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Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2005 Feb 11
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
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 Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
13|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 Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000031
32{Vi does not have any of these commands}
33
34==============================================================================
351. Variables *variables*
36
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000371.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000038 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000039There are four types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000040
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000041Number A 32 bit signed number.
42 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
43
44String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
45 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
46
47Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
48 Example: function("strlen")
49
50List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
51 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000052
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000053The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
54are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000055
56Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
57the Number. Examples: >
58 Number 123 --> String "123"
59 Number 0 --> String "0"
60 Number -1 --> String "-1"
61
62Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
63to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
64the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
65 String "456" --> Number 456
66 String "6bar" --> Number 6
67 String "foo" --> Number 0
68 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
69 String "0100" --> Number 64
70 String "-8" --> Number -8
71 String "+8" --> Number 0
72
73To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
74 :echo "0100" + 0
75
76For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
77
78Note that in the command >
79 :if "foo"
80"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
81use strlen(): >
82 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000083< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
84List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000085
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000086 *E706*
87You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
88to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000089equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000090 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000091 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000092 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000093
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000094
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000951.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000096 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000097A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000098in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
99around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000100
101 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
102 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000103< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000104A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:" or "b:". You cannot
105have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000106
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000107A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
108Dictionary entry. Example: >
109 :function dict.init() dict
110 : let self.val = 0
111 :endfunction
112
113The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
114function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
115
116A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
117 :call Fn()
118 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000119
120The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000121 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000122
123You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
124arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000125 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000126
127
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001281.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000129 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000130A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
131can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
132position in the sequence.
133
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000134
135List creation ~
136 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000137A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000138Examples: >
139 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
140 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000141
142An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143nested List: >
144 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000145
146An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
147
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000148
149List index ~
150 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000151An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000152after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
153 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000154 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000155
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000156When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000157 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000158<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000159A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
160the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000161 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
162
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000163To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000164is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000165 :echo get(mylist, idx)
166 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
167
168
169List concatenation ~
170
171Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
172 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000173 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000174
175To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
176it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
177
178
179Sublist ~
180
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000181A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
182separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000183 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000184
185Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
186similar to -1. The difference is that there is no error if the items are not
187available. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000188 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
189 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
190 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000191
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000192The second index can be just before the first index. In that case the result
193is an empty list. If the second index is lower, this results in an error. >
194 :echo mylist[2:1] " result: []
195 :echo mylist[2:0] " error!
196
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000197
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000198List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000199 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000200When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
201variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
202change "bb": >
203 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
204 :let bb = aa
205 :call add(aa, 4)
206 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000207< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000208
209Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
210works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000211a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
213 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000214 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000215 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
216 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000217< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000218 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000219< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000220
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000221To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000222copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000223
224The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000225List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000226the same value. >
227 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
228 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
229 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000230< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000231 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000232< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000233
234
235List unpack ~
236
237To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
238square brackets, like list items: >
239 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
240
241When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
242this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
243and a variable name: >
244 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
245
246This works like: >
247 :let var1 = mylist[0]
248 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000249 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000250
251Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
252empty list then.
253
254
255List modification ~
256 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000257To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000258 :let list[4] = "four"
259 :let listlist[0][3] = item
260
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000261To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000262modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000263 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
264
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000265Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
266examples: >
267 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
268 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
269 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000270 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000271 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
272 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000273 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000274 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000275 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000276 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000277
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000278Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000279 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
280 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
281
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000282
283For loop ~
284
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000285The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
286to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000287 :for item in mylist
288 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000289 :endfor
290
291This works like: >
292 :let index = 0
293 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000294 : let item = mylist[index]
295 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000296 : let index = index + 1
297 :endwhile
298
299Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000300results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000301the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000302
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000303If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000304function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000305
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000306Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
307requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
308 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
309 : call Doit(lnum, col)
310 :endfor
311
312This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
313must remain the same to avoid an error.
314
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000315It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000316 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
317 : call Doit(i, j)
318 : if !empty(rest)
319 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
320 : endif
321 :endfor
322
323
324List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000325 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000326Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000327 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000328 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000329 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
330 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
331 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000332 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
333 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000334 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
335 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000336 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
337 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000338 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
339 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000340
341
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003421.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000343 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000344A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000345entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
346ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000347
348
349Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000350 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000351A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000352braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
353only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000354 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
355 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000356< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000357A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
358String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000359entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
360Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000361
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000362A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000363nested Dictionary: >
364 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
365
366An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
367
368
369Accessing entries ~
370
371The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
372 :let val = mydict["one"]
373 :let mydict["four"] = 4
374
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000375You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000376
377For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
378form can be used |expr-entry|: >
379 :let val = mydict.one
380 :let mydict.four = 4
381
382Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
383key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000384 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000385
386
387Dictionary to List conversion ~
388
389You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
390turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
391
392Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
393 :for key in keys(mydict)
394 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
395 :endfor
396
397The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
398 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
399
400To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
401 :for v in values(mydict)
402 : echo "value: " . v
403 :endfor
404
405If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000406a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000407 :for entry in items(mydict)
408 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
409 :endfor
410
411
412Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000413 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000414Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
415Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
416Dictionary: >
417 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
418 :let adict = onedict
419 :let adict['a'] = 11
420 :echo onedict['a']
421 11
422
423For more info see |list-identity|.
424
425
426Dictionary modification ~
427 *dict-modification*
428To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
429use |:let| this way: >
430 :let dict[4] = "four"
431 :let dict['one'] = item
432
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000433Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
434Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
435 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
436 :unlet dict.aaa
437 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000438
439Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000440 :call extend(adict, bdict)
441This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
442in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000443Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
444expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
445adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000446
447Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000448 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
449This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000450
451
452Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000453 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000454When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
455special way with a dictionary. Example: >
456 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000457 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000458 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000459 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
460 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000461
462This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
463Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
464the function was invoked from.
465
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000466It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
467Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
468
469 *numbered-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000470To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
471assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000472 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
473 :function mydict.len() dict
474 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000475 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000476 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000477
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000478The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
479that references this function. The function can only be used through a
480|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
481remaining that refers to it.
482
483It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000484
485
486Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000487 *E715*
488Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000489 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
490 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
491 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
492 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
493 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
494 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
495 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
496 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000497
498
4991.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000500 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000501If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
502function.
503
504When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
505start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
506stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
507
508When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
509start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
510stored in the session file |session-file|.
511
512variable name can be stored where ~
513my_var_6 not
514My_Var_6 session file
515MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
516
517
518It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
519|curly-braces-names|.
520
521==============================================================================
5222. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
523
524Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
525
526|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
527
528|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
529
530|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
531
532|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
533 expr5 != expr5 not equal
534 expr5 > expr5 greater than
535 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
536 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
537 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
538 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
539 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
540
541 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
542 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
543 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
544 matching case
545
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000546 expr5 is expr5 same List instance
547 expr5 isnot expr5 different List instance
548
549|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000550 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
551 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
552
553|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
554 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
555 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
556
557|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
558 - expr7 unary minus
559 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000560
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000561
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000562|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a List
563 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a List
564 expr8.name entry in a Dictionary
565 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with Funcref variable
566
567|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000568 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000569 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000570 [expr1, ...] List
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000571 {expr1: expr1, ...} Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000572 &option option value
573 (expr1) nested expression
574 variable internal variable
575 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
576 $VAR environment variable
577 @r contents of register 'r'
578 function(expr1, ...) function call
579 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
580
581
582".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
583Example: >
584 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
585
586All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
587
588
589expr1 *expr1* *E109*
590-----
591
592expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
593
594The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
595non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
596otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
597Example: >
598 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
599
600Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
601other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
602Example: >
603 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
604
605To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
606 :echo lnum == 1
607 :\ ? "top"
608 :\ : lnum == 1000
609 :\ ? "last"
610 :\ : lnum
611
612
613expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
614---------------
615
616 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
617The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
618are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
619
620 input output ~
621n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
622zero zero zero zero
623zero non-zero non-zero zero
624non-zero zero non-zero zero
625non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
626
627The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
628
629 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
630
631Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
632
633 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
634
635Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
636arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
637
638 let a = 1
639 echo a || b
640
641This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
642so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
643
644 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
645
646This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
647only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
648
649
650expr4 *expr4*
651-----
652
653expr5 {cmp} expr5
654
655Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
656if it evaluates to true.
657
658 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
659 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
660 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
661 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
662 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
663 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000664 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000665 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
666equal == ==# ==?
667not equal != !=# !=?
668greater than > ># >?
669greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
670smaller than < <# <?
671smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
672regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
673regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000674same instance is
675different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000676
677Examples:
678"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
679"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
680"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
681
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000682 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000683A List can only be compared with a List and only "equal", "not equal" and "is"
684can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively. Ignoring
685case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
686
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000687 *E735* *E736*
688A Dictionary can only be compared with a Dictionary and only "equal", "not
689equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the Dictionary,
690recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
691
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000692 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000693A Funcref can only be compared with a Funcref and only "equal" and "not equal"
694can be used. Case is never ignored.
695
696When using "is" or "isnot" with a List this checks if the expressions are
697referring to the same List instance. A copy of a List is different from the
698original List. When using "is" without a List it is equivalent to using
699"equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
700different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
701is false.
702
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000703When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
704and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
705because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
706
707When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
708results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
709necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
710
711When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
712'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
713
714When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
715'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
716
717The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
718argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
719This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
720matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
721portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
722single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
723Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
724(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
725can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
726 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
727 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
728
729
730expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
731---------------
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000732expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or List concatenation *expr-+*
733expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
734expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000735
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000736For Lists only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The result
737is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
738
739expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
740expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
741expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000742
743For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
744
745Note the difference between "+" and ".":
746 "123" + "456" = 579
747 "123" . "456" = "123456"
748
749When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
750When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
751
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000752None of these work for Funcrefs.
753
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000754
755expr7 *expr7*
756-----
757! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
758- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
759+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
760
761For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
762For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
763For '+' the number is unchanged.
764
765A String will be converted to a Number first.
766
767These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
768 !-1 == 0
769 !!8 == 1
770 --9 == 9
771
772
773expr8 *expr8*
774-----
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000775expr8[expr1] item of String or List *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000776
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000777If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
778expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000779Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000780
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000781Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
782text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
783cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000784 :let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1]
785
786If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000787String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
788compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
789
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000790If expr8 is a List then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000791for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
792error. Example: >
793 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
794
795Generally, if a List index is equal to or higher than the length of the List,
796or more negative than the length of the List, this results in an error.
797
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000798
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000799expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000800
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000801If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
802from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000803expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
804encodings.
805
806If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
807string minus one is used.
808
809A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
810the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
811
812If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
813expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
814
815Examples: >
816 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
817 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
818 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
819 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
820
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000821If expr8 is a List this results in a new List with the items indicated by the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000822indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained just
823above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
824 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
825 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
826 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
827
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000828Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a Funcref results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000829
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000830
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000831expr8.name entry in a Dictionary *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000832
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000833If expr8 is a Dictionary and it is followed by a dot, then the following name
834will be used as a key in the Dictionary. This is just like: expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000835
836The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
837but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
838
839There must not be white space before or after the dot.
840
841Examples: >
842 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
843 :echo dict.one
844 :echo dict .2
845
846Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
847always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
848
849
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000850expr8(expr1, ...) Funcref function call
851
852When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
853
854
855
856 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000857number
858------
859number number constant *expr-number*
860
861Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
862
863
864string *expr-string* *E114*
865------
866"string" string constant *expr-quote*
867
868Note that double quotes are used.
869
870A string constant accepts these special characters:
871\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
872\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
873\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
874\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
875\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
876\X.. same as \x..
877\X. same as \x.
878\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
879 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
880\U.... same as \u....
881\b backspace <BS>
882\e escape <Esc>
883\f formfeed <FF>
884\n newline <NL>
885\r return <CR>
886\t tab <Tab>
887\\ backslash
888\" double quote
889\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
890
891Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
892
893
894literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
895---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000896'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000897
898Note that single quotes are used.
899
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000900This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000901meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000902
903Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
904to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
905 if a =~ "\\s*"
906 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000907
908
909option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
910------
911&option option value, local value if possible
912&g:option global option value
913&l:option local option value
914
915Examples: >
916 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
917 if &insertmode
918
919Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
920and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
921anyway.
922
923
924register *expr-register*
925--------
926@r contents of register 'r'
927
928The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
929Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
930register use @" or @@. The '=' register can not be used here. See
931|registers| for an explanation of the available registers.
932
933
934nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
935-------
936(expr1) nested expression
937
938
939environment variable *expr-env*
940--------------------
941$VAR environment variable
942
943The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
944result is an empty string.
945 *expr-env-expand*
946Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
947expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
948are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
949the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
950fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
951does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
952 :echo $version
953 :echo expand("$version")
954The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
955variable (if your shell supports it).
956
957
958internal variable *expr-variable*
959-----------------
960variable internal variable
961See below |internal-variables|.
962
963
964function call *expr-function* *E116* *E117* *E118* *E119* *E120*
965-------------
966function(expr1, ...) function call
967See below |functions|.
968
969
970==============================================================================
9713. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
972 *E461*
973An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
974cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
975|curly-braces-names|.
976
977An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000978An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
979|:unlet|.
980Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
981been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000982
983There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
984specified by what is prepended:
985
986 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
987|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
988|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
989|global-variable| g: Global.
990|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
991|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
992|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
993|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
994
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +0000995The scope name by itself can be used as a Dictionary. For example, to delete
996all script-local variables: >
997 :for k in keys(s:)
998 : unlet s:[k]
999 :endfor
1000<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001001 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1002A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1003Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1004This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1005|:bdelete|.
1006
1007One local buffer variable is predefined:
1008 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1009b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1010 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1011 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1012 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1013 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1014 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1015 : call My_Update()
1016 :endif
1017<
1018 *window-variable* *w:var*
1019A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1020is deleted when the window is closed.
1021
1022 *global-variable* *g:var*
1023Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1024access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1025place if you like.
1026
1027 *local-variable* *l:var*
1028Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1029But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1030
1031 *script-variable* *s:var*
1032In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1033accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1034
1035They can be used in:
1036- commands executed while the script is sourced
1037- functions defined in the script
1038- autocommands defined in the script
1039- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1040 defined in the script (recursively)
1041- user defined commands defined in the script
1042Thus not in:
1043- other scripts sourced from this one
1044- mappings
1045- etc.
1046
1047script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1048Take this example:
1049
1050 let s:counter = 0
1051 function MyCounter()
1052 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1053 echo s:counter
1054 endfunction
1055 command Tick call MyCounter()
1056
1057You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1058that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1059"Tick" was defined is used.
1060
1061Another example that does the same: >
1062
1063 let s:counter = 0
1064 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1065
1066When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001067script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001068defined.
1069
1070The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1071function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1072
1073 let s:counter = 0
1074 function StartCounting(incr)
1075 if a:incr
1076 function MyCounter()
1077 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1078 endfunction
1079 else
1080 function MyCounter()
1081 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1082 endfunction
1083 endif
1084 endfunction
1085
1086This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1087when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1088called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1089
1090When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1091They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1092maintain a counter: >
1093
1094 if !exists("s:counter")
1095 let s:counter = 1
1096 echo "script executed for the first time"
1097 else
1098 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1099 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1100 endif
1101
1102Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1103variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1104
1105
1106Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1107
1108 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1109v:charconvert_from
1110 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1111 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1112
1113 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1114v:charconvert_to
1115 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1116 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1117
1118 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1119v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1120 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1121 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1122 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1123 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1124 possible to append this variable directly after the
1125 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1126 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1127 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1128 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1129 in 'printexpr'.
1130
1131 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1132v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1133 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1134 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1135 can be used.
1136
1137 *v:count* *count-variable*
1138v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1139 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1140 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1141< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1142 get when typing ':' after a count.
1143 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1144
1145 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1146v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1147 used.
1148
1149 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1150v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1151 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1152 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1153 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1154 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1155 command.
1156 See |multi-lang|.
1157
1158 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1159v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1160 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1161 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1162 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1163 Example: >
1164 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1165<
1166 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1167v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1168 Example: >
1169 :let v:errmsg = ""
1170 :silent! next
1171 :if v:errmsg != ""
1172 : ... handle error
1173< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1174
1175 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1176v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1177 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1178 Example: >
1179 :try
1180 : throw "oops"
1181 :catch /.*/
1182 : echo "caught" v:exception
1183 :endtry
1184< Output: "caught oops".
1185
1186 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
1187v:fname_in The name of the input file. Only valid while evaluating:
1188 option used for ~
1189 'charconvert' file to be converted
1190 'diffexpr' original file
1191 'patchexpr' original file
1192 'printexpr' file to be printed
1193
1194 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1195v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1196 evaluating:
1197 option used for ~
1198 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1199 'diffexpr' output of diff
1200 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1201 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1202 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1203 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1204 file and different from v:fname_in.
1205
1206 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1207v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1208 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1209
1210 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1211v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1212 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1213
1214 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1215v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1216 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001217 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001218
1219 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1220v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001221 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001222
1223 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1224v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001225 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001226
1227 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1228v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001229 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001230
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001231 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1232v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1233 events. Values:
1234 i Insert mode
1235 r Replace mode
1236 v Virtual Replace mode
1237
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001238 *v:key* *key-variable*
1239v:key Key of the current item of a Dictionary. Only valid while
1240 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1241 Read-only.
1242
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001243 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1244v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1245 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1246 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1247 The value is system dependent.
1248 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1249 command.
1250 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1251 in a different language than what is used for character
1252 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1253
1254 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1255v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1256 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1257 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1258 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1259 command. See |multi-lang|.
1260
1261 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001262v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
1263 expressions. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1264 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001265
1266 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1267v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1268 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1269 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1270 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1271< Read-only.
1272
1273 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1274v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1275 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1276 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1277 Read-only.
1278
1279 *v:register* *register-variable*
1280v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1281 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1282
1283 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1284v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1285 Read-only.
1286
1287 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1288v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1289 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1290 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1291 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1292 executed. Read-only.
1293 Example: >
1294 :!mv foo bar
1295 :if v:shell_error
1296 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1297 :endif
1298< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1299
1300 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1301v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1302
1303 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1304v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1305 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1306 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1307 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1308 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1309 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1310 terminal.
1311 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1312 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1313 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1314 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1315 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1316
1317 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1318v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1319 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1320 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1321 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1322
1323 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1324v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1325 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1326 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1327 Example: >
1328 :try
1329 : throw "oops"
1330 :catch /.*/
1331 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1332 :endtry
1333< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1334
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001335 *v:val* *val-variable*
1336v:val Value of the current item of a List or Dictionary. Only valid
1337 while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
1338 |filter()|. Read-only.
1339
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001340 *v:version* *version-variable*
1341v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1342 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1343 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1344 compatibility.
1345 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1346 if has("patch123")
1347< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1348 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1349 completely different.
1350
1351 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1352v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1353
1354==============================================================================
13554. Builtin Functions *functions*
1356
1357See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1358
1359(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation)
1360
1361USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1362
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001363add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to List {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001364append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001365append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001366argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001367argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001368argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
1369browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1370 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001371browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001372bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001373buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1374bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001375bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1376bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1377bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1378byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001379byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001380call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1381 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001382char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001383cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001384col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
1385confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1386 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001387copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001388count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1389 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001390cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1391 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001392cursor( {lnum}, {col}) Number position cursor at {lnum}, {col}
1393deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001394delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1395did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001396diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1397diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001398empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001399escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001400eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001401eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001402executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1403exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
1404expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
1405filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001406filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1407 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001408finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
1409 String Find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001410findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001411 String Find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001412filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
1413fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001414foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1415foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001416foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001417foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001418foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001419function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001420get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001421get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001422getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1423getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001424getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
1425getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1426getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
1427getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001428getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1429getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001430getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001431getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001432getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001433getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1434getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001435getreg( [{regname}]) String contents of register
1436getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001437getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1438getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1439getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in window {nr}
1440glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1441globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1442has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001443has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001444hasmapto( {what} [, {mode}]) Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
1445histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1446histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1447histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1448histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1449hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1450hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1451hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001452iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1453indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001454index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1455 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001456input( {prompt} [, {text}]) String get input from the user
1457inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001458inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1459inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001460inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001461insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001462isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001463islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001464items( {dict}) List List of key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001465join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001466keys( {dict}) List List of keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001467len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1468libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001469libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1470line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1471line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001472lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001473localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001474map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001475maparg( {name}[, {mode}]) String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1476mapcheck( {name}[, {mode}]) String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001477match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001478 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001479matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001480 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001481matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1482 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001483matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1484 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001485max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1486min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001487mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001488nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1489nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
1490prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001491range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1492 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001493readfile({fname} [, {binary}]) List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001494remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1495 String send expression
1496remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1497remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1498 Number check for reply string
1499remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1500remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1501 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001502remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001503remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001504rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1505repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1506resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001507reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001508search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001509searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001510 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001511server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1512 Number send reply string
1513serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1514setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1515setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1516setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001517setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001518setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001519simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001520sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001521split( {expr} [, {pat}]) List make List from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001522strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001523stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1524 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001525string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001526strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1527strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1528 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001529strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1530 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001531strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001532submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001533substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1534 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001535synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001536synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1537 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1538synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001539system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001540tempname() String name for a temporary file
1541tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1542toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001543tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1544 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001545type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001546values( {dict}) List List of values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001547virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1548visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1549winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1550wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1551winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1552winline() Number window line of the cursor
1553winnr() Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001554winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001555winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001556writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1557 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001558
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001559add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
1560 Append the item {expr} to List {list}. Returns the resulting
1561 List. Examples: >
1562 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1563 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
1564< Note that when {expr} is a List it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001565 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001566 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001567
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001568
1569append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001570 When {expr} is a List: Append each item of the List as a text
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001571 line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001572 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1573 the current buffer.
1574 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001575 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1576 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001577 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001578 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001579<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001580 *argc()*
1581argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1582 current window. See |arglist|.
1583
1584 *argidx()*
1585argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1586 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1587
1588 *argv()*
1589argv({nr}) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
1590 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1591 Example: >
1592 :let i = 0
1593 :while i < argc()
1594 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1595 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1596 : let i = i + 1
1597 :endwhile
1598<
1599 *browse()*
1600browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1601 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1602 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1603 The input fields are:
1604 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1605 {title} title for the requester
1606 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1607 {default} default file name
1608 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1609 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1610
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001611 *browsedir()*
1612browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1613 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1614 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1615 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1616 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1617 to be used.
1618 The input fields are:
1619 {title} title for the requester
1620 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1621 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1622 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1623
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001624bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1625 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1626 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001627 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001628 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001629 exactly. The name can be:
1630 - Relative to the current directory.
1631 - A full path.
1632 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1633 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001634 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1635 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1636 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1637 long name to be able to find them.
1638 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1639 file name.
1640 *buffer_exists()*
1641 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1642
1643buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1644 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1645 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001646 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001647
1648bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1649 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1650 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001651 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001652
1653bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1654 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1655 ":ls" command.
1656 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1657 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1658 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1659 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1660 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1661 match an empty string is returned.
1662 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1663 alternate buffer.
1664 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1665 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1666 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1667 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1668 buffers are searched for.
1669 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1670 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1671 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1672< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1673 string is returned. >
1674 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1675 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1676 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1677 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1678< *buffer_name()*
1679 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1680
1681 *bufnr()*
1682bufnr({expr}) The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
1683 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
1684 above. If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
1685 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1686 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1687< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1688 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1689 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1690 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1691 *buffer_number()*
1692 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1693 *last_buffer_nr()*
1694 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1695
1696bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1697 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1698 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1699 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1700 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1701
1702 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1703
1704< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1705 |:wincmd|.
1706
1707
1708byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1709 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1710 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1711 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1712 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1713 one.
1714 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1715 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1716 feature}
1717
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001718byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1719 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1720 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1721 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1722 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1723 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1724 Example : >
1725 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1726< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1727 same: >
1728 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1729 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1730< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1731 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1732 is returned.
1733
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001734call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001735 Call function {func} with the items in List {arglist} as
1736 arguments.
1737 {func} can either be a Funcref or the name of a function.
1738 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1739 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001740 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1741 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001742
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001743char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1744 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1745 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1746 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1747< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
1748 char2nr("á") returns 225
1749 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
1750
1751cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1752 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1753 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1754 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1755 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1756 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1757 feature, -1 is returned.
1758
1759 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001760col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001761 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1762 . the cursor position
1763 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1764 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1765 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1766 returned)
1767 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1768 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1769 Examples: >
1770 col(".") column of cursor
1771 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1772 col("'t") column of mark t
1773 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1774< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
1775 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1776 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1777 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
1778 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
1779 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
1780 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
1781 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
1782<
1783 *confirm()*
1784confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1785 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
1786 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
1787 choice this is 1.
1788 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
1789 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
1790 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
1791 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
1792 used (and translated).
1793 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
1794 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
1795 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
1796 by '\n', e.g. >
1797 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
1798< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
1799 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
1800 not need to be the first letter: >
1801 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
1802< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
1803 the default shortcut key.
1804 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
1805 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
1806 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
1807 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
1808 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
1809 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
1810 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
1811 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
1812 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
1813 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
1814 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
1815
1816 An example: >
1817 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
1818 :if choice == 0
1819 : echo "make up your mind!"
1820 :elseif choice == 3
1821 : echo "tasteful"
1822 :else
1823 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
1824 :endif
1825< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
1826 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
1827 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
1828 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
1829 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
1830 the horizontal layout is always used.
1831
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001832 *copy()*
1833copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
1834 different from using {expr} directly.
1835 When {expr} is a List a shallow copy is created. This means
1836 that the original List can be changed without changing the
1837 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
1838 changing an item changes the contents of both Lists. Also see
1839 |deepcopy()|.
1840
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001841count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001842 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001843 in List or Dictionary {comp}.
1844 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
1845 {start} can only be used with a List.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001846 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
1847
1848
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001849 *cscope_connection()*
1850cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1851 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
1852 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
1853 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
1854 if there are no cscope connections;
1855 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
1856
1857 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
1858 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
1859
1860 {num} Description of existence check
1861 ----- ------------------------------
1862 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
1863 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
1864 {dbpath}.
1865 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
1866 {dbpath}.
1867 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
1868 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1869 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
1870 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1871
1872 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
1873
1874 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
1875
1876 # pid database name prepend path
1877 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
1878<
1879 Invocation Return Val ~
1880 ---------- ---------- >
1881 cscope_connection() 1
1882 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
1883 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
1884 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
1885 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
1886 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
1887 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
1888 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
1889<
1890cursor({lnum}, {col}) *cursor()*
1891 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
1892 Does not change the jumplist.
1893 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
1894 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
1895 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
1896 If {col} is greater than the number of characters in the line,
1897 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
1898 line.
1899 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
1900
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001901
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001902deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001903 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
1904 different from using {expr} directly.
1905 When {expr} is a List a full copy is created. This means
1906 that the original List can be changed without changing the
1907 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a List, a copy for it
1908 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
1909 not change the contents of the original List.
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001910 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained List or Dictionary
1911 is only copied once. All references point to this single
1912 copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a List or
1913 Dictionary results in a new copy. This also means that a
1914 cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00001915 *E724*
1916 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00001917 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
1918 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001919 Also see |copy()|.
1920
1921delete({fname}) *delete()*
1922 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001923 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
1924 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001925 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001926
1927 *did_filetype()*
1928did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
1929 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
1930 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
1931 that detect the file type. |FileType|
1932 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
1933 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
1934 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
1935 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
1936 file.
1937
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001938diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
1939 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
1940 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
1941 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
1942 display but don't exist in the buffer.
1943 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
1944 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
1945 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
1946
1947diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
1948 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
1949 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
1950 diff change zero is returned.
1951 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
1952 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
1953 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
1954 line.
1955 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
1956 syntax information about the highlighting.
1957
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001958empty({expr}) *empty()*
1959 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001960 A List or Dictionary is empty when it does not have any items.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001961 A Number is empty when its value is zero.
1962 For a long List this is much faster then comparing the length
1963 with zero.
1964
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001965escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
1966 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
1967 backslash. Example: >
1968 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
1969< results in: >
1970 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001971
1972< *eval()*
1973eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
1974 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
1975 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
1976 Also works for Funcrefs that refer to existing functions.
1977
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001978eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
1979 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
1980 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
1981 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
1982 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
1983
1984executable({expr}) *executable()*
1985 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
1986 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00001987 arguments.
1988 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
1989 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
1990 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
1991 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
1992 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
1993 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
1994 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
1995 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
1996 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
1997 extension.
1998 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
1999 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002000 The result is a Number:
2001 1 exists
2002 0 does not exist
2003 -1 not implemented on this system
2004
2005 *exists()*
2006exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2007 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2008 which contains one of these:
2009 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2010 not if it really works)
2011 +option-name Vim option that works.
2012 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2013 done by comparing with an empty
2014 string)
2015 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2016 or user defined function (see
2017 |user-functions|).
2018 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002019 |internal-variables|). Also works
2020 for |curly-braces-names|, Dictionary
2021 entries, List items, etc. Beware that
2022 this may cause functions to be
2023 invoked cause an error message for an
2024 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002025 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2026 command or command modifier |:command|.
2027 Returns:
2028 1 for match with start of a command
2029 2 full match with a command
2030 3 matches several user commands
2031 To check for a supported command
2032 always check the return value to be 2.
2033 #event autocommand defined for this event
2034 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2035 pattern (the pattern is taken
2036 literally and compared to the
2037 autocommand patterns character by
2038 character)
2039 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2040
2041 Examples: >
2042 exists("&shortname")
2043 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2044 exists("*strftime")
2045 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2046 exists("bufcount")
2047 exists(":Make")
2048 exists("#CursorHold");
2049 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
2050< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2051 name.
2052 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2053 variable itself! For example: >
2054 exists(bufcount)
2055< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
2056 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
2057 exists.
2058
2059expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2060 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2061 The result is a String.
2062
2063 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2064 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2065 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2066
2067 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2068 for a non-existing file is not included.
2069
2070 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2071 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2072 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2073
2074 % current file name
2075 # alternate file name
2076 #n alternate file name n
2077 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2078 <afile> autocmd file name
2079 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2080 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2081 <sfile> sourced script file name
2082 <cword> word under the cursor
2083 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2084 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2085 message |server2client()|
2086 Modifiers:
2087 :p expand to full path
2088 :h head (last path component removed)
2089 :t tail (last path component only)
2090 :r root (one extension removed)
2091 :e extension only
2092
2093 Example: >
2094 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2095< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2096 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2097 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2098< Use this: >
2099 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2100< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2101 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2102 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2103 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2104 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2105<
2106 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2107 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2108 to modify normal file names.
2109
2110 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2111 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2112 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2113 '/' added.
2114
2115 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2116 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2117 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2118 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
2119 non-existing files are included.
2120
2121 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2122 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2123 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2124 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2125 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2126 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2127 "$FOOBAR".
2128
2129 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2130 getting the raw output of an external command.
2131
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002132extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
2133 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both Lists or both Dictionaries.
2134
2135 If they are Lists: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
2136 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2137 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2138 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2139 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002140 Examples: >
2141 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2142 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002143< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2144 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002145 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002146<
2147 If they are Dictionaries:
2148 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2149 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2150 used to decide what to do:
2151 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2152 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00002153 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002154 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2155
2156 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2157 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2158 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2159 Returns {expr1}.
2160
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002161
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002162filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2163 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2164 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2165 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2166 expression, which is used as a String.
2167 *file_readable()*
2168 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2169
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002170
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002171filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
2172 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
2173 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
2174 is zero remove the item from the List or Dictionary.
2175 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
2176 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
2177 Examples: >
2178 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2179< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2180 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2181< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2182 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002183< Removes all the items, thus clears the List or Dictionary.
2184
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002185 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2186 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2187 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2188
2189 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
2190 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002191 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), '& =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002192
2193< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002194
2195
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002196finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
2197 Find directory {name} in {path}.
2198 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2199 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
2200 {name} in {path}.
2201 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
2202 When the found directory is below the current directory a
2203 relative path is returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
2204 Example: >
2205 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2206< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2207 the file "tags.vim".
2208 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2209
2210findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2211 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
2212
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002213filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2214 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2215 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2216 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2217 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2218
2219fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2220 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2221 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2222 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2223 Example: >
2224 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2225< results in: >
2226 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2227< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2228 |expand()| first then.
2229
2230foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2231 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2232 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2233 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2234
2235foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2236 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2237 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2238 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2239
2240foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2241 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2242 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2243 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2244 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2245 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2246 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2247 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2248 previous line is usually available.
2249
2250 *foldtext()*
2251foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2252 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2253 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2254 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2255 The returned string looks like this: >
2256 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2257< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2258 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2259 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2260 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2261 options is removed.
2262 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2263
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002264foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2265 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2266 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2267 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2268 returned.
2269 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2270 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2271 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2272 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2273
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002274 *foreground()*
2275foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2276 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2277 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2278 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2279 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2280 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2281 Win32 console version}
2282
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002283
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002284function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002285 Return a Funcref variable that refers to function {name}.
2286 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2287
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002288
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002289get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002290 Get item {idx} from List {list}. When this item is not
2291 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2292 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002293get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
2294 Get item with key {key} from Dictionary {dict}. When this
2295 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2296 {default} is omitted.
2297
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002298
2299getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2300 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2301 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2302 must be used.
2303 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
2304 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
2305 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2306 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2307 returned, there is no error message.
2308 Examples: >
2309 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2310 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2311<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002312getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2313 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2314 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2315 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2316 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2317 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2318 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2319 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2320 not consumed. If a normal character is
2321 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2322 non-zero value is returned.
2323 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2324 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2325 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2326 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2327 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2328 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2329 user that a character has to be typed.
2330 There is no mapping for the character.
2331 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2332 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2333 sequence. Examples: >
2334 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2335 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2336< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2337 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2338 :function FindChar()
2339 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2340 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2341 : normal l
2342 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2343 : break
2344 : endif
2345 : endwhile
2346 :endfunction
2347
2348getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2349 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2350 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2351 These values are added together:
2352 2 shift
2353 4 control
2354 8 alt (meta)
2355 16 mouse double click
2356 32 mouse triple click
2357 64 mouse quadruple click
2358 128 Macintosh only: command
2359 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2360 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2361 with no modifier.
2362
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002363getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2364 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2365 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2366 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2367 Example: >
2368 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
2369< Also see |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
2370
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002371getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002372 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2373 byte count. The first column is 1.
2374 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2375 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
2376 Also see |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2377
2378 *getcwd()*
2379getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2380 working directory.
2381
2382getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2383 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2384 given file {fname}.
2385 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2386 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2387
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002388getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2389 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2390 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2391 |hl-Normal|.
2392 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2393 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2394 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2395 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
2396 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not you your vimrc or
2397 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2398 for a valid name does not work.
2399 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2400 function just after the GUI has started.
2401
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002402getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2403 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2404 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2405 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2406 empty string is returned.
2407 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2408 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2409 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2410 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2411 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2412 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2413< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2414 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
2415
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002416getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2417 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2418 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2419 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2420 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2421 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2422
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002423getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2424 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2425 file of the given file {fname}.
2426 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2427 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2428 results:
2429 Normal file "file"
2430 Directory "dir"
2431 Symbolic link "link"
2432 Block device "bdev"
2433 Character device "cdev"
2434 Socket "socket"
2435 FIFO "fifo"
2436 All other "other"
2437 Example: >
2438 getftype("/home")
2439< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2440 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2441 "file" are returned.
2442
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002443 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002444getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2445 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2446 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002447 getline(1)
2448< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2449 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2450 To get the line under the cursor: >
2451 getline(".")
2452< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2453 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2454
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002455 When {end} is given the result is a List where each item is a
2456 line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
2457 including line {end}.
2458 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2459 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
2460 When {end} is before {lnum} an error is given.
2461 Example: >
2462 :let start = line('.')
2463 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2464 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2465
2466
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002467getreg([{regname}]) *getreg()*
2468 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
2469 {regname}. Example: >
2470 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2471< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
2472 register. (For use in maps).
2473 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2474
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002475
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002476getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2477 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2478 The value will be one of:
2479 "v" for |characterwise| text
2480 "V" for |linewise| text
2481 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2482 0 for an empty or unknown register
2483 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2484 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2485
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002486
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002487 *getwinposx()*
2488getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2489 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2490 -1 if the information is not available.
2491
2492 *getwinposy()*
2493getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2494 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2495 information is not available.
2496
2497getwinvar({nr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2498 The result is the value of option or local window variable
2499 {varname} in window {nr}.
2500 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
2501 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
2502 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2503 Examples: >
2504 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2505 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2506<
2507 *glob()*
2508glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2509 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2510 characters.
2511 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2512 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2513
2514 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2515 any external command. Example: >
2516 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2517 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2518< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2519 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2520
2521 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2522 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2523
2524globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2525 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2526 the results. Example: >
2527 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2528< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2529 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2530 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2531 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2532 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2533 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2534 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2535 error message.
2536 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2537 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2538
2539 *has()*
2540has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2541 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2542 string. See |feature-list| below.
2543 Also see |exists()|.
2544
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002545
2546has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
2547 The result is a Number, which is 1 if Dictionary {dict} has an
2548 entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
2549
2550
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002551hasmapto({what} [, {mode}]) *hasmapto()*
2552 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2553 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2554 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2555 {mode}.
2556 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2557 buffer are checked for a match.
2558 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2559 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2560 n Normal mode
2561 v Visual mode
2562 o Operator-pending mode
2563 i Insert mode
2564 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2565 c Command-line mode
2566 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2567
2568 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2569 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2570 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2571 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2572 :endif
2573< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
2574 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
2575
2576histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
2577 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
2578 one of: *hist-names*
2579 "cmd" or ":" command line history
2580 "search" or "/" search pattern history
2581 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
2582 "input" or "@" input line history
2583 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
2584 shifted to become the newest entry.
2585 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
2586 otherwise 0 is returned.
2587
2588 Example: >
2589 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
2590 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
2591< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2592
2593histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
2594 Clear {history}, ie. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
2595 for the possible values of {history}.
2596
2597 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
2598 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
2599 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
2600 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
2601 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
2602 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
2603 if it exists.
2604
2605 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
2606 otherwise 0 is returned.
2607
2608 Examples:
2609 Clear expression register history: >
2610 :call histdel("expr")
2611<
2612 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
2613 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
2614<
2615 The following three are equivalent: >
2616 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
2617 :call histdel("search", -1)
2618 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
2619<
2620 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
2621 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
2622 :call histdel("search", -1)
2623 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
2624
2625histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
2626 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
2627 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
2628 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
2629 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
2630 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
2631
2632 Examples:
2633 Redo the second last search from history. >
2634 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
2635
2636< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
2637 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
2638 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
2639<
2640histnr({history}) *histnr()*
2641 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
2642 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
2643 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
2644
2645 Example: >
2646 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
2647<
2648hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
2649 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
2650 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
2651 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
2652 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
2653 item.
2654 *highlight_exists()*
2655 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
2656
2657 *hlID()*
2658hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
2659 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
2660 zero is returned.
2661 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
2662 group. For example, to get the background color of the
2663 "Comment" group: >
2664 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
2665< *highlightID()*
2666 Obsolete name: highlightID().
2667
2668hostname() *hostname()*
2669 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
2670 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
2671 256 characters long are truncated.
2672
2673iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
2674 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
2675 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
2676 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
2677 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
2678 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
2679 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
2680 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
2681 can be done.
2682 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
2683 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
2684 UTF-8 and use: >
2685 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
2686< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
2687 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
2688 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
2689 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
2690
2691 *indent()*
2692indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
2693 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
2694 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
2695 |getline()|.
2696 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
2697
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002698
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002699index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002700 Return the lowest index in List {list} where the item has a
2701 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002702 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
2703 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002704 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
2705 case must match.
2706 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
2707 Example: >
2708 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00002709 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002710
2711
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002712input({prompt} [, {text}]) *input()*
2713 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
2714 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
2715 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
2716 prompt to start a new line. The highlighting set with
2717 |:echohl| is used for the prompt. The input is entered just
2718 like a command-line, with the same editing commands and
2719 mappings. There is a separate history for lines typed for
2720 input().
2721 If the optional {text} is present, this is used for the
2722 default reply, as if the user typed this.
2723 NOTE: This must not be used in a startup file, for the
2724 versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
2725 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
2726 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
2727 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
2728 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
2729 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
2730 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
2731 |:execute| or |:normal|.
2732
2733 Example: >
2734 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
2735 : echo "Cheers!"
2736 :endif
2737< Example with default text: >
2738 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
2739< Example with a mapping: >
2740 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
2741 :function GetFoo()
2742 : call inputsave()
2743 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
2744 : call inputrestore()
2745 :endfunction
2746
2747inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
2748 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
2749 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
2750 Example: >
2751 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
2752 :if n != ""
2753 : let &sw = n
2754 :endif
2755< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
2756 omitted an empty string is returned.
2757 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
2758 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
2759
2760inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
2761 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
2762 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
2763 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
2764 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
2765
2766inputsave() *inputsave()*
2767 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
2768 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
2769 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
2770 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
2771 many inputrestore() calls.
2772 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
2773
2774inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
2775 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
2776 two exceptions:
2777 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
2778 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
2779 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
2780 |history| stack.
2781 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
2782 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
2783
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002784insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
2785 Insert {item} at the start of List {list}.
2786 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
2787 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
2788 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
2789 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
2790 Returns the resulting List. Examples: >
2791 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
2792 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
2793 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002794< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002795 Note that when {item} is a List it is inserted as a single
2796 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
2797
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002798isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
2799 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
2800 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
2801 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
2802 is any expression, which is used as a String.
2803
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00002804islocked({expr}) *islocked()*
2805 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
2806 name of a locked variable.
2807 {expr} must be the name of a variable, List item or Dictionary
2808 entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
2809 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
2810 :lockvar 1 alist
2811 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
2812 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
2813
2814< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
2815 message. Use |exists()| to check for existance.
2816
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002817items({dict}) *items()*
2818 Return a List with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
2819 List item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict} entry
2820 and the value of this entry. The List is in arbitrary order.
2821
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002822
2823join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
2824 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
2825 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
2826 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
2827 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
2828 add it there too: >
2829 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
2830< String items are used as-is. Lists and Dictionaries are
2831 converted into a string like with |string()|.
2832 The opposite function is |split()|.
2833
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002834keys({dict}) *keys()*
2835 Return a List with all the keys of {dict}. The List is in
2836 arbitrary order.
2837
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002838 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002839len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
2840 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
2841 used, as with |strlen()|.
2842 When {expr} is a List the number of items in the List is
2843 returned.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002844 When {expr} is a Dictionary the number of entries in the
2845 Dictionary is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002846 Otherwise an error is given.
2847
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002848 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
2849libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
2850 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
2851 with single argument {argument}.
2852 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
2853 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
2854 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
2855 limited.
2856 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
2857 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
2858 to Vim.
2859 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
2860 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
2861 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
2862 null-terminated string.
2863 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
2864
2865 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
2866 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
2867 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
2868 very probably crash.
2869
2870 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
2871 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
2872 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
2873 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
2874 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
2875 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
2876 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
2877 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
2878 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
2879 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
2880
2881 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
2882 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
2883 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
2884 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
2885 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
2886 the DLL is not in the usual places.
2887 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
2888 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
2889 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
2890 feature is present}
2891 Examples: >
2892 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
2893 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
2894<
2895 *libcallnr()*
2896libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
2897 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
2898 int instead of a string.
2899 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
2900 feature is present}
2901 Example (not very useful...): >
2902 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
2903 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
2904<
2905 *line()*
2906line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
2907 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2908 . the cursor position
2909 $ the last line in the current buffer
2910 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2911 returned)
2912 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2913 Examples: >
2914 line(".") line number of the cursor
2915 line("'t") line number of mark t
2916 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
2917< *last-position-jump*
2918 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
2919 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
2920 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002921
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002922line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
2923 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
2924 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
2925 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
2926 line returns 1.
2927 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
2928 below the last line: >
2929 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
2930< This is the file size plus one.
2931 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
2932 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
2933 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
2934
2935lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
2936 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
2937 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
2938 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
2939 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
2940 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
2941 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
2942
2943localtime() *localtime()*
2944 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
2945 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
2946
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002947
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002948map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
2949 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
2950 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
2951 {string}.
2952 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
2953 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
2954 Example: >
2955 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002956< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002957
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002958 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002959 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002960 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
2961 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002962
2963 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
2964 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002965 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002966
2967< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002968
2969
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002970maparg({name}[, {mode}]) *maparg()*
2971 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
2972 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
2973 These characters can be used for {mode}:
2974 "n" Normal
2975 "v" Visual
2976 "o" Operator-pending
2977 "i" Insert
2978 "c" Cmd-line
2979 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
2980 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
2981 When {mode} is omitted, the modes from "" are used.
2982 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
2983 command. The returned String has special characters
2984 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
2985 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
2986 then the global mappings.
2987
2988mapcheck({name}[, {mode}]) *mapcheck()*
2989 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
2990 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
2991 {name}.
2992 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
2993 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
2994
2995 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
2996 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
2997 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
2998 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
2999 mapcheck("b") no no no
3000
3001 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3002 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3003 mapping for {name} exactly.
3004 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3005 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3006 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3007 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3008 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3009 then the global mappings.
3010 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3011 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3012 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3013 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3014 :endif
3015< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3016 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3017
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003018match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003019 When {expr} is a List then this returns the index of the first
3020 item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a String,
3021 Lists and Dictionaries are used as echoed.
3022 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3023 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3024 {pat} matches.
3025 A match at the first character or List item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003026 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3027 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003028 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
3029 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 2
3030< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
3031
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003032 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003033 is found in a String the search for the next one starts on
3034 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003035 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003036< In a List the search continues in the next item.
3037
3038 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
3039 {start} in a String or item {start} in a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003040 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003041 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003042 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3043< result is again "4". >
3044 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3045< result is again "4". >
3046 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3047< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003048 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3049 the index is counted from the end.
3050 If {start} is out of range (> strlen({expr} for a String or
3051 > len({expr} for a List) -1 is returned.
3052
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003053 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3054 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3055 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3056 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3057
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003058matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003059 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3060 the match. Example: >
3061 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3062< results in "7".
3063 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3064 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3065< results in "7". >
3066 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3067< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003068 When {expr} is a List the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003069
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003070matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
3071 Same as match(), but return a List. The first item in the
3072 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3073 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
3074 in |:substitute|.
3075 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3076
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003077matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003078 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3079 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3080< results in "ing".
3081 When there is no match "" is returned.
3082 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3083 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3084< results in "ing". >
3085 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3086< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003087 When {expr} is a List then the matching item is returned.
3088 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003089
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003090 *max()*
3091max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3092 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3093 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3094 An empty List results in zero.
3095
3096 *min()*
3097min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3098 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3099 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3100 An empty List results in zero.
3101
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003102 *mode()*
3103mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3104 n Normal
3105 v Visual by character
3106 V Visual by line
3107 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3108 s Select by character
3109 S Select by line
3110 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3111 i Insert
3112 R Replace
3113 c Command-line
3114 r Hit-enter prompt
3115 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3116 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3117
3118nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3119 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3120 that is not blank. Example: >
3121 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3122< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3123 below it, zero is returned.
3124 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3125
3126nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3127 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3128 value {expr}. Examples: >
3129 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3130 nr2char(32) returns " "
3131< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3132 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3133< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3134 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3135 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003136 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003137
3138prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3139 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3140 that is not blank. Example: >
3141 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3142< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3143 above it, zero is returned.
3144 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3145
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003146 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003147range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
3148 Returns a List with Numbers:
3149 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3150 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3151 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3152 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3153 producing a value past {max}).
3154 Examples: >
3155 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
3156 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3157 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
3158 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
3159<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003160 *readfile()*
3161readfile({fname} [, {binary}])
3162 Read file {fname} and return a List, each line of the file as
3163 an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
3164 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3165 NL appears somewhere).
3166 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3167 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3168 added.
3169 - No CR characters are removed.
3170 Otherwise:
3171 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3172 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3173 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
3174 Note that the whole file is read into memory and there is no
3175 recognition of encoding. Read a file into a buffer if you
3176 need to.
3177 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3178 the result is an empty list.
3179 Also see |writefile()|.
3180
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003181 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3182remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3183 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3184 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
3185 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3186 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3187 remote_read() is stored there.
3188 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3189 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3190 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3191 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3192 and the result will be the empty string.
3193 Examples: >
3194 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3195 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3196<
3197
3198remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3199 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3200 This works like: >
3201 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3202< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3203 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3204 to bring itself to the foreground.
3205 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3206 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3207 Win32 console version}
3208
3209
3210remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3211 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3212 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3213 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3214 name of a variable.
3215 Returns zero if none are available.
3216 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3217 See also |clientserver|.
3218 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3219 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3220 Examples: >
3221 :let repl = ""
3222 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3223
3224remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3225 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3226 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3227 See also |clientserver|.
3228 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3229 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3230 Example: >
3231 :echo remote_read(id)
3232<
3233 *remote_send()* *E241*
3234remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003235 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3236 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3237 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003238 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3239 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3240 remote_read() is stored there.
3241 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3242 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3243 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3244 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3245 up the display.
3246 Examples: >
3247 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3248 \ remote_read(serverid)
3249
3250 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3251 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3252 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3253 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003254<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003255remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
3256 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from List {list} and
3257 return it.
3258 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3259 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3260 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3261 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3262 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003263 Example: >
3264 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003265 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003266remove({dict}, {key})
3267 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3268 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3269< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3270
3271 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003272
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003273rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3274 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3275 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3276 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3277 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
3278 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3279
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003280repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
3281 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
3282 result. Example: >
3283 :let seperator = repeat('-', 80)
3284< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003285 When {expr} is a List the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003286 {count} times. Example: >
3287 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
3288< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003289
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003290
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003291resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
3292 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
3293 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
3294 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
3295 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
3296 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
3297 stopped after 100 iterations.
3298 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
3299 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
3300 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
3301 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
3302 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
3303
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003304 *reverse()*
3305reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
3306 {list}.
3307 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3308 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
3309
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003310search({pattern} [, {flags}]) *search()*
3311 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003312 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003313 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
3314 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003315 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003316 'w' wrap around the end of the file
3317 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
3318 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
3319
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003320 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
3321 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
3322 flag is used).
3323 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
3324 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003325
3326 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
3327 :let n = 1
3328 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
3329 : exe "argument " . n
3330 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
3331 : " first search to find match at start of file
3332 : normal G$
3333 : let flags = "w"
3334 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
3335 : s/foo/bar/g
3336 : let flags = "W"
3337 : endwhile
3338 : update " write the file if modified
3339 : let n = n + 1
3340 :endwhile
3341<
3342 *searchpair()*
3343searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
3344 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
3345 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
3346 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
3347 The search starts at the cursor. If a match is found, the
3348 cursor is positioned at it and the line number is returned.
3349 If no match is found 0 or -1 is returned and the cursor
3350 doesn't move. No error message is given.
3351
3352 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
3353 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
3354 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
3355 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
3356 typical use is: >
3357 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
3358< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
3359
3360 {flags} are used like with |search()|. Additionally:
3361 'n' do Not move the cursor
3362 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
3363 outer pair
3364 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
3365 the match; will only be > 1 when 'r' is used.
3366
3367 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
3368 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
3369 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
3370 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
3371 or a string.
3372 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
3373 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
3374 and -1 returned.
3375
3376 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
3377 patterns are used like it's on.
3378
3379 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
3380 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
3381 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
3382 if 1
3383 if 2
3384 endif 2
3385 endif 1
3386< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
3387 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
3388 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
3389 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
3390 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
3391 "endif 2".
3392 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
3393 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
3394 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
3395 the matching start.
3396
3397 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
3398
3399 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
3400 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
3401
3402< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
3403 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
3404 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
3405 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
3406 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
3407 match.
3408 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
3409
3410 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
3411
3412< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
3413 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
3414 highlighting recognized as strings: >
3415
3416 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
3417 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
3418<
3419server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
3420 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
3421 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
3422 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3423 Note:
3424 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
3425 received. Ie. before returning from the received command and
3426 before calling any commands that waits for input.
3427 See also |clientserver|.
3428 Example: >
3429 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
3430<
3431serverlist() *serverlist()*
3432 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
3433 When there are no servers or the information is not available
3434 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
3435 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3436 Example: >
3437 :echo serverlist()
3438<
3439setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
3440 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
3441 {val}.
3442 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
3443 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
3444 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
3445 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3446 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
3447 Examples: >
3448 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
3449 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
3450< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3451
3452setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
3453 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
3454 {pos}. The first position is 1.
3455 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
3456 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003457 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
3458 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
3459 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
3460 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
3461 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003462 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
3463 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
3464 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
3465 line.
3466
3467setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
3468 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}. If this
3469 succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely because
3470 {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
3471 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
3472< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
3473
3474 *setreg()*
3475setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
3476 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
3477 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
3478 then the value is appended.
3479 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
3480 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
3481 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
3482 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
3483 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
3484 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
3485 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
3486 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
3487
3488 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
3489 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
3490 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
3491 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
3492
3493 Examples: >
3494 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
3495 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
3496 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
3497
3498< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
3499 register. >
3500 :let var_a = getreg('a')
3501 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
3502 ....
3503 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
3504
3505< You can also change the type of a register by appending
3506 nothing: >
3507 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
3508
3509setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
3510 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
3511 {val}.
3512 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
3513 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
3514 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
3515 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
3516 Examples: >
3517 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
3518 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
3519< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3520
3521simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
3522 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
3523 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
3524 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
3525 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
3526 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
3527 not removed either.
3528 Example: >
3529 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
3530< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
3531 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
3532 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
3533 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
3534 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
3535
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003536
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003537sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003538 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
3539 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3540 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
3541< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003542 Numbers sort after Strings, Lists after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003543 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
3544 When {func} is a Funcref or a function name, this function is
3545 called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
3546 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
3547 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
3548 sorts before the second one. Example: >
3549 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
3550 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
3551 endfunc
3552 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
3553
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003554split({expr} [, {pattern}]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003555 Make a List out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted each
3556 white-separated sequence of characters becomes an item.
3557 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
3558 removing the matched characters. Empty strings are omitted.
3559 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003560 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003561< Since empty strings are not added the "\+" isn't required but
3562 it makes the function work a bit faster.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003563 The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003564
3565
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003566strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
3567 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
3568 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
3569 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
3570 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
3571 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
3572 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
3573 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
3574 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
3575 Examples: >
3576 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
3577 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
3578 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
3579 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
3580 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
3581 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003582< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3583 :if exists("*strftime")
3584
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003585stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
3586 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
3587 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003588 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
3589 This can be used to find a second match: >
3590 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
3591 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
3592< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003593 For pattern searches use |match()|.
3594 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003595 See also |strridx()|.
3596 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003597 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
3598 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
3599 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
3600<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003601 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003602string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
3603 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
3604 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003605 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003606 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003607 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003608 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003609 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003610 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003611
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003612 *strlen()*
3613strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
3614 {expr} in bytes. If you want to count the number of
3615 multi-byte characters use something like this: >
3616
3617 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
3618
3619< Composing characters are not counted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003620 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
3621 For other types an error is given.
3622 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003623
3624strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
3625 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
3626 byte {start}, with the length {len}.
3627 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
3628 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
3629 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
3630 end of the {src}. >
3631 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
3632 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
3633 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
3634 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
3635< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
3636 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
3637 strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3)
3638<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003639strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
3640 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
3641 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
3642 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
3643 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
3644 match: >
3645 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
3646 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
3647< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003648 For pattern searches use |match()|.
3649 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003650 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003651 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
3652 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
3653<
3654strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
3655 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
3656 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
3657 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
3658 echo strtrans(@a)
3659< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
3660 starting a new line.
3661
3662submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
3663 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
3664 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
3665 the whole matched text is returned.
3666 Example: >
3667 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
3668< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
3669 A line break is included as a newline character.
3670
3671substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
3672 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
3673 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
3674 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
3675 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
3676 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
3677 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
3678 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
3679 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
3680 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
3681 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
3682 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
3683 unmodified.
3684 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
3685 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
3686 Example: >
3687 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
3688< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
3689 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
3690< results in "TESTING".
3691
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003692synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003693 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003694 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003695 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
3696 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003697 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003698 line.
3699 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
3700 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
3701 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
3702 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
3703 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
3704 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
3705 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
3706
3707 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
3708 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
3709<
3710synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
3711 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
3712 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
3713 about a syntax item.
3714 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
3715 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
3716 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
3717 used (GUI, cterm or term).
3718 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
3719 {what} result
3720 "name" the name of the syntax item
3721 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
3722 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
3723 term: empty string)
3724 "bg" background color (like "fg")
3725 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
3726 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
3727 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
3728 "bold" "1" if bold
3729 "italic" "1" if italic
3730 "reverse" "1" if reverse
3731 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
3732 "underline" "1" if underlined
3733
3734 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
3735 cursor): >
3736 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
3737<
3738synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
3739 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
3740 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
3741 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
3742 ":highlight link" are followed.
3743
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00003744system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
3745 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
3746 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
3747 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
3748 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
3749 yourself.
3750 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
3751 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
3752 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003753 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
3754 The result is a String. Example: >
3755
3756 :let files = system("ls")
3757
3758< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
3759 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
3760 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
3761 The command executed is constructed using several options:
3762 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
3763 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
3764 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
3765 concatenated commands.
3766
3767 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
3768 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3769 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
3770 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
3771
3772tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
3773 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
3774 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
3775 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
3776 :let tmpfile = tempname()
3777 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
3778< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
3779 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
3780 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
3781 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
3782 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
3783 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
3784
3785tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
3786 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
3787 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
3788 the string).
3789
3790toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
3791 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
3792 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
3793 the string).
3794
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00003795tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
3796 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
3797 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
3798 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
3799 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
3800 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
3801 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
3802
3803 Examples: >
3804 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
3805< returns "Hello THere" >
3806 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
3807< returns "{blob}"
3808
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003809 *type()*
3810type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003811 Number: 0
3812 String: 1
3813 Funcref: 2
3814 List: 3
3815 Dictionary: 4
3816 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003817 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
3818 :if type(myvar) == type("")
3819 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
3820 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003821 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003822
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003823values({dict}) *values()*
3824 Return a List with all the values of {dict}. The List is in
3825 arbitrary order.
3826
3827
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003828virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
3829 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
3830 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
3831 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
3832 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
3833 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
3834 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
3835 set to 8, it returns 8.
3836 For the byte position use |col()|.
3837 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
3838 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
3839 The accepted positions are:
3840 . the cursor position
3841 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
3842 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
3843 plus one)
3844 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3845 returned)
3846 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
3847 Examples: >
3848 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
3849 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
3850 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
3851< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
3852
3853visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
3854 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
3855 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
3856 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
3857 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
3858 block-wise Visual mode respectively.
3859 Example: >
3860 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
3861< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
3862 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
3863 Visual mode that was used.
3864
3865 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
3866 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
3867 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
3868 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
3869
3870 *winbufnr()*
3871winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
3872 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
3873 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
3874 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
3875 Example: >
3876 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
3877<
3878 *wincol()*
3879wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
3880 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
3881 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
3882
3883winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
3884 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
3885 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
3886 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
3887 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
3888 Examples: >
3889 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
3890<
3891 *winline()*
3892winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
3893 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
3894 the window. The first line is one.
3895
3896 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003897winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
3898 window. The top window has number 1.
3899 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
3900 last window is returnd (the window count).
3901 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
3902 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
3903 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
3904 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
3905 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003906
3907 *winrestcmd()*
3908winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
3909 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
3910 are opened or closed and the current window is unchanged.
3911 Example: >
3912 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
3913 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
3914 :exe cmd
3915
3916winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
3917 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
3918 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
3919 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
3920 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
3921 Examples: >
3922 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
3923 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
3924 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
3925 :endif
3926<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003927 *writefile()*
3928writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
3929 Write List {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
3930 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
3931 Number.
3932 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
3933 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
3934 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
3935 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
3936 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
3937 to writefile().
3938 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
3939 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
3940 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
3941 fails.
3942 Also see |readfile()|.
3943 To copy a file byte for byte: >
3944 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
3945 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
3946<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003947
3948 *feature-list*
3949There are three types of features:
39501. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
3951 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
3952 :if has("cindent")
39532. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
3954 Example: >
3955 :if has("gui_running")
3956< *has-patch*
39573. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
3958 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
3959 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
3960 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
3961
3962all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
3963amiga Amiga version of Vim.
3964arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
3965arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
3966autocmd Compiled with autocommands support.
3967balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
3968beos BeOS version of Vim.
3969browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
3970 work.
3971builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
3972byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
3973cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
3974clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
3975clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
3976cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
3977cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
3978cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
3979comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
3980cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
3981cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
3982compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
3983debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
3984dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
3985dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
3986diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
3987digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
3988dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
3989dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
3990dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
3991ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
3992emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
3993eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
3994 true, of course!
3995ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
3996extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
3997 |'hlsearch'|
3998farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
3999file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
4000find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
4001 |+find_in_path|.
4002fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
4003 Windows this is not present).
4004folding Compiled with |folding| support.
4005footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
4006fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
4007gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
4008gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
4009gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00004010gui_beos Compiled with BeOS GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004011gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
4012gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00004013gui_kde Compiled with KDE GUI |KVim|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004014gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
4015gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
4016gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
4017gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
4018gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
4019gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
4020hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
4021iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
4022insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
4023 Insert mode.
4024jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
4025keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
4026langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
4027libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
4028linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
4029 support.
4030lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
4031listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
4032 and the argument list |arglist|.
4033localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
4034mac Macintosh version of Vim.
4035macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
4036menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
4037mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
4038modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
4039mouse Compiled with support mouse.
4040mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
4041mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
4042mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
4043mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
4044mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
4045mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
4046multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
4047multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
4048multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00004049mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004050netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00004051netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004052ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
4053os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
4054osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
4055path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
4056perl Compiled with Perl interface.
4057postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
4058printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
4059python Compiled with Python interface.
4060qnx QNX version of Vim.
4061quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
4062rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
4063ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
4064scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
4065showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
4066signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
4067smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00004068sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004069statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
4070 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
4071sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
4072syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support.
4073syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
4074 current buffer.
4075system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
4076tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
4077 |tag-binary-search|.
4078tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
4079 |tag-old-static|.
4080tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
4081 files |tag-any-white|.
4082tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
4083terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
4084termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
4085textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
4086tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
4087 or terminfo file.
4088title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
4089toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
4090unix Unix version of Vim.
4091user_commands User-defined commands.
4092viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
4093vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
4094vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
4095virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
4096visual Compiled with Visual mode.
4097visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
4098 |blockwise-operators|.
4099vms VMS version of Vim.
4100vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
4101wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
4102wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
4103windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
4104winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
4105win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
4106win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
4107win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
4108win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
4109win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
4110writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
4111xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
4112xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
4113xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
4114xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
4115xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
4116xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
4117 xterm screen.
4118x11 Compiled with X11 support.
4119
4120 *string-match*
4121Matching a pattern in a String
4122
4123A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
4124the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
4125everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
4126like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
4127line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
4128with ".". Example: >
4129 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
4130 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
4131 aa
4132 xx
4133 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
4134 a
4135 x
4136
4137Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
4138"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
4139"\n".
4140
4141==============================================================================
41425. Defining functions *user-functions*
4143
4144New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
4145functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
4146commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
4147
4148The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
4149builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
4150avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
4151the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
4152
4153It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|.
4154
4155 *local-function*
4156A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
4157can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
4158and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
4159function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
4160instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
4161
4162 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
4163:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
4164
4165:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004166 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4167 Funcref: >
4168 :function dict.init
4169< *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004170:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004171 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
4172 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
4173 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004174
4175 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4176 Funcref: >
4177 :function dict.init(arg)
4178< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
4179 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
4180 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
4181 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
4182 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
4183 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004184 *E127* *E122*
4185 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
4186 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
4187 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
4188 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004189
4190 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
4191
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004192 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
4193 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
4194 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
4195 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
4196 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
4197 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
4198 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004199
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004200 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
4201 abort as soon as an error is detected.
4202 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
4203 will not be changed by the function.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004204
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004205 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
4206 be invoked through an entry in a Dictionary. The
4207 local variable "self" will then be set to the
4208 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004209
4210 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
4211:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
4212 by its own, without other commands.
4213
4214 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
4215:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004216 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4217 Funcref: >
4218 :delfunc dict.init
4219< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
4220 function is deleted if there are no more references to
4221 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004222 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
4223:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
4224 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
4225 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
4226 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
4227 the number 0 is returned.
4228 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
4229 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
4230
4231 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
4232 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
4233 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
4234 are executed first. This process applies to all
4235 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
4236 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
4237
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004238 *function-argument* *a:var*
4239An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
4240be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
4241 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
4242Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
4243arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
4244may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
4245as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004246can be 0). "a:000" is set to a List that contains these arguments. Note that
4247"a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
4248 *E742*
4249The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
4250However, if a List or Dictionary is used, you can changes their contents.
4251Thus you can pass a List to a function and have the function add an item to
4252it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a List or Dictionary
4253use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004254
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004255When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
4256to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
4257may be larger.
4258
4259It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
4260still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
4261until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
4262inside a function body.
4263
4264 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004265Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
4266will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
4267accessed with "g:".
4268
4269Example: >
4270 :function Table(title, ...)
4271 : echohl Title
4272 : echo a:title
4273 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004274 : echo a:0 . " items:"
4275 : for s in a:000
4276 : echon ' ' . s
4277 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004278 :endfunction
4279
4280This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004281 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
4282 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004283
4284To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
4285 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
4286 : if a:n2 == 0
4287 : return "fail"
4288 : endif
4289 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
4290 : return "ok"
4291 :endfunction
4292
4293This function can then be called with: >
4294 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
4295 :if success == "ok"
4296 : echo div
4297 :endif
4298
4299An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
4300with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
4301 :function Foo()
4302 : execute Bar()
4303 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
4304 :endfunction
4305
4306 :function Bar()
4307 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
4308 :endfunction
4309
4310The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
4311the caller to set the names.
4312
4313 *:cal* *:call* *E107*
4314:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
4315 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
4316 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
4317 used.
4318 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
4319 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
4320 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
4321 function.
4322 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
4323 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
4324 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
4325 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
4326 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
4327 this works:
4328 *function-range-example* >
4329 :function Mynumber(arg)
4330 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
4331 :endfunction
4332 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
4333<
4334 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
4335 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
4336 the range.
4337
4338 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
4339
4340 :function Cont() range
4341 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
4342 :endfunction
4343 :4,8call Cont()
4344<
4345 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
4346 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
4347
4348 *E132*
4349The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
4350option.
4351
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004352
4353AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004354 *autoload-functions*
4355When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004356only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
4357the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
4358
4359
4360Using an autocommand ~
4361
4362The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
4363You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
4364That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
4365again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
4366
4367Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
4368function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004369
4370 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
4371
4372The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
4373"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
4374
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004375
4376Using an autoload script ~
4377
4378Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
4379exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
4380like this: >
4381
4382 :call filename:funcname()
4383
4384When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
4385"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
4386"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
4387then define the function like this: >
4388
4389 function filename:funcname()
4390 echo "Done!"
4391 endfunction
4392
4393The file name and the name used before the colon in the function must match
4394exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
4395called.
4396
4397It is possible to use subdirectories. Every colon in the function name works
4398like a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
4399
4400 :call foo:bar:func()
4401
4402Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
4403
4404The name before the first colon must be at least two characters long,
4405otherwise it looks like a scope, such as "s:".
4406
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00004407Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
4408defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
4409function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004410
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004411==============================================================================
44126. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
4413
4414Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
4415This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
4416{} like this: >
4417 my_{adjective}_variable
4418
4419When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
4420that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
4421name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
4422"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
4423"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
4424
4425One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
4426value. For example, the statement >
4427 echo my_{&background}_message
4428
4429would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
4430on the current value of 'background'.
4431
4432You can use multiple brace pairs: >
4433 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
4434..or even nest them: >
4435 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
4436where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
4437
4438However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
4439variable name. e.g. this is invalid: >
4440 :let foo='a + b'
4441 :echo c{foo}d
4442.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
4443
4444 *curly-braces-function-names*
4445You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
4446Example: >
4447 :let func_end='whizz'
4448 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
4449
4450This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
4451
4452==============================================================================
44537. Commands *expression-commands*
4454
4455:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
4456 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
4457 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
4458 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
4459 is created.
4460
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004461:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
4462 Set a list item to the result of the expression
4463 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
4464 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
4465 the index can be repeated.
4466 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
4467
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004468 *E711* *E719*
4469:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004470 Set a sequence of items in a List to the result of the
4471 expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
4472 correct number of items.
4473 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
4474 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
4475 When the selected range of items is partly past the
4476 end of the list, items will be added.
4477
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004478 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004479:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
4480:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
4481:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
4482 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
4483 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
4484
4485
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004486:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
4487 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
4488 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004489:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
4490 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
4491 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
4492 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004493
4494:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
4495 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
4496 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
4497 must be the name of a writable register (see
4498 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
4499 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
4500 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
4501 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
4502 characterwise.
4503 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
4504 :let @/ = ""
4505< This is different from searching for an empty string,
4506 that would match everywhere.
4507
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004508:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
4509 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
4510 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
4511
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004512:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
4513 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004514 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
4515 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004516 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
4517 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
4518 value and the global value is changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004519 Example: >
4520 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004521
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004522:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
4523 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
4524 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
4525
4526:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
4527:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
4528 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
4529 {expr1}.
4530
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004531:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004532:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
4533:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
4534:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004535 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
4536 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
4537
4538:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004539:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
4540:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
4541:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004542 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
4543 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
4544
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004545:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004546 {expr1} must evaluate to a List. The first item in
4547 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
4548 {name2}, etc.
4549 The number of names must match the number of items in
4550 the List.
4551 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
4552 command as mentioned above.
4553 Example: >
4554 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004555< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
4556 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
4557 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
4558 :let x = [0, 1]
4559 :let i = 0
4560 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
4561 :echo x
4562< The result is [0, 2].
4563
4564:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
4565:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
4566:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
4567 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
4568 List item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004569
4570:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004571 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the List may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004572 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
4573 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
4574 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004575 Example: >
4576 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
4577<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004578:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
4579:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
4580:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
4581 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
4582 List item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004583 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004584:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00004585 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
4586 here: *E738*
4587 g: global variables.
4588 b: local buffer variables.
4589 w: local window variables.
4590 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004591
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004592:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
4593 variable is indicated before the value:
4594 <nothing> String
4595 # Number
4596 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004597
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004598
4599:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
4600 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
4601 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
4602 may also be a List or Dictionary item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004603 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
4604 variables.
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00004605 One or more items from a List can be removed: >
4606 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
4607 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
4608< One item from a Dictionary can be removed at a time: >
4609 :unlet dict['two']
4610 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004611
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004612:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
4613 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
4614 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
4615 A locked variable can be deleted: >
4616 :lockvar v
4617 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
4618 :unlet v
4619< *E741*
4620 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
4621 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
4622
4623 [depth] is relevant when locking a List or Dictionary.
4624 It specifies how deep the locking goes:
4625 1 Lock the List or Dictionary itself,
4626 cannot add or remove items, but can
4627 still change their values.
4628 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
4629 the items. If an item is a List or
4630 Dictionary, cannot add or remove
4631 items, but can still change the
4632 values.
4633 3 Like 2 but for the List/Dictionary in
4634 the List/Dictionary, one level deeper.
4635 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a List
4636 or Dictionary the values cannot be changed.
4637 *E743*
4638 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
4639 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
4640 loops.
4641
4642 Note that when two variables refer to the same List
4643 and you lock one of them, the List will also be locked
4644 when used through the other variable. Example: >
4645 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
4646 :let cl = l
4647 :lockvar l
4648 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
4649< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
4650 See |deepcopy()|.
4651
4652
4653:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
4654 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
4655 opposite of |:lockvar|.
4656
4657
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004658:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
4659:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
4660 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
4661
4662 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
4663 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
4664 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
4665 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
4666 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
4667 part was not executed either.
4668
4669 You can use this to remain compatible with older
4670 versions: >
4671 :if version >= 500
4672 : version-5-specific-commands
4673 :endif
4674< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
4675 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
4676 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
4677 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
4678 avoid problems: >
4679 :if version >= 600
4680 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
4681 :endif
4682<
4683 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
4684 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
4685
4686 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
4687:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
4688 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
4689 executed.
4690
4691 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
4692:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
4693 is no extra ":endif".
4694
4695:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004696 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004697:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
4698 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
4699 When an error is detected from a command inside the
4700 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004701 Example: >
4702 :let lnum = 1
4703 :while lnum <= line("$")
4704 :call FixLine(lnum)
4705 :let lnum = lnum + 1
4706 :endwhile
4707<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004708 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004709 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004710
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004711:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004712:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
4713 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004714 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004715 value of each item.
4716 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004717 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004718 Changing {list} affects what items are used. Make a
4719 copy if this is unwanted: >
4720 :for item in copy(mylist)
4721< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
4722 next item in the list, before executing the commands
4723 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
4724 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
4725 it will not be found. Thus the following example
4726 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
4727 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004728 :call remove(mylist, 0)
4729 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004730< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
4731 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
4732 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004733 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
4734 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
4735 to allow multiple item types.
4736
4737:for {var} in {string}
4738:endfo[r] Like ":for" above, but use each character in {string}
4739 as a list item.
4740 Composing characters are used as separate characters.
4741 A Number is first converted to a String.
4742
4743:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
4744:endfo[r]
4745 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
4746 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
4747 {var2}, etc. Example: >
4748 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
4749 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
4750 :endfor
4751<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004752 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004753:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
4754 to the start of the loop.
4755 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
4756 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
4757 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
4758 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
4759 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
4760 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004761
4762 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004763:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
4764 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
4765 ":endfor".
4766 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
4767 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
4768 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
4769 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
4770 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
4771 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004772
4773:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
4774:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
4775 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
4776 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
4777 or autocommand invocations.
4778
4779 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
4780 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
4781 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
4782 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
4783 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
4784 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
4785 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
4786 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
4787 Example: >
4788 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
4789 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
4790<
4791 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
4792 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
4793 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
4794 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
4795 processing is not terminated.
4796
4797 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
4798 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
4799 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
4800 other errors are converted to a value of the form
4801 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
4802 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
4803 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
4804 the error number.
4805 Examples: >
4806 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
4807 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
4808<
4809 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
4810:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
4811 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
4812 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
4813 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
4814 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
4815 commands are skipped.
4816 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
4817 Examples: >
4818 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
4819 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
4820 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
4821 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
4822 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
4823 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
4824 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
4825 :catch " same as /.*/
4826<
4827 Another character can be used instead of / around the
4828 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
4829 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
4830 {pattern}.
4831 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
4832 an error message because it may vary in different
4833 locales.
4834
4835 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
4836:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
4837 are executed whenever the part between the matching
4838 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
4839 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
4840 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
4841 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
4842
4843 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
4844:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
4845 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
4846 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
4847 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
4848 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
4849 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
4850 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
4851 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
4852 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
4853 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
4854 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
4855 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
4856 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
4857 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
4858 is terminated.
4859 Example: >
4860 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
4861<
4862
4863 *:ec* *:echo*
4864:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
4865 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
4866 Also see |:comment|.
4867 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
4868 cursor to the first column.
4869 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
4870 Cannot be followed by a comment.
4871 Example: >
4872 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
4873< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
4874 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
4875 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
4876 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
4877 command. Example: >
4878 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
4879<
4880 *:echon*
4881:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
4882 |:comment|.
4883 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
4884 Cannot be followed by a comment.
4885 Example: >
4886 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
4887<
4888 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
4889 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
4890 command: >
4891 :!echo % --> filename
4892< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
4893 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
4894< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
4895 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
4896 :echo % --> nothing
4897< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
4898 :echo "%" --> %
4899< This just echoes the '%' character. >
4900 :echo expand("%") --> filename
4901< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
4902
4903 *:echoh* *:echohl*
4904:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
4905 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
4906 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
4907 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
4908< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
4909 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
4910
4911 *:echom* *:echomsg*
4912:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
4913 message in the |message-history|.
4914 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
4915 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
4916 displayed, not interpreted.
4917 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
4918 Example: >
4919 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
4920<
4921 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
4922:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
4923 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
4924 script or function the line number will be added.
4925 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
4926 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
4927 the message is raised as an error exception instead
4928 (see |try-echoerr|).
4929 Example: >
4930 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
4931< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
4932 And to get a beep: >
4933 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
4934<
4935 *:exe* *:execute*
4936:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
4937 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
4938 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
4939 used as the processed command, command line editing
4940 keys are not recognized.
4941 Cannot be followed by a comment.
4942 Examples: >
4943 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
4944 :execute "normal " count . "w"
4945<
4946 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
4947 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
4948 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
4949
4950< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
4951 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
4952 command: >
4953 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
4954< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
4955
4956 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004957 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
4958 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004959 :execute 'while i > 5'
4960 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
4961<
4962 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
4963 completely in the executed string: >
4964 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
4965<
4966
4967 *:comment*
4968 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
4969 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
4970 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
4971 comment. Example: >
4972 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
4973
4974==============================================================================
49758. Exception handling *exception-handling*
4976
4977The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
4978explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
4979
4980Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
4981|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
4982exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
4983
4984
4985TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
4986
4987Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
4988use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
4989a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
4990 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
4991|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
4992a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
4993be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
4994which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
4995clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
4996
4997 :try
4998 : ...
4999 : ... TRY BLOCK
5000 : ...
5001 :catch /{pattern}/
5002 : ...
5003 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5004 : ...
5005 :catch /{pattern}/
5006 : ...
5007 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5008 : ...
5009 :finally
5010 : ...
5011 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
5012 : ...
5013 :endtry
5014
5015The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
5016appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
5017from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
5018 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
5019is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
5020script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
5021 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
5022lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
5023patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
5024after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
5025executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
5026":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
5027(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
5028continues in the following line as usual.
5029 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
5030":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
5031that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
5032finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
5033the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
5034the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
5035see |try-nesting|.
5036 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
5037remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
5038not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
5039try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
5040a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
5041execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
5042exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5043 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
5044thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
5045clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
5046catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
5047following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
5048clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5049
5050The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
5051a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
5052try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
5053from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
5054sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
5055":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
5056":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
5057from the finally clause.
5058 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
5059try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
5060clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
5061":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
5062clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
5063":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
5064this pending exception or command is discarded.
5065
5066For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
5067
5068
5069NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
5070
5071Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
5072conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
5073clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
5074catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
5075of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
5076checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
5077try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
5078otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
5079nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
5080one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
5081the inner try conditional.
5082
5083When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
5084finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
5085An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
5086thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
5087implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
5088as usual.
5089
5090For examples see |throw-catch|.
5091
5092
5093EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
5094
5095Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
5096'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
5097script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
5098finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
5099a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
5100(see |debug-scripts|).
5101
5102
5103THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
5104
5105You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
5106and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
5107 :throw 4711
5108 :throw "string"
5109< *throw-expression*
5110You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
5111first, and the result is thrown: >
5112 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
5113 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
5114
5115An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
5116command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
5117The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
5118 Example: >
5119
5120 :function! Foo(arg)
5121 : try
5122 : throw a:arg
5123 : catch /foo/
5124 : endtry
5125 : return 1
5126 :endfunction
5127 :
5128 :function! Bar()
5129 : echo "in Bar"
5130 : return 4710
5131 :endfunction
5132 :
5133 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
5134
5135This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
5136executed. >
5137 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
5138however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
5139
5140Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
5141abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
5142exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
5143 Example: >
5144
5145 :if Foo("arrgh")
5146 : echo "then"
5147 :else
5148 : echo "else"
5149 :endif
5150
5151Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
5152
5153 *catch-order*
5154Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
5155commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
5156command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
5157gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
5158 Example: >
5159
5160 :function! Foo(value)
5161 : try
5162 : throw a:value
5163 : catch /^\d\+$/
5164 : echo "Number thrown"
5165 : catch /.*/
5166 : echo "String thrown"
5167 : endtry
5168 :endfunction
5169 :
5170 :call Foo(0x1267)
5171 :call Foo('string')
5172
5173The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
5174An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
5175specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
5176specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
5177
5178 : catch /.*/
5179 : echo "String thrown"
5180 : catch /^\d\+$/
5181 : echo "Number thrown"
5182
5183The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
5184never taken.
5185
5186 *throw-variables*
5187If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
5188in the variable |v:exception|: >
5189
5190 : catch /^\d\+$/
5191 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
5192
5193You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
5194|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
5195exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
5196 Example: >
5197
5198 :function! Caught()
5199 : if v:exception != ""
5200 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
5201 : else
5202 : echo 'Nothing caught'
5203 : endif
5204 :endfunction
5205 :
5206 :function! Foo()
5207 : try
5208 : try
5209 : try
5210 : throw 4711
5211 : finally
5212 : call Caught()
5213 : endtry
5214 : catch /.*/
5215 : call Caught()
5216 : throw "oops"
5217 : endtry
5218 : catch /.*/
5219 : call Caught()
5220 : finally
5221 : call Caught()
5222 : endtry
5223 :endfunction
5224 :
5225 :call Foo()
5226
5227This displays >
5228
5229 Nothing caught
5230 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
5231 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
5232 Nothing caught
5233
5234A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
5235number in the script or function where it has been used: >
5236
5237 :function! LineNumber()
5238 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
5239 :endfunction
5240 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
5241<
5242 *try-nested*
5243An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
5244a surrounding try conditional: >
5245
5246 :try
5247 : try
5248 : throw "foo"
5249 : catch /foobar/
5250 : echo "foobar"
5251 : finally
5252 : echo "inner finally"
5253 : endtry
5254 :catch /foo/
5255 : echo "foo"
5256 :endtry
5257
5258The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
5259clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
5260conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
5261
5262 *throw-from-catch*
5263You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
5264catch clause: >
5265
5266 :function! Foo()
5267 : throw "foo"
5268 :endfunction
5269 :
5270 :function! Bar()
5271 : try
5272 : call Foo()
5273 : catch /foo/
5274 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
5275 : throw "bar"
5276 : endtry
5277 :endfunction
5278 :
5279 :try
5280 : call Bar()
5281 :catch /.*/
5282 : echo "Caught" v:exception
5283 :endtry
5284
5285This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
5286
5287 *rethrow*
5288There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
5289"v:exception" instead: >
5290
5291 :function! Bar()
5292 : try
5293 : call Foo()
5294 : catch /.*/
5295 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
5296 : throw v:exception
5297 : endtry
5298 :endfunction
5299< *try-echoerr*
5300Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
5301exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
5302Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
5303denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
5304the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
5305
5306 :try
5307 : try
5308 : asdf
5309 : catch /.*/
5310 : echoerr v:exception
5311 : endtry
5312 :catch /.*/
5313 : echo v:exception
5314 :endtry
5315
5316This code displays
5317
5318 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
5319
5320
5321CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
5322
5323Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
5324user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
5325an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
5326a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
5327catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
5328a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
5329normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
5330(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
5331to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
5332clause has been executed.)
5333Example: >
5334
5335 :try
5336 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
5337 : set ts=17
5338 :
5339 : " Do the hard work here.
5340 :
5341 :finally
5342 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
5343 : unlet s:saved_ts
5344 :endtry
5345
5346This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
5347changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
5348that function or script part.
5349
5350 *break-finally*
5351Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
5352a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
5353 Example: >
5354
5355 :let first = 1
5356 :while 1
5357 : try
5358 : if first
5359 : echo "first"
5360 : let first = 0
5361 : continue
5362 : else
5363 : throw "second"
5364 : endif
5365 : catch /.*/
5366 : echo v:exception
5367 : break
5368 : finally
5369 : echo "cleanup"
5370 : endtry
5371 : echo "still in while"
5372 :endwhile
5373 :echo "end"
5374
5375This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
5376
5377 :function! Foo()
5378 : try
5379 : return 4711
5380 : finally
5381 : echo "cleanup\n"
5382 : endtry
5383 : echo "Foo still active"
5384 :endfunction
5385 :
5386 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
5387
5388This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
5389extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
5390return value.)
5391
5392 *except-from-finally*
5393Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
5394a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
5395cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
5396exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
5397 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
5398working correctly: >
5399
5400 :try
5401 : try
5402 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
5403 : while 1
5404 : endwhile
5405 : finally
5406 : unlet novar
5407 : endtry
5408 :catch /novar/
5409 :endtry
5410 :echo "Script still running"
5411 :sleep 1
5412
5413If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
5414think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
5415|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
5416
5417
5418CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
5419
5420If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
5421watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
5422presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
5423exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
5424the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
5425the error exception is.
5426 Error exceptions have the following format: >
5427
5428 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
5429or >
5430 Vim:{errmsg}
5431
5432{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
5433the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
5434when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
5435a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
5436a space.
5437
5438Examples:
5439
5440The command >
5441 :unlet novar
5442normally produces the error message >
5443 E108: No such variable: "novar"
5444which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5445 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
5446
5447The command >
5448 :dwim
5449normally produces the error message >
5450 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
5451which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5452 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
5453
5454You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
5455 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
5456or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
5457 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
5458
5459Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
5460 :function nofunc
5461and >
5462 :delfunction nofunc
5463both produce the error message >
5464 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5465which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5466 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5467or >
5468 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5469respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
5470command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
5471 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
5472
5473Some commands like >
5474 :let x = novar
5475produce multiple error messages, here: >
5476 E121: Undefined variable: novar
5477 E15: Invalid expression: novar
5478Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
5479one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
5480 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
5481
5482You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
5483 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
5484
5485You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
5486 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
5487
5488You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
5489 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
5490<
5491 *catch-text*
5492NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
5493 :catch /No such variable/
5494only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
5495a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
5496cite the message text in a comment: >
5497 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
5498
5499
5500IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
5501
5502You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
5503
5504 :try
5505 : write
5506 :catch
5507 :endtry
5508
5509But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
5510catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
5511be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
5512
5513 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
5514
5515There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
5516writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
5517then hide the error from the user.
5518 It is much better to use >
5519
5520 :try
5521 : write
5522 :catch /^Vim(write):/
5523 :endtry
5524
5525which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
5526intentionally.
5527
5528For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
5529even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
5530command: >
5531 :silent! nunmap k
5532This works also when a try conditional is active.
5533
5534
5535CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
5536
5537When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
5538the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
5539script is not terminated, then.
5540 Example: >
5541
5542 :function! TASK1()
5543 : sleep 10
5544 :endfunction
5545
5546 :function! TASK2()
5547 : sleep 20
5548 :endfunction
5549
5550 :while 1
5551 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
5552 : try
5553 : if command == ""
5554 : continue
5555 : elseif command == "END"
5556 : break
5557 : elseif command == "TASK1"
5558 : call TASK1()
5559 : elseif command == "TASK2"
5560 : call TASK2()
5561 : else
5562 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
5563 : continue
5564 : endif
5565 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
5566 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
5567 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
5568 : endtry
5569 :endwhile
5570
5571You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
5572a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
5573
5574For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
5575your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
5576command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
5577
5578
5579CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
5580
5581The commands >
5582
5583 :catch /.*/
5584 :catch //
5585 :catch
5586
5587catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
5588explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
5589a script in order to catch unexpected things.
5590 Example: >
5591
5592 :try
5593 :
5594 : " do the hard work here
5595 :
5596 :catch /MyException/
5597 :
5598 : " handle known problem
5599 :
5600 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
5601 : echo "Script interrupted"
5602 :catch /.*/
5603 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
5604 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
5605 :endtry
5606 :" end of script
5607
5608Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
5609strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
5610specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
5611 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
5612by pressing CTRL-C: >
5613
5614 :while 1
5615 : try
5616 : sleep 1
5617 : catch
5618 : endtry
5619 :endwhile
5620
5621
5622EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
5623
5624Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
5625
5626 :autocmd User x try
5627 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
5628 :autocmd User x catch
5629 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
5630 :autocmd User x endtry
5631 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
5632 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
5633 :
5634 :try
5635 : doautocmd User x
5636 :catch
5637 : echo v:exception
5638 :endtry
5639
5640This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
5641
5642 *except-autocmd-Pre*
5643For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
5644command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
5645of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
5646abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
5647 Example: >
5648
5649 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
5650 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
5651 :
5652 :try
5653 : write
5654 :catch
5655 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
5656 :endtry
5657
5658Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
5659you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
5660autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
5661script displays: >
5662
5663 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
5664<
5665 *except-autocmd-Post*
5666For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
5667command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
5668an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
5669is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
5670 Example: >
5671
5672 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
5673 :
5674 :try
5675 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5676 :catch
5677 : echo v:exception
5678 :endtry
5679
5680This just displays: >
5681
5682 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
5683
5684If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
5685fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
5686 Example: >
5687
5688 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
5689 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
5690 :
5691 :try
5692 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5693 :catch
5694 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5695 :endtry
5696<
5697You can also use ":silent!": >
5698
5699 :let x = "ok"
5700 :let v:errmsg = ""
5701 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
5702 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
5703 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
5704 :try
5705 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5706 :catch
5707 :endtry
5708 :echo x
5709
5710This displays "after fail".
5711
5712If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
5713autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
5714
5715 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
5716 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
5717 :
5718 :try
5719 : write
5720 :catch
5721 : echo v:exception
5722 :endtry
5723<
5724 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
5725For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
5726autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
5727of the command.
5728 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
5729had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
5730some way. >
5731
5732 :if !exists("cnt")
5733 : let cnt = 0
5734 :
5735 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
5736 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
5737 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
5738 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
5739 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
5740 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
5741 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
5742 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
5743 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
5744 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
5745 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
5746 :endif
5747 :
5748 :try
5749 : write
5750 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
5751 : if &modified
5752 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
5753 : else
5754 : echo "Error after writing"
5755 : endif
5756 :catch /^Vim(write):/
5757 : echo "Error on writing"
5758 :endtry
5759
5760When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
5761first >
5762 File successfully written!
5763then >
5764 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
5765then >
5766 Error after writing
5767etc.
5768
5769 *except-autocmd-ill*
5770You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
5771The following code is ill-formed: >
5772
5773 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
5774 :
5775 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
5776 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
5777 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
5778 :
5779 :write
5780
5781
5782EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
5783
5784Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
5785pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
5786similar things in Vim.
5787 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
5788class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
5789string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
5790 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
5791it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
5792for an error when writing "myfile".
5793 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
5794base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
5795parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
5796 Example: >
5797
5798 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
5799 : if a:a < 0
5800 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
5801 : endif
5802 :endfunction
5803 :
5804 :function! Add(a, b)
5805 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
5806 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
5807 : let c = a:a + a:b
5808 : if c < 0
5809 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
5810 : endif
5811 : return c
5812 :endfunction
5813 :
5814 :function! Div(a, b)
5815 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
5816 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
5817 : if (a:b == 0)
5818 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
5819 : endif
5820 : return a:a / a:b
5821 :endfunction
5822 :
5823 :function! Write(file)
5824 : try
5825 : execute "write" a:file
5826 : catch /^Vim(write):/
5827 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
5828 : endtry
5829 :endfunction
5830 :
5831 :try
5832 :
5833 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
5834 :
5835 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
5836 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
5837 : echo "Range error in" function
5838 :
5839 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
5840 : echo "Math error"
5841 :
5842 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
5843 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
5844 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
5845 : if file !~ '^/'
5846 : let file = dir . "/" . file
5847 : endif
5848 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
5849 :
5850 :catch /^EXCEPT/
5851 : echo "Unspecified error"
5852 :
5853 :endtry
5854
5855The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
5856a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
5857exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
5858 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
5859failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
5860
5861
5862PECULIARITIES
5863 *except-compat*
5864The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
5865exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
5866and/or a catch clause.
5867
5868In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
5869continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
5870after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
5871functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
5872or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
5873(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
5874
5875This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
5876immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
5877conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
5878be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
5879termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
5880catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
5881by specifying a finally clause.)
5882
5883When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
5884behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
5885scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
5886
5887However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
5888commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
5889conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
5890script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
5891error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
5892messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
5893|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
5894not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
5895where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
5896error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
5897scripts.
5898
5899 *except-syntax-err*
5900Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
5901the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
5902clauses, however, is executed.
5903 Example: >
5904
5905 :try
5906 : try
5907 : throw 4711
5908 : catch /\(/
5909 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
5910 : catch
5911 : echo "inner catch-all"
5912 : finally
5913 : echo "inner finally"
5914 : endtry
5915 :catch
5916 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
5917 : finally
5918 : echo "outer finally"
5919 :endtry
5920
5921This displays: >
5922 inner finally
5923 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
5924 outer finally
5925The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
5926
5927 *except-single-line*
5928The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
5929a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
5930"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
5931 Example: >
5932 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
5933raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
5934argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
5935error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
5936displayed.
5937
5938 *except-several-errors*
5939When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
5940usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
5941 Example: >
5942 echo novar
5943causes >
5944 E121: Undefined variable: novar
5945 E15: Invalid expression: novar
5946The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
5947 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
5948< *except-syntax-error*
5949But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
5950the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
5951 Example: >
5952 unlet novar #
5953causes >
5954 E108: No such variable: "novar"
5955 E488: Trailing characters
5956The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
5957 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
5958This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
5959not intended by the user. Example: >
5960 try
5961 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
5962 catch /.*/
5963 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
5964 endtry
5965This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
5966a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
5967
5968==============================================================================
59699. Examples *eval-examples*
5970
5971Printing in Hex ~
5972>
5973 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
5974 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
5975 : let n = a:nr
5976 : let r = ""
5977 : while n
5978 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
5979 : let n = n / 16
5980 : endwhile
5981 : return r
5982 :endfunc
5983
5984 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
5985 :" character Hex string.
5986 :func String2Hex(str)
5987 : let out = ''
5988 : let ix = 0
5989 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
5990 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
5991 : let ix = ix + 1
5992 : endwhile
5993 : return out
5994 :endfunc
5995
5996Example of its use: >
5997 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
5998result: "20" >
5999 :echo String2Hex("32")
6000result: "3332"
6001
6002
6003Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
6004
6005Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
6006":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
6007platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
6008function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
6009with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
6010>
6011 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
6012 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
6013 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
6014 : return -1
6015 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
6016 : return 1
6017 : else
6018 : return 0
6019 : endif
6020 :endfunction
6021
6022 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
6023 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
6024 : if (a:start >= a:end)
6025 : return
6026 : endif
6027 : let partition = a:start - 1
6028 : let middle = partition
6029 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
6030 : let i = a:start
6031 : while (i <= a:end)
6032 : let str = getline(i)
6033 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
6034 : if (result <= 0)
6035 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
6036 : let partition = partition + 1
6037 : if (result == 0)
6038 : let middle = partition
6039 : endif
6040 : if (i != partition)
6041 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6042 : call setline(i, str2)
6043 : call setline(partition, str)
6044 : endif
6045 : endif
6046 : let i = i + 1
6047 : endwhile
6048
6049 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
6050 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
6051 : " the end of the partition.
6052 : if (middle != partition)
6053 : let str = getline(middle)
6054 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6055 : call setline(middle, str2)
6056 : call setline(partition, str)
6057 : endif
6058 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
6059 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
6060 :endfunc
6061
6062 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
6063 :" function that will compare two lines.
6064 :func! Sort(cmp) range
6065 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
6066 :endfunc
6067
6068 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
6069 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
6070<
6071 *sscanf*
6072There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
6073line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
6074how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
6075"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
6076 :" Set up the match bit
6077 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
6078 :"get the part matching the whole expression
6079 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
6080 :"get each item out of the match
6081 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
6082 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
6083 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
6084
6085The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
6086"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
6087
6088==============================================================================
608910. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
6090
6091When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
6092evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
6093to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
6094recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
6095and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
6096only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
6097recognized.
6098
6099Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
6100missing: >
6101
6102 :if 1
6103 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
6104 :else
6105 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
6106 :endif
6107
6108==============================================================================
610911. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
6110
6111The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
6112options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
6113these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
6114these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
6115a tags file is executed.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006116The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006117
6118These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
6119 - changing the buffer text
6120 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
6121 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
6122 - executing a shell command
6123 - reading or writing a file
6124 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006125This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
6126
6127 *:san* *:sandbox*
6128:sandbox {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
6129 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
6130 'foldexpr'.
6131
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006132
6133 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: