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Bram Moolenaar257a9c82010-08-04 19:29:04 +02001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.3e. Last change: 2010 Aug 04
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
66the 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
73the 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
81
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==============================================================================
11183. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1119 *E461*
1120An 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
1173without the +windows feature}
1174
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.
1511 {only when compiled with the +viminfo feature}
1512
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
1660==============================================================================
16614. Builtin Functions *functions*
1662
1663See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1664
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001665(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001666
1667USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1668
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001669abs( {expr}) Float or Number absolute value of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001670acos( {expr}) Float arc cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001671add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001672append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001673append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001674argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001675argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001676argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001677argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001678asin( {expr}) Float arc sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001679atan( {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001680atan2( {expr}, {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001681browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1682 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001683browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001684bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001685buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1686bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001687bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1688bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1689bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1690byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001691byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001692call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1693 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001694ceil( {expr}) Float round {expr} up
1695changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001696char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001697cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001698clearmatches() none clear all matches
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001699col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001700complete( {startcol}, {matches}) none set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001701complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001702complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001703confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1704 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001705copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001706cos( {expr}) Float cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001707cosh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001708count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1709 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001710cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1711 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001712cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {coladd}])
1713 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {coladd}
1714cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001715deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001716delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1717did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001718diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1719diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001720empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001721escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001722eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001723eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001724executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1725exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001726extend( {expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001727 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001728exp( {expr}) Float exponential of {expr}
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00001729expand( {expr} [, {flag}]) String expand special keywords in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001730feedkeys( {string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001731filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001732filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001733filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1734 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001735finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001736 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001737findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001738 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001739float2nr( {expr}) Number convert Float {expr} to a Number
1740floor( {expr}) Float round {expr} down
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001741fmod( {expr1}, {expr2}) Float remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00001742fnameescape( {fname}) String escape special characters in {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001743fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001744foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1745foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001746foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001747foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001748foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001749foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001750function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00001751garbagecollect( [at_exit]) none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001752get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001753get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001754getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1755 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001756getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001757getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1758getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001759getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1760getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001761getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001762getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001763getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1764getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001765getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001766getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001767getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001768getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1769getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001770getloclist( {nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001771getmatches() List list of current matches
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00001772getpid() Number process ID of Vim
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001773getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001774getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001775getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001776getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02001777gettabvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in tab {nr}
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001778gettabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {name})
1779 any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001780getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1781getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001782getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00001783glob( {expr} [, {flag}]) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1784globpath( {path}, {expr} [, {flag}])
1785 String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001786has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001787has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00001788haslocaldir() Number TRUE if current window executed |:lcd|
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001789hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1790 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001791histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1792histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1793histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1794histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1795hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1796hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1797hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001798iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1799indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001800index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1801 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001802input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1803 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001804inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001805inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001806inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1807inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001808inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001809insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001810isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001811islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001812items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001813join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001814keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001815len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1816libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001817libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1818line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1819line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001820lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001821localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001822log( {expr}) Float natural logarithm (base e) of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001823log10( {expr}) Float logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001824map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001825maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1826 String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1827mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1828 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001829match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001830 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001831matchadd( {group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
1832 Number highlight {pattern} with {group}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001833matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001834matchdelete( {id}) Number delete match identified by {id}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001835matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001836 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001837matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1838 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001839matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1840 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001841max( {list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1842min( {list}) Number minimum value of items in {list}
1843mkdir( {name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001844 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001845mode( [expr]) String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01001846mzeval( {expr}) any evaluate |MzScheme| expression
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001847nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1848nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001849pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001850pow( {x}, {y}) Float {x} to the power of {y}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001851prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001852printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
1853pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001854range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1855 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001856readfile( {fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001857 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00001858reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
1859reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001860remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1861 String send expression
1862remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1863remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1864 Number check for reply string
1865remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1866remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1867 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001868remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001869remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001870rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1871repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1872resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001873reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001874round( {expr}) Float round off {expr}
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001875search( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
1876 Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001877searchdecl( {name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001878 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001879searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001880 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001881searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001882 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001883searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001884 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001885server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1886 Number send reply string
1887serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1888setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1889setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1890setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001891setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1892 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001893setmatches( {list}) Number restore a list of matches
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001894setpos( {expr}, {list}) Number set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001895setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001896setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02001897settabvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in tab page {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001898settabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window
1899 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001900setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00001901shellescape( {string} [, {special}])
1902 String escape {string} for use as shell
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00001903 command argument
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001904simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001905sin( {expr}) Float sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001906sinh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001907sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001908soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001909spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001910spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1911 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001912split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001913 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001914sqrt( {expr} Float squar root of {expr}
1915str2float( {expr}) Float convert String to Float
1916str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert String to Number
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02001917strchars( {expr}) Number character length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02001918strdisplaywidth( {expr} [, {col}]) Number display length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001919strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001920stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1921 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001922string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001923strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1924strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1925 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001926strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1927 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001928strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02001929strwidth( {expr}) Number display cell length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001930submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001931substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1932 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001933synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001934synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1935 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1936synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001937synstack( {lnum}, {col}) List stack of syntax IDs at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001938system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001939tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1940tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1941tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1942 Number number of current window in tab page
1943taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001944tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001945tempname() String name for a temporary file
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001946tan( {expr}) Float tangent of {expr}
1947tanh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001948tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1949toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001950tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1951 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001952trunc( {expr} Float truncate Float {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001953type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02001954undofile( {name}) String undo file name for {name}
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02001955undotree() List undo file tree
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001956values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001957virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1958visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1959winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1960wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1961winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1962winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001963winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001964winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001965winrestview( {dict}) none restore view of current window
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00001966winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001967winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001968writefile( {list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001969 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001970
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001971abs({expr}) *abs()*
1972 Return the absolute value of {expr}. When {expr} evaluates to
1973 a |Float| abs() returns a |Float|. When {expr} can be
1974 converted to a |Number| abs() returns a |Number|. Otherwise
1975 abs() gives an error message and returns -1.
1976 Examples: >
1977 echo abs(1.456)
1978< 1.456 >
1979 echo abs(-5.456)
1980< 5.456 >
1981 echo abs(-4)
1982< 4
1983 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
1984
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001985
1986acos({expr}) *acos()*
1987 Return the arc cosine of {expr} measured in radians, as a
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02001988 |Float| in the range of [0, pi].
1989 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001990 [-1, 1].
1991 Examples: >
1992 :echo acos(0)
1993< 1.570796 >
1994 :echo acos(-0.5)
1995< 2.094395
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02001996 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001997
1998
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001999add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002000 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
2001 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002002 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
2003 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002004< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002005 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002006 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002007
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002008
2009append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002010 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
2011 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002012 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
2013 the current buffer.
2014 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002015 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002016 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002017 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002018 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002019<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002020 *argc()*
2021argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
2022 current window. See |arglist|.
2023
2024 *argidx()*
2025argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
2026 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
2027
2028 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00002029argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002030 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
2031 Example: >
2032 :let i = 0
2033 :while i < argc()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002034 : let f = escape(fnameescape(argv(i)), '.')
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002035 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
2036 : let i = i + 1
2037 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00002038< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
2039 returned.
2040
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002041asin({expr}) *asin()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002042 Return the arc sine of {expr} measured in radians, as a |Float|
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002043 in the range of [-pi/2, pi/2].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002044 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002045 [-1, 1].
2046 Examples: >
2047 :echo asin(0.8)
2048< 0.927295 >
2049 :echo asin(-0.5)
2050< -0.523599
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002051 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002052
2053
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002054atan({expr}) *atan()*
2055 Return the principal value of the arc tangent of {expr}, in
2056 the range [-pi/2, +pi/2] radians, as a |Float|.
2057 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2058 Examples: >
2059 :echo atan(100)
2060< 1.560797 >
2061 :echo atan(-4.01)
2062< -1.326405
2063 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2064
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002065
2066atan2({expr1}, {expr2}) *atan2()*
2067 Return the arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}, measured in
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002068 radians, as a |Float| in the range [-pi, pi].
2069 {expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002070 Examples: >
2071 :echo atan2(-1, 1)
2072< -0.785398 >
2073 :echo atan2(1, -1)
2074< 2.356194
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002075 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002076
2077
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002078 *browse()*
2079browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
2080 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
2081 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2082 The input fields are:
2083 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
2084 {title} title for the requester
2085 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2086 {default} default file name
2087 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2088 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2089
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002090 *browsedir()*
2091browsedir({title}, {initdir})
2092 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
2093 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2094 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
2095 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
2096 to be used.
2097 The input fields are:
2098 {title} title for the requester
2099 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2100 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2101 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2102
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002103bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
2104 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2105 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002106 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002107 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002108 exactly. The name can be:
2109 - Relative to the current directory.
2110 - A full path.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002111 - The name of a buffer with 'buftype' set to "nofile".
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002112 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002113 Unlisted buffers will be found.
2114 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
2115 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
2116 long name to be able to find them.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002117 bufexists() may report a buffer exists, but to use the name
2118 with a |:buffer| command you may need to use |expand()|. Esp
2119 for MS-Windows 8.3 names in the form "c:\DOCUME~1"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002120 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
2121 file name.
2122 *buffer_exists()*
2123 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
2124
2125buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
2126 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2127 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002128 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002129
2130bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
2131 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2132 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002133 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002134
2135bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
2136 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
2137 ":ls" command.
2138 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
2139 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
2140 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002141 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002142 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
2143 match an empty string is returned.
2144 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
2145 alternate buffer.
2146 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002147 or middle of the buffer name is accepted. If you only want a
2148 full match then put "^" at the start and "$" at the end of the
2149 pattern.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002150 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
2151 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
2152 buffers are searched for.
2153 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
2154 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
2155 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
2156< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
2157 string is returned. >
2158 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
2159 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
2160 bufname("%") name of current buffer
2161 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
2162< *buffer_name()*
2163 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
2164
2165 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002166bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
2167 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002168 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002169 above.
2170 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
2171 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
2172 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002173 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
2174 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
2175< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
2176 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
2177 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
2178 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
2179 *buffer_number()*
2180 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
2181 *last_buffer_nr()*
2182 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
2183
2184bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
2185 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
2186 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002187 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002188 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
2189
2190 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
2191
2192< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
2193 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002194 Only deals with the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002195
2196
2197byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
2198 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
2199 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
2200 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
2201 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
2202 one.
2203 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
2204 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
2205 feature}
2206
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00002207byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
2208 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
2209 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
2210 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
2211 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
2212 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
2213 Example : >
2214 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
2215< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
2216 same: >
2217 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
2218 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
2219< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
2220 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
2221 is returned.
2222
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002223call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002224 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002225 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002226 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002227 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
2228 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002229 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
2230 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002231
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002232ceil({expr}) *ceil()*
2233 Return the smallest integral value greater than or equal to
2234 {expr} as a |Float| (round up).
2235 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2236 Examples: >
2237 echo ceil(1.456)
2238< 2.0 >
2239 echo ceil(-5.456)
2240< -5.0 >
2241 echo ceil(4.0)
2242< 4.0
2243 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2244
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00002245changenr() *changenr()*
2246 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
2247 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
2248 with the |:undo| command.
2249 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
2250 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
2251 one less than the number of the undone change.
2252
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002253char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
2254 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
2255 char2nr(" ") returns 32
2256 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
2257< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002258 char2nr("á") returns 225
2259 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002260< |nr2char()| does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002261
2262cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
2263 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
2264 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
2265 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
2266 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
2267 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
2268 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00002269 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002270
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00002271clearmatches() *clearmatches()*
2272 Clears all matches previously defined by |matchadd()| and the
2273 |:match| commands.
2274
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002275 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00002276col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002277 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2278 . the cursor position
2279 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
2280 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
2281 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2282 returned)
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002283 Additionally {expr} can be [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line
2284 and column number. Most useful when the column is "$", to get
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002285 the last column of a specific line. When "lnum" or "col" is
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002286 out of range then col() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002287 To get the line number use |line()|. To get both use
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002288 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002289 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
2290 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2291 Examples: >
2292 col(".") column of cursor
2293 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
2294 col("'t") column of mark t
2295 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002296< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002297 For an uppercase mark the column may actually be in another
2298 buffer.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002299 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
2300 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
2301 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
2302 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
2303 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
2304 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
2305 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
2306<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002307
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002308complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
2309 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2310 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002311 with CTRL-R = |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O or
2312 with an expression mapping.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002313 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2314 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2315 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2316 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2317 match.
2318 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2319 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2320 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002321 inserting anything that would cause completion to stop.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002322 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2323 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2324 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2325 Example: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002326 inoremap <F5> <C-R>=ListMonths()<CR>
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002327
2328 func! ListMonths()
2329 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2330 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2331 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2332 return ''
2333 endfunc
2334< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2335 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2336
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002337complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2338 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2339 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2340 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2341 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2342 the list.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002343 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002344 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002345
2346complete_check() *complete_check()*
2347 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2348 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2349 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2350 zero otherwise.
2351 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2352 'completefunc' option.
2353
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002354 *confirm()*
2355confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2356 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2357 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2358 choice this is 1.
2359 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2360 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002361
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002362 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2363 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2364 used (and translated).
2365 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2366 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002367
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002368 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2369 by '\n', e.g. >
2370 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2371< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2372 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2373 not need to be the first letter: >
2374 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2375< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2376 the default shortcut key.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002377
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002378 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2379 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2380 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2381 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002382
2383 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
2384 is only used for the icon of the GTK, Mac, Motif and Win32
2385 GUI. It can be one of these values: "Error", "Question",
2386 "Info", "Warning" or "Generic". Only the first character is
2387 relevant. When {type} is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2388
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002389 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2390 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2391
2392 An example: >
2393 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2394 :if choice == 0
2395 : echo "make up your mind!"
2396 :elseif choice == 3
2397 : echo "tasteful"
2398 :else
2399 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2400 :endif
2401< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2402 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002403 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002404 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2405 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2406 the horizontal layout is always used.
2407
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002408 *copy()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002409copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002410 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002411 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2412 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002413 copy, and vice versa. But the items are identical, thus
2414 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002415 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002416
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002417cos({expr}) *cos()*
2418 Return the cosine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
2419 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2420 Examples: >
2421 :echo cos(100)
2422< 0.862319 >
2423 :echo cos(-4.01)
2424< -0.646043
2425 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2426
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002427
2428cosh({expr}) *cosh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002429 Return the hyperbolic cosine of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002430 [1, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002431 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002432 Examples: >
2433 :echo cosh(0.5)
2434< 1.127626 >
2435 :echo cosh(-0.5)
2436< -1.127626
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002437 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002438
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002439
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002440count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002441 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002442 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002443 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002444 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002445 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2446
2447
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002448 *cscope_connection()*
2449cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2450 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2451 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2452 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2453 if there are no cscope connections;
2454 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2455
2456 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2457 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2458
2459 {num} Description of existence check
2460 ----- ------------------------------
2461 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2462 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2463 {dbpath}.
2464 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2465 {dbpath}.
2466 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2467 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2468 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2469 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2470
2471 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2472
2473 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2474
2475 # pid database name prepend path
2476 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2477<
2478 Invocation Return Val ~
2479 ---------- ---------- >
2480 cscope_connection() 1
2481 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2482 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2483 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2484 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2485 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2486 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2487 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2488<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002489cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2490cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002491 Positions the cursor at the column (byte count) {col} in the
2492 line {lnum}. The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002493 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002494 with two or three items {lnum}, {col} and {off}. This is like
2495 the return value of |getpos()|, but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002496 Does not change the jumplist.
2497 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2498 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2499 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002500 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002501 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2502 line.
2503 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002504 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2505 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00002506 position within a <Tab> or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar798b30b2009-04-22 10:56:16 +00002507 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002508
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002509
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002510deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002511 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002512 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002513 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2514 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002515 copy, and vice versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002516 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002517 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2518 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2519 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2520 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2521 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2522 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002523 *E724*
2524 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002525 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2526 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002527 Also see |copy()|.
2528
2529delete({fname}) *delete()*
2530 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002531 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2532 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002533 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002534
2535 *did_filetype()*
2536did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2537 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2538 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2539 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2540 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2541 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2542 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2543 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2544 file.
2545
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002546diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2547 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2548 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2549 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2550 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2551 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2552 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2553 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2554
2555diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2556 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2557 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2558 diff change zero is returned.
2559 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2560 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2561 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2562 line.
2563 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2564 syntax information about the highlighting.
2565
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002566empty({expr}) *empty()*
2567 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002568 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002569 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002570 For a long |List| this is much faster than comparing the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002571 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002572
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002573escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2574 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2575 backslash. Example: >
2576 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2577< results in: >
2578 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002579< Also see |shellescape()|.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002580
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002581 *eval()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002582eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2583 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002584 This works for Numbers, Floats, Strings and composites of
2585 them. Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing
2586 functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002587
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002588eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2589 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2590 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2591 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2592 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2593
2594executable({expr}) *executable()*
2595 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2596 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002597 arguments.
2598 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2599 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2600 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2601 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002602 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2603 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002604 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002605 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002606 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2607 extension.
2608 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2609 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002610 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2611 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2612 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002613 The result is a Number:
2614 1 exists
2615 0 does not exist
2616 -1 not implemented on this system
2617
2618 *exists()*
2619exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2620 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2621 which contains one of these:
2622 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2623 not if it really works)
2624 +option-name Vim option that works.
2625 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2626 done by comparing with an empty
2627 string)
2628 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2629 or user defined function (see
2630 |user-functions|).
2631 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002632 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002633 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2634 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00002635 that evaluating an index may cause an
2636 error message for an invalid
2637 expression. E.g.: >
2638 :let l = [1, 2, 3]
2639 :echo exists("l[5]")
2640< 0 >
2641 :echo exists("l[xx]")
2642< E121: Undefined variable: xx
2643 0
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002644 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2645 command or command modifier |:command|.
2646 Returns:
2647 1 for match with start of a command
2648 2 full match with a command
2649 3 matches several user commands
2650 To check for a supported command
2651 always check the return value to be 2.
Bram Moolenaar14716812006-05-04 21:54:08 +00002652 :2match The |:2match| command.
2653 :3match The |:3match| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002654 #event autocommand defined for this event
2655 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2656 pattern (the pattern is taken
2657 literally and compared to the
2658 autocommand patterns character by
2659 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002660 #group autocommand group exists
2661 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2662 event.
2663 #group#event#pattern
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002664 autocommand defined for this group,
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002665 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002666 ##event autocommand for this event is
2667 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002668 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2669
2670 Examples: >
2671 exists("&shortname")
2672 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2673 exists("*strftime")
2674 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2675 exists("bufcount")
2676 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002677 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002678 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002679 exists("#filetypeindent")
2680 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2681 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002682 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002683< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2684 name.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002685 There must be no extra characters after the name, although in
2686 a few cases this is ignored. That may become more strict in
2687 the future, thus don't count on it!
2688 Working example: >
2689 exists(":make")
2690< NOT working example: >
2691 exists(":make install")
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00002692
2693< Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2694 variable itself. For example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002695 exists(bufcount)
2696< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00002697 but gets the value of "bufcount", and checks if that exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002698
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002699exp({expr}) *exp()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002700 Return the exponential of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002701 [0, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002702 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002703 Examples: >
2704 :echo exp(2)
2705< 7.389056 >
2706 :echo exp(-1)
2707< 0.367879
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002708 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002709
2710
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002711expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2712 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2713 The result is a String.
2714
2715 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2716 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2717 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2718
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002719 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002720 for a non-existing file is not included.
2721
2722 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2723 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2724 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2725
2726 % current file name
2727 # alternate file name
2728 #n alternate file name n
2729 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2730 <afile> autocmd file name
2731 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2732 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2733 <sfile> sourced script file name
2734 <cword> word under the cursor
2735 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2736 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2737 message |server2client()|
2738 Modifiers:
2739 :p expand to full path
2740 :h head (last path component removed)
2741 :t tail (last path component only)
2742 :r root (one extension removed)
2743 :e extension only
2744
2745 Example: >
2746 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2747< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2748 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2749 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2750< Use this: >
2751 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2752< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2753 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2754 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2755 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2756 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2757<
2758 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2759 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2760 to modify normal file names.
2761
2762 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2763 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2764 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2765 '/' added.
2766
2767 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2768 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2769 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2770 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002771 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2772 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2773 files in the current directory and below: >
2774 :echo expand("**/README")
2775<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002776 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2777 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002778 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002779 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002780 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002781 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2782 "$FOOBAR".
2783
2784 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2785 getting the raw output of an external command.
2786
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002787extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002788 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
2789 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002790
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002791 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002792 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2793 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2794 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2795 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002796 Examples: >
2797 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2798 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaardc9cf9c2008-08-08 10:36:31 +00002799< When {expr1} is the same List as {expr2} then the number of
2800 items copied is equal to the original length of the List.
2801 E.g., when {expr3} is 1 you get N new copies of the first item
2802 (where N is the original length of the List).
2803 Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002804 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002805 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002806<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002807 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002808 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2809 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2810 used to decide what to do:
2811 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2812 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002813 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002814 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2815
2816 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2817 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2818 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2819 Returns {expr1}.
2820
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002821
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002822feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) *feedkeys()*
2823 Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002824 come from a mapping or were typed by the user. They are added
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002825 to the end of the typeahead buffer, thus if a mapping is still
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002826 being executed these characters come after them.
2827 The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
2828 {string}.
2829 To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
2830 and "\..." notation |expr-quote|. For example,
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00002831 feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the <Enter> key. But
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002832 feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
2833 If {mode} is absent, keys are remapped.
2834 {mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00002835 'm' Remap keys. This is default.
2836 'n' Do not remap keys.
2837 't' Handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
2838 if coming from a mapping. This matters for undo,
2839 opening folds, etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002840 Return value is always 0.
2841
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002842filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2843 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2844 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2845 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2846 expression, which is used as a String.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002847 If you don't care about the file being readable you can use
2848 |glob()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002849 *file_readable()*
2850 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2851
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002852
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002853filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2854 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2855 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002856 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If {file} is a
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002857 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2858
2859
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002860filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002861 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002862 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002863 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002864 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002865 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002866 Examples: >
2867 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2868< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2869 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2870< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2871 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002872< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002873
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002874 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2875 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2876 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2877
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002878 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2879 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002880 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002881
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002882< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002883 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2884 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002885
2886
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002887finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar5b6b1ca2007-03-27 08:19:43 +00002888 Find directory {name} in {path}. Supports both downwards and
2889 upwards recursive directory searches. See |file-searching|
2890 for the syntax of {path}.
2891 Returns the path of the first found match. When the found
2892 directory is below the current directory a relative path is
2893 returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002894 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2895 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002896 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00002897 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002898 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002899 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2900
2901findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2902 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002903 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
2904 Example: >
2905 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002906< Searches from the directory of the current file upwards until
2907 it finds the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002908
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002909float2nr({expr}) *float2nr()*
2910 Convert {expr} to a Number by omitting the part after the
2911 decimal point.
2912 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a Number.
2913 When the value of {expr} is out of range for a |Number| the
2914 result is truncated to 0x7fffffff or -0x7fffffff. NaN results
2915 in -0x80000000.
2916 Examples: >
2917 echo float2nr(3.95)
2918< 3 >
2919 echo float2nr(-23.45)
2920< -23 >
2921 echo float2nr(1.0e100)
2922< 2147483647 >
2923 echo float2nr(-1.0e150)
2924< -2147483647 >
2925 echo float2nr(1.0e-100)
2926< 0
2927 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2928
2929
2930floor({expr}) *floor()*
2931 Return the largest integral value less than or equal to
2932 {expr} as a |Float| (round down).
2933 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2934 Examples: >
2935 echo floor(1.856)
2936< 1.0 >
2937 echo floor(-5.456)
2938< -6.0 >
2939 echo floor(4.0)
2940< 4.0
2941 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2942
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002943
2944fmod({expr1}, {expr2}) *fmod()*
2945 Return the remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}, even if the
2946 division is not representable. Returns {expr1} - i * {expr2}
2947 for some integer i such that if {expr2} is non-zero, the
2948 result has the same sign as {expr1} and magnitude less than
2949 the magnitude of {expr2}. If {expr2} is zero, the value
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002950 returned is zero. The value returned is a |Float|.
2951 {expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002952 Examples: >
2953 :echo fmod(12.33, 1.22)
2954< 0.13 >
2955 :echo fmod(-12.33, 1.22)
2956< -0.13
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002957 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002958
2959
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002960fnameescape({string}) *fnameescape()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002961 Escape {string} for use as file name command argument. All
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002962 characters that have a special meaning, such as '%' and '|'
2963 are escaped with a backslash.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002964 For most systems the characters escaped are
2965 " \t\n*?[{`$\\%#'\"|!<". For systems where a backslash
2966 appears in a filename, it depends on the value of 'isfname'.
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002967 A leading '+' and '>' is also escaped (special after |:edit|
2968 and |:write|). And a "-" by itself (special after |:cd|).
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002969 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002970 :let fname = '+some str%nge|name'
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002971 :exe "edit " . fnameescape(fname)
2972< results in executing: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002973 edit \+some\ str\%nge\|name
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002974
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002975fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2976 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2977 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2978 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2979 Example: >
2980 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2981< results in: >
2982 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002983< Note: Environment variables don't work in {fname}, use
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002984 |expand()| first then.
2985
2986foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2987 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2988 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2989 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2990
2991foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2992 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2993 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2994 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2995
2996foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2997 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002998 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002999 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
3000 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
3001 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
3002 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
3003 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
3004 previous line is usually available.
3005
3006 *foldtext()*
3007foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
3008 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
3009 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
3010 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
3011 The returned string looks like this: >
3012 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003013< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003014 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
3015 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
3016 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
3017 options is removed.
3018 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
3019
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00003020foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
3021 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
3022 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
3023 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
3024 returned.
3025 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
3026 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
3027 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
3028 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
3029
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003030 *foreground()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003031foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003032 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
3033 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
3034 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
3035 |remote_foreground()| instead.
3036 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3037 Win32 console version}
3038
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003039
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003040function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003041 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003042 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
3043
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003044
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00003045garbagecollect([at_exit]) *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003046 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00003047 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
3048 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
3049 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
3050 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
3051 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003052 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
3053 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
3054 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00003055 When the optional "at_exit" argument is one, garbage
3056 collection will also be done when exiting Vim, if it wasn't
3057 done before. This is useful when checking for memory leaks.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00003058
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003059get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003060 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003061 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
3062 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003063get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003064 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003065 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
3066 {default} is omitted.
3067
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003068 *getbufline()*
3069getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003070 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
3071 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
3072 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003073
3074 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3075
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00003076 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
3077 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003078
3079 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003080 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003081
3082 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
3083 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003084 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003085 returned.
3086
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00003087 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003088 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003089
3090 Example: >
3091 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003092
3093getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
3094 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
3095 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
3096 must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003097 When {varname} is empty returns a dictionary with all the
3098 buffer-local variables.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00003099 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
3100 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
3101 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003102 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3103 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
3104 returned, there is no error message.
3105 Examples: >
3106 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
3107 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
3108<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003109getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003110 Get a single character from the user or input stream.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003111 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
3112 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003113 Return zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003114 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003115 not consumed. Return zero if no character available.
3116
3117 Without {expr} and when {expr} is 0 a whole character or
3118 special key is returned. If it is an 8-bit character, the
3119 result is a number. Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
3120 Otherwise a String is returned with the encoded character.
3121 For a special key it's a sequence of bytes starting with 0x80
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003122 (decimal: 128). This is the same value as the string
3123 "\<Key>", e.g., "\<Left>". The returned value is also a
3124 String when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used that is
3125 not included in the character.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003126
3127 When {expr} is 1 only the first byte is returned. For a
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003128 one-byte character it is the character itself as a number.
3129 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003130
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003131 When the user clicks a mouse button, the mouse event will be
3132 returned. The position can then be found in |v:mouse_col|,
3133 |v:mouse_lnum| and |v:mouse_win|. This example positions the
3134 mouse as it would normally happen: >
3135 let c = getchar()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003136 if c == "\<LeftMouse>" && v:mouse_win > 0
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003137 exe v:mouse_win . "wincmd w"
3138 exe v:mouse_lnum
3139 exe "normal " . v:mouse_col . "|"
3140 endif
3141<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003142 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
3143 user that a character has to be typed.
3144 There is no mapping for the character.
3145 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
3146 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
3147 sequence. Examples: >
3148 getchar() == "\<Del>"
3149 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
3150< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
3151 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
3152 :function FindChar()
3153 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
3154 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
3155 : normal l
3156 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
3157 : break
3158 : endif
3159 : endwhile
3160 :endfunction
3161
3162getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
3163 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
3164 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
3165 These values are added together:
3166 2 shift
3167 4 control
3168 8 alt (meta)
3169 16 mouse double click
3170 32 mouse triple click
3171 64 mouse quadruple click
3172 128 Macintosh only: command
3173 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003174 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003175 without a modifier.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003176
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003177getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
3178 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
3179 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
3180 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
3181 Example: >
3182 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003183< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003184
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003185getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003186 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
3187 byte count. The first column is 1.
3188 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
3189 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003190 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
3191
3192getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
3193 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
3194 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003195 : normal Ex command
3196 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
3197 / forward search command
3198 ? backward search command
3199 @ |input()| command
3200 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003201 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
3202 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
3203 otherwise.
3204 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003205
3206 *getcwd()*
3207getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
3208 working directory.
3209
3210getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
3211 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
3212 given file {fname}.
3213 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
3214 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard827ada2007-06-19 15:19:55 +00003215 If the size of {fname} is too big to fit in a Number then -2
3216 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003217
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003218getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
3219 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
3220 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
3221 |hl-Normal|.
3222 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
3223 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
3224 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
3225 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00003226 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003227 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
3228 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003229 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
3230 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003231
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003232getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
3233 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
3234 permissions of the given file {fname}.
3235 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
3236 empty string is returned.
3237 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
3238 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
3239 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
3240 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
3241 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
3242 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
3243< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
3244 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003245
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003246getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
3247 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
3248 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
3249 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
3250 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
3251 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
3252
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003253getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
3254 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
3255 file of the given file {fname}.
3256 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
3257 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
3258 results:
3259 Normal file "file"
3260 Directory "dir"
3261 Symbolic link "link"
3262 Block device "bdev"
3263 Character device "cdev"
3264 Socket "socket"
3265 FIFO "fifo"
3266 All other "other"
3267 Example: >
3268 getftype("/home")
3269< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
3270 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
3271 "file" are returned.
3272
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003273 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003274getline({lnum} [, {end}])
3275 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
3276 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003277 getline(1)
3278< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
3279 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
3280 To get the line under the cursor: >
3281 getline(".")
3282< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
3283 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
3284
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003285 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
3286 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003287 including line {end}.
3288 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
3289 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003290 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003291 Example: >
3292 :let start = line('.')
3293 :let end = search("^$") - 1
3294 :let lines = getline(start, end)
3295
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003296< To get lines from another buffer see |getbufline()|
3297
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00003298getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
3299 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
3300 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
3301 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003302 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003303 returned. Otherwise, same as |getqflist()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003304
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003305getmatches() *getmatches()*
3306 Returns a |List| with all matches previously defined by
3307 |matchadd()| and the |:match| commands. |getmatches()| is
3308 useful in combination with |setmatches()|, as |setmatches()|
3309 can restore a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|.
3310 Example: >
3311 :echo getmatches()
3312< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3313 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3314 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3315 :let m = getmatches()
3316 :call clearmatches()
3317 :echo getmatches()
3318< [] >
3319 :call setmatches(m)
3320 :echo getmatches()
3321< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3322 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3323 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3324 :unlet m
3325<
3326
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003327getqflist() *getqflist()*
3328 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
3329 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
3330 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
3331 bufname() to get the name
3332 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
3333 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003334 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
3335 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003336 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003337 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003338 text description of the error
3339 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
3340 valid non-zero: recognized error message
3341
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003342 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003343 returned. Quickfix list entries with non-existing buffer
3344 number are returned with "bufnr" set to zero.
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003345
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003346 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
3347 do something with them: >
3348 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
3349 :for d in getqflist()
3350 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
3351 :endfor
3352
3353
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003354getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003355 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003356 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003357 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
3358< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003359 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003360 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
3361 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
3362 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003363 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3364
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003365
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003366getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
3367 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
3368 The value will be one of:
3369 "v" for |characterwise| text
3370 "V" for |linewise| text
3371 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
3372 0 for an empty or unknown register
3373 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
3374 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3375
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02003376gettabvar({tabnr}, {varname}) *gettabvar()*
3377 Get the value of a tab-local variable {varname} in tab page
3378 {tabnr}. |t:var|
3379 Tabs are numbered starting with one.
3380 Note that the name without "t:" must be used.
3381
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003382gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}) *gettabwinvar()*
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003383 Get the value of window-local variable {varname} in window
3384 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
3385 When {varname} starts with "&" get the value of a window-local
3386 option.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003387 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
3388 use |getwinvar()|.
3389 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
3390 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
3391 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
3392 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003393 When {varname} is empty a dictionary with all window-local
3394 variables is returned.
3395 Note that {varname} must be the name without "w:".
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003396 Examples: >
3397 :let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
3398 :echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00003399<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003400 *getwinposx()*
3401getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
3402 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
3403 -1 if the information is not available.
3404
3405 *getwinposy()*
3406getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003407 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003408 information is not available.
3409
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003410getwinvar({winnr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
3411 Like |gettabwinvar()| for the current tabpage.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003412 Examples: >
3413 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
3414 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
3415<
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003416glob({expr} [, {flag}]) *glob()*
3417 Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. See |wildcards| for the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003418 use of special characters.
3419 The result is a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003420 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
3421 characters.
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003422 Unless the optional {flag} argument is given and is non-zero,
3423 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3424 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3425 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003426 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
3427 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
3428
3429 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
3430 any external command. Example: >
3431 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
3432 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
3433< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003434 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003435
3436 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
3437 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
3438
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003439globpath({path}, {expr} [, {flag}]) *globpath()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003440 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
3441 the results. Example: >
3442 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
3443< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
3444 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003445 |glob()|. A path separator is inserted when needed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003446 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
3447 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
3448 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
3449 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
3450 error message.
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003451 Unless the optional {flag} argument is given and is non-zero,
3452 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3453 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3454 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003455
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003456 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
3457 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
3458 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
3459 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003460< Upwards search and limiting the depth of "**" is not
3461 supported, thus using 'path' will not always work properly.
3462
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003463 *has()*
3464has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
3465 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
3466 string. See |feature-list| below.
3467 Also see |exists()|.
3468
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003469
3470has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003471 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
3472 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003473
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00003474haslocaldir() *haslocaldir()*
3475 The result is a Number, which is 1 when the current
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003476 window has set a local path via |:lcd|, and 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003477
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003478hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003479 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
3480 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
3481 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
3482 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003483 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00003484 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
3485 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003486 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
3487 buffer are checked for a match.
3488 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
3489 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
3490 n Normal mode
3491 v Visual mode
3492 o Operator-pending mode
3493 i Insert mode
3494 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
3495 c Command-line mode
3496 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
3497
3498 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003499 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003500 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
3501 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
3502 :endif
3503< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
3504 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
3505
3506histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
3507 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
3508 one of: *hist-names*
3509 "cmd" or ":" command line history
3510 "search" or "/" search pattern history
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003511 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003512 "input" or "@" input line history
3513 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
3514 shifted to become the newest entry.
3515 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
3516 otherwise 0 is returned.
3517
3518 Example: >
3519 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
3520 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
3521< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3522
3523histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003524 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003525 for the possible values of {history}.
3526
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003527 If the parameter {item} evaluates to a String, it is used as a
3528 regular expression. All entries matching that expression will
3529 be removed from the history (if there are any).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003530 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003531 If {item} evaluates to a Number, it will be interpreted as
3532 an index, see |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will
3533 be removed if it exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003534
3535 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
3536 otherwise 0 is returned.
3537
3538 Examples:
3539 Clear expression register history: >
3540 :call histdel("expr")
3541<
3542 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
3543 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
3544<
3545 The following three are equivalent: >
3546 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
3547 :call histdel("search", -1)
3548 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
3549<
3550 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
3551 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
3552 :call histdel("search", -1)
3553 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
3554
3555histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
3556 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
3557 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
3558 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
3559 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
3560 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
3561
3562 Examples:
3563 Redo the second last search from history. >
3564 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
3565
3566< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
3567 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
3568 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
3569<
3570histnr({history}) *histnr()*
3571 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
3572 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
3573 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
3574
3575 Example: >
3576 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
3577<
3578hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
3579 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
3580 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
3581 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
3582 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
3583 item.
3584 *highlight_exists()*
3585 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
3586
3587 *hlID()*
3588hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
3589 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
3590 zero is returned.
3591 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003592 group. For example, to get the background color of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003593 "Comment" group: >
3594 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
3595< *highlightID()*
3596 Obsolete name: highlightID().
3597
3598hostname() *hostname()*
3599 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003600 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003601 256 characters long are truncated.
3602
3603iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
3604 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
3605 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003606 When the conversion completely fails an empty string is
3607 returned. When some characters could not be converted they
3608 are replaced with "?".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003609 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
3610 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
3611 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
3612 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
3613 can be done.
3614 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
3615 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
3616 UTF-8 and use: >
3617 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
3618< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
3619 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
3620 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
3621 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
3622
3623 *indent()*
3624indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
3625 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
3626 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
3627 |getline()|.
3628 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
3629
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003630
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003631index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003632 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003633 value equal to {expr}. There is no automatic conversion, so
3634 the String "4" is different from the Number 4. And the number
3635 4 is different from the Float 4.0. The value of 'ignorecase'
3636 is not used here, case always matters.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003637 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
3638 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003639 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
3640 case must match.
3641 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
3642 Example: >
3643 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003644 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003645
3646
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003647input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003648 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003649 the command-line. The {prompt} argument is either a prompt
3650 string, or a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used
3651 in the prompt to start a new line.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003652 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3653 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003654 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003655 for lines typed for input().
3656 Example: >
3657 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3658 : echo "Cheers!"
3659 :endif
3660<
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003661 If the optional {text} argument is present and not empty, this
3662 is used for the default reply, as if the user typed this.
3663 Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003664 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3665
3666< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3667 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003668 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003669 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003670 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003671 more information. Example: >
3672 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3673<
3674 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3675 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003676 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3677 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3678 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3679 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3680 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3681 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3682 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3683
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003684 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003685 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3686 :function GetFoo()
3687 : call inputsave()
3688 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3689 : call inputrestore()
3690 :endfunction
3691
3692inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003693 Like |input()|, but when the GUI is running and text dialogs
3694 are supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003695 Example: >
3696 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3697 :if n != ""
3698 : let &sw = n
3699 :endif
3700< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3701 omitted an empty string is returned.
3702 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3703 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003704 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003705
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003706inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003707 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
3708 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
3709 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003710 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003711 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003712 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3713 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3714 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003715 Make sure {textlist} has less than 'lines' entries, otherwise
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003716 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003717 the start of the string. And put a prompt in the first item.
3718 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003719 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3720 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3721
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003722inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003723 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous |inputsave()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003724 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3725 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3726 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3727
3728inputsave() *inputsave()*
3729 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3730 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3731 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3732 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3733 many inputrestore() calls.
3734 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3735
3736inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3737 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3738 two exceptions:
3739 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3740 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3741 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3742 |history| stack.
3743 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3744 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003745 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003746
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003747insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003748 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003749 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003750 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003751 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3752 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003753 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003754 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3755 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3756 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003757< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003758 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003759 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003760
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003761isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3762 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3763 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3764 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3765 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3766
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003767islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003768 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3769 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003770 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3771 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003772 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3773 :lockvar 1 alist
3774 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3775 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3776
3777< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003778 message. Use |exists()| to check for existence.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003779
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003780items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003781 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3782 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3783 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3784 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003785
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003786
3787join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3788 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3789 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3790 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3791 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3792 add it there too: >
3793 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003794< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003795 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3796 The opposite function is |split()|.
3797
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003798keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003799 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003800 arbitrary order.
3801
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003802 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003803len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3804 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3805 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003806 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003807 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003808 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3809 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003810 Otherwise an error is given.
3811
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003812 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3813libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3814 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3815 with single argument {argument}.
3816 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3817 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3818 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3819 limited.
3820 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3821 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3822 to Vim.
3823 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3824 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3825 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3826 null-terminated string.
3827 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3828
3829 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3830 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3831 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3832 very probably crash.
3833
3834 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3835 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3836 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3837 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3838 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3839 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3840 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3841 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3842 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3843 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3844
3845 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003846 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003847 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3848 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3849 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3850 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3851 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3852 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003853 {only in Win32 and some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003854 feature is present}
3855 Examples: >
3856 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003857<
3858 *libcallnr()*
3859libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003860 Just like |libcall()|, but used for a function that returns an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003861 int instead of a string.
3862 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3863 feature is present}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003864 Examples: >
3865 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003866 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3867 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3868<
3869 *line()*
3870line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3871 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3872 . the cursor position
3873 $ the last line in the current buffer
3874 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3875 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003876 w0 first line visible in current window
3877 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar9ecd0232008-06-20 15:31:51 +00003878 v In Visual mode: the start of the Visual area (the
3879 cursor is the end). When not in Visual mode
3880 returns the cursor position. Differs from |'<| in
3881 that it's updated right away.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003882 Note that a mark in another file can be used. The line number
3883 then applies to another buffer.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003884 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
3885 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003886 Examples: >
3887 line(".") line number of the cursor
3888 line("'t") line number of mark t
3889 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3890< *last-position-jump*
3891 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3892 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003893 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 1 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal! g`\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003894
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003895line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3896 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3897 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3898 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3899 line returns 1.
3900 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3901 below the last line: >
3902 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3903< This is the file size plus one.
3904 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3905 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3906 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3907
3908lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3909 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3910 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3911 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3912 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3913 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3914 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3915
3916localtime() *localtime()*
3917 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3918 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3919
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003920
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003921log({expr}) *log()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02003922 Return the natural logarithm (base e) of {expr} as a |Float|.
3923 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003924 (0, inf].
3925 Examples: >
3926 :echo log(10)
3927< 2.302585 >
3928 :echo log(exp(5))
3929< 5.0
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02003930 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003931
3932
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003933log10({expr}) *log10()*
3934 Return the logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10 as a |Float|.
3935 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
3936 Examples: >
3937 :echo log10(1000)
3938< 3.0 >
3939 :echo log10(0.01)
3940< -2.0
3941 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
3942
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003943map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003944 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003945 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3946 {string}.
3947 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar627b1d32009-11-17 11:20:35 +00003948 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item
3949 and for a |List| |v:key| has the index of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003950 Example: >
3951 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003952< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003953
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003954 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003955 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003956 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3957 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003958
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003959 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3960 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003961 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003962
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003963< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003964 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3965 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003966
3967
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003968maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *maparg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003969 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3970 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003971 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003972 "n" Normal
3973 "v" Visual
3974 "o" Operator-pending
3975 "i" Insert
3976 "c" Cmd-line
3977 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3978 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003979 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003980 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3981 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003982 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3983 command. The returned String has special characters
3984 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3985 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3986 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00003987 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
3988 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
3989 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
3990
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003991
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003992mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003993 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3994 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3995 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003996 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3997 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003998 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3999 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
4000
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004001 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004002 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
4003 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
4004 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
4005 mapcheck("b") no no no
4006
4007 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
4008 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
4009 mapping for {name} exactly.
4010 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
4011 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
4012 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
4013 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
4014 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
4015 then the global mappings.
4016 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
4017 without being ambiguous. Example: >
4018 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
4019 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
4020 :endif
4021< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
4022 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
4023
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004024match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004025 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
4026 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004027 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004028 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004029 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
4030 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004031 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004032 If there is no match -1 is returned.
4033 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004034 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004035 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004036< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004037 *strpbrk()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004038 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004039 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
4040< *strcasestr()*
4041 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
4042 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
4043 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
4044<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004045 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004046 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004047 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004048 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004049 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
4050< result is again "4". >
4051 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
4052< result is again "4". >
4053 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
4054< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004055 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004056 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
4057 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
4058 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
4059 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004060 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
4061 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00004062 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
4063 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004064
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004065 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00004066 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004067 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
4068 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
4069< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004070 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
4071 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004072
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004073 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
4074 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004075 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004076 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
4077
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004078 *matchadd()* *E798* *E799* *E801*
4079matchadd({group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
4080 Defines a pattern to be highlighted in the current window (a
4081 "match"). It will be highlighted with {group}. Returns an
4082 identification number (ID), which can be used to delete the
4083 match using |matchdelete()|.
4084
4085 The optional {priority} argument assigns a priority to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004086 match. A match with a high priority will have its
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004087 highlighting overrule that of a match with a lower priority.
4088 A priority is specified as an integer (negative numbers are no
4089 exception). If the {priority} argument is not specified, the
4090 default priority is 10. The priority of 'hlsearch' is zero,
4091 hence all matches with a priority greater than zero will
4092 overrule it. Syntax highlighting (see 'syntax') is a separate
4093 mechanism, and regardless of the chosen priority a match will
4094 always overrule syntax highlighting.
4095
4096 The optional {id} argument allows the request for a specific
4097 match ID. If a specified ID is already taken, an error
4098 message will appear and the match will not be added. An ID
4099 is specified as a positive integer (zero excluded). IDs 1, 2
4100 and 3 are reserved for |:match|, |:2match| and |:3match|,
4101 respectively. If the {id} argument is not specified,
4102 |matchadd()| automatically chooses a free ID.
4103
4104 The number of matches is not limited, as it is the case with
4105 the |:match| commands.
4106
4107 Example: >
4108 :highlight MyGroup ctermbg=green guibg=green
4109 :let m = matchadd("MyGroup", "TODO")
4110< Deletion of the pattern: >
4111 :call matchdelete(m)
4112
4113< A list of matches defined by |matchadd()| and |:match| are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004114 available from |getmatches()|. All matches can be deleted in
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004115 one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004116
4117matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004118 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004119 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
4120 Return a |List| with two elements:
4121 The name of the highlight group used
4122 The pattern used.
4123 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
4124 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004125 This is useful to save and restore a |:match|.
4126 Highlighting matches using the |:match| commands are limited
4127 to three matches. |matchadd()| does not have this limitation.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004128
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004129matchdelete({id}) *matchdelete()* *E802* *E803*
4130 Deletes a match with ID {id} previously defined by |matchadd()|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004131 or one of the |:match| commands. Returns 0 if successful,
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004132 otherwise -1. See example for |matchadd()|. All matches can
4133 be deleted in one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004134
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004135matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004136 Same as |match()|, but return the index of first character
4137 after the match. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004138 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
4139< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004140 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
4141 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
4142 do it with matchend(): >
4143 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
4144 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
4145< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
4146
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004147 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for |match()|. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004148 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
4149< results in "7". >
4150 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
4151< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004152 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004153
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004154matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004155 Same as |match()|, but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004156 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
4157 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00004158 in |:substitute|. When an optional submatch didn't match an
4159 empty string is used. Example: >
4160 echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
4161< Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004162 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
4163
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004164matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004165 Same as |match()|, but return the matched string. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004166 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
4167< results in "ing".
4168 When there is no match "" is returned.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004169 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for |match()|. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004170 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
4171< results in "ing". >
4172 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
4173< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004174 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004175 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004176
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004177 *max()*
4178max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
4179 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4180 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004181 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004182
4183 *min()*
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00004184min({list}) Return the minimum value of all items in {list}.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004185 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4186 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004187 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004188
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004189 *mkdir()* *E739*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004190mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
4191 Create directory {name}.
4192 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
4193 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
4194 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
4195 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004196 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
Bram Moolenaared39e1d2008-08-09 17:55:22 +00004197 for others. This is only used for the last part of {name}.
4198 Thus if you create /tmp/foo/bar then /tmp/foo will be created
4199 with 0755.
4200 Example: >
4201 :call mkdir($HOME . "/tmp/foo/bar", "p", 0700)
4202< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004203 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4204 :if exists("*mkdir")
4205<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004206 *mode()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004207mode([expr]) Return a string that indicates the current mode.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004208 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
4209 a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then the full mode is
4210 returned, otherwise only the first letter is returned. Note
4211 that " " and "0" are also non-empty strings.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004212
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004213 n Normal
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004214 no Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004215 v Visual by character
4216 V Visual by line
4217 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
4218 s Select by character
4219 S Select by line
4220 CTRL-S Select blockwise
4221 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004222 R Replace |R|
4223 Rv Virtual Replace |gR|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004224 c Command-line
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004225 cv Vim Ex mode |gQ|
4226 ce Normal Ex mode |Q|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004227 r Hit-enter prompt
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004228 rm The -- more -- prompt
4229 r? A |:confirm| query of some sort
4230 ! Shell or external command is executing
4231 This is useful in the 'statusline' option or when used
4232 with |remote_expr()| In most other places it always returns
4233 "c" or "n".
4234 Also see |visualmode()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004235
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01004236mzeval({expr}) *mzeval()*
4237 Evaluate MzScheme expression {expr} and return its result
4238 convert to Vim data structures.
4239 Numbers and strings are returned as they are.
4240 Pairs (including lists and improper lists) and vectors are
4241 returned as Vim |Lists|.
4242 Hash tables are represented as Vim |Dictionary| type with keys
4243 converted to strings.
4244 All other types are converted to string with display function.
4245 Examples: >
4246 :mz (define l (list 1 2 3))
4247 :mz (define h (make-hash)) (hash-set! h "list" l)
4248 :echo mzeval("l")
4249 :echo mzeval("h")
4250<
4251 {only available when compiled with the |+mzscheme| feature}
4252
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004253nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
4254 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
4255 that is not blank. Example: >
4256 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
4257< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4258 below it, zero is returned.
4259 See also |prevnonblank()|.
4260
4261nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
4262 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
4263 value {expr}. Examples: >
4264 nr2char(64) returns "@"
4265 nr2char(32) returns " "
4266< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
4267 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
4268< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
4269 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
4270 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004271 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004272
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00004273 *getpid()*
4274getpid() Return a Number which is the process ID of the Vim process.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004275 On Unix and MS-Windows this is a unique number, until Vim
4276 exits. On MS-DOS it's always zero.
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00004277
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004278 *getpos()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004279getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
4280 see |line()|.
4281 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
4282 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4283 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
4284 is the buffer number of the mark.
4285 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4286 column is 1.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004287 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
4288 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00004289 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004290 character.
4291 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
4292 let save_cursor = getpos(".")
4293 MoveTheCursorAround
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004294 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004295< Also see |setpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004296
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004297pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
4298 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
4299 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
4300 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
4301 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
4302 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
4303< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
4304 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
4305
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004306pow({x}, {y}) *pow()*
4307 Return the power of {x} to the exponent {y} as a |Float|.
4308 {x} and {y} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4309 Examples: >
4310 :echo pow(3, 3)
4311< 27.0 >
4312 :echo pow(2, 16)
4313< 65536.0 >
4314 :echo pow(32, 0.20)
4315< 2.0
4316 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4317
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004318prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
4319 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
4320 that is not blank. Example: >
4321 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
4322< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4323 above it, zero is returned.
4324 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
4325
4326
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004327printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
4328 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
4329 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004330 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004331< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004332 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004333
4334 Often used items are:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004335 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004336 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004337 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
4338 %c single byte
4339 %d decimal number
4340 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
4341 %x hex number
4342 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
4343 %X hex number using upper case letters
4344 %o octal number
4345 %f floating point number in the form 123.456
4346 %e floating point number in the form 1.234e3
4347 %E floating point number in the form 1.234E3
4348 %g floating point number, as %f or %e depending on value
4349 %G floating point number, as %f or %E depending on value
4350 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004351
4352 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
4353 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
4354 the result.
4355
4356 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004357 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004358
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004359 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004360
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004361 flags
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004362 Zero or more of the following flags:
4363
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004364 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
4365 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
4366 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
4367 of the number is increased to force the first
4368 character of the output string to a zero (except
4369 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
4370 precision of zero).
4371 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
4372 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
4373 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004374
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004375 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
4376 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
4377 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
4378 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
4379 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004380
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004381 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
4382 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
4383 The converted value is padded on the right with
4384 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
4385 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004386
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004387 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
4388 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004389
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004390 + A sign must always be placed before a number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004391 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004392 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004393
4394 field-width
4395 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004396 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
4397 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
4398 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
4399 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004400
4401 .precision
4402 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
4403 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
4404 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
4405 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
4406 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004407 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004408 For floating point it is the number of digits after
4409 the decimal point.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004410
4411 type
4412 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
4413 be applied, see below.
4414
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004415 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
4416 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004417 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004418 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
4419 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
4420 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004421 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004422< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004423 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004424
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004425 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004426
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004427 *printf-d* *printf-o* *printf-x* *printf-X*
4428 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004429 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
4430 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
4431 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004432 conversions.
4433 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
4434 digits that must appear; if the converted value
4435 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
4436 zeros.
4437 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
4438 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
4439 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
4440 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
4441
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004442 *printf-c*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004443 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
4444 resulting character is written.
4445
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004446 *printf-s*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004447 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
4448 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
4449 specified are used.
4450
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004451 *printf-f* *E807*
4452 f The Float argument is converted into a string of the
4453 form 123.456. The precision specifies the number of
4454 digits after the decimal point. When the precision is
4455 zero the decimal point is omitted. When the precision
4456 is not specified 6 is used. A really big number
4457 (out of range or dividing by zero) results in "inf".
4458 "0.0 / 0.0" results in "nan".
4459 Example: >
4460 echo printf("%.2f", 12.115)
4461< 12.12
4462 Note that roundoff depends on the system libraries.
4463 Use |round()| when in doubt.
4464
4465 *printf-e* *printf-E*
4466 e E The Float argument is converted into a string of the
4467 form 1.234e+03 or 1.234E+03 when using 'E'. The
4468 precision specifies the number of digits after the
4469 decimal point, like with 'f'.
4470
4471 *printf-g* *printf-G*
4472 g G The Float argument is converted like with 'f' if the
4473 value is between 0.001 (inclusive) and 10000000.0
4474 (exclusive). Otherwise 'e' is used for 'g' and 'E'
4475 for 'G'. When no precision is specified superfluous
4476 zeroes and '+' signs are removed, except for the zero
4477 immediately after the decimal point. Thus 10000000.0
4478 results in 1.0e7.
4479
4480 *printf-%*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004481 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
4482 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004483
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00004484 When a Number argument is expected a String argument is also
4485 accepted and automatically converted.
4486 When a Float or String argument is expected a Number argument
4487 is also accepted and automatically converted.
4488 Any other argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004489
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00004490 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004491 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
4492 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004493 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004494
4495
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004496pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
4497 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
4498 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004499 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
4500 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004501
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004502 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004503range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004504 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004505 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
4506 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
4507 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
4508 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
4509 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00004510 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
4511 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
4512 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004513 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004514 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004515 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
4516 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004517 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00004518 range(0) " []
4519 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004520<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004521 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004522readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004523 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
4524 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004525 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
4526 NL appears somewhere).
4527 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
4528 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
4529 added.
4530 - No CR characters are removed.
4531 Otherwise:
4532 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
4533 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
4534 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004535 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
4536 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
4537 lines of a file: >
4538 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
4539 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
4540 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004541< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
4542 are returned, or as many as there are.
4543 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004544 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
4545 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
4546 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004547 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
4548 the result is an empty list.
4549 Also see |writefile()|.
4550
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004551reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
4552 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
4553 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
4554 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
4555 Without an argument it returns the current time.
4556 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
4557 specified in the argument.
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004558 With two arguments it returns the time passed between {start}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004559 and {end}.
4560 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
4561 reltime().
4562 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
4563
4564reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
4565 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
4566 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
4567 microseconds. Example: >
4568 let start = reltime()
4569 call MyFunction()
4570 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
4571< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
4572 The accuracy depends on the system.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004573 Leading spaces are used to make the string align nicely. You
4574 can use split() to remove it. >
4575 echo split(reltimestr(reltime(start)))[0]
4576< Also see |profiling|.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004577 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
4578
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004579 *remote_expr()* *E449*
4580remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004581 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004582 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004583 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
4584 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
4585 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004586 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
4587 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
4588 remote_read() is stored there.
4589 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4590 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4591 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4592 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
4593 and the result will be the empty string.
4594 Examples: >
4595 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
4596 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
4597<
4598
4599remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
4600 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
4601 This works like: >
4602 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
4603< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
4604 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
4605 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004606 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
4607 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004608 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4609 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
4610 Win32 console version}
4611
4612
4613remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
4614 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
4615 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004616 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004617 name of a variable.
4618 Returns zero if none are available.
4619 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
4620 See also |clientserver|.
4621 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4622 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4623 Examples: >
4624 :let repl = ""
4625 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
4626
4627remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
4628 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
4629 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
4630 See also |clientserver|.
4631 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4632 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4633 Example: >
4634 :echo remote_read(id)
4635<
4636 *remote_send()* *E241*
4637remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004638 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004639 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
4640 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004641 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
4642 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
4643 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004644 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4645 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4646 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4647 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
4648 up the display.
4649 Examples: >
4650 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
4651 \ remote_read(serverid)
4652
4653 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
4654 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
4655 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
4656 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004657<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004658remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004659 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004660 return the item.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004661 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004662 return a List with these items. When {idx} points to the same
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004663 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
4664 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
4665 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004666 Example: >
4667 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004668 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004669remove({dict}, {key})
4670 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
4671 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
4672< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
4673
4674 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004675
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004676rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
4677 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
4678 should also work to move files across file systems. The
4679 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
4680 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
Bram Moolenaar798b30b2009-04-22 10:56:16 +00004681 NOTE: If {to} exists it is overwritten without warning.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004682 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4683
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004684repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
4685 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
4686 result. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004687 :let separator = repeat('-', 80)
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004688< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004689 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004690 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004691 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
4692< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004693
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004694
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004695resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
4696 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
4697 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
4698 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
4699 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
4700 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
4701 stopped after 100 iterations.
4702 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
4703 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
4704 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
4705 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
4706 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
4707
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004708 *reverse()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004709reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004710 {list}.
4711 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4712 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
4713
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004714round({expr}) *round()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00004715 Round off {expr} to the nearest integral value and return it
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004716 as a |Float|. If {expr} lies halfway between two integral
4717 values, then use the larger one (away from zero).
4718 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4719 Examples: >
4720 echo round(0.456)
4721< 0.0 >
4722 echo round(4.5)
4723< 5.0 >
4724 echo round(-4.5)
4725< -5.0
4726 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4727
4728
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004729search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004730 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004731 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004732
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004733 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
4734 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004735 'c' accept a match at the cursor position
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004736 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004737 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004738 'p' return number of matching sub-pattern (see below)
4739 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004740 'w' wrap around the end of the file
4741 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
4742 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
4743
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00004744 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
4745 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
4746 flag.
4747
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004748 'ignorecase', 'smartcase' and 'magic' are used.
4749
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004750 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
4751 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
4752 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
4753 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
4754 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
4755< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
4756 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004757 A zero value is equal to not giving the argument.
4758
4759 When the {timeout} argument is given the search stops when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004760 more than this many milli seconds have passed. Thus when
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004761 {timeout} is 500 the search stops after half a second.
4762 The value must not be negative. A zero value is like not
4763 giving the argument.
4764 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004765
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004766 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
4767 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004768 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
4769 *search()-sub-match*
4770 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
4771 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
4772 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004773 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004774
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004775 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
4776 flag is used.
4777
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004778 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
4779 :let n = 1
4780 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
4781 : exe "argument " . n
4782 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
4783 : " first search to find match at start of file
4784 : normal G$
4785 : let flags = "w"
4786 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004787 : s/foo/bar/g
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004788 : let flags = "W"
4789 : endwhile
4790 : update " write the file if modified
4791 : let n = n + 1
4792 :endwhile
4793<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004794 Example for using some flags: >
4795 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
4796< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
4797 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
4798 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
4799 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
4800 line:
4801 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
4802 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
4803 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
4804 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
4805 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
4806
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004807
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004808searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
4809 Search for the declaration of {name}.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004810
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004811 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
4812 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
4813 first match in the function.
4814
4815 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
4816 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
4817 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
4818
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004819 Moves the cursor to the found match.
4820 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4821 Example: >
4822 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
4823 echo getline('.')
4824 endif
4825<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004826 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004827searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
4828 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004829 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
4830 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
4831 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004832 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
4833 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
4834 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
4835 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
4836 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
4837 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004838
4839 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
4840 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
4841 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
4842 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
4843 typical use is: >
4844 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
4845< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
4846
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004847 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
4848 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004849 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004850 outer pair. Implies the 'W' flag.
4851 'm' Return number of matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004852 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004853 Note: it's nearly always a good idea to use the 'W' flag, to
4854 avoid wrapping around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004855
4856 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
4857 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
4858 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
4859 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
4860 or a string.
4861 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
4862 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
4863 and -1 returned.
4864
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004865 For {stopline} and {timeout} see |search()|.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004866
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004867 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
4868 patterns are used like it's on.
4869
4870 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
4871 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
4872 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
4873 if 1
4874 if 2
4875 endif 2
4876 endif 1
4877< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
4878 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
4879 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004880 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004881 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
4882 "endif 2".
4883 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
4884 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
4885 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
4886 the matching start.
4887
4888 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
4889
4890 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
4891 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
4892
4893< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
4894 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
4895 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
4896 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
4897 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
4898 match.
4899 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
4900
4901 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
4902
4903< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
4904 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
4905 highlighting recognized as strings: >
4906
4907 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
4908 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
4909<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004910 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004911searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
4912 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004913 Same as |searchpair()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004914 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4915 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004916 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02004917 returns [0, 0]. >
4918
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004919 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
4920<
4921 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
4922
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004923searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *searchpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004924 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004925 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4926 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
4927 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4928 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004929 Example: >
4930 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
4931
4932< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
4933 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
4934 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
4935< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
4936 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
4937
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004938server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
4939 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
4940 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
4941 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4942 Note:
4943 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004944 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004945 before calling any commands that waits for input.
4946 See also |clientserver|.
4947 Example: >
4948 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
4949<
4950serverlist() *serverlist()*
4951 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
4952 When there are no servers or the information is not available
4953 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
4954 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4955 Example: >
4956 :echo serverlist()
4957<
4958setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
4959 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
4960 {val}.
4961 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
4962 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
4963 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
4964 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
4965 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
4966 Examples: >
4967 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
4968 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
4969< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4970
4971setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
4972 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004973 {pos}. The first position is 1.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004974 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
4975 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004976 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
4977 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
4978 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
4979 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
4980 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004981 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
4982 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
4983 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
4984 line.
4985
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004986setline({lnum}, {text}) *setline()*
4987 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {text}.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004988 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004989 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {text} will be
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004990 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004991 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
4992 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004993 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004994< When {text} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004995 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
4996 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
4997< This is equivalent to: >
4998 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
4999 : call setline(n, l)
5000 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005001< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
5002
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00005003setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
5004 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
5005 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005006 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
5007 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00005008 Otherwise, same as |setqflist()|.
5009 Also see |location-list|.
5010
5011setmatches({list}) *setmatches()*
5012 Restores a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|. Returns 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005013 if successful, otherwise -1. All current matches are cleared
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00005014 before the list is restored. See example for |getmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005015
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005016 *setpos()*
5017setpos({expr}, {list})
5018 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
5019 . the cursor
5020 'x mark x
5021
5022 {list} must be a |List| with four numbers:
5023 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
5024
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005025 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005026 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005027 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
5028 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
5029 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005030 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005031
5032 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005033 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark. If "col" is
5034 smaller than 1 then 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005035
5036 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
5037 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005038 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005039 character.
5040
Bram Moolenaar08250432008-02-13 11:42:46 +00005041 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
5042 An error message is given if {expr} is invalid.
5043
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005044 Also see |getpos()|
5045
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005046 This does not restore the preferred column for moving
5047 vertically. See |winrestview()| for that.
5048
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005049
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00005050setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00005051 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
5052 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
5053 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
5054 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005055
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005056 bufnr buffer number; must be the number of a valid
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005057 buffer
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005058 filename name of a file; only used when "bufnr" is not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005059 present or it is invalid.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005060 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005061 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005062 col column number
5063 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005064 when zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005065 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005066 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005067 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005068
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005069 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
5070 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
5071 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005072 If the "filename" and "bufnr" entries are not present or
5073 neither the "lnum" or "pattern" entries are present, then the
5074 item will not be handled as an error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005075 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
5076 be used.
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02005077 If you supply an empty {list}, the quickfix list will be
5078 cleared.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005079 Note that the list is not exactly the same as what
5080 |getqflist()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005081
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00005082 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
5083 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
5084 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
5085 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
5086 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
5087 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
5088
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005089 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
5090
5091 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
5092 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
5093 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
5094
5095
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005096 *setreg()*
5097setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
5098 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
5099 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
5100 then the value is appended.
Bram Moolenaarc6485bc2010-07-28 17:02:55 +02005101 {options} can also contain a register type specification:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005102 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
5103 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
5104 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
5105 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
5106 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
5107 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005108 in the longest line (counting a <Tab> as 1 character).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005109
5110 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
5111 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
5112 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
5113 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
5114
5115 Examples: >
5116 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
5117 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
5118 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
5119
5120< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
5121 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005122 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005123 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
5124 ....
5125 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
5126
5127< You can also change the type of a register by appending
5128 nothing: >
5129 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
5130
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02005131settabvar({tabnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabvar()*
5132 Set tab-local variable {varname} to {val} in tab page {tabnr}.
5133 |t:var|
5134 Note that the variable name without "t:" must be used.
5135 Tabs are numbered starting with one.
5136 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
5137 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
5138 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5139
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00005140settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabwinvar()*
5141 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
5142 {val}.
5143 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
5144 use |setwinvar()|.
5145 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005146 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
5147 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
5148 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
5149 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00005150 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
5151 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
5152 Examples: >
5153 :call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
5154 :call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
5155< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5156
5157setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
5158 Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005159 Examples: >
5160 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
5161 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005162
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005163shellescape({string} [, {special}]) *shellescape()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005164 Escape {string} for use as a shell command argument.
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005165 On MS-Windows and MS-DOS, when 'shellslash' is not set, it
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005166 will enclose {string} in double quotes and double all double
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005167 quotes within {string}.
5168 For other systems, it will enclose {string} in single quotes
5169 and replace all "'" with "'\''".
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005170 When the {special} argument is present and it's a non-zero
5171 Number or a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then special
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005172 items such as "!", "%", "#" and "<cword>" will be preceded by
5173 a backslash. This backslash will be removed again by the |:!|
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005174 command.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005175 The "!" character will be escaped (again with a |non-zero-arg|
5176 {special}) when 'shell' contains "csh" in the tail. That is
5177 because for csh and tcsh "!" is used for history replacement
5178 even when inside single quotes.
5179 The <NL> character is also escaped. With a |non-zero-arg|
5180 {special} and 'shell' containing "csh" in the tail it's
5181 escaped a second time.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005182 Example of use with a |:!| command: >
5183 :exe '!dir ' . shellescape(expand('<cfile>'), 1)
5184< This results in a directory listing for the file under the
5185 cursor. Example of use with |system()|: >
5186 :call system("chmod +w -- " . shellescape(expand("%")))
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005187
5188
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005189simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
5190 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
5191 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
5192 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
5193 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
5194 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
5195 not removed either.
5196 Example: >
5197 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
5198< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
5199 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
5200 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
5201 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
5202 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
5203
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005204
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005205sin({expr}) *sin()*
5206 Return the sine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
5207 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5208 Examples: >
5209 :echo sin(100)
5210< -0.506366 >
5211 :echo sin(-4.01)
5212< 0.763301
5213 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5214
5215
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005216sinh({expr}) *sinh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005217 Return the hyperbolic sine of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005218 [-inf, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005219 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005220 Examples: >
5221 :echo sinh(0.5)
5222< 0.521095 >
5223 :echo sinh(-0.9)
5224< -1.026517
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005225 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005226
5227
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005228sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005229 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
5230 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
5231 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
5232< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005233 Numbers sort after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005234 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005235 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005236 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
5237 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005238 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 or
5239 bigger if the first one sorts after the second one, -1 or
5240 smaller if the first one sorts before the second one.
5241 Example: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005242 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
5243 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
5244 endfunc
5245 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005246< A shorter compare version for this specific simple case, which
5247 ignores overflow: >
5248 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
5249 return a:i1 - a:i2
5250 endfunc
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005251<
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00005252 *soundfold()*
5253soundfold({word})
5254 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005255 language in 'spelllang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00005256 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
5257 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00005258 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
5259 the method can be quite slow.
5260
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005261 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00005262spellbadword([{sentence}])
5263 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
5264 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
5265 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
5266 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
5267
5268 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
5269 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
5270 result is an empty string.
5271
5272 The return value is a list with two items:
5273 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
5274 - The type of the spelling error:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005275 "bad" spelling mistake
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00005276 "rare" rare word
5277 "local" word only valid in another region
5278 "caps" word should start with Capital
5279 Example: >
5280 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
5281< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
5282
5283 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
5284 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
5285 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005286
5287 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005288spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005289 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005290 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
5291 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
5292
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005293 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
5294 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
5295 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
5296
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005297 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
5298 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00005299 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
5300 replace a line.
5301
5302 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005303 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
5304 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005305
5306 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00005307 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
5308 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005309
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005310
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005311split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005312 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
5313 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
5314 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005315 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005316 removing the matched characters.
5317 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
5318 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00005319 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
5320 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005321 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005322 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005323< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005324 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00005325< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
5326 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
5327< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005328 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
5329 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
5330< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005331
5332
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005333sqrt({expr}) *sqrt()*
5334 Return the non-negative square root of Float {expr} as a
5335 |Float|.
5336 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|. When {expr}
5337 is negative the result is NaN (Not a Number).
5338 Examples: >
5339 :echo sqrt(100)
5340< 10.0 >
5341 :echo sqrt(-4.01)
5342< nan
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005343 "nan" may be different, it depends on system libraries.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005344 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5345
5346
5347str2float( {expr}) *str2float()*
5348 Convert String {expr} to a Float. This mostly works the same
5349 as when using a floating point number in an expression, see
5350 |floating-point-format|. But it's a bit more permissive.
5351 E.g., "1e40" is accepted, while in an expression you need to
5352 write "1.0e40".
5353 Text after the number is silently ignored.
5354 The decimal point is always '.', no matter what the locale is
5355 set to. A comma ends the number: "12,345.67" is converted to
5356 12.0. You can strip out thousands separators with
5357 |substitute()|: >
5358 let f = str2float(substitute(text, ',', '', 'g'))
5359< {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5360
5361
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00005362str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
5363 Convert string {expr} to a number.
5364 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 8, 10 or 16.
5365 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
5366 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
5367 with the default String to Number conversion.
5368 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
5369 different base the result will be zero.
5370 Text after the number is silently ignored.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005371
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00005372
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005373strchars({expr}) *strchars()*
5374 The result is a Number, which is the number of characters
5375 String {expr} occupies. Composing characters are counted
5376 separately.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005377 Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strwidth()|.
5378
5379strdisplaywidth({expr}[, {col}]) *strdisplaywidth()*
5380 The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
5381 String {expr} occupies on the screen.
5382 When {col} is omitted zero is used. Otherwise it is the
5383 screen column where to start. This matters for Tab
5384 characters.
Bram Moolenaar4d32c2d2010-07-18 22:10:01 +02005385 The option settings of the current window are used. This
5386 matters for anything that's displayed differently, such as
5387 'tabstop' and 'display'.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005388 When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
5389 Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
5390 Also see |strlen()|, |strwidth()| and |strchars()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005391
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005392strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
5393 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
5394 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
5395 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
5396 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
5397 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
5398 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
5399 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
5400 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
5401 Examples: >
5402 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
5403 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
5404 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
5405 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
5406 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
5407 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005408< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
5409 :if exists("*strftime")
5410
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005411stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
5412 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
5413 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005414 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
5415 This can be used to find a second match: >
5416 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
5417 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
5418< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005419 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005420 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005421 See also |strridx()|.
5422 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005423 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
5424 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
5425 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005426< *strstr()* *strchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005427 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
5428 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
5429
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005430 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005431string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005432 Float, String or a composition of them, then the result can be
5433 parsed back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005434 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005435 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005436 Number 123
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005437 Float 123.123456 or 1.123456e8
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005438 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005439 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00005440 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005441 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005442 Also see |strtrans()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005443
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005444 *strlen()*
5445strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00005446 {expr} in bytes.
5447 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
5448 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005449
5450 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00005451<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005452 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
5453 For other types an error is given.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005454 Also see |len()|, |strchars()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and
5455 |strwidth()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005456
5457strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
5458 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00005459 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005460 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
5461 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
5462 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
5463 end of the {src}. >
5464 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
5465 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
5466 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005467 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005468< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
5469 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00005470 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005471<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005472strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
5473 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
5474 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
5475 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
5476 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
5477 match: >
5478 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
5479 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
5480< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005481 For pattern searches use |match()|.
5482 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00005483 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005484 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005485 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005486< *strrchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005487 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
5488 function strrchr().
5489
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005490strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
5491 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
5492 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
5493 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
5494 echo strtrans(@a)
5495< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
5496 starting a new line.
5497
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005498strwidth({expr}) *strwidth()*
5499 The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
5500 String {expr} occupies. A Tab character is counted as one
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005501 cell, alternatively use |strdisplaywidth()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005502 When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
5503 Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005504 Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strchars()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005505
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005506submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
5507 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
5508 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
5509 the whole matched text is returned.
5510 Example: >
5511 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
5512< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
5513 A line break is included as a newline character.
5514
5515substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
5516 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
5517 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
5518 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
5519 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
5520 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005521 'ignorecase' is still relevant. 'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005522 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
5523 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
5524 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005525 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005526 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
5527 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
5528 unmodified.
5529 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
5530 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
5531 Example: >
5532 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
5533< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
5534 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
5535< results in "TESTING".
5536
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005537synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005538 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005539 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005540 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
5541 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00005542
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005543 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00005544 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
5545
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005546 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005547 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005548 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
5549 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
5550 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
5551 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
5552 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
5553
5554 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
5555 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
5556<
Bram Moolenaar7510fe72010-07-25 12:46:44 +02005557
5558synconcealed({lnum}, {col}) *synconcealed()*
5559 The result is a List. The first item in the list is 0 if the
5560 character at the position {lnum} and {col} is not part of a
5561 concealable region, 1 if it is. The second item in the list is
5562 a string. If the first item is 1, the second item contains the
5563 text which will be displayed in place of the concealed text,
5564 depending on the current setting of 'conceallevel'. The third
5565 and final item in the list is a unique number representing the
5566 specific syntax region matched. This allows detection of the
5567 beginning of a new concealable region if there are two
5568 consecutive regions with the same replacement character.
5569 For an example use see $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/2html.vim .
5570
5571
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005572synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
5573 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
5574 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
5575 about a syntax item.
5576 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005577 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005578 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
5579 used (GUI, cterm or term).
5580 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
5581 {what} result
5582 "name" the name of the syntax item
5583 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
5584 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
5585 term: empty string)
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00005586 "bg" background color (as with "fg")
Bram Moolenaar12682fd2010-03-10 13:43:49 +01005587 "font" font name (only available in the GUI)
5588 |highlight-font|
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00005589 "sp" special color (as with "fg") |highlight-guisp|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005590 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
5591 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
5592 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00005593 "sp#" like "fg#" for "sp"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005594 "bold" "1" if bold
5595 "italic" "1" if italic
5596 "reverse" "1" if reverse
5597 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
Bram Moolenaar12682fd2010-03-10 13:43:49 +01005598 "standout" "1" if standout
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005599 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005600 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005601
5602 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
5603 cursor): >
5604 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
5605<
5606synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
5607 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
5608 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
5609 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
5610 ":highlight link" are followed.
5611
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005612synstack({lnum}, {col}) *synstack()*
5613 Return a |List|, which is the stack of syntax items at the
5614 position {lnum} and {col} in the current window. Each item in
5615 the List is an ID like what |synID()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005616 The first item in the List is the outer region, following are
5617 items contained in that one. The last one is what |synID()|
5618 returns, unless not the whole item is highlighted or it is a
5619 transparent item.
5620 This function is useful for debugging a syntax file.
5621 Example that shows the syntax stack under the cursor: >
5622 for id in synstack(line("."), col("."))
5623 echo synIDattr(id, "name")
5624 endfor
Bram Moolenaar0bc380a2010-07-10 13:52:13 +02005625< When the position specified with {lnum} and {col} is invalid
5626 nothing is returned. The position just after the last
5627 character in a line and the first column in an empty line are
5628 valid positions.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005629
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00005630system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
5631 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
5632 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
5633 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
5634 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005635 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005636 Note: Use |shellescape()| to escape special characters in a
5637 command argument. Newlines in {expr} may cause the command to
5638 fail. The characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may
5639 also cause trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005640 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005641
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005642 The result is a String. Example: >
5643 :let files = system("ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h')))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005644
5645< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
5646 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
5647 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
5648 The command executed is constructed using several options:
5649 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
5650 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
5651 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
5652 concatenated commands.
5653
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005654 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
5655 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
5656
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005657 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
5658 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00005659
5660 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
5661 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
5662 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005663 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
5664 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
5665
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005666
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005667tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005668 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005669 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
5670 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
5671 omitted the current tab page is used.
5672 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
5673 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
5674 tablist = []
5675 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
5676 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
5677 endfor
5678< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
5679
5680
5681tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00005682 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
5683 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
5684 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
5685 page is returned (the tab page count).
5686 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
5687
5688
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005689tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
5690 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {arg}.
5691 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
5692 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
5693 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
5694 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
5695 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
5696 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
5697 Useful examples: >
5698 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
5699 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
5700< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
5701
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00005702 *tagfiles()*
5703tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
5704 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
5705
5706
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005707taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
5708 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00005709 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
5710 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005711 name Name of the tag.
5712 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005713 defined. It is either relative to the
5714 current directory or a full path.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005715 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
5716 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005717 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005718 entry depends on the language specific
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005719 kind values. Only available when
5720 using a tags file generated by
5721 Exuberant ctags or hdrtag.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005722 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005723 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005724 More entries may be present, depending on the content of the
5725 tags file: access, implementation, inherits and signature.
5726 Refer to the ctags documentation for information about these
5727 fields. For C code the fields "struct", "class" and "enum"
5728 may appear, they give the name of the entity the tag is
5729 contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005730
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00005731 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
5732 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005733
5734 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
5735
5736 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
5737 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
5738 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
5739
5740 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
5741 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
5742 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
5743
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005744tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
5745 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005746 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005747 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
5748 :let tmpfile = tempname()
5749 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005750< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory |tempfile|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005751 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
5752 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
5753
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005754
5755tan({expr}) *tan()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005756 Return the tangent of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005757 in the range [-inf, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005758 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005759 Examples: >
5760 :echo tan(10)
5761< 0.648361 >
5762 :echo tan(-4.01)
5763< -1.181502
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005764 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005765
5766
5767tanh({expr}) *tanh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005768 Return the hyperbolic tangent of {expr} as a |Float| in the
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005769 range [-1, 1].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005770 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005771 Examples: >
5772 :echo tanh(0.5)
5773< 0.462117 >
5774 :echo tanh(-1)
5775< -0.761594
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005776 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005777
5778
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005779tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
5780 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
5781 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
5782 the string).
5783
5784toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
5785 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
5786 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
5787 the string).
5788
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00005789tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
5790 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
5791 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
5792 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
5793 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
5794 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
5795 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
5796
5797 Examples: >
5798 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
5799< returns "Hello THere" >
5800 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
5801< returns "{blob}"
5802
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005803trunc({expr}) *trunc()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005804 Return the largest integral value with magnitude less than or
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005805 equal to {expr} as a |Float| (truncate towards zero).
5806 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5807 Examples: >
5808 echo trunc(1.456)
5809< 1.0 >
5810 echo trunc(-5.456)
5811< -5.0 >
5812 echo trunc(4.0)
5813< 4.0
5814 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5815
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005816 *type()*
5817type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005818 Number: 0
5819 String: 1
5820 Funcref: 2
5821 List: 3
5822 Dictionary: 4
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005823 Float: 5
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005824 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005825 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
5826 :if type(myvar) == type("")
5827 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
5828 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005829 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005830 :if type(myvar) == type(0.0)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005831
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02005832undofile({name}) *undofile()*
5833 Return the name of the undo file that would be used for a file
5834 with name {name} when writing. This uses the 'undodir'
5835 option, finding directories that exist. It does not check if
Bram Moolenaar860cae12010-06-05 23:22:07 +02005836 the undo file exists.
Bram Moolenaar945e2db2010-06-05 17:43:32 +02005837 {name} is always expanded to the full path, since that is what
5838 is used internally.
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02005839 Useful in combination with |:wundo| and |:rundo|.
5840 When compiled without the +persistent_undo option this always
5841 returns an empty string.
5842
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02005843undotree() *undotree()*
5844 Return the current state of the undo tree in a dictionary with
5845 the following items:
5846 "seq_last" The highest undo sequence number used.
5847 "seq_cur" The sequence number of the current position in
5848 the undo tree. This differs from "seq_last"
5849 when some changes were undone.
5850 "time_cur" Time last used for |:earlier| and related
5851 commands. Use |strftime()| to convert to
5852 something readable.
5853 "save_last" Number of the last file write. Zero when no
5854 write yet.
Bram Moolenaar730cde92010-06-27 05:18:54 +02005855 "save_cur" Number of the current position in the undo
5856 tree.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02005857 "synced" Non-zero when the last undo block was synced.
5858 This happens when waiting from input from the
5859 user. See |undo-blocks|.
5860 "entries" A list of dictionaries with information about
5861 undo blocks.
5862
5863 The first item in the "entries" list is the oldest undo item.
5864 Each List item is a Dictionary with these items:
5865 "seq" Undo sequence number. Same as what appears in
5866 |:undolist|.
5867 "time" Timestamp when the change happened. Use
5868 |strftime()| to convert to something readable.
5869 "newhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
5870 that was added. This marks the last change
5871 and where further changes will be added.
5872 "curhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
5873 that was undone. This marks the current
5874 position in the undo tree, the block that will
5875 be used by a redo command. When nothing was
5876 undone after the last change this item will
5877 not appear anywhere.
5878 "save" Only appears on the last block before a file
5879 write. The number is the write count. The
5880 first write has number 1, the last one the
5881 "save_last" mentioned above.
5882 "alt" Alternate entry. This is again a List of undo
5883 blocks. Each item may again have an "alt"
5884 item.
5885
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005886values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005887 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005888 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005889
5890
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005891virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
5892 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
5893 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
5894 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
5895 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
5896 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
5897 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
5898 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00005899 For the byte position use |col()|.
5900 For the use of {expr} see |col()|.
5901 When 'virtualedit' is used {expr} can be [lnum, col, off], where
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005902 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005903 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005904 character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005905 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
5906 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
5907 The accepted positions are:
5908 . the cursor position
5909 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
5910 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
5911 plus one)
5912 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
5913 returned)
5914 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
5915 Examples: >
5916 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
5917 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005918 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
5919< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005920 A more advanced example that echoes the maximum length of
5921 all lines: >
5922 echo max(map(range(1, line('$')), "virtcol([v:val, '$'])"))
5923
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005924
5925visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
5926 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005927 used in the current buffer. Initially it returns an empty
5928 string, but once Visual mode has been used, it returns "v",
5929 "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a single CTRL-V character) for
5930 character-wise, line-wise, or block-wise Visual mode
5931 respectively.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005932 Example: >
5933 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
5934< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
5935 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
5936 Visual mode that was used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005937 If Visual mode is active, use |mode()| to get the Visual mode
5938 (e.g., in a |:vmap|).
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005939 *non-zero-arg*
5940 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
5941 a non-empty String, then the Visual mode will be cleared and
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005942 the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005943 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared. A List,
5944 Dictionary or Float is not a Number or String, thus does not
5945 cause the mode to be cleared.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005946
5947 *winbufnr()*
5948winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005949 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005950 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
5951 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5952 Example: >
5953 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
5954<
5955 *wincol()*
5956wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
5957 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
5958 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
5959
5960winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
5961 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
5962 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
5963 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5964 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
5965 Examples: >
5966 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
5967<
5968 *winline()*
5969winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005970 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005971 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00005972 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
5973 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005974
5975 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005976winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
5977 window. The top window has number 1.
5978 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00005979 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005980 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
5981 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005982 If there is no previous window or it is in another tab page 0
5983 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005984 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
5985 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005986 Also see |tabpagewinnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005987
5988 *winrestcmd()*
5989winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
5990 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005991 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
5992 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005993 Example: >
5994 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
5995 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
5996 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005997<
5998 *winrestview()*
5999winrestview({dict})
6000 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
6001 the view of the current window.
6002 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
6003 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
6004
6005 *winsaveview()*
6006winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
6007 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
6008 restore the view.
6009 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
6010 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
6011 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00006012 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
6013 not opened when moving around.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006014 The return value includes:
6015 lnum cursor line number
6016 col cursor column
6017 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
6018 curswant column for vertical movement
6019 topline first line in the window
6020 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
6021 leftcol first column displayed
6022 skipcol columns skipped
6023 Note that no option values are saved.
6024
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006025
6026winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
6027 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
6028 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
6029 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
6030 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
6031 Examples: >
6032 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
6033 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
6034 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
6035 :endif
6036<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006037 *writefile()*
6038writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006039 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006040 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
6041 Number.
6042 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
6043 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
6044 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
6045 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
6046 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
6047 to writefile().
6048 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
6049 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
6050 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
6051 fails.
6052 Also see |readfile()|.
6053 To copy a file byte for byte: >
6054 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
6055 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
6056<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006057
6058 *feature-list*
6059There are three types of features:
60601. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
6061 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
6062 :if has("cindent")
60632. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
6064 Example: >
6065 :if has("gui_running")
6066< *has-patch*
60673. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
6068 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
6069 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
6070 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006071< Note that it's possible for patch 147 to be omitted even though 148 is
6072 included.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006073
6074all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
6075amiga Amiga version of Vim.
6076arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
6077arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00006078autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006079balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00006080balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006081beos BeOS version of Vim.
6082browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
6083 work.
6084builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
6085byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
6086cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
6087clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
6088clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
6089cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
6090cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
6091cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
6092comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
6093cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
6094cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
6095compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
6096debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
6097dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
6098dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
6099diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
6100digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
6101dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
6102dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
6103dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
6104ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
6105emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
6106eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
6107 true, of course!
6108ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
6109extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
6110 |'hlsearch'|
6111farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
6112file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006113filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
6114 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006115find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
6116 |+find_in_path|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006117float Compiled with support for |Float|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006118fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
6119 Windows this is not present).
6120folding Compiled with |folding| support.
6121footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
6122fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
6123gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
6124gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
6125gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006126gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
6127gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006128gui_gnome Compiled with Gnome support (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006129gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
6130gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
6131gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
6132gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
6133gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
6134gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
6135hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
6136iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
6137insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
6138 Insert mode.
6139jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
6140keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
6141langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
6142libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
6143linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
6144 support.
6145lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
6146listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
6147 and the argument list |arglist|.
6148localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
Bram Moolenaar0ba04292010-07-14 23:23:17 +02006149lua Compiled with Lua interface |Lua|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006150mac Macintosh version of Vim.
6151macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
6152menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
6153mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
6154modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
6155mouse Compiled with support mouse.
6156mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
6157mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
6158mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
6159mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
6160mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006161mouse_sysmouse Compiled with support for sysmouse (*BSD console mouse)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006162mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar42022d52008-12-09 09:57:49 +00006163multi_byte Compiled with support for 'encoding'
6164multi_byte_encoding 'encoding' is set to a multi-byte encoding.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006165multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
6166multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00006167mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006168netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaarb26e6322010-05-22 21:34:09 +02006169netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and connected.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006170ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
6171os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
6172osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
6173path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
6174perl Compiled with Perl interface.
Bram Moolenaar55debbe2010-05-23 23:34:36 +02006175persistent_undo Compiled with support for persistent undo history.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006176postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
6177printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006178profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006179python Compiled with Python interface.
6180qnx QNX version of Vim.
6181quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00006182reltime Compiled with |reltime()| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006183rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
6184ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
6185scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
6186showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
6187signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
6188smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00006189sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaaref94eec2009-11-11 13:22:11 +00006190startuptime Compiled with |--startuptime| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006191statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
6192 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
6193sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00006194spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
6195syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006196syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
6197 current buffer.
6198system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
6199tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
6200 |tag-binary-search|.
6201tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
6202 |tag-old-static|.
6203tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
6204 files |tag-any-white|.
6205tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
6206terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
6207termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
6208textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
6209tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
6210 or terminfo file.
6211title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
6212toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
6213unix Unix version of Vim.
6214user_commands User-defined commands.
6215viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
6216vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
6217vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
6218virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
6219visual Compiled with Visual mode.
6220visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
6221 |blockwise-operators|.
6222vms VMS version of Vim.
6223vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
6224wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
6225wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
6226windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
6227winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
6228win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
6229win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
6230win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
6231win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
6232win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
6233writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
6234xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
6235xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
6236xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
6237xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
6238xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
6239xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
6240 xterm screen.
6241x11 Compiled with X11 support.
6242
6243 *string-match*
6244Matching a pattern in a String
6245
6246A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
6247the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
6248everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
6249like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
6250line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
6251with ".". Example: >
6252 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
6253 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
6254 aa
6255 xx
6256 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
6257 a
6258 x
6259
6260Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
6261"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
6262"\n".
6263
6264==============================================================================
62655. Defining functions *user-functions*
6266
6267New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
6268functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
6269commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
6270
6271The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
6272builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
6273avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
6274the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
6275
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00006276It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
6277|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006278
6279 *local-function*
6280A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
6281can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
6282and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00006283function from a mapping defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006284instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
6285
6286 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
6287:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
6288
6289:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006290 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6291 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006292 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00006293
6294:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
6295 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
6296 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00006297<
6298 *:function-verbose*
6299When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
6300last defined. Example: >
6301
6302 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
6303 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
6304 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
6305<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00006306See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00006307
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006308 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006309:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006310 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
6311 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
6312 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006313
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006314 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6315 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006316 :function dict.init(arg)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006317< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006318 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006319 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006320 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
6321 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
6322 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006323 *E127* *E122*
6324 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
6325 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
6326 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
6327 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006328
6329 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
6330
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006331 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
6332 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
6333 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
6334 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
6335 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
6336 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
6337 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006338
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006339 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
6340 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006341
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006342 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006343 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006344 local variable "self" will then be set to the
6345 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006346
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006347 *function-search-undo*
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00006348 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006349 will not be changed by the function. This also
6350 implies that the effect of |:nohlsearch| is undone
6351 when the function returns.
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00006352
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006353 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
6354:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
6355 by its own, without other commands.
6356
6357 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
6358:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006359 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6360 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006361 :delfunc dict.init
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006362< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006363 function is deleted if there are no more references to
6364 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006365 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
6366:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
6367 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
6368 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
6369 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
6370 the number 0 is returned.
6371 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
6372 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
6373
6374 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
6375 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
6376 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
6377 are executed first. This process applies to all
6378 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
6379 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
6380
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006381 *function-argument* *a:var*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006382An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006383be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006384 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740* *...*
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006385Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
6386arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
6387may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
6388as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006389can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
6390that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006391 *E742*
6392The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00006393However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can change their contents.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006394Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
6395it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
6396|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006397
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006398When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
6399to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
6400may be larger.
6401
6402It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
6403still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
6404until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
6405inside a function body.
6406
6407 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006408Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
6409will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
6410accessed with "g:".
6411
6412Example: >
6413 :function Table(title, ...)
6414 : echohl Title
6415 : echo a:title
6416 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006417 : echo a:0 . " items:"
6418 : for s in a:000
6419 : echon ' ' . s
6420 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006421 :endfunction
6422
6423This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006424 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
6425 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006426
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006427To return more than one value, return a |List|: >
6428 :function Compute(n1, n2)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006429 : if a:n2 == 0
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006430 : return ["fail", 0]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006431 : endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006432 : return ["ok", a:n1 / a:n2]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006433 :endfunction
6434
6435This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006436 :let [success, div] = Compute(102, 6)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006437 :if success == "ok"
6438 : echo div
6439 :endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006440<
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00006441 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006442:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
6443 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
6444 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006445 used. The returned value is discarded.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006446 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
6447 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
6448 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
6449 function.
6450 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
6451 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
6452 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
6453 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006454 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006455 this works:
6456 *function-range-example* >
6457 :function Mynumber(arg)
6458 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
6459 :endfunction
6460 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
6461<
6462 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
6463 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
6464 the range.
6465
6466 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
6467
6468 :function Cont() range
6469 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
6470 :endfunction
6471 :4,8call Cont()
6472<
6473 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
6474 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
6475
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006476 When the function returns a composite value it can be further
6477 dereferenced, but the range will not be used then. Example: >
6478 :4,8call GetDict().method()
6479< Here GetDict() gets the range but method() does not.
6480
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006481 *E132*
6482The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
6483option.
6484
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006485
6486AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006487 *autoload-functions*
6488When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006489only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
6490the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
6491
6492
6493Using an autocommand ~
6494
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006495This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
6496
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006497The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
6498You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006499That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006500again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
6501
6502Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
6503function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006504
6505 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
6506
6507The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
6508"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
6509
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006510
6511Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006512 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006513This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
6514
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006515Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
6516exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
6517like this: >
6518
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006519 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006520
6521When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
6522"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
6523"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
6524then define the function like this: >
6525
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006526 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006527 echo "Done!"
6528 endfunction
6529
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00006530The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006531exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
6532called.
6533
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006534It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
6535a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006536
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006537 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006538
6539Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
6540
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006541This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
6542
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006543 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006544
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00006545However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
6546for an unknown variable.
6547
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006548When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
6549be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
6550
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006551 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
6552 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006553
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00006554Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
6555defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
6556function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006557And you will get an error message every time.
6558
6559Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006560other and vice versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006561Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006562
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00006563Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
6564|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
6565
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006566==============================================================================
65676. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
6568
6569Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
6570This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
6571{} like this: >
6572 my_{adjective}_variable
6573
6574When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
6575that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
6576name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
6577"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
6578"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
6579
6580One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006581value. For example, the statement >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006582 echo my_{&background}_message
6583
6584would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
6585on the current value of 'background'.
6586
6587You can use multiple brace pairs: >
6588 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
6589..or even nest them: >
6590 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
6591where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
6592
6593However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00006594variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006595 :let foo='a + b'
6596 :echo c{foo}d
6597.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
6598
6599 *curly-braces-function-names*
6600You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
6601Example: >
6602 :let func_end='whizz'
6603 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
6604
6605This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
6606
6607==============================================================================
66087. Commands *expression-commands*
6609
6610:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
6611 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
6612 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
6613 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
6614 is created.
6615
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00006616:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
6617 Set a list item to the result of the expression
6618 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
6619 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
6620 the index can be repeated.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006621 This cannot be used to add an item to a |List|.
6622 This cannot be used to set a byte in a String. You
6623 can do that like this: >
6624 :let var = var[0:2] . 'X' . var[4:]
6625<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006626 *E711* *E719*
6627:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006628 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
6629 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006630 correct number of items.
6631 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
6632 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
6633 When the selected range of items is partly past the
6634 end of the list, items will be added.
6635
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00006636 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006637:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
6638:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
6639:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
6640 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
6641 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
6642
6643
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006644:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
6645 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
6646 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006647:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
6648 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
6649 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
6650 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006651
6652:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
6653 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
6654 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
6655 must be the name of a writable register (see
6656 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
6657 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
6658 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
6659 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
6660 characterwise.
6661 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
6662 :let @/ = ""
6663< This is different from searching for an empty string,
6664 that would match everywhere.
6665
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006666:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006667 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006668 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
6669
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006670:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-&*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006671 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006672 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
6673 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006674 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
6675 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00006676 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006677 Example: >
6678 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006679
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006680:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
6681 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
6682 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
6683
6684:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
6685:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
6686 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
6687 {expr1}.
6688
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006689:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006690:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
6691:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
6692:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006693 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
6694 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
6695
6696:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006697:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
6698:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
6699:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006700 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
6701 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
6702
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00006703:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006704 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006705 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
6706 {name2}, etc.
6707 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006708 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006709 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
6710 command as mentioned above.
6711 Example: >
6712 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006713< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
6714 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
6715 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
6716 :let x = [0, 1]
6717 :let i = 0
6718 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
6719 :echo x
6720< The result is [0, 2].
6721
6722:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
6723:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
6724:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
6725 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006726 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006727
6728:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006729 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006730 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
6731 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
6732 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006733 Example: >
6734 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
6735<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006736:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
6737:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
6738:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
6739 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006740 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006741 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006742:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00006743 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
6744 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00006745 g: global variables
6746 b: local buffer variables
6747 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00006748 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00006749 s: script-local variables
6750 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00006751 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006752
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00006753:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
6754 variable is indicated before the value:
6755 <nothing> String
6756 # Number
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006757 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006758
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006759
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006760:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108* *E795*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006761 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
6762 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006763 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006764 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
6765 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006766 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00006767 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
6768 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006769< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00006770 :unlet dict['two']
6771 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00006772< This is especially useful to clean up used global
6773 variables and script-local variables (these are not
6774 deleted when the script ends). Function-local
6775 variables are automatically deleted when the function
6776 ends.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006777
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006778:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
6779 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
6780 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
6781 A locked variable can be deleted: >
6782 :lockvar v
6783 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
6784 :unlet v
6785< *E741*
6786 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
6787 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
6788
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006789 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
6790 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
6791 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006792 cannot add or remove items, but can
6793 still change their values.
6794 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006795 the items. If an item is a |List| or
6796 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006797 items, but can still change the
6798 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006799 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
6800 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
6801 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
6802 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
6803 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006804 *E743*
6805 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
6806 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
6807 loops.
6808
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006809 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
6810 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00006811 locked when used through the other variable.
6812 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006813 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
6814 :let cl = l
6815 :lockvar l
6816 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
6817< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
6818 See |deepcopy()|.
6819
6820
6821:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
6822 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
6823 opposite of |:lockvar|.
6824
6825
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006826:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
6827:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6828 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6829
6830 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
6831 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
6832 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
6833 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
6834 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
6835 part was not executed either.
6836
6837 You can use this to remain compatible with older
6838 versions: >
6839 :if version >= 500
6840 : version-5-specific-commands
6841 :endif
6842< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
6843 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
6844 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
6845 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
6846 avoid problems: >
6847 :if version >= 600
6848 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
6849 :endif
6850<
6851 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
6852 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
6853
6854 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
6855:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6856 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
6857 executed.
6858
6859 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
6860:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
6861 is no extra ":endif".
6862
6863:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006864 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006865:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
6866 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6867 When an error is detected from a command inside the
6868 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006869 Example: >
6870 :let lnum = 1
6871 :while lnum <= line("$")
6872 :call FixLine(lnum)
6873 :let lnum = lnum + 1
6874 :endwhile
6875<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006876 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006877 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006878
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006879:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006880:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
6881 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006882 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006883 value of each item.
6884 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006885 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00006886 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
6887 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006888 :for item in copy(mylist)
6889< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
6890 next item in the list, before executing the commands
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006891 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006892 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
6893 it will not be found. Thus the following example
6894 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006895 for item in mylist
6896 call remove(mylist, 0)
6897 endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006898< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
6899 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
6900 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006901 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
6902 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006903 to allow multiple item types: >
6904 for item in ["foo", ["bar"]]
6905 echo item
6906 unlet item " E706 without this
6907 endfor
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006908
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006909:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
6910:endfo[r]
6911 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
6912 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
6913 {var2}, etc. Example: >
6914 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
6915 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
6916 :endfor
6917<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006918 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006919:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
6920 to the start of the loop.
6921 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6922 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6923 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6924 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6925 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6926 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006927
6928 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006929:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
6930 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
6931 ":endfor".
6932 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6933 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6934 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6935 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6936 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6937 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006938
6939:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
6940:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
6941 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
6942 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
6943 or autocommand invocations.
6944
6945 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
6946 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
6947 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
6948 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
6949 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
6950 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
6951 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
6952 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
6953 Example: >
6954 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
6955 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
6956<
6957 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
6958 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
6959 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
6960 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
6961 processing is not terminated.
6962
6963 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
6964 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
6965 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
6966 other errors are converted to a value of the form
6967 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
6968 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
6969 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
6970 the error number.
6971 Examples: >
6972 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
6973 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
6974<
6975 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006976:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next |:catch|,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006977 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
6978 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
6979 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
6980 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
6981 commands are skipped.
6982 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
6983 Examples: >
6984 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
6985 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
6986 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
6987 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
6988 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
6989 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
6990 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
6991 :catch " same as /.*/
6992<
6993 Another character can be used instead of / around the
6994 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
6995 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
6996 {pattern}.
6997 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
6998 an error message because it may vary in different
6999 locales.
7000
7001 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
7002:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
7003 are executed whenever the part between the matching
7004 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
7005 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
7006 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
7007 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
7008
7009 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
7010:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
7011 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
7012 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
7013 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
7014 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
7015 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
7016 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
7017 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
7018 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
7019 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
7020 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
7021 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
7022 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
7023 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
7024 is terminated.
7025 Example: >
7026 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
7027<
7028
7029 *:ec* *:echo*
7030:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
7031 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
7032 Also see |:comment|.
7033 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
7034 cursor to the first column.
7035 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7036 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7037 Example: >
7038 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007039< *:echo-redraw*
7040 A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
7041 And since Vim mostly postpones redrawing until it's
7042 finished with a sequence of commands this happens
7043 quite often. To avoid that a command from before the
7044 ":echo" causes a redraw afterwards (redraws are often
7045 postponed until you type something), force a redraw
7046 with the |:redraw| command. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007047 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
7048<
7049 *:echon*
7050:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
7051 |:comment|.
7052 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7053 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7054 Example: >
7055 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
7056<
7057 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
7058 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
7059 command: >
7060 :!echo % --> filename
7061< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
7062 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
7063< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
7064 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
7065 :echo % --> nothing
7066< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
7067 :echo "%" --> %
7068< This just echoes the '%' character. >
7069 :echo expand("%") --> filename
7070< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
7071
7072 *:echoh* *:echohl*
7073:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
7074 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
7075 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
7076 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
7077< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
7078 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
7079
7080 *:echom* *:echomsg*
7081:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
7082 message in the |message-history|.
7083 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
7084 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
7085 displayed, not interpreted.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007086 The parsing works slightly different from |:echo|,
7087 more like |:execute|. All the expressions are first
7088 evaluated and concatenated before echoing anything.
7089 The expressions must evaluate to a Number or String, a
7090 Dictionary or List causes an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007091 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7092 Example: >
7093 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007094< See |:echo-redraw| to avoid the message disappearing
7095 when the screen is redrawn.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007096 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
7097:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
7098 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
7099 script or function the line number will be added.
7100 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007101 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007102 the message is raised as an error exception instead
7103 (see |try-echoerr|).
7104 Example: >
7105 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
7106< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
7107 And to get a beep: >
7108 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
7109<
7110 *:exe* *:execute*
7111:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02007112 of {expr1} as an Ex command.
7113 Multiple arguments are concatenated, with a space in
7114 between. To avoid the extra space use the "."
7115 operator to concatenate strings into one argument.
7116 {expr1} is used as the processed command, command line
7117 editing keys are not recognized.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007118 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7119 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02007120 :execute "buffer" nextbuf
7121 :execute "normal" count . "w"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007122<
7123 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
7124 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
7125 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
7126
7127< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
7128 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
7129 command: >
7130 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
7131< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
7132
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007133 Be careful to correctly escape special characters in
7134 file names. The |fnameescape()| function can be used
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00007135 for Vim commands, |shellescape()| for |:!| commands.
7136 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007137 :execute "e " . fnameescape(filename)
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00007138 :execute "!ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h'), 1)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007139<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007140 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00007141 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
7142 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007143 :execute 'while i > 5'
7144 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
7145<
7146 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
7147 completely in the executed string: >
7148 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
7149<
7150
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01007151 *:exe-comment*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007152 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
7153 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
7154 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
7155 comment. Example: >
7156 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
7157
7158==============================================================================
71598. Exception handling *exception-handling*
7160
7161The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
7162explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
7163
7164Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
7165|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
7166exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
7167
7168
7169TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
7170
7171Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
7172use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
7173a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
7174 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
7175|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
7176a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
7177be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
7178which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
7179clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
7180
7181 :try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007182 : ...
7183 : ... TRY BLOCK
7184 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007185 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007186 : ...
7187 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
7188 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007189 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007190 : ...
7191 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
7192 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007193 :finally
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007194 : ...
7195 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
7196 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007197 :endtry
7198
7199The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
7200appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
7201from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
7202 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
7203is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
7204script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
7205 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
7206lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
7207patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
7208after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
7209executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
7210":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
7211(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
7212continues in the following line as usual.
7213 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
7214":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
7215that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
7216finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
7217the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
7218the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
7219see |try-nesting|.
7220 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007221remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007222not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
7223try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
7224a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
7225execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
7226exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
7227 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007228thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007229clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
7230catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
7231following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
7232clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
7233
7234The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
7235a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
7236try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
7237from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
7238sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
7239":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
7240":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
7241from the finally clause.
7242 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
7243try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
7244clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
7245":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
7246clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
7247":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
7248this pending exception or command is discarded.
7249
7250For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
7251
7252
7253NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
7254
7255Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
7256conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
7257clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
7258catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
7259of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
7260checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
7261try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007262otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007263nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
7264one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
7265the inner try conditional.
7266
7267When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
7268finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
7269An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
7270thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
7271implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
7272as usual.
7273
7274For examples see |throw-catch|.
7275
7276
7277EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
7278
7279Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
7280'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
7281script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
7282finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
7283a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
7284(see |debug-scripts|).
7285
7286
7287THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
7288
7289You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
7290and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
7291 :throw 4711
7292 :throw "string"
7293< *throw-expression*
7294You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
7295first, and the result is thrown: >
7296 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
7297 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
7298
7299An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
7300command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
7301The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
7302 Example: >
7303
7304 :function! Foo(arg)
7305 : try
7306 : throw a:arg
7307 : catch /foo/
7308 : endtry
7309 : return 1
7310 :endfunction
7311 :
7312 :function! Bar()
7313 : echo "in Bar"
7314 : return 4710
7315 :endfunction
7316 :
7317 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
7318
7319This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
7320executed. >
7321 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
7322however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
7323
7324Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007325abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007326exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
7327 Example: >
7328
7329 :if Foo("arrgh")
7330 : echo "then"
7331 :else
7332 : echo "else"
7333 :endif
7334
7335Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
7336
7337 *catch-order*
7338Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
7339commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
7340command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
7341gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
7342 Example: >
7343
7344 :function! Foo(value)
7345 : try
7346 : throw a:value
7347 : catch /^\d\+$/
7348 : echo "Number thrown"
7349 : catch /.*/
7350 : echo "String thrown"
7351 : endtry
7352 :endfunction
7353 :
7354 :call Foo(0x1267)
7355 :call Foo('string')
7356
7357The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
7358An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
7359specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
7360specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
7361
7362 : catch /.*/
7363 : echo "String thrown"
7364 : catch /^\d\+$/
7365 : echo "Number thrown"
7366
7367The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
7368never taken.
7369
7370 *throw-variables*
7371If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
7372in the variable |v:exception|: >
7373
7374 : catch /^\d\+$/
7375 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
7376
7377You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
7378|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
7379exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
7380 Example: >
7381
7382 :function! Caught()
7383 : if v:exception != ""
7384 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
7385 : else
7386 : echo 'Nothing caught'
7387 : endif
7388 :endfunction
7389 :
7390 :function! Foo()
7391 : try
7392 : try
7393 : try
7394 : throw 4711
7395 : finally
7396 : call Caught()
7397 : endtry
7398 : catch /.*/
7399 : call Caught()
7400 : throw "oops"
7401 : endtry
7402 : catch /.*/
7403 : call Caught()
7404 : finally
7405 : call Caught()
7406 : endtry
7407 :endfunction
7408 :
7409 :call Foo()
7410
7411This displays >
7412
7413 Nothing caught
7414 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
7415 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
7416 Nothing caught
7417
7418A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
7419number in the script or function where it has been used: >
7420
7421 :function! LineNumber()
7422 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
7423 :endfunction
7424 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
7425<
7426 *try-nested*
7427An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
7428a surrounding try conditional: >
7429
7430 :try
7431 : try
7432 : throw "foo"
7433 : catch /foobar/
7434 : echo "foobar"
7435 : finally
7436 : echo "inner finally"
7437 : endtry
7438 :catch /foo/
7439 : echo "foo"
7440 :endtry
7441
7442The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
7443clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
7444conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
7445
7446 *throw-from-catch*
7447You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
7448catch clause: >
7449
7450 :function! Foo()
7451 : throw "foo"
7452 :endfunction
7453 :
7454 :function! Bar()
7455 : try
7456 : call Foo()
7457 : catch /foo/
7458 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
7459 : throw "bar"
7460 : endtry
7461 :endfunction
7462 :
7463 :try
7464 : call Bar()
7465 :catch /.*/
7466 : echo "Caught" v:exception
7467 :endtry
7468
7469This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
7470
7471 *rethrow*
7472There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
7473"v:exception" instead: >
7474
7475 :function! Bar()
7476 : try
7477 : call Foo()
7478 : catch /.*/
7479 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
7480 : throw v:exception
7481 : endtry
7482 :endfunction
7483< *try-echoerr*
7484Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
7485exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
7486Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
7487denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
7488the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
7489
7490 :try
7491 : try
7492 : asdf
7493 : catch /.*/
7494 : echoerr v:exception
7495 : endtry
7496 :catch /.*/
7497 : echo v:exception
7498 :endtry
7499
7500This code displays
7501
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007502 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007503
7504
7505CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
7506
7507Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
7508user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007509an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007510a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
7511catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
7512a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
7513normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
7514(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007515to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007516clause has been executed.)
7517Example: >
7518
7519 :try
7520 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
7521 : set ts=17
7522 :
7523 : " Do the hard work here.
7524 :
7525 :finally
7526 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
7527 : unlet s:saved_ts
7528 :endtry
7529
7530This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
7531changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
7532that function or script part.
7533
7534 *break-finally*
7535Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
7536a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
7537 Example: >
7538
7539 :let first = 1
7540 :while 1
7541 : try
7542 : if first
7543 : echo "first"
7544 : let first = 0
7545 : continue
7546 : else
7547 : throw "second"
7548 : endif
7549 : catch /.*/
7550 : echo v:exception
7551 : break
7552 : finally
7553 : echo "cleanup"
7554 : endtry
7555 : echo "still in while"
7556 :endwhile
7557 :echo "end"
7558
7559This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
7560
7561 :function! Foo()
7562 : try
7563 : return 4711
7564 : finally
7565 : echo "cleanup\n"
7566 : endtry
7567 : echo "Foo still active"
7568 :endfunction
7569 :
7570 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
7571
7572This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007573extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007574return value.)
7575
7576 *except-from-finally*
7577Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
7578a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
7579cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
7580exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
7581 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
7582working correctly: >
7583
7584 :try
7585 : try
7586 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
7587 : while 1
7588 : endwhile
7589 : finally
7590 : unlet novar
7591 : endtry
7592 :catch /novar/
7593 :endtry
7594 :echo "Script still running"
7595 :sleep 1
7596
7597If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
7598think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
7599|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
7600
7601
7602CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
7603
7604If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
7605watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
7606presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
7607exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
7608the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
7609the error exception is.
7610 Error exceptions have the following format: >
7611
7612 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
7613or >
7614 Vim:{errmsg}
7615
7616{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007617the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007618when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
7619a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
7620a space.
7621
7622Examples:
7623
7624The command >
7625 :unlet novar
7626normally produces the error message >
7627 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7628which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7629 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
7630
7631The command >
7632 :dwim
7633normally produces the error message >
7634 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
7635which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7636 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
7637
7638You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
7639 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
7640or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
7641 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
7642
7643Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
7644 :function nofunc
7645and >
7646 :delfunction nofunc
7647both produce the error message >
7648 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7649which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7650 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7651or >
7652 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7653respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
7654command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
7655 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
7656
7657Some commands like >
7658 :let x = novar
7659produce multiple error messages, here: >
7660 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7661 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7662Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
7663one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
7664 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
7665
7666You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
7667 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
7668
7669You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
7670 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
7671
7672You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
7673 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
7674<
7675 *catch-text*
7676NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
7677 :catch /No such variable/
7678only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
7679a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
7680cite the message text in a comment: >
7681 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
7682
7683
7684IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
7685
7686You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
7687
7688 :try
7689 : write
7690 :catch
7691 :endtry
7692
7693But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
7694catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
7695be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
7696
7697 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
7698
7699There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
7700writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
7701then hide the error from the user.
7702 It is much better to use >
7703
7704 :try
7705 : write
7706 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7707 :endtry
7708
7709which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
7710intentionally.
7711
7712For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
7713even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
7714command: >
7715 :silent! nunmap k
7716This works also when a try conditional is active.
7717
7718
7719CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
7720
7721When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007722the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007723script is not terminated, then.
7724 Example: >
7725
7726 :function! TASK1()
7727 : sleep 10
7728 :endfunction
7729
7730 :function! TASK2()
7731 : sleep 20
7732 :endfunction
7733
7734 :while 1
7735 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
7736 : try
7737 : if command == ""
7738 : continue
7739 : elseif command == "END"
7740 : break
7741 : elseif command == "TASK1"
7742 : call TASK1()
7743 : elseif command == "TASK2"
7744 : call TASK2()
7745 : else
7746 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
7747 : continue
7748 : endif
7749 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
7750 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
7751 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
7752 : endtry
7753 :endwhile
7754
7755You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007756a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007757
7758For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
7759your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
7760command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
7761
7762
7763CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
7764
7765The commands >
7766
7767 :catch /.*/
7768 :catch //
7769 :catch
7770
7771catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
7772explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
7773a script in order to catch unexpected things.
7774 Example: >
7775
7776 :try
7777 :
7778 : " do the hard work here
7779 :
7780 :catch /MyException/
7781 :
7782 : " handle known problem
7783 :
7784 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
7785 : echo "Script interrupted"
7786 :catch /.*/
7787 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
7788 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
7789 :endtry
7790 :" end of script
7791
7792Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
7793strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
7794specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
7795 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
7796by pressing CTRL-C: >
7797
7798 :while 1
7799 : try
7800 : sleep 1
7801 : catch
7802 : endtry
7803 :endwhile
7804
7805
7806EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
7807
7808Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
7809
7810 :autocmd User x try
7811 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
7812 :autocmd User x catch
7813 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
7814 :autocmd User x endtry
7815 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
7816 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
7817 :
7818 :try
7819 : doautocmd User x
7820 :catch
7821 : echo v:exception
7822 :endtry
7823
7824This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
7825
7826 *except-autocmd-Pre*
7827For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
7828command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
7829of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
7830abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
7831 Example: >
7832
7833 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
7834 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
7835 :
7836 :try
7837 : write
7838 :catch
7839 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
7840 :endtry
7841
7842Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
7843you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
7844autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
7845script displays: >
7846
7847 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
7848<
7849 *except-autocmd-Post*
7850For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
7851command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
7852an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
7853is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
7854 Example: >
7855
7856 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
7857 :
7858 :try
7859 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7860 :catch
7861 : echo v:exception
7862 :endtry
7863
7864This just displays: >
7865
7866 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
7867
7868If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
7869fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
7870 Example: >
7871
7872 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
7873 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
7874 :
7875 :try
7876 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7877 :catch
7878 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7879 :endtry
7880<
7881You can also use ":silent!": >
7882
7883 :let x = "ok"
7884 :let v:errmsg = ""
7885 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
7886 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
7887 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
7888 :try
7889 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7890 :catch
7891 :endtry
7892 :echo x
7893
7894This displays "after fail".
7895
7896If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
7897autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
7898
7899 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
7900 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
7901 :
7902 :try
7903 : write
7904 :catch
7905 : echo v:exception
7906 :endtry
7907<
7908 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
7909For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
7910autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
7911of the command.
7912 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007913had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007914some way. >
7915
7916 :if !exists("cnt")
7917 : let cnt = 0
7918 :
7919 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
7920 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
7921 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
7922 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7923 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7924 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
7925 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
7926 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7927 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7928 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
7929 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7930 :endif
7931 :
7932 :try
7933 : write
7934 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
7935 : if &modified
7936 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
7937 : else
7938 : echo "Error after writing"
7939 : endif
7940 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7941 : echo "Error on writing"
7942 :endtry
7943
7944When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
7945first >
7946 File successfully written!
7947then >
7948 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
7949then >
7950 Error after writing
7951etc.
7952
7953 *except-autocmd-ill*
7954You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
7955The following code is ill-formed: >
7956
7957 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
7958 :
7959 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
7960 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
7961 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
7962 :
7963 :write
7964
7965
7966EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
7967
7968Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
7969pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
7970similar things in Vim.
7971 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
7972class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
7973string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
7974 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
7975it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
7976for an error when writing "myfile".
7977 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
7978base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
7979parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
7980 Example: >
7981
7982 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
7983 : if a:a < 0
7984 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
7985 : endif
7986 :endfunction
7987 :
7988 :function! Add(a, b)
7989 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
7990 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
7991 : let c = a:a + a:b
7992 : if c < 0
7993 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
7994 : endif
7995 : return c
7996 :endfunction
7997 :
7998 :function! Div(a, b)
7999 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
8000 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
8001 : if (a:b == 0)
8002 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
8003 : endif
8004 : return a:a / a:b
8005 :endfunction
8006 :
8007 :function! Write(file)
8008 : try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008009 : execute "write" fnameescape(a:file)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008010 : catch /^Vim(write):/
8011 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
8012 : endtry
8013 :endfunction
8014 :
8015 :try
8016 :
8017 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
8018 :
8019 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
8020 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
8021 : echo "Range error in" function
8022 :
8023 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
8024 : echo "Math error"
8025 :
8026 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
8027 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
8028 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
8029 : if file !~ '^/'
8030 : let file = dir . "/" . file
8031 : endif
8032 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
8033 :
8034 :catch /^EXCEPT/
8035 : echo "Unspecified error"
8036 :
8037 :endtry
8038
8039The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
8040a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
8041exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
8042 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
8043failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
8044
8045
8046PECULIARITIES
8047 *except-compat*
8048The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
8049exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
8050and/or a catch clause.
8051
8052In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
8053continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
8054after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
8055functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
8056or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
8057(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
8058
8059This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
8060immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008061conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
8062be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008063termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
8064catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
8065by specifying a finally clause.)
8066
8067When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
8068behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
8069scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
8070
8071However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
8072commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
8073conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
8074script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
8075error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
8076messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008077|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
8078not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008079where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
8080error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
8081scripts.
8082
8083 *except-syntax-err*
8084Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
8085the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
8086clauses, however, is executed.
8087 Example: >
8088
8089 :try
8090 : try
8091 : throw 4711
8092 : catch /\(/
8093 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
8094 : catch
8095 : echo "inner catch-all"
8096 : finally
8097 : echo "inner finally"
8098 : endtry
8099 :catch
8100 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
8101 : finally
8102 : echo "outer finally"
8103 :endtry
8104
8105This displays: >
8106 inner finally
8107 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
8108 outer finally
8109The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
8110
8111 *except-single-line*
8112The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
8113a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
8114"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
8115 Example: >
8116 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
8117raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
8118argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
8119error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
8120displayed.
8121
8122 *except-several-errors*
8123When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
8124usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
8125 Example: >
8126 echo novar
8127causes >
8128 E121: Undefined variable: novar
8129 E15: Invalid expression: novar
8130The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
8131 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
8132< *except-syntax-error*
8133But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
8134the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
8135 Example: >
8136 unlet novar #
8137causes >
8138 E108: No such variable: "novar"
8139 E488: Trailing characters
8140The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
8141 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
8142This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
8143not intended by the user. Example: >
8144 try
8145 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
8146 catch /.*/
8147 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
8148 endtry
8149This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
8150a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
8151
8152==============================================================================
81539. Examples *eval-examples*
8154
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008155Printing in Binary ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008156>
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01008157 :" The function Nr2Bin() returns the binary string representation of a number.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008158 :func Nr2Bin(nr)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008159 : let n = a:nr
8160 : let r = ""
8161 : while n
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008162 : let r = '01'[n % 2] . r
8163 : let n = n / 2
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008164 : endwhile
8165 : return r
8166 :endfunc
8167
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008168 :" The function String2Bin() converts each character in a string to a
8169 :" binary string, separated with dashes.
8170 :func String2Bin(str)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008171 : let out = ''
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008172 : for ix in range(strlen(a:str))
8173 : let out = out . '-' . Nr2Bin(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
8174 : endfor
8175 : return out[1:]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008176 :endfunc
8177
8178Example of its use: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008179 :echo Nr2Bin(32)
8180result: "100000" >
8181 :echo String2Bin("32")
8182result: "110011-110010"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008183
8184
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008185Sorting lines ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008186
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008187This example sorts lines with a specific compare function. >
8188
8189 :func SortBuffer()
8190 : let lines = getline(1, '$')
8191 : call sort(lines, function("Strcmp"))
8192 : call setline(1, lines)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008193 :endfunction
8194
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008195As a one-liner: >
8196 :call setline(1, sort(getline(1, '$'), function("Strcmp")))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008197
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008198
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008199scanf() replacement ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008200 *sscanf*
8201There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
8202line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
8203how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
8204"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
8205 :" Set up the match bit
8206 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
8207 :"get the part matching the whole expression
8208 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
8209 :"get each item out of the match
8210 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
8211 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
8212 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
8213
8214The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
8215"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
8216
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008217
8218getting the scriptnames in a Dictionary ~
8219 *scriptnames-dictionary*
8220The |:scriptnames| command can be used to get a list of all script files that
8221have been sourced. There is no equivalent function or variable for this
8222(because it's rarely needed). In case you need to manipulate the list this
8223code can be used: >
8224 " Get the output of ":scriptnames" in the scriptnames_output variable.
8225 let scriptnames_output = ''
8226 redir => scriptnames_output
8227 silent scriptnames
8228 redir END
8229
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008230 " Split the output into lines and parse each line. Add an entry to the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008231 " "scripts" dictionary.
8232 let scripts = {}
8233 for line in split(scriptnames_output, "\n")
8234 " Only do non-blank lines.
8235 if line =~ '\S'
8236 " Get the first number in the line.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008237 let nr = matchstr(line, '\d\+')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008238 " Get the file name, remove the script number " 123: ".
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008239 let name = substitute(line, '.\+:\s*', '', '')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008240 " Add an item to the Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008241 let scripts[nr] = name
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008242 endif
8243 endfor
8244 unlet scriptnames_output
8245
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008246==============================================================================
824710. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
8248
8249When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
8250evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
8251to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
8252recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
8253and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
8254only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
8255recognized.
8256
8257Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
8258missing: >
8259
8260 :if 1
8261 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
8262 :else
8263 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
8264 :endif
8265
8266==============================================================================
826711. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
8268
Bram Moolenaar368373e2010-07-19 20:46:22 +02008269The 'foldexpr', 'formatexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and
8270'foldtext' options may be evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are
8271protected from these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some
8272safety for when these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when
8273the command from a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00008274The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008275
8276These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
8277 - changing the buffer text
8278 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
8279 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008280 - setting certain v: variables (see |v:var|) *E794*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008281 - executing a shell command
8282 - reading or writing a file
8283 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00008284 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00008285This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
8286
8287 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00008288:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00008289 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
8290 'foldexpr'.
8291
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008292 *sandbox-option*
8293A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00008294have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008295restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
8296location. Insecure in this context are:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00008297- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directory
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008298- while executing in the sandbox
8299- value coming from a modeline
8300
8301Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
8302option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
8303
8304==============================================================================
830512. Textlock *textlock*
8306
8307In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
8308to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
8309is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008310actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008311happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
8312
8313This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
8314 - changing the buffer text
8315 - jumping to another buffer or window
8316 - editing another file
8317 - closing a window or quitting Vim
8318 - etc.
8319
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008320
8321 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: