689 up the display.
4690 Examples: >
4691 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
4692 \ remote_read(serverid)
4693
4694 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
4695 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
4696 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
4697 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004698<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004699remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004700 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004701 return the item.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004702 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004703 return a List with these items. When {idx} points to the same
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004704 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
4705 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
4706 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004707 Example: >
4708 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004709 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004710remove({dict}, {key})
4711 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
4712 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
4713< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
4714
4715 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004716
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004717rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
4718 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
4719 should also work to move files across file systems. The
4720 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
4721 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
Bram Moolenaar798b30b2009-04-22 10:56:16 +00004722 NOTE: If {to} exists it is overwritten without warning.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004723 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4724
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004725repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
4726 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
4727 result. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004728 :let separator = repeat('-', 80)
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004729< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004730 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004731 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004732 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
4733< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004734
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004735
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004736resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
4737 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
4738 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
4739 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
4740 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
4741 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
4742 stopped after 100 iterations.
4743 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
4744 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
4745 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
4746 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
4747 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
4748
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004749 *reverse()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004750reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004751 {list}.
4752 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4753 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
4754
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004755round({expr}) *round()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00004756 Round off {expr} to the nearest integral value and return it
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004757 as a |Float|. If {expr} lies halfway between two integral
4758 values, then use the larger one (away from zero).
4759 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4760 Examples: >
4761 echo round(0.456)
4762< 0.0 >
4763 echo round(4.5)
4764< 5.0 >
4765 echo round(-4.5)
4766< -5.0
4767 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4768
4769
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004770search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004771 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004772 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004773
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004774 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
4775 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004776 'c' accept a match at the cursor position
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004777 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004778 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004779 'p' return number of matching sub-pattern (see below)
4780 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004781 'w' wrap around the end of the file
4782 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
4783 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
4784
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00004785 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
4786 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
4787 flag.
4788
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004789 'ignorecase', 'smartcase' and 'magic' are used.
4790
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004791 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
4792 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
4793 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
4794 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
4795 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
4796< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
4797 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004798 A zero value is equal to not giving the argument.
4799
4800 When the {timeout} argument is given the search stops when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004801 more than this many milli seconds have passed. Thus when
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004802 {timeout} is 500 the search stops after half a second.
4803 The value must not be negative. A zero value is like not
4804 giving the argument.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02004805 {only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004806
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004807 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
4808 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004809 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
4810 *search()-sub-match*
4811 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
4812 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
4813 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004814 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004815
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004816 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
4817 flag is used.
4818
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004819 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
4820 :let n = 1
4821 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
4822 : exe "argument " . n
4823 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
4824 : " first search to find match at start of file
4825 : normal G$
4826 : let flags = "w"
4827 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004828 : s/foo/bar/g
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004829 : let flags = "W"
4830 : endwhile
4831 : update " write the file if modified
4832 : let n = n + 1
4833 :endwhile
4834<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004835 Example for using some flags: >
4836 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
4837< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
4838 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
4839 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
4840 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
4841 line:
4842 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
4843 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
4844 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
4845 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
4846 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
4847
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004848
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004849searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
4850 Search for the declaration of {name}.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004851
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004852 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
4853 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
4854 first match in the function.
4855
4856 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
4857 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
4858 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
4859
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004860 Moves the cursor to the found match.
4861 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4862 Example: >
4863 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
4864 echo getline('.')
4865 endif
4866<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004867 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004868searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
4869 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004870 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
4871 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
4872 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004873 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
4874 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
4875 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
4876 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
4877 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
4878 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004879
4880 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
4881 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
4882 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
4883 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
4884 typical use is: >
4885 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
4886< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
4887
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004888 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
4889 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004890 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004891 outer pair. Implies the 'W' flag.
4892 'm' Return number of matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004893 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004894 Note: it's nearly always a good idea to use the 'W' flag, to
4895 avoid wrapping around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004896
4897 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
4898 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
4899 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
4900 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
4901 or a string.
4902 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
4903 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
4904 and -1 returned.
4905
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004906 For {stopline} and {timeout} see |search()|.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004907
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004908 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
4909 patterns are used like it's on.
4910
4911 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
4912 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
4913 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
4914 if 1
4915 if 2
4916 endif 2
4917 endif 1
4918< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
4919 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
4920 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004921 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004922 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
4923 "endif 2".
4924 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
4925 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
4926 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
4927 the matching start.
4928
4929 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
4930
4931 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
4932 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
4933
4934< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
4935 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
4936 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
4937 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
4938 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
4939 match.
4940 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
4941
4942 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
4943
4944< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
4945 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
4946 highlighting recognized as strings: >
4947
4948 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
4949 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
4950<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004951 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004952searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
4953 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004954 Same as |searchpair()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004955 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4956 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004957 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02004958 returns [0, 0]. >
4959
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004960 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
4961<
4962 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
4963
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004964searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *searchpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004965 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004966 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4967 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
4968 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4969 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004970 Example: >
4971 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
4972
4973< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
4974 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
4975 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
4976< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
4977 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
4978
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004979server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
4980 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
4981 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
4982 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4983 Note:
4984 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004985 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004986 before calling any commands that waits for input.
4987 See also |clientserver|.
4988 Example: >
4989 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
4990<
4991serverlist() *serverlist()*
4992 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
4993 When there are no servers or the information is not available
4994 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
4995 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4996 Example: >
4997 :echo serverlist()
4998<
4999setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
5000 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
5001 {val}.
5002 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
5003 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
5004 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
5005 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
5006 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
5007 Examples: >
5008 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
5009 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
5010< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5011
5012setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
5013 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005014 {pos}. The first position is 1.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005015 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
5016 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005017 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
5018 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
5019 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
5020 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
5021 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005022 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
5023 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
5024 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
5025 line.
5026
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005027setline({lnum}, {text}) *setline()*
5028 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {text}.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005029 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005030 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {text} will be
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005031 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005032 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
5033 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005034 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005035< When {text} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005036 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
5037 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
5038< This is equivalent to: >
5039 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
5040 : call setline(n, l)
5041 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005042< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
5043
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00005044setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
5045 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
5046 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005047 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
5048 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00005049 Otherwise, same as |setqflist()|.
5050 Also see |location-list|.
5051
5052setmatches({list}) *setmatches()*
5053 Restores a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|. Returns 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005054 if successful, otherwise -1. All current matches are cleared
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00005055 before the list is restored. See example for |getmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005056
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005057 *setpos()*
5058setpos({expr}, {list})
5059 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
5060 . the cursor
5061 'x mark x
5062
5063 {list} must be a |List| with four numbers:
5064 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
5065
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005066 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005067 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005068 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
5069 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
5070 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005071 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005072
5073 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005074 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark. If "col" is
5075 smaller than 1 then 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005076
5077 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
5078 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005079 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005080 character.
5081
Bram Moolenaar08250432008-02-13 11:42:46 +00005082 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
5083 An error message is given if {expr} is invalid.
5084
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005085 Also see |getpos()|
5086
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005087 This does not restore the preferred column for moving
5088 vertically. See |winrestview()| for that.
5089
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005090
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00005091setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00005092 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
5093 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
5094 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
5095 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005096
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005097 bufnr buffer number; must be the number of a valid
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005098 buffer
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005099 filename name of a file; only used when "bufnr" is not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005100 present or it is invalid.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005101 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005102 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005103 col column number
5104 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005105 when zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005106 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005107 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005108 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005109
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005110 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
5111 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
5112 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005113 If the "filename" and "bufnr" entries are not present or
5114 neither the "lnum" or "pattern" entries are present, then the
5115 item will not be handled as an error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005116 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
5117 be used.
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02005118 If you supply an empty {list}, the quickfix list will be
5119 cleared.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005120 Note that the list is not exactly the same as what
5121 |getqflist()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005122
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00005123 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
5124 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
5125 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
5126 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
5127 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
5128 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
5129
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005130 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
5131
5132 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
5133 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
5134 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
5135
5136
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005137 *setreg()*
5138setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
5139 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
5140 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
5141 then the value is appended.
Bram Moolenaarc6485bc2010-07-28 17:02:55 +02005142 {options} can also contain a register type specification:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005143 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
5144 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
5145 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
5146 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
5147 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
5148 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005149 in the longest line (counting a <Tab> as 1 character).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005150
5151 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
5152 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
5153 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
5154 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
5155
5156 Examples: >
5157 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
5158 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
5159 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
5160
5161< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
5162 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005163 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005164 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
5165 ....
5166 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
5167
5168< You can also change the type of a register by appending
5169 nothing: >
5170 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
5171
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02005172settabvar({tabnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabvar()*
5173 Set tab-local variable {varname} to {val} in tab page {tabnr}.
5174 |t:var|
5175 Note that the variable name without "t:" must be used.
5176 Tabs are numbered starting with one.
5177 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
5178 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
5179 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5180
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00005181settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabwinvar()*
5182 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
5183 {val}.
5184 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
5185 use |setwinvar()|.
5186 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005187 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
5188 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
5189 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
5190 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00005191 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
5192 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
5193 Examples: >
5194 :call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
5195 :call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
5196< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5197
5198setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
5199 Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005200 Examples: >
5201 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
5202 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005203
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005204shellescape({string} [, {special}]) *shellescape()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005205 Escape {string} for use as a shell command argument.
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005206 On MS-Windows and MS-DOS, when 'shellslash' is not set, it
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005207 will enclose {string} in double quotes and double all double
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005208 quotes within {string}.
5209 For other systems, it will enclose {string} in single quotes
5210 and replace all "'" with "'\''".
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005211 When the {special} argument is present and it's a non-zero
5212 Number or a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then special
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005213 items such as "!", "%", "#" and "<cword>" will be preceded by
5214 a backslash. This backslash will be removed again by the |:!|
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005215 command.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005216 The "!" character will be escaped (again with a |non-zero-arg|
5217 {special}) when 'shell' contains "csh" in the tail. That is
5218 because for csh and tcsh "!" is used for history replacement
5219 even when inside single quotes.
5220 The <NL> character is also escaped. With a |non-zero-arg|
5221 {special} and 'shell' containing "csh" in the tail it's
5222 escaped a second time.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005223 Example of use with a |:!| command: >
5224 :exe '!dir ' . shellescape(expand('<cfile>'), 1)
5225< This results in a directory listing for the file under the
5226 cursor. Example of use with |system()|: >
5227 :call system("chmod +w -- " . shellescape(expand("%")))
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005228
5229
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005230simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
5231 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
5232 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
5233 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
5234 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
5235 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
5236 not removed either.
5237 Example: >
5238 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
5239< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
5240 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
5241 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
5242 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
5243 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
5244
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005245
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005246sin({expr}) *sin()*
5247 Return the sine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
5248 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5249 Examples: >
5250 :echo sin(100)
5251< -0.506366 >
5252 :echo sin(-4.01)
5253< 0.763301
5254 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5255
5256
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005257sinh({expr}) *sinh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005258 Return the hyperbolic sine of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005259 [-inf, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005260 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005261 Examples: >
5262 :echo sinh(0.5)
5263< 0.521095 >
5264 :echo sinh(-0.9)
5265< -1.026517
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005266 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005267
5268
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005269sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005270 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
5271 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
5272 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
5273< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005274 Numbers sort after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005275 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005276 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005277 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
5278 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005279 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 or
5280 bigger if the first one sorts after the second one, -1 or
5281 smaller if the first one sorts before the second one.
5282 Example: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005283 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
5284 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
5285 endfunc
5286 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005287< A shorter compare version for this specific simple case, which
5288 ignores overflow: >
5289 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
5290 return a:i1 - a:i2
5291 endfunc
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005292<
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00005293 *soundfold()*
5294soundfold({word})
5295 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005296 language in 'spelllang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00005297 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
5298 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00005299 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
5300 the method can be quite slow.
5301
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005302 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00005303spellbadword([{sentence}])
5304 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
5305 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
5306 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
5307 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
5308
5309 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
5310 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
5311 result is an empty string.
5312
5313 The return value is a list with two items:
5314 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
5315 - The type of the spelling error:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005316 "bad" spelling mistake
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00005317 "rare" rare word
5318 "local" word only valid in another region
5319 "caps" word should start with Capital
5320 Example: >
5321 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
5322< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
5323
5324 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
5325 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
5326 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005327
5328 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005329spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005330 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005331 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
5332 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
5333
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005334 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
5335 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
5336 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
5337
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005338 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
5339 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00005340 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
5341 replace a line.
5342
5343 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005344 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
5345 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005346
5347 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00005348 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
5349 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005350
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005351
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005352split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005353 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
5354 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
5355 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005356 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005357 removing the matched characters.
5358 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
5359 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00005360 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
5361 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005362 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005363 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005364< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005365 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00005366< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
5367 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
5368< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005369 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
5370 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
5371< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005372
5373
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005374sqrt({expr}) *sqrt()*
5375 Return the non-negative square root of Float {expr} as a
5376 |Float|.
5377 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|. When {expr}
5378 is negative the result is NaN (Not a Number).
5379 Examples: >
5380 :echo sqrt(100)
5381< 10.0 >
5382 :echo sqrt(-4.01)
5383< nan
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005384 "nan" may be different, it depends on system libraries.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005385 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5386
5387
5388str2float( {expr}) *str2float()*
5389 Convert String {expr} to a Float. This mostly works the same
5390 as when using a floating point number in an expression, see
5391 |floating-point-format|. But it's a bit more permissive.
5392 E.g., "1e40" is accepted, while in an expression you need to
5393 write "1.0e40".
5394 Text after the number is silently ignored.
5395 The decimal point is always '.', no matter what the locale is
5396 set to. A comma ends the number: "12,345.67" is converted to
5397 12.0. You can strip out thousands separators with
5398 |substitute()|: >
5399 let f = str2float(substitute(text, ',', '', 'g'))
5400< {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5401
5402
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00005403str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
5404 Convert string {expr} to a number.
5405 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 8, 10 or 16.
5406 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
5407 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
5408 with the default String to Number conversion.
5409 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
5410 different base the result will be zero.
5411 Text after the number is silently ignored.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005412
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00005413
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005414strchars({expr}) *strchars()*
5415 The result is a Number, which is the number of characters
5416 String {expr} occupies. Composing characters are counted
5417 separately.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005418 Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strwidth()|.
5419
5420strdisplaywidth({expr}[, {col}]) *strdisplaywidth()*
5421 The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
5422 String {expr} occupies on the screen.
5423 When {col} is omitted zero is used. Otherwise it is the
5424 screen column where to start. This matters for Tab
5425 characters.
Bram Moolenaar4d32c2d2010-07-18 22:10:01 +02005426 The option settings of the current window are used. This
5427 matters for anything that's displayed differently, such as
5428 'tabstop' and 'display'.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005429 When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
5430 Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
5431 Also see |strlen()|, |strwidth()| and |strchars()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005432
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005433strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
5434 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
5435 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
5436 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
5437 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
5438 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
5439 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
5440 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
5441 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
5442 Examples: >
5443 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
5444 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
5445 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
5446 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
5447 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
5448 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005449< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
5450 :if exists("*strftime")
5451
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005452stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
5453 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
5454 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005455 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
5456 This can be used to find a second match: >
5457 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
5458 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
5459< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005460 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005461 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005462 See also |strridx()|.
5463 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005464 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
5465 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
5466 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005467< *strstr()* *strchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005468 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
5469 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
5470
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005471 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005472string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005473 Float, String or a composition of them, then the result can be
5474 parsed back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005475 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005476 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005477 Number 123
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005478 Float 123.123456 or 1.123456e8
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005479 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005480 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00005481 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005482 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005483 Also see |strtrans()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005484
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005485 *strlen()*
5486strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00005487 {expr} in bytes.
5488 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
5489 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005490
5491 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00005492<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005493 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
5494 For other types an error is given.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005495 Also see |len()|, |strchars()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and
5496 |strwidth()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005497
5498strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
5499 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00005500 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005501 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
5502 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
5503 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
5504 end of the {src}. >
5505 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
5506 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
5507 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005508 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005509< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
5510 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00005511 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005512<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005513strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
5514 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
5515 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
5516 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
5517 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
5518 match: >
5519 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
5520 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
5521< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005522 For pattern searches use |match()|.
5523 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00005524 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005525 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005526 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005527< *strrchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005528 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
5529 function strrchr().
5530
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005531strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
5532 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
5533 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
5534 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
5535 echo strtrans(@a)
5536< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
5537 starting a new line.
5538
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005539strwidth({expr}) *strwidth()*
5540 The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
5541 String {expr} occupies. A Tab character is counted as one
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005542 cell, alternatively use |strdisplaywidth()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005543 When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
5544 Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005545 Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strchars()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005546
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005547submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
5548 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
5549 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
5550 the whole matched text is returned.
5551 Example: >
5552 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
5553< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
5554 A line break is included as a newline character.
5555
5556substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
5557 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
5558 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
5559 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
5560 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
5561 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005562 'ignorecase' is still relevant. 'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005563 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
5564 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
5565 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005566 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005567 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
5568 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
5569 unmodified.
5570 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
5571 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
5572 Example: >
5573 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
5574< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
5575 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
5576< results in "TESTING".
5577
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005578synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005579 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005580 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005581 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
5582 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00005583
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005584 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00005585 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
5586
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005587 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005588 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005589 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
5590 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
5591 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
5592 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
5593 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
5594
5595 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
5596 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
5597<
Bram Moolenaar7510fe72010-07-25 12:46:44 +02005598
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005599synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
5600 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
5601 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
5602 about a syntax item.
5603 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005604 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005605 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
5606 used (GUI, cterm or term).
5607 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
5608 {what} result
5609 "name" the name of the syntax item
5610 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
5611 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
5612 term: empty string)
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00005613 "bg" background color (as with "fg")
Bram Moolenaar12682fd2010-03-10 13:43:49 +01005614 "font" font name (only available in the GUI)
5615 |highlight-font|
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00005616 "sp" special color (as with "fg") |highlight-guisp|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005617 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
5618 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
5619 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00005620 "sp#" like "fg#" for "sp"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005621 "bold" "1" if bold
5622 "italic" "1" if italic
5623 "reverse" "1" if reverse
5624 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
Bram Moolenaar12682fd2010-03-10 13:43:49 +01005625 "standout" "1" if standout
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005626 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005627 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005628
5629 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
5630 cursor): >
5631 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
5632<
5633synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
5634 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
5635 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
5636 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
5637 ":highlight link" are followed.
5638
Bram Moolenaar483c5d82010-10-20 18:45:33 +02005639synconcealed({lnum}, {col}) *synconcealed()*
5640 The result is a List. The first item in the list is 0 if the
5641 character at the position {lnum} and {col} is not part of a
5642 concealable region, 1 if it is. The second item in the list is
5643 a string. If the first item is 1, the second item contains the
5644 text which will be displayed in place of the concealed text,
5645 depending on the current setting of 'conceallevel'. The third
5646 and final item in the list is a unique number representing the
5647 specific syntax region matched. This allows detection of the
5648 beginning of a new concealable region if there are two
5649 consecutive regions with the same replacement character.
5650 For an example use see $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/2html.vim .
5651
5652
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005653synstack({lnum}, {col}) *synstack()*
5654 Return a |List|, which is the stack of syntax items at the
5655 position {lnum} and {col} in the current window. Each item in
5656 the List is an ID like what |synID()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005657 The first item in the List is the outer region, following are
5658 items contained in that one. The last one is what |synID()|
5659 returns, unless not the whole item is highlighted or it is a
5660 transparent item.
5661 This function is useful for debugging a syntax file.
5662 Example that shows the syntax stack under the cursor: >
5663 for id in synstack(line("."), col("."))
5664 echo synIDattr(id, "name")
5665 endfor
Bram Moolenaar0bc380a2010-07-10 13:52:13 +02005666< When the position specified with {lnum} and {col} is invalid
5667 nothing is returned. The position just after the last
5668 character in a line and the first column in an empty line are
5669 valid positions.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005670
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00005671system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
5672 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
5673 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
5674 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
5675 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005676 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005677 Note: Use |shellescape()| to escape special characters in a
5678 command argument. Newlines in {expr} may cause the command to
5679 fail. The characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may
5680 also cause trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005681 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005682
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005683 The result is a String. Example: >
5684 :let files = system("ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h')))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005685
5686< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
5687 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
5688 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
5689 The command executed is constructed using several options:
5690 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
5691 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
5692 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
5693 concatenated commands.
5694
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005695 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
5696 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
5697
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005698 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
5699 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00005700
5701 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
5702 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
5703 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005704 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
5705 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
5706
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005707
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005708tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005709 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005710 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
5711 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
5712 omitted the current tab page is used.
5713 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
5714 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
5715 tablist = []
5716 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
5717 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
5718 endfor
5719< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
5720
5721
5722tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00005723 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
5724 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
5725 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
5726 page is returned (the tab page count).
5727 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
5728
5729
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005730tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
Bram Moolenaard04f4402010-08-15 13:30:34 +02005731 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {tabarg}.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005732 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
5733 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
5734 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
5735 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
5736 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
5737 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
5738 Useful examples: >
5739 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
5740 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
5741< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
5742
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00005743 *tagfiles()*
5744tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
5745 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
5746
5747
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005748taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
5749 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00005750 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
5751 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005752 name Name of the tag.
5753 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005754 defined. It is either relative to the
5755 current directory or a full path.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005756 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
5757 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005758 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005759 entry depends on the language specific
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005760 kind values. Only available when
5761 using a tags file generated by
5762 Exuberant ctags or hdrtag.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005763 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005764 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005765 More entries may be present, depending on the content of the
5766 tags file: access, implementation, inherits and signature.
5767 Refer to the ctags documentation for information about these
5768 fields. For C code the fields "struct", "class" and "enum"
5769 may appear, they give the name of the entity the tag is
5770 contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005771
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00005772 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
5773 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005774
5775 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
5776
5777 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
5778 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
5779 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
5780
5781 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
5782 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
5783 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
5784
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005785tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
5786 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005787 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005788 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
5789 :let tmpfile = tempname()
5790 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005791< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory |tempfile|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005792 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
5793 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
5794
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005795
5796tan({expr}) *tan()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005797 Return the tangent of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005798 in the range [-inf, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005799 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005800 Examples: >
5801 :echo tan(10)
5802< 0.648361 >
5803 :echo tan(-4.01)
5804< -1.181502
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005805 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005806
5807
5808tanh({expr}) *tanh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005809 Return the hyperbolic tangent of {expr} as a |Float| in the
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005810 range [-1, 1].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005811 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005812 Examples: >
5813 :echo tanh(0.5)
5814< 0.462117 >
5815 :echo tanh(-1)
5816< -0.761594
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005817 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005818
5819
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005820tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
5821 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
5822 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
5823 the string).
5824
5825toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
5826 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
5827 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
5828 the string).
5829
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00005830tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
5831 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
5832 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
5833 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
5834 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
5835 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
5836 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
5837
5838 Examples: >
5839 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
5840< returns "Hello THere" >
5841 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
5842< returns "{blob}"
5843
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005844trunc({expr}) *trunc()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005845 Return the largest integral value with magnitude less than or
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005846 equal to {expr} as a |Float| (truncate towards zero).
5847 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5848 Examples: >
5849 echo trunc(1.456)
5850< 1.0 >
5851 echo trunc(-5.456)
5852< -5.0 >
5853 echo trunc(4.0)
5854< 4.0
5855 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5856
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005857 *type()*
5858type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005859 Number: 0
5860 String: 1
5861 Funcref: 2
5862 List: 3
5863 Dictionary: 4
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005864 Float: 5
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005865 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005866 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
5867 :if type(myvar) == type("")
5868 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
5869 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005870 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005871 :if type(myvar) == type(0.0)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005872
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02005873undofile({name}) *undofile()*
5874 Return the name of the undo file that would be used for a file
5875 with name {name} when writing. This uses the 'undodir'
5876 option, finding directories that exist. It does not check if
Bram Moolenaar860cae12010-06-05 23:22:07 +02005877 the undo file exists.
Bram Moolenaar945e2db2010-06-05 17:43:32 +02005878 {name} is always expanded to the full path, since that is what
5879 is used internally.
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02005880 Useful in combination with |:wundo| and |:rundo|.
5881 When compiled without the +persistent_undo option this always
5882 returns an empty string.
5883
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02005884undotree() *undotree()*
5885 Return the current state of the undo tree in a dictionary with
5886 the following items:
5887 "seq_last" The highest undo sequence number used.
5888 "seq_cur" The sequence number of the current position in
5889 the undo tree. This differs from "seq_last"
5890 when some changes were undone.
5891 "time_cur" Time last used for |:earlier| and related
5892 commands. Use |strftime()| to convert to
5893 something readable.
5894 "save_last" Number of the last file write. Zero when no
5895 write yet.
Bram Moolenaar730cde92010-06-27 05:18:54 +02005896 "save_cur" Number of the current position in the undo
5897 tree.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02005898 "synced" Non-zero when the last undo block was synced.
5899 This happens when waiting from input from the
5900 user. See |undo-blocks|.
5901 "entries" A list of dictionaries with information about
5902 undo blocks.
5903
5904 The first item in the "entries" list is the oldest undo item.
5905 Each List item is a Dictionary with these items:
5906 "seq" Undo sequence number. Same as what appears in
5907 |:undolist|.
5908 "time" Timestamp when the change happened. Use
5909 |strftime()| to convert to something readable.
5910 "newhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
5911 that was added. This marks the last change
5912 and where further changes will be added.
5913 "curhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
5914 that was undone. This marks the current
5915 position in the undo tree, the block that will
5916 be used by a redo command. When nothing was
5917 undone after the last change this item will
5918 not appear anywhere.
5919 "save" Only appears on the last block before a file
5920 write. The number is the write count. The
5921 first write has number 1, the last one the
5922 "save_last" mentioned above.
5923 "alt" Alternate entry. This is again a List of undo
5924 blocks. Each item may again have an "alt"
5925 item.
5926
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005927values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005928 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005929 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005930
5931
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005932virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
5933 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
5934 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
5935 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
5936 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
5937 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
5938 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
5939 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00005940 For the byte position use |col()|.
5941 For the use of {expr} see |col()|.
5942 When 'virtualedit' is used {expr} can be [lnum, col, off], where
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005943 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005944 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005945 character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005946 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
5947 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
5948 The accepted positions are:
5949 . the cursor position
5950 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
5951 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
5952 plus one)
5953 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
5954 returned)
5955 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
5956 Examples: >
5957 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
5958 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005959 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
5960< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005961 A more advanced example that echoes the maximum length of
5962 all lines: >
5963 echo max(map(range(1, line('$')), "virtcol([v:val, '$'])"))
5964
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005965
5966visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
5967 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005968 used in the current buffer. Initially it returns an empty
5969 string, but once Visual mode has been used, it returns "v",
5970 "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a single CTRL-V character) for
5971 character-wise, line-wise, or block-wise Visual mode
5972 respectively.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005973 Example: >
5974 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
5975< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
5976 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
5977 Visual mode that was used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005978 If Visual mode is active, use |mode()| to get the Visual mode
5979 (e.g., in a |:vmap|).
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005980 *non-zero-arg*
5981 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
5982 a non-empty String, then the Visual mode will be cleared and
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005983 the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005984 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared. A List,
5985 Dictionary or Float is not a Number or String, thus does not
5986 cause the mode to be cleared.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005987
5988 *winbufnr()*
5989winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005990 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005991 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
5992 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5993 Example: >
5994 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
5995<
5996 *wincol()*
5997wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
5998 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
5999 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
6000
6001winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
6002 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
6003 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
6004 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
6005 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
6006 Examples: >
6007 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
6008<
6009 *winline()*
6010winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006011 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006012 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00006013 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
6014 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006015
6016 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00006017winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
6018 window. The top window has number 1.
6019 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00006020 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00006021 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
6022 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006023 If there is no previous window or it is in another tab page 0
6024 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00006025 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
6026 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006027 Also see |tabpagewinnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006028
6029 *winrestcmd()*
6030winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
6031 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006032 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
6033 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006034 Example: >
6035 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
6036 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
6037 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006038<
6039 *winrestview()*
6040winrestview({dict})
6041 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
6042 the view of the current window.
6043 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
6044 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
6045
6046 *winsaveview()*
6047winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
6048 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
6049 restore the view.
6050 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
6051 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
6052 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00006053 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
6054 not opened when moving around.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006055 The return value includes:
6056 lnum cursor line number
6057 col cursor column
6058 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
6059 curswant column for vertical movement
6060 topline first line in the window
6061 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
6062 leftcol first column displayed
6063 skipcol columns skipped
6064 Note that no option values are saved.
6065
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006066
6067winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
6068 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
6069 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
6070 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
6071 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
6072 Examples: >
6073 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
6074 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
6075 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
6076 :endif
6077<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006078 *writefile()*
6079writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006080 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006081 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
6082 Number.
6083 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
6084 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
6085 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
6086 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
6087 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
6088 to writefile().
6089 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
6090 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
6091 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
6092 fails.
6093 Also see |readfile()|.
6094 To copy a file byte for byte: >
6095 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
6096 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
6097<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006098
6099 *feature-list*
6100There are three types of features:
61011. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
6102 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
6103 :if has("cindent")
61042. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
6105 Example: >
6106 :if has("gui_running")
6107< *has-patch*
61083. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
6109 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
6110 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
6111 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006112< Note that it's possible for patch 147 to be omitted even though 148 is
6113 included.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006114
6115all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
6116amiga Amiga version of Vim.
6117arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
6118arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00006119autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006120balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00006121balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006122beos BeOS version of Vim.
6123browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
6124 work.
6125builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
6126byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
6127cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
6128clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
6129clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
6130cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
6131cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
6132cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
6133comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
6134cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
6135cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
6136compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
6137debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
6138dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
6139dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
6140diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
6141digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
6142dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
6143dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
6144dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
6145ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
6146emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
6147eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
6148 true, of course!
6149ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
6150extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
6151 |'hlsearch'|
6152farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
6153file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006154filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
6155 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006156find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
6157 |+find_in_path|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006158float Compiled with support for |Float|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006159fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
6160 Windows this is not present).
6161folding Compiled with |folding| support.
6162footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
6163fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
6164gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
6165gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
6166gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006167gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
6168gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006169gui_gnome Compiled with Gnome support (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006170gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
6171gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
6172gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
6173gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
6174gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
6175gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
6176hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
6177iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
6178insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
6179 Insert mode.
6180jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
6181keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
6182langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
6183libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
6184linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
6185 support.
6186lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
6187listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
6188 and the argument list |arglist|.
6189localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
Bram Moolenaar0ba04292010-07-14 23:23:17 +02006190lua Compiled with Lua interface |Lua|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006191mac Macintosh version of Vim.
6192macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
6193menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
6194mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
6195modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
6196mouse Compiled with support mouse.
6197mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
6198mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
6199mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
6200mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
6201mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006202mouse_sysmouse Compiled with support for sysmouse (*BSD console mouse)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006203mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar42022d52008-12-09 09:57:49 +00006204multi_byte Compiled with support for 'encoding'
6205multi_byte_encoding 'encoding' is set to a multi-byte encoding.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006206multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
6207multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00006208mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006209netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaarb26e6322010-05-22 21:34:09 +02006210netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and connected.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006211ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
6212os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
6213osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
6214path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
6215perl Compiled with Perl interface.
Bram Moolenaar55debbe2010-05-23 23:34:36 +02006216persistent_undo Compiled with support for persistent undo history.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006217postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
6218printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006219profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006220python Compiled with Python interface.
6221qnx QNX version of Vim.
6222quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00006223reltime Compiled with |reltime()| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006224rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
6225ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
6226scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
6227showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
6228signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
6229smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00006230sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaaref94eec2009-11-11 13:22:11 +00006231startuptime Compiled with |--startuptime| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006232statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
6233 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
6234sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00006235spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
6236syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006237syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
6238 current buffer.
6239system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
6240tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
6241 |tag-binary-search|.
6242tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
6243 |tag-old-static|.
6244tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
6245 files |tag-any-white|.
6246tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
6247terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
6248termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
6249textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
6250tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
6251 or terminfo file.
6252title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
6253toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
6254unix Unix version of Vim.
6255user_commands User-defined commands.
6256viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
Bram Moolenaar24ea3ba2010-09-19 19:01:21 +02006257vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place. |startup|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006258vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
6259virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
6260visual Compiled with Visual mode.
6261visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
6262 |blockwise-operators|.
6263vms VMS version of Vim.
6264vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
6265wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
6266wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
6267windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
6268winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
6269win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
6270win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
6271win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
6272win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
6273win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
6274writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
6275xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
6276xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
6277xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
6278xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
6279xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
6280xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
6281 xterm screen.
6282x11 Compiled with X11 support.
6283
6284 *string-match*
6285Matching a pattern in a String
6286
6287A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
6288the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
6289everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
6290like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
6291line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
6292with ".". Example: >
6293 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
6294 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
6295 aa
6296 xx
6297 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
6298 a
6299 x
6300
6301Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
6302"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
6303"\n".
6304
6305==============================================================================
63065. Defining functions *user-functions*
6307
6308New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
6309functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
6310commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
6311
6312The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
6313builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
6314avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
6315the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
6316
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00006317It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
6318|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006319
6320 *local-function*
6321A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
6322can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
6323and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00006324function from a mapping defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006325instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
6326
6327 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
6328:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
6329
6330:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006331 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6332 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006333 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00006334
6335:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
6336 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
6337 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00006338<
6339 *:function-verbose*
6340When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
6341last defined. Example: >
6342
6343 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
6344 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
6345 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
6346<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00006347See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00006348
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006349 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006350:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006351 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
6352 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
6353 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006354
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006355 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6356 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006357 :function dict.init(arg)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006358< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006359 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006360 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006361 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
6362 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
6363 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006364 *E127* *E122*
6365 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
6366 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
6367 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
6368 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006369
6370 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
6371
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006372 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
6373 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
6374 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
6375 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
6376 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
6377 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
6378 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006379
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006380 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
6381 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006382
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006383 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006384 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006385 local variable "self" will then be set to the
6386 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006387
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006388 *function-search-undo*
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00006389 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006390 will not be changed by the function. This also
6391 implies that the effect of |:nohlsearch| is undone
6392 when the function returns.
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00006393
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006394 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
6395:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
6396 by its own, without other commands.
6397
6398 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
6399:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006400 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6401 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006402 :delfunc dict.init
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006403< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006404 function is deleted if there are no more references to
6405 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006406 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
6407:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
6408 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
6409 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
6410 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
6411 the number 0 is returned.
6412 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
6413 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
6414
6415 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
6416 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
6417 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
6418 are executed first. This process applies to all
6419 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
6420 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
6421
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006422 *function-argument* *a:var*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006423An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006424be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006425 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740* *...*
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006426Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
6427arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
6428may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
6429as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006430can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
6431that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006432 *E742*
6433The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00006434However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can change their contents.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006435Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
6436it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
6437|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006438
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006439When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
6440to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
6441may be larger.
6442
6443It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
6444still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
6445until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
6446inside a function body.
6447
6448 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006449Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
6450will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
6451accessed with "g:".
6452
6453Example: >
6454 :function Table(title, ...)
6455 : echohl Title
6456 : echo a:title
6457 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006458 : echo a:0 . " items:"
6459 : for s in a:000
6460 : echon ' ' . s
6461 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006462 :endfunction
6463
6464This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006465 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
6466 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006467
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006468To return more than one value, return a |List|: >
6469 :function Compute(n1, n2)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006470 : if a:n2 == 0
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006471 : return ["fail", 0]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006472 : endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006473 : return ["ok", a:n1 / a:n2]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006474 :endfunction
6475
6476This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006477 :let [success, div] = Compute(102, 6)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006478 :if success == "ok"
6479 : echo div
6480 :endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006481<
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00006482 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006483:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
6484 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
6485 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006486 used. The returned value is discarded.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006487 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
6488 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
6489 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
6490 function.
6491 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
6492 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
6493 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
6494 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006495 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006496 this works:
6497 *function-range-example* >
6498 :function Mynumber(arg)
6499 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
6500 :endfunction
6501 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
6502<
6503 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
6504 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
6505 the range.
6506
6507 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
6508
6509 :function Cont() range
6510 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
6511 :endfunction
6512 :4,8call Cont()
6513<
6514 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
6515 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
6516
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006517 When the function returns a composite value it can be further
6518 dereferenced, but the range will not be used then. Example: >
6519 :4,8call GetDict().method()
6520< Here GetDict() gets the range but method() does not.
6521
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006522 *E132*
6523The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
6524option.
6525
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006526
6527AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006528 *autoload-functions*
6529When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006530only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
6531the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
6532
6533
6534Using an autocommand ~
6535
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006536This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
6537
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006538The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
6539You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006540That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006541again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
6542
6543Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
6544function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006545
6546 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
6547
6548The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
6549"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
6550
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006551
6552Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006553 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006554This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
6555
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006556Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
6557exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
6558like this: >
6559
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006560 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006561
6562When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
6563"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
6564"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
6565then define the function like this: >
6566
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006567 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006568 echo "Done!"
6569 endfunction
6570
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00006571The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006572exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
6573called.
6574
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006575It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
6576a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006577
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006578 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006579
6580Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
6581
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006582This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
6583
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006584 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006585
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00006586However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
6587for an unknown variable.
6588
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006589When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
6590be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
6591
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006592 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
6593 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006594
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00006595Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
6596defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
6597function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006598And you will get an error message every time.
6599
6600Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006601other and vice versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006602Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006603
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00006604Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
6605|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
6606
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006607==============================================================================
66086. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
6609
6610Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
6611This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
6612{} like this: >
6613 my_{adjective}_variable
6614
6615When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
6616that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
6617name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
6618"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
6619"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
6620
6621One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006622value. For example, the statement >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006623 echo my_{&background}_message
6624
6625would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
6626on the current value of 'background'.
6627
6628You can use multiple brace pairs: >
6629 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
6630..or even nest them: >
6631 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
6632where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
6633
6634However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00006635variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006636 :let foo='a + b'
6637 :echo c{foo}d
6638.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
6639
6640 *curly-braces-function-names*
6641You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
6642Example: >
6643 :let func_end='whizz'
6644 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
6645
6646This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
6647
6648==============================================================================
66497. Commands *expression-commands*
6650
6651:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
6652 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
6653 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
6654 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
6655 is created.
6656
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00006657:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
6658 Set a list item to the result of the expression
6659 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
6660 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
6661 the index can be repeated.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006662 This cannot be used to add an item to a |List|.
6663 This cannot be used to set a byte in a String. You
6664 can do that like this: >
6665 :let var = var[0:2] . 'X' . var[4:]
6666<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006667 *E711* *E719*
6668:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006669 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
6670 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006671 correct number of items.
6672 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
6673 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
6674 When the selected range of items is partly past the
6675 end of the list, items will be added.
6676
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00006677 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006678:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
6679:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
6680:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
6681 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
6682 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
6683
6684
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006685:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
6686 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
6687 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006688:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
6689 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
6690 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
6691 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006692
6693:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
6694 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
6695 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
6696 must be the name of a writable register (see
6697 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
6698 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
6699 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
6700 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
6701 characterwise.
6702 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
6703 :let @/ = ""
6704< This is different from searching for an empty string,
6705 that would match everywhere.
6706
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006707:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006708 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006709 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
6710
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006711:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-&*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006712 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006713 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
6714 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006715 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
6716 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00006717 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006718 Example: >
6719 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006720
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006721:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
6722 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
6723 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
6724
6725:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
6726:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
6727 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
6728 {expr1}.
6729
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006730:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006731:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
6732:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
6733:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006734 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
6735 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
6736
6737:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006738:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
6739:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
6740:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006741 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
6742 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
6743
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00006744:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006745 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006746 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
6747 {name2}, etc.
6748 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006749 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006750 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
6751 command as mentioned above.
6752 Example: >
6753 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006754< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
6755 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
6756 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
6757 :let x = [0, 1]
6758 :let i = 0
6759 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
6760 :echo x
6761< The result is [0, 2].
6762
6763:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
6764:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
6765:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
6766 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006767 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006768
6769:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006770 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006771 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
6772 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
6773 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006774 Example: >
6775 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
6776<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006777:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
6778:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
6779:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
6780 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006781 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +02006782
6783 *E121*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006784:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00006785 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
6786 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00006787 g: global variables
6788 b: local buffer variables
6789 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00006790 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00006791 s: script-local variables
6792 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00006793 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006794
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00006795:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
6796 variable is indicated before the value:
6797 <nothing> String
6798 # Number
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006799 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006800
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006801
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006802:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108* *E795*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006803 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
6804 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006805 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006806 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
6807 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006808 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00006809 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
6810 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006811< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00006812 :unlet dict['two']
6813 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00006814< This is especially useful to clean up used global
6815 variables and script-local variables (these are not
6816 deleted when the script ends). Function-local
6817 variables are automatically deleted when the function
6818 ends.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006819
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006820:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
6821 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
6822 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
6823 A locked variable can be deleted: >
6824 :lockvar v
6825 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
6826 :unlet v
6827< *E741*
6828 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
6829 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
6830
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006831 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
6832 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
6833 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006834 cannot add or remove items, but can
6835 still change their values.
6836 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006837 the items. If an item is a |List| or
6838 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006839 items, but can still change the
6840 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006841 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
6842 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
6843 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
6844 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
6845 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006846 *E743*
6847 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
6848 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
6849 loops.
6850
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006851 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
6852 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00006853 locked when used through the other variable.
6854 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006855 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
6856 :let cl = l
6857 :lockvar l
6858 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
6859< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
6860 See |deepcopy()|.
6861
6862
6863:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
6864 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
6865 opposite of |:lockvar|.
6866
6867
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006868:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
6869:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6870 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6871
6872 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
6873 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
6874 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
6875 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
6876 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
6877 part was not executed either.
6878
6879 You can use this to remain compatible with older
6880 versions: >
6881 :if version >= 500
6882 : version-5-specific-commands
6883 :endif
6884< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
6885 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
6886 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
6887 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
6888 avoid problems: >
6889 :if version >= 600
6890 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
6891 :endif
6892<
6893 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
6894 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
6895
6896 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
6897:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6898 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
6899 executed.
6900
6901 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
6902:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
6903 is no extra ":endif".
6904
6905:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006906 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006907:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
6908 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6909 When an error is detected from a command inside the
6910 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006911 Example: >
6912 :let lnum = 1
6913 :while lnum <= line("$")
6914 :call FixLine(lnum)
6915 :let lnum = lnum + 1
6916 :endwhile
6917<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006918 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006919 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006920
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006921:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006922:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
6923 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006924 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006925 value of each item.
6926 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006927 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00006928 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
6929 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006930 :for item in copy(mylist)
6931< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
6932 next item in the list, before executing the commands
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006933 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006934 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
6935 it will not be found. Thus the following example
6936 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006937 for item in mylist
6938 call remove(mylist, 0)
6939 endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006940< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
6941 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
6942 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006943 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
6944 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006945 to allow multiple item types: >
6946 for item in ["foo", ["bar"]]
6947 echo item
6948 unlet item " E706 without this
6949 endfor
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006950
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006951:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
6952:endfo[r]
6953 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
6954 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
6955 {var2}, etc. Example: >
6956 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
6957 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
6958 :endfor
6959<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006960 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006961:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
6962 to the start of the loop.
6963 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6964 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6965 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6966 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6967 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6968 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006969
6970 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006971:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
6972 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
6973 ":endfor".
6974 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6975 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6976 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6977 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6978 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6979 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006980
6981:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
6982:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
6983 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
6984 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
6985 or autocommand invocations.
6986
6987 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
6988 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
6989 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
6990 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
6991 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
6992 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
6993 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
6994 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
6995 Example: >
6996 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
6997 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
6998<
6999 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
7000 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
7001 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
7002 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
7003 processing is not terminated.
7004
7005 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
7006 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
7007 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
7008 other errors are converted to a value of the form
7009 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
7010 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
7011 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
7012 the error number.
7013 Examples: >
7014 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
7015 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
7016<
7017 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01007018:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next |:catch|,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007019 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
7020 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
7021 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
7022 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
7023 commands are skipped.
7024 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
7025 Examples: >
7026 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
7027 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
7028 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
7029 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
7030 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
7031 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
7032 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
7033 :catch " same as /.*/
7034<
7035 Another character can be used instead of / around the
7036 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
7037 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
7038 {pattern}.
7039 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
7040 an error message because it may vary in different
7041 locales.
7042
7043 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
7044:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
7045 are executed whenever the part between the matching
7046 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
7047 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
7048 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
7049 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
7050
7051 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
7052:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
7053 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
7054 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
7055 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
7056 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
7057 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
7058 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
7059 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
7060 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
7061 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
7062 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
7063 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
7064 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
7065 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
7066 is terminated.
7067 Example: >
7068 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
7069<
7070
7071 *:ec* *:echo*
7072:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
7073 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
7074 Also see |:comment|.
7075 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
7076 cursor to the first column.
7077 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7078 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7079 Example: >
7080 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007081< *:echo-redraw*
7082 A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
7083 And since Vim mostly postpones redrawing until it's
7084 finished with a sequence of commands this happens
7085 quite often. To avoid that a command from before the
7086 ":echo" causes a redraw afterwards (redraws are often
7087 postponed until you type something), force a redraw
7088 with the |:redraw| command. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007089 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
7090<
7091 *:echon*
7092:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
7093 |:comment|.
7094 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7095 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7096 Example: >
7097 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
7098<
7099 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
7100 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
7101 command: >
7102 :!echo % --> filename
7103< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
7104 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
7105< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
7106 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
7107 :echo % --> nothing
7108< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
7109 :echo "%" --> %
7110< This just echoes the '%' character. >
7111 :echo expand("%") --> filename
7112< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
7113
7114 *:echoh* *:echohl*
7115:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
7116 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
7117 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
7118 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
7119< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
7120 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
7121
7122 *:echom* *:echomsg*
7123:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
7124 message in the |message-history|.
7125 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
7126 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
7127 displayed, not interpreted.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007128 The parsing works slightly different from |:echo|,
7129 more like |:execute|. All the expressions are first
7130 evaluated and concatenated before echoing anything.
7131 The expressions must evaluate to a Number or String, a
7132 Dictionary or List causes an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007133 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7134 Example: >
7135 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007136< See |:echo-redraw| to avoid the message disappearing
7137 when the screen is redrawn.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007138 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
7139:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
7140 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
7141 script or function the line number will be added.
7142 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007143 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007144 the message is raised as an error exception instead
7145 (see |try-echoerr|).
7146 Example: >
7147 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
7148< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
7149 And to get a beep: >
7150 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
7151<
7152 *:exe* *:execute*
7153:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02007154 of {expr1} as an Ex command.
7155 Multiple arguments are concatenated, with a space in
7156 between. To avoid the extra space use the "."
7157 operator to concatenate strings into one argument.
7158 {expr1} is used as the processed command, command line
7159 editing keys are not recognized.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007160 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7161 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02007162 :execute "buffer" nextbuf
7163 :execute "normal" count . "w"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007164<
7165 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
7166 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
7167 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
7168
7169< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
7170 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
7171 command: >
7172 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
7173< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
7174
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007175 Be careful to correctly escape special characters in
7176 file names. The |fnameescape()| function can be used
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00007177 for Vim commands, |shellescape()| for |:!| commands.
7178 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007179 :execute "e " . fnameescape(filename)
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00007180 :execute "!ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h'), 1)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007181<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007182 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00007183 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
7184 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007185 :execute 'while i > 5'
7186 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
7187<
7188 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
7189 completely in the executed string: >
7190 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
7191<
7192
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01007193 *:exe-comment*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007194 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
7195 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
7196 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
7197 comment. Example: >
7198 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
7199
7200==============================================================================
72018. Exception handling *exception-handling*
7202
7203The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
7204explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
7205
7206Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
7207|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
7208exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
7209
7210
7211TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
7212
7213Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
7214use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
7215a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
7216 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
7217|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
7218a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
7219be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
7220which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
7221clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
7222
7223 :try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007224 : ...
7225 : ... TRY BLOCK
7226 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007227 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007228 : ...
7229 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
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 :finally
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007236 : ...
7237 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
7238 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007239 :endtry
7240
7241The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
7242appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
7243from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
7244 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
7245is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
7246script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
7247 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
7248lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
7249patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
7250after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
7251executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
7252":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
7253(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
7254continues in the following line as usual.
7255 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
7256":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
7257that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
7258finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
7259the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
7260the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
7261see |try-nesting|.
7262 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007263remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007264not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
7265try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
7266a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
7267execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
7268exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
7269 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007270thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007271clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
7272catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
7273following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
7274clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
7275
7276The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
7277a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
7278try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
7279from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
7280sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
7281":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
7282":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
7283from the finally clause.
7284 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
7285try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
7286clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
7287":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
7288clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
7289":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
7290this pending exception or command is discarded.
7291
7292For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
7293
7294
7295NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
7296
7297Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
7298conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
7299clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
7300catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
7301of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
7302checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
7303try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007304otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007305nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
7306one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
7307the inner try conditional.
7308
7309When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
7310finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
7311An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
7312thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
7313implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
7314as usual.
7315
7316For examples see |throw-catch|.
7317
7318
7319EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
7320
7321Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
7322'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
7323script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
7324finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
7325a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
7326(see |debug-scripts|).
7327
7328
7329THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
7330
7331You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
7332and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
7333 :throw 4711
7334 :throw "string"
7335< *throw-expression*
7336You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
7337first, and the result is thrown: >
7338 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
7339 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
7340
7341An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
7342command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
7343The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
7344 Example: >
7345
7346 :function! Foo(arg)
7347 : try
7348 : throw a:arg
7349 : catch /foo/
7350 : endtry
7351 : return 1
7352 :endfunction
7353 :
7354 :function! Bar()
7355 : echo "in Bar"
7356 : return 4710
7357 :endfunction
7358 :
7359 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
7360
7361This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
7362executed. >
7363 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
7364however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
7365
7366Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007367abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007368exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
7369 Example: >
7370
7371 :if Foo("arrgh")
7372 : echo "then"
7373 :else
7374 : echo "else"
7375 :endif
7376
7377Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
7378
7379 *catch-order*
7380Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
7381commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
7382command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
7383gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
7384 Example: >
7385
7386 :function! Foo(value)
7387 : try
7388 : throw a:value
7389 : catch /^\d\+$/
7390 : echo "Number thrown"
7391 : catch /.*/
7392 : echo "String thrown"
7393 : endtry
7394 :endfunction
7395 :
7396 :call Foo(0x1267)
7397 :call Foo('string')
7398
7399The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
7400An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
7401specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
7402specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
7403
7404 : catch /.*/
7405 : echo "String thrown"
7406 : catch /^\d\+$/
7407 : echo "Number thrown"
7408
7409The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
7410never taken.
7411
7412 *throw-variables*
7413If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
7414in the variable |v:exception|: >
7415
7416 : catch /^\d\+$/
7417 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
7418
7419You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
7420|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
7421exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
7422 Example: >
7423
7424 :function! Caught()
7425 : if v:exception != ""
7426 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
7427 : else
7428 : echo 'Nothing caught'
7429 : endif
7430 :endfunction
7431 :
7432 :function! Foo()
7433 : try
7434 : try
7435 : try
7436 : throw 4711
7437 : finally
7438 : call Caught()
7439 : endtry
7440 : catch /.*/
7441 : call Caught()
7442 : throw "oops"
7443 : endtry
7444 : catch /.*/
7445 : call Caught()
7446 : finally
7447 : call Caught()
7448 : endtry
7449 :endfunction
7450 :
7451 :call Foo()
7452
7453This displays >
7454
7455 Nothing caught
7456 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
7457 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
7458 Nothing caught
7459
7460A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
7461number in the script or function where it has been used: >
7462
7463 :function! LineNumber()
7464 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
7465 :endfunction
7466 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
7467<
7468 *try-nested*
7469An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
7470a surrounding try conditional: >
7471
7472 :try
7473 : try
7474 : throw "foo"
7475 : catch /foobar/
7476 : echo "foobar"
7477 : finally
7478 : echo "inner finally"
7479 : endtry
7480 :catch /foo/
7481 : echo "foo"
7482 :endtry
7483
7484The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
7485clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
7486conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
7487
7488 *throw-from-catch*
7489You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
7490catch clause: >
7491
7492 :function! Foo()
7493 : throw "foo"
7494 :endfunction
7495 :
7496 :function! Bar()
7497 : try
7498 : call Foo()
7499 : catch /foo/
7500 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
7501 : throw "bar"
7502 : endtry
7503 :endfunction
7504 :
7505 :try
7506 : call Bar()
7507 :catch /.*/
7508 : echo "Caught" v:exception
7509 :endtry
7510
7511This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
7512
7513 *rethrow*
7514There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
7515"v:exception" instead: >
7516
7517 :function! Bar()
7518 : try
7519 : call Foo()
7520 : catch /.*/
7521 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
7522 : throw v:exception
7523 : endtry
7524 :endfunction
7525< *try-echoerr*
7526Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
7527exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
7528Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
7529denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
7530the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
7531
7532 :try
7533 : try
7534 : asdf
7535 : catch /.*/
7536 : echoerr v:exception
7537 : endtry
7538 :catch /.*/
7539 : echo v:exception
7540 :endtry
7541
7542This code displays
7543
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007544 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007545
7546
7547CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
7548
7549Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
7550user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007551an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007552a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
7553catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
7554a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
7555normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
7556(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007557to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007558clause has been executed.)
7559Example: >
7560
7561 :try
7562 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
7563 : set ts=17
7564 :
7565 : " Do the hard work here.
7566 :
7567 :finally
7568 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
7569 : unlet s:saved_ts
7570 :endtry
7571
7572This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
7573changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
7574that function or script part.
7575
7576 *break-finally*
7577Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
7578a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
7579 Example: >
7580
7581 :let first = 1
7582 :while 1
7583 : try
7584 : if first
7585 : echo "first"
7586 : let first = 0
7587 : continue
7588 : else
7589 : throw "second"
7590 : endif
7591 : catch /.*/
7592 : echo v:exception
7593 : break
7594 : finally
7595 : echo "cleanup"
7596 : endtry
7597 : echo "still in while"
7598 :endwhile
7599 :echo "end"
7600
7601This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
7602
7603 :function! Foo()
7604 : try
7605 : return 4711
7606 : finally
7607 : echo "cleanup\n"
7608 : endtry
7609 : echo "Foo still active"
7610 :endfunction
7611 :
7612 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
7613
7614This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007615extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007616return value.)
7617
7618 *except-from-finally*
7619Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
7620a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
7621cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
7622exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
7623 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
7624working correctly: >
7625
7626 :try
7627 : try
7628 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
7629 : while 1
7630 : endwhile
7631 : finally
7632 : unlet novar
7633 : endtry
7634 :catch /novar/
7635 :endtry
7636 :echo "Script still running"
7637 :sleep 1
7638
7639If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
7640think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
7641|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
7642
7643
7644CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
7645
7646If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
7647watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
7648presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
7649exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
7650the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
7651the error exception is.
7652 Error exceptions have the following format: >
7653
7654 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
7655or >
7656 Vim:{errmsg}
7657
7658{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007659the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007660when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
7661a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
7662a space.
7663
7664Examples:
7665
7666The command >
7667 :unlet novar
7668normally produces the error message >
7669 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7670which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7671 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
7672
7673The command >
7674 :dwim
7675normally produces the error message >
7676 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
7677which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7678 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
7679
7680You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
7681 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
7682or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
7683 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
7684
7685Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
7686 :function nofunc
7687and >
7688 :delfunction nofunc
7689both produce the error message >
7690 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7691which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7692 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7693or >
7694 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7695respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
7696command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
7697 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
7698
7699Some commands like >
7700 :let x = novar
7701produce multiple error messages, here: >
7702 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7703 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7704Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
7705one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
7706 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
7707
7708You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
7709 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
7710
7711You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
7712 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
7713
7714You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
7715 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
7716<
7717 *catch-text*
7718NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
7719 :catch /No such variable/
7720only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
7721a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
7722cite the message text in a comment: >
7723 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
7724
7725
7726IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
7727
7728You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
7729
7730 :try
7731 : write
7732 :catch
7733 :endtry
7734
7735But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
7736catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
7737be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
7738
7739 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
7740
7741There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
7742writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
7743then hide the error from the user.
7744 It is much better to use >
7745
7746 :try
7747 : write
7748 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7749 :endtry
7750
7751which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
7752intentionally.
7753
7754For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
7755even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
7756command: >
7757 :silent! nunmap k
7758This works also when a try conditional is active.
7759
7760
7761CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
7762
7763When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007764the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007765script is not terminated, then.
7766 Example: >
7767
7768 :function! TASK1()
7769 : sleep 10
7770 :endfunction
7771
7772 :function! TASK2()
7773 : sleep 20
7774 :endfunction
7775
7776 :while 1
7777 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
7778 : try
7779 : if command == ""
7780 : continue
7781 : elseif command == "END"
7782 : break
7783 : elseif command == "TASK1"
7784 : call TASK1()
7785 : elseif command == "TASK2"
7786 : call TASK2()
7787 : else
7788 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
7789 : continue
7790 : endif
7791 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
7792 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
7793 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
7794 : endtry
7795 :endwhile
7796
7797You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007798a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007799
7800For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
7801your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
7802command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
7803
7804
7805CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
7806
7807The commands >
7808
7809 :catch /.*/
7810 :catch //
7811 :catch
7812
7813catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
7814explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
7815a script in order to catch unexpected things.
7816 Example: >
7817
7818 :try
7819 :
7820 : " do the hard work here
7821 :
7822 :catch /MyException/
7823 :
7824 : " handle known problem
7825 :
7826 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
7827 : echo "Script interrupted"
7828 :catch /.*/
7829 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
7830 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
7831 :endtry
7832 :" end of script
7833
7834Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
7835strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
7836specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
7837 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
7838by pressing CTRL-C: >
7839
7840 :while 1
7841 : try
7842 : sleep 1
7843 : catch
7844 : endtry
7845 :endwhile
7846
7847
7848EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
7849
7850Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
7851
7852 :autocmd User x try
7853 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
7854 :autocmd User x catch
7855 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
7856 :autocmd User x endtry
7857 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
7858 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
7859 :
7860 :try
7861 : doautocmd User x
7862 :catch
7863 : echo v:exception
7864 :endtry
7865
7866This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
7867
7868 *except-autocmd-Pre*
7869For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
7870command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
7871of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
7872abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
7873 Example: >
7874
7875 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
7876 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
7877 :
7878 :try
7879 : write
7880 :catch
7881 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
7882 :endtry
7883
7884Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
7885you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
7886autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
7887script displays: >
7888
7889 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
7890<
7891 *except-autocmd-Post*
7892For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
7893command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
7894an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
7895is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
7896 Example: >
7897
7898 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
7899 :
7900 :try
7901 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7902 :catch
7903 : echo v:exception
7904 :endtry
7905
7906This just displays: >
7907
7908 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
7909
7910If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
7911fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
7912 Example: >
7913
7914 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
7915 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
7916 :
7917 :try
7918 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7919 :catch
7920 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7921 :endtry
7922<
7923You can also use ":silent!": >
7924
7925 :let x = "ok"
7926 :let v:errmsg = ""
7927 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
7928 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
7929 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
7930 :try
7931 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7932 :catch
7933 :endtry
7934 :echo x
7935
7936This displays "after fail".
7937
7938If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
7939autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
7940
7941 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
7942 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
7943 :
7944 :try
7945 : write
7946 :catch
7947 : echo v:exception
7948 :endtry
7949<
7950 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
7951For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
7952autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
7953of the command.
7954 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007955had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007956some way. >
7957
7958 :if !exists("cnt")
7959 : let cnt = 0
7960 :
7961 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
7962 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
7963 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
7964 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7965 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7966 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
7967 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
7968 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7969 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7970 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
7971 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7972 :endif
7973 :
7974 :try
7975 : write
7976 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
7977 : if &modified
7978 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
7979 : else
7980 : echo "Error after writing"
7981 : endif
7982 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7983 : echo "Error on writing"
7984 :endtry
7985
7986When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
7987first >
7988 File successfully written!
7989then >
7990 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
7991then >
7992 Error after writing
7993etc.
7994
7995 *except-autocmd-ill*
7996You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
7997The following code is ill-formed: >
7998
7999 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
8000 :
8001 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
8002 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
8003 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
8004 :
8005 :write
8006
8007
8008EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
8009
8010Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
8011pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
8012similar things in Vim.
8013 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
8014class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
8015string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
8016 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
8017it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
8018for an error when writing "myfile".
8019 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
8020base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
8021parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
8022 Example: >
8023
8024 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
8025 : if a:a < 0
8026 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
8027 : endif
8028 :endfunction
8029 :
8030 :function! Add(a, b)
8031 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
8032 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
8033 : let c = a:a + a:b
8034 : if c < 0
8035 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
8036 : endif
8037 : return c
8038 :endfunction
8039 :
8040 :function! Div(a, b)
8041 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
8042 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
8043 : if (a:b == 0)
8044 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
8045 : endif
8046 : return a:a / a:b
8047 :endfunction
8048 :
8049 :function! Write(file)
8050 : try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008051 : execute "write" fnameescape(a:file)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008052 : catch /^Vim(write):/
8053 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
8054 : endtry
8055 :endfunction
8056 :
8057 :try
8058 :
8059 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
8060 :
8061 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
8062 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
8063 : echo "Range error in" function
8064 :
8065 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
8066 : echo "Math error"
8067 :
8068 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
8069 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
8070 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
8071 : if file !~ '^/'
8072 : let file = dir . "/" . file
8073 : endif
8074 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
8075 :
8076 :catch /^EXCEPT/
8077 : echo "Unspecified error"
8078 :
8079 :endtry
8080
8081The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
8082a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
8083exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
8084 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
8085failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
8086
8087
8088PECULIARITIES
8089 *except-compat*
8090The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
8091exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
8092and/or a catch clause.
8093
8094In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
8095continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
8096after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
8097functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
8098or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
8099(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
8100
8101This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
8102immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008103conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
8104be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008105termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
8106catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
8107by specifying a finally clause.)
8108
8109When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
8110behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
8111scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
8112
8113However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
8114commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
8115conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
8116script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
8117error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
8118messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008119|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
8120not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008121where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
8122error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
8123scripts.
8124
8125 *except-syntax-err*
8126Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
8127the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
8128clauses, however, is executed.
8129 Example: >
8130
8131 :try
8132 : try
8133 : throw 4711
8134 : catch /\(/
8135 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
8136 : catch
8137 : echo "inner catch-all"
8138 : finally
8139 : echo "inner finally"
8140 : endtry
8141 :catch
8142 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
8143 : finally
8144 : echo "outer finally"
8145 :endtry
8146
8147This displays: >
8148 inner finally
8149 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
8150 outer finally
8151The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
8152
8153 *except-single-line*
8154The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
8155a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
8156"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
8157 Example: >
8158 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
8159raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
8160argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
8161error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
8162displayed.
8163
8164 *except-several-errors*
8165When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
8166usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
8167 Example: >
8168 echo novar
8169causes >
8170 E121: Undefined variable: novar
8171 E15: Invalid expression: novar
8172The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
8173 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
8174< *except-syntax-error*
8175But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
8176the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
8177 Example: >
8178 unlet novar #
8179causes >
8180 E108: No such variable: "novar"
8181 E488: Trailing characters
8182The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
8183 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
8184This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
8185not intended by the user. Example: >
8186 try
8187 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
8188 catch /.*/
8189 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
8190 endtry
8191This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
8192a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
8193
8194==============================================================================
81959. Examples *eval-examples*
8196
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008197Printing in Binary ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008198>
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01008199 :" The function Nr2Bin() returns the binary string representation of a number.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008200 :func Nr2Bin(nr)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008201 : let n = a:nr
8202 : let r = ""
8203 : while n
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008204 : let r = '01'[n % 2] . r
8205 : let n = n / 2
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008206 : endwhile
8207 : return r
8208 :endfunc
8209
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008210 :" The function String2Bin() converts each character in a string to a
8211 :" binary string, separated with dashes.
8212 :func String2Bin(str)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008213 : let out = ''
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008214 : for ix in range(strlen(a:str))
8215 : let out = out . '-' . Nr2Bin(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
8216 : endfor
8217 : return out[1:]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008218 :endfunc
8219
8220Example of its use: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008221 :echo Nr2Bin(32)
8222result: "100000" >
8223 :echo String2Bin("32")
8224result: "110011-110010"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008225
8226
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008227Sorting lines ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008228
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008229This example sorts lines with a specific compare function. >
8230
8231 :func SortBuffer()
8232 : let lines = getline(1, '$')
8233 : call sort(lines, function("Strcmp"))
8234 : call setline(1, lines)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008235 :endfunction
8236
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008237As a one-liner: >
8238 :call setline(1, sort(getline(1, '$'), function("Strcmp")))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008239
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008240
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008241scanf() replacement ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008242 *sscanf*
8243There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
8244line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
8245how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
8246"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
8247 :" Set up the match bit
8248 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
8249 :"get the part matching the whole expression
8250 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
8251 :"get each item out of the match
8252 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
8253 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
8254 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
8255
8256The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
8257"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
8258
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008259
8260getting the scriptnames in a Dictionary ~
8261 *scriptnames-dictionary*
8262The |:scriptnames| command can be used to get a list of all script files that
8263have been sourced. There is no equivalent function or variable for this
8264(because it's rarely needed). In case you need to manipulate the list this
8265code can be used: >
8266 " Get the output of ":scriptnames" in the scriptnames_output variable.
8267 let scriptnames_output = ''
8268 redir => scriptnames_output
8269 silent scriptnames
8270 redir END
8271
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008272 " Split the output into lines and parse each line. Add an entry to the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008273 " "scripts" dictionary.
8274 let scripts = {}
8275 for line in split(scriptnames_output, "\n")
8276 " Only do non-blank lines.
8277 if line =~ '\S'
8278 " Get the first number in the line.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008279 let nr = matchstr(line, '\d\+')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008280 " Get the file name, remove the script number " 123: ".
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008281 let name = substitute(line, '.\+:\s*', '', '')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008282 " Add an item to the Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008283 let scripts[nr] = name
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008284 endif
8285 endfor
8286 unlet scriptnames_output
8287
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008288==============================================================================
828910. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
8290
8291When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
8292evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
8293to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
8294recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
8295and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
8296only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
8297recognized.
8298
8299Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
8300missing: >
8301
8302 :if 1
8303 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
8304 :else
8305 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
8306 :endif
8307
8308==============================================================================
830911. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
8310
Bram Moolenaar368373e2010-07-19 20:46:22 +02008311The 'foldexpr', 'formatexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and
8312'foldtext' options may be evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are
8313protected from these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some
8314safety for when these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when
8315the command from a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00008316The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008317
8318These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
8319 - changing the buffer text
8320 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
8321 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008322 - setting certain v: variables (see |v:var|) *E794*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008323 - executing a shell command
8324 - reading or writing a file
8325 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00008326 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00008327This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
8328
8329 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00008330:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00008331 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
8332 'foldexpr'.
8333
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008334 *sandbox-option*
8335A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00008336have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008337restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
8338location. Insecure in this context are:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00008339- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directory
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008340- while executing in the sandbox
8341- value coming from a modeline
8342
8343Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
8344option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
8345
8346==============================================================================
834712. Textlock *textlock*
8348
8349In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
8350to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
8351is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008352actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008353happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
8354
8355This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
8356 - changing the buffer text
8357 - jumping to another buffer or window
8358 - editing another file
8359 - closing a window or quitting Vim
8360 - etc.
8361
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008362
8363 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: