blob: c953db315ac7da6f237fbcd97b00291a40d6860c [file] [log] [blame]
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2006 Jan 24
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 Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00003112. Textlock |textlock|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000032
33{Vi does not have any of these commands}
34
35==============================================================================
361. Variables *variables*
37
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000039 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000040There are five types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000042Number A 32 bit signed number.
43 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
44
45String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
46 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
47
48Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
49 Example: function("strlen")
50
51List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
52 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000053
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000054Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
55 value. |Dictionary|
56 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
57
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000058The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
59are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000060
61Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
62the Number. Examples: >
63 Number 123 --> String "123"
64 Number 0 --> String "0"
65 Number -1 --> String "-1"
66
67Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
68to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
69the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
70 String "456" --> Number 456
71 String "6bar" --> Number 6
72 String "foo" --> Number 0
73 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
74 String "0100" --> Number 64
75 String "-8" --> Number -8
76 String "+8" --> Number 0
77
78To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
79 :echo "0100" + 0
80
81For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
82
83Note that in the command >
84 :if "foo"
85"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
86use strlen(): >
87 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000088< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
89List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000090
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000091 *E706*
92You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
93to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000094equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000095 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000096 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000097 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000098
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000099
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001001.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000101 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000102A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000103in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
104around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000105
106 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
107 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000108< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000109A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:" or "b:". You cannot
110have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000111
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000112A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
113Dictionary entry. Example: >
114 :function dict.init() dict
115 : let self.val = 0
116 :endfunction
117
118The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
119function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
120
121A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
122 :call Fn()
123 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000124
125The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000126 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000127
128You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
129arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000130 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000131
132
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001331.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000134 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000135A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
136can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
137position in the sequence.
138
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000139
140List creation ~
141 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000142A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143Examples: >
144 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
145 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000146
147An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000148nested List: >
149 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000150
151An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
152
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000153
154List index ~
155 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000156An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000157after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
158 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000159 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000160
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000161When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000162 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000163<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000164A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
165the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000166 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
167
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000168To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000169is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000170 :echo get(mylist, idx)
171 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
172
173
174List concatenation ~
175
176Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
177 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000178 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000179
180To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
181it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
182
183
184Sublist ~
185
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000186A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
187separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000188 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000189
190Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
191similar to -1. The difference is that there is no error if the items are not
192available. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000193 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
194 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
195 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000196
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000197The second index can be just before the first index. In that case the result
198is an empty list. If the second index is lower, this results in an error. >
199 :echo mylist[2:1] " result: []
200 :echo mylist[2:0] " error!
201
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000202NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
203using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
204mylist[s : e].
205
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000206
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000207List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000208 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000209When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
210variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
211change "bb": >
212 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
213 :let bb = aa
214 :call add(aa, 4)
215 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000216< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000217
218Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
219works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000220a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000221 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
222 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000223 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000224 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
225 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000226< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000227 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000228< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000229
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000230To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000231copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000232
233The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000234List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000235the same value. >
236 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
237 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
238 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000239< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000240 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000241< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000242
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000243Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
244same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000245exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
246different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
247variables. Example: >
248 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000249< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000250 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000251< 0
252
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000253Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
254can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a string: >
255
256 :let a = 5
257 :let b = "5"
258 echo a == b
259< 1 >
260 echo [a] == [b]
261< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000262
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000263
264List unpack ~
265
266To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
267square brackets, like list items: >
268 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
269
270When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
271this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
272and a variable name: >
273 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
274
275This works like: >
276 :let var1 = mylist[0]
277 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000278 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000279
280Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
281empty list then.
282
283
284List modification ~
285 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000286To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000287 :let list[4] = "four"
288 :let listlist[0][3] = item
289
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000290To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000291modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000292 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
293
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000294Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
295examples: >
296 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
297 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
298 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000299 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000300 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
301 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000302 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000303 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000304 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000305 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000306
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000307Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000308 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
309 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
310
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000311
312For loop ~
313
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000314The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
315to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000316 :for item in mylist
317 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000318 :endfor
319
320This works like: >
321 :let index = 0
322 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000323 : let item = mylist[index]
324 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000325 : let index = index + 1
326 :endwhile
327
328Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000329results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000330the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000331
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000332If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000333function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000334
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000335Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
336requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
337 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
338 : call Doit(lnum, col)
339 :endfor
340
341This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
342must remain the same to avoid an error.
343
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000344It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000345 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
346 : call Doit(i, j)
347 : if !empty(rest)
348 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
349 : endif
350 :endfor
351
352
353List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000354 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000355Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000356 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000357 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000358 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
359 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
360 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000361 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
362 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000363 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
364 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000365 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
366 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000367 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
368 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000369
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000370Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
371example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
372 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
373
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000374
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003751.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000376 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000377A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000378entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
379ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000380
381
382Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000383 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000384A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000385braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
386only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000387 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
388 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000389< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000390A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
391String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000392entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
393Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000394
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000395A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000396nested Dictionary: >
397 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
398
399An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
400
401
402Accessing entries ~
403
404The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
405 :let val = mydict["one"]
406 :let mydict["four"] = 4
407
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000408You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000409
410For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
411form can be used |expr-entry|: >
412 :let val = mydict.one
413 :let mydict.four = 4
414
415Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
416key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000417 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000418
419
420Dictionary to List conversion ~
421
422You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
423turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
424
425Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
426 :for key in keys(mydict)
427 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
428 :endfor
429
430The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
431 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
432
433To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
434 :for v in values(mydict)
435 : echo "value: " . v
436 :endfor
437
438If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000439a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000440 :for entry in items(mydict)
441 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
442 :endfor
443
444
445Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000446 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000447Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
448Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
449Dictionary: >
450 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
451 :let adict = onedict
452 :let adict['a'] = 11
453 :echo onedict['a']
454 11
455
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000456Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
457more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000458
459
460Dictionary modification ~
461 *dict-modification*
462To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
463use |:let| this way: >
464 :let dict[4] = "four"
465 :let dict['one'] = item
466
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000467Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
468Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
469 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
470 :unlet dict.aaa
471 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000472
473Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000474 :call extend(adict, bdict)
475This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
476in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000477Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
478expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
479adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000480
481Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +0000482 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000483This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000484
485
486Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000487 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000488When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
489special way with a dictionary. Example: >
490 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000491 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000492 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000493 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
494 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000495
496This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
497Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
498the function was invoked from.
499
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000500It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
501Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
502
503 *numbered-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000504To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
505assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000506 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
507 :function mydict.len() dict
508 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000509 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000510 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000511
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000512The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
513that references this function. The function can only be used through a
514|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
515remaining that refers to it.
516
517It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000518
519
520Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000521 *E715*
522Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000523 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
524 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
525 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
526 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
527 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
528 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
529 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
530 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000531
532
5331.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000534 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000535If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
536function.
537
538When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
539start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
540stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
541
542When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
543start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
544stored in the session file |session-file|.
545
546variable name can be stored where ~
547my_var_6 not
548My_Var_6 session file
549MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
550
551
552It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
553|curly-braces-names|.
554
555==============================================================================
5562. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
557
558Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
559
560|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
561
562|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
563
564|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
565
566|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
567 expr5 != expr5 not equal
568 expr5 > expr5 greater than
569 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
570 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
571 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
572 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
573 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
574
575 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
576 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
577 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
578 matching case
579
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000580 expr5 is expr5 same List instance
581 expr5 isnot expr5 different List instance
582
583|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000584 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
585 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
586
587|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
588 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
589 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
590
591|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
592 - expr7 unary minus
593 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000594
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000595
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000596|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a List
597 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a List
598 expr8.name entry in a Dictionary
599 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with Funcref variable
600
601|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000602 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000603 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000604 [expr1, ...] List
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000605 {expr1: expr1, ...} Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000606 &option option value
607 (expr1) nested expression
608 variable internal variable
609 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
610 $VAR environment variable
611 @r contents of register 'r'
612 function(expr1, ...) function call
613 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
614
615
616".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
617Example: >
618 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
619
620All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
621
622
623expr1 *expr1* *E109*
624-----
625
626expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
627
628The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
629non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
630otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
631Example: >
632 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
633
634Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
635other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
636Example: >
637 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
638
639To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
640 :echo lnum == 1
641 :\ ? "top"
642 :\ : lnum == 1000
643 :\ ? "last"
644 :\ : lnum
645
646
647expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
648---------------
649
650 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
651The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
652are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
653
654 input output ~
655n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
656zero zero zero zero
657zero non-zero non-zero zero
658non-zero zero non-zero zero
659non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
660
661The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
662
663 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
664
665Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
666
667 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
668
669Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
670arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
671
672 let a = 1
673 echo a || b
674
675This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
676so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
677
678 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
679
680This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
681only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
682
683
684expr4 *expr4*
685-----
686
687expr5 {cmp} expr5
688
689Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
690if it evaluates to true.
691
692 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
693 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
694 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
695 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
696 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
697 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000698 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000699 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
700equal == ==# ==?
701not equal != !=# !=?
702greater than > ># >?
703greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
704smaller than < <# <?
705smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
706regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
707regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000708same instance is
709different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000710
711Examples:
712"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
713"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
714"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
715
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000716 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000717A List can only be compared with a List and only "equal", "not equal" and "is"
718can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively. Ignoring
719case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
720
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000721 *E735* *E736*
722A Dictionary can only be compared with a Dictionary and only "equal", "not
723equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the Dictionary,
724recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
725
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000726 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000727A Funcref can only be compared with a Funcref and only "equal" and "not equal"
728can be used. Case is never ignored.
729
730When using "is" or "isnot" with a List this checks if the expressions are
731referring to the same List instance. A copy of a List is different from the
732original List. When using "is" without a List it is equivalent to using
733"equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
734different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
735is false.
736
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000737When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
738and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
739because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
740
741When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
742results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
743necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
744
745When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
746'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
747
748When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
749'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
750
751The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
752argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
753This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
754matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
755portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
756single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
757Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
758(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
759can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
760 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
761 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
762
763
764expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
765---------------
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000766expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or List concatenation *expr-+*
767expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
768expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000769
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000770For Lists only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The result
771is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
772
773expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
774expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
775expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000776
777For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
778
779Note the difference between "+" and ".":
780 "123" + "456" = 579
781 "123" . "456" = "123456"
782
783When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
784When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
785
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000786None of these work for Funcrefs.
787
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000788
789expr7 *expr7*
790-----
791! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
792- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
793+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
794
795For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
796For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
797For '+' the number is unchanged.
798
799A String will be converted to a Number first.
800
801These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
802 !-1 == 0
803 !!8 == 1
804 --9 == 9
805
806
807expr8 *expr8*
808-----
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000809expr8[expr1] item of String or List *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000810
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000811If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
812expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000813Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000814
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000815Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
816text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
817cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000818 :let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1]
819
820If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000821String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
822compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
823
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000824If expr8 is a List then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000825for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
826error. Example: >
827 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
828
829Generally, if a List index is equal to or higher than the length of the List,
830or more negative than the length of the List, this results in an error.
831
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000832
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000833expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000834
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000835If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
836from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000837expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
838encodings.
839
840If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
841string minus one is used.
842
843A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
844the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
845
846If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
847expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
848
849Examples: >
850 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
851 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
852 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
853 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
854
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000855If expr8 is a List this results in a new List with the items indicated by the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000856indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained just
857above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
858 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
859 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
860 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
861
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000862Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a Funcref results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000863
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000864
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000865expr8.name entry in a Dictionary *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000866
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000867If expr8 is a Dictionary and it is followed by a dot, then the following name
868will be used as a key in the Dictionary. This is just like: expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000869
870The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
871but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
872
873There must not be white space before or after the dot.
874
875Examples: >
876 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
877 :echo dict.one
878 :echo dict .2
879
880Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
881always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
882
883
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000884expr8(expr1, ...) Funcref function call
885
886When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
887
888
889
890 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000891number
892------
893number number constant *expr-number*
894
895Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
896
897
898string *expr-string* *E114*
899------
900"string" string constant *expr-quote*
901
902Note that double quotes are used.
903
904A string constant accepts these special characters:
905\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
906\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
907\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
908\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
909\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
910\X.. same as \x..
911\X. same as \x.
912\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
913 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
914\U.... same as \u....
915\b backspace <BS>
916\e escape <Esc>
917\f formfeed <FF>
918\n newline <NL>
919\r return <CR>
920\t tab <Tab>
921\\ backslash
922\" double quote
923\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
924
925Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
926
927
928literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
929---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000930'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000931
932Note that single quotes are used.
933
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000934This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000935meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000936
937Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
938to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
939 if a =~ "\\s*"
940 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000941
942
943option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
944------
945&option option value, local value if possible
946&g:option global option value
947&l:option local option value
948
949Examples: >
950 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
951 if &insertmode
952
953Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
954and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
955anyway.
956
957
958register *expr-register*
959--------
960@r contents of register 'r'
961
962The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
963Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +0000964register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
965registers.
966
967When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
968evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000969
970
971nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
972-------
973(expr1) nested expression
974
975
976environment variable *expr-env*
977--------------------
978$VAR environment variable
979
980The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
981result is an empty string.
982 *expr-env-expand*
983Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
984expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
985are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
986the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
987fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
988does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
989 :echo $version
990 :echo expand("$version")
991The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
992variable (if your shell supports it).
993
994
995internal variable *expr-variable*
996-----------------
997variable internal variable
998See below |internal-variables|.
999
1000
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001001function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001002-------------
1003function(expr1, ...) function call
1004See below |functions|.
1005
1006
1007==============================================================================
10083. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1009 *E461*
1010An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1011cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1012|curly-braces-names|.
1013
1014An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001015An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1016|:unlet|.
1017Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1018been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001019
1020There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1021specified by what is prepended:
1022
1023 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1024|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1025|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
1026|global-variable| g: Global.
1027|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1028|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1029|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1030|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1031
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001032The scope name by itself can be used as a Dictionary. For example, to delete
1033all script-local variables: >
1034 :for k in keys(s:)
1035 : unlet s:[k]
1036 :endfor
1037<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001038 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1039A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1040Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1041This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1042|:bdelete|.
1043
1044One local buffer variable is predefined:
1045 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1046b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1047 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1048 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1049 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1050 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1051 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1052 : call My_Update()
1053 :endif
1054<
1055 *window-variable* *w:var*
1056A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1057is deleted when the window is closed.
1058
1059 *global-variable* *g:var*
1060Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1061access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1062place if you like.
1063
1064 *local-variable* *l:var*
1065Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1066But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1067
1068 *script-variable* *s:var*
1069In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1070accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1071
1072They can be used in:
1073- commands executed while the script is sourced
1074- functions defined in the script
1075- autocommands defined in the script
1076- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1077 defined in the script (recursively)
1078- user defined commands defined in the script
1079Thus not in:
1080- other scripts sourced from this one
1081- mappings
1082- etc.
1083
1084script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1085Take this example:
1086
1087 let s:counter = 0
1088 function MyCounter()
1089 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1090 echo s:counter
1091 endfunction
1092 command Tick call MyCounter()
1093
1094You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1095that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1096"Tick" was defined is used.
1097
1098Another example that does the same: >
1099
1100 let s:counter = 0
1101 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1102
1103When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001104script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001105defined.
1106
1107The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1108function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1109
1110 let s:counter = 0
1111 function StartCounting(incr)
1112 if a:incr
1113 function MyCounter()
1114 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1115 endfunction
1116 else
1117 function MyCounter()
1118 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1119 endfunction
1120 endif
1121 endfunction
1122
1123This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1124when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1125called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1126
1127When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1128They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1129maintain a counter: >
1130
1131 if !exists("s:counter")
1132 let s:counter = 1
1133 echo "script executed for the first time"
1134 else
1135 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1136 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1137 endif
1138
1139Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1140variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1141
1142
1143Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1144
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001145 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1146v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1147 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1148 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1149
1150 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1151v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1152 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1153
1154 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1155v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1156 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1157
1158 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001159v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1160 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1161 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1162 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001163 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1164 highlighted text is used.
1165 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1166
1167 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1168v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1169 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1170
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001171 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1172v:charconvert_from
1173 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1174 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1175
1176 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1177v:charconvert_to
1178 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1179 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1180
1181 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1182v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1183 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1184 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1185 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1186 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1187 possible to append this variable directly after the
1188 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1189 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1190 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1191 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1192 in 'printexpr'.
1193
1194 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1195v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1196 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1197 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1198 can be used.
1199
1200 *v:count* *count-variable*
1201v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1202 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1203 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1204< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1205 get when typing ':' after a count.
1206 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1207
1208 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1209v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1210 used.
1211
1212 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1213v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1214 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1215 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1216 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1217 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1218 command.
1219 See |multi-lang|.
1220
1221 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1222v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1223 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1224 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1225 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1226 Example: >
1227 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1228<
1229 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1230v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1231 Example: >
1232 :let v:errmsg = ""
1233 :silent! next
1234 :if v:errmsg != ""
1235 : ... handle error
1236< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1237
1238 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1239v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1240 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1241 Example: >
1242 :try
1243 : throw "oops"
1244 :catch /.*/
1245 : echo "caught" v:exception
1246 :endtry
1247< Output: "caught oops".
1248
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001249 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1250v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1251 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1252 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1253 deleted file no longer exists
1254 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1255 changed and buffer is modified
1256 changed file contents has changed
1257 mode mode of file changed
1258 time only file timestamp changed
1259
1260 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1261v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1262 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1263 do with the affected buffer:
1264 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1265 the file was deleted).
1266 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1267 was no autocommand. Except that when
1268 only the timestamp changed nothing
1269 will happen.
1270 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1271 everything that needs to be done.
1272 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1273 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1274
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001275 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001276v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001277 option used for ~
1278 'charconvert' file to be converted
1279 'diffexpr' original file
1280 'patchexpr' original file
1281 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001282 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001283
1284 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1285v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1286 evaluating:
1287 option used for ~
1288 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1289 'diffexpr' output of diff
1290 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1291 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1292 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1293 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1294 file and different from v:fname_in.
1295
1296 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1297v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1298 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1299
1300 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1301v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1302 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1303
1304 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1305v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1306 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001307 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001308
1309 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1310v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001311 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001312
1313 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1314v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001315 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001316
1317 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1318v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001319 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001320
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001321 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1322v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1323 events. Values:
1324 i Insert mode
1325 r Replace mode
1326 v Virtual Replace mode
1327
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001328 *v:key* *key-variable*
1329v:key Key of the current item of a Dictionary. Only valid while
1330 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1331 Read-only.
1332
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001333 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1334v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1335 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1336 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1337 The value is system dependent.
1338 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1339 command.
1340 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1341 in a different language than what is used for character
1342 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1343
1344 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1345v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1346 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1347 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1348 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1349 command. See |multi-lang|.
1350
1351 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001352v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
1353 expressions. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1354 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001355
1356 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1357v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1358 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1359 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1360 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1361< Read-only.
1362
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001363 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1364v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1365 See |profiling|.
1366
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001367 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1368v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1369 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1370 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1371 Read-only.
1372
1373 *v:register* *register-variable*
1374v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1375 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1376
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001377 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1378v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1379 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1380 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1381 typed command.
1382 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1383 hit-enter prompt.
1384
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001385 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1386v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1387 Read-only.
1388
1389 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1390v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1391 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1392 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1393 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1394 executed. Read-only.
1395 Example: >
1396 :!mv foo bar
1397 :if v:shell_error
1398 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1399 :endif
1400< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1401
1402 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1403v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1404
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001405 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1406v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1407 the swap file found. Read-only.
1408
1409 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1410v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1411 for handling an existing swap file:
1412 'o' Open read-only
1413 'e' Edit anyway
1414 'r' Recover
1415 'd' Delete swapfile
1416 'q' Quit
1417 'a' Abort
1418 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
1419 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1420 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1421
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001422 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001423v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001424 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
1425 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
1426 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
1427
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001428 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1429v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1430 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1431 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1432 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1433 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1434 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1435 terminal.
1436 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1437 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1438 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1439 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1440 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1441
1442 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1443v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1444 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1445 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1446 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1447
1448 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1449v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1450 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1451 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1452 Example: >
1453 :try
1454 : throw "oops"
1455 :catch /.*/
1456 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1457 :endtry
1458< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1459
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001460 *v:val* *val-variable*
1461v:val Value of the current item of a List or Dictionary. Only valid
1462 while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
1463 |filter()|. Read-only.
1464
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001465 *v:version* *version-variable*
1466v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1467 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1468 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1469 compatibility.
1470 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1471 if has("patch123")
1472< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1473 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1474 completely different.
1475
1476 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1477v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1478
1479==============================================================================
14804. Builtin Functions *functions*
1481
1482See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1483
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001484(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001485
1486USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1487
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001488add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to List {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001489append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001490append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001491argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001492argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001493argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
1494browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1495 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001496browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001497bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001498buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1499bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001500bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1501bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1502bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1503byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001504byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001505call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1506 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001507char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001508cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001509col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001510complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
1511complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001512confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1513 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001514copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001515count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1516 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001517cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1518 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001519cursor( {lnum}, {col}) Number position cursor at {lnum}, {col}
1520deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001521delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1522did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001523diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1524diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001525empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001526escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001527eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001528eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001529executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1530exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
1531expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
1532filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001533filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1534 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001535finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
1536 String Find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001537findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001538 String Find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001539filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
1540fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001541foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1542foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001543foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001544foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001545foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001546function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001547get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001548get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001549getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1550 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001551getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1552getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001553getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
1554getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1555getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001556getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001557getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001558getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1559getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001560getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001561getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001562getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001563getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1564getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001565getloclist({nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001566getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001567getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001568getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001569getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1570getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1571getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in window {nr}
1572glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1573globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1574has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001575has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001576hasmapto( {what} [, {mode}]) Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
1577histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1578histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1579histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1580histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1581hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1582hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1583hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001584iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1585indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001586index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1587 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001588input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1589 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001590inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001591inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1592inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001593inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001594insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001595isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001596islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001597items( {dict}) List List of key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001598join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001599keys( {dict}) List List of keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001600len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1601libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001602libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1603line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1604line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001605lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001606localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001607map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001608maparg( {name}[, {mode}]) String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1609mapcheck( {name}[, {mode}]) String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001610match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001611 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001612matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001613 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001614matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1615 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001616matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1617 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001618max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1619min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001620mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1621 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001622mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001623nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1624nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
1625prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00001626printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001627range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1628 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001629readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1630 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001631remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1632 String send expression
1633remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1634remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1635 Number check for reply string
1636remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1637remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1638 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001639remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001640remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001641rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1642repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1643resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001644reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001645search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001646searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
1647 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001648searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001649 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001650server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1651 Number send reply string
1652serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1653setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1654setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1655setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001656setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1657 Number modify location list using {list}
1658setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001659setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001660setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001661simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001662sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001663soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001664spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001665spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1666 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001667split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
1668 List make List from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001669strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001670stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1671 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001672string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001673strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1674strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1675 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001676strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1677 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001678strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001679submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001680substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1681 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001682synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001683synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1684 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1685synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001686system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00001687taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
1688tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001689tempname() String name for a temporary file
1690tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1691toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001692tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1693 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001694type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001695values( {dict}) List List of values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001696virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1697visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1698winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1699wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1700winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1701winline() Number window line of the cursor
1702winnr() Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001703winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001704winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001705writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1706 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001707
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001708add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
1709 Append the item {expr} to List {list}. Returns the resulting
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001710 List. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001711 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1712 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
1713< Note that when {expr} is a List it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001714 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001715 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001716
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001717
1718append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001719 When {expr} is a List: Append each item of the List as a text
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001720 line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001721 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1722 the current buffer.
1723 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001724 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1725 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001726 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001727 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001728<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001729 *argc()*
1730argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1731 current window. See |arglist|.
1732
1733 *argidx()*
1734argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1735 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1736
1737 *argv()*
1738argv({nr}) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
1739 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1740 Example: >
1741 :let i = 0
1742 :while i < argc()
1743 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1744 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1745 : let i = i + 1
1746 :endwhile
1747<
1748 *browse()*
1749browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1750 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1751 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1752 The input fields are:
1753 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1754 {title} title for the requester
1755 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1756 {default} default file name
1757 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1758 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1759
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001760 *browsedir()*
1761browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1762 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1763 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1764 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1765 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1766 to be used.
1767 The input fields are:
1768 {title} title for the requester
1769 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1770 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1771 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1772
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001773bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1774 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1775 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001776 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001777 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001778 exactly. The name can be:
1779 - Relative to the current directory.
1780 - A full path.
1781 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1782 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001783 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1784 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1785 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1786 long name to be able to find them.
1787 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1788 file name.
1789 *buffer_exists()*
1790 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1791
1792buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1793 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1794 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001795 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001796
1797bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1798 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1799 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001800 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001801
1802bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1803 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1804 ":ls" command.
1805 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1806 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1807 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1808 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1809 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1810 match an empty string is returned.
1811 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1812 alternate buffer.
1813 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1814 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1815 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1816 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1817 buffers are searched for.
1818 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1819 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1820 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1821< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1822 string is returned. >
1823 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1824 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1825 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1826 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1827< *buffer_name()*
1828 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1829
1830 *bufnr()*
1831bufnr({expr}) The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
1832 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
1833 above. If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
1834 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1835 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1836< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1837 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1838 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1839 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1840 *buffer_number()*
1841 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1842 *last_buffer_nr()*
1843 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1844
1845bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1846 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1847 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1848 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1849 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1850
1851 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1852
1853< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1854 |:wincmd|.
1855
1856
1857byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1858 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1859 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1860 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1861 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1862 one.
1863 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1864 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1865 feature}
1866
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001867byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1868 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1869 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1870 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1871 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1872 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1873 Example : >
1874 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1875< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1876 same: >
1877 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1878 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1879< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1880 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1881 is returned.
1882
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001883call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001884 Call function {func} with the items in List {arglist} as
1885 arguments.
1886 {func} can either be a Funcref or the name of a function.
1887 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1888 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001889 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1890 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001891
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001892char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1893 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1894 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1895 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1896< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
1897 char2nr("á") returns 225
1898 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001899< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001900
1901cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1902 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1903 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1904 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1905 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1906 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1907 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00001908 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001909
1910 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001911col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001912 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1913 . the cursor position
1914 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1915 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1916 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1917 returned)
1918 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1919 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1920 Examples: >
1921 col(".") column of cursor
1922 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1923 col("'t") column of mark t
1924 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1925< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
1926 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1927 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1928 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
1929 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
1930 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
1931 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
1932 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
1933<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001934
1935complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
1936 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
1937 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
1938 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
1939 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
1940 the list.
1941
1942complete_check() *complete_check()*
1943 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
1944 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
1945 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
1946 zero otherwise.
1947 Only to be used by the function specified with the
1948 'completefunc' option.
1949
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001950 *confirm()*
1951confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1952 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
1953 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
1954 choice this is 1.
1955 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
1956 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
1957 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
1958 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
1959 used (and translated).
1960 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
1961 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
1962 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
1963 by '\n', e.g. >
1964 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
1965< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
1966 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
1967 not need to be the first letter: >
1968 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
1969< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
1970 the default shortcut key.
1971 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
1972 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
1973 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
1974 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
1975 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
1976 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
1977 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
1978 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
1979 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
1980 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
1981 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
1982
1983 An example: >
1984 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
1985 :if choice == 0
1986 : echo "make up your mind!"
1987 :elseif choice == 3
1988 : echo "tasteful"
1989 :else
1990 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
1991 :endif
1992< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
1993 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
1994 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
1995 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
1996 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
1997 the horizontal layout is always used.
1998
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001999 *copy()*
2000copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2001 different from using {expr} directly.
2002 When {expr} is a List a shallow copy is created. This means
2003 that the original List can be changed without changing the
2004 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
2005 changing an item changes the contents of both Lists. Also see
2006 |deepcopy()|.
2007
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002008count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002009 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002010 in List or Dictionary {comp}.
2011 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
2012 {start} can only be used with a List.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002013 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2014
2015
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002016 *cscope_connection()*
2017cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2018 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2019 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2020 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2021 if there are no cscope connections;
2022 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2023
2024 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2025 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2026
2027 {num} Description of existence check
2028 ----- ------------------------------
2029 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2030 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2031 {dbpath}.
2032 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2033 {dbpath}.
2034 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2035 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2036 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2037 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2038
2039 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2040
2041 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2042
2043 # pid database name prepend path
2044 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2045<
2046 Invocation Return Val ~
2047 ---------- ---------- >
2048 cscope_connection() 1
2049 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2050 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2051 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2052 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2053 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2054 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2055 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2056<
2057cursor({lnum}, {col}) *cursor()*
2058 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002059 The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002060 Does not change the jumplist.
2061 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2062 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2063 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002064 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002065 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2066 line.
2067 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
2068
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002069
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002070deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002071 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2072 different from using {expr} directly.
2073 When {expr} is a List a full copy is created. This means
2074 that the original List can be changed without changing the
2075 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a List, a copy for it
2076 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
2077 not change the contents of the original List.
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002078 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained List or Dictionary
2079 is only copied once. All references point to this single
2080 copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a List or
2081 Dictionary results in a new copy. This also means that a
2082 cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002083 *E724*
2084 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002085 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2086 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002087 Also see |copy()|.
2088
2089delete({fname}) *delete()*
2090 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002091 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2092 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002093 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002094
2095 *did_filetype()*
2096did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2097 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2098 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2099 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2100 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2101 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2102 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2103 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2104 file.
2105
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002106diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2107 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2108 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2109 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2110 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2111 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2112 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2113 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2114
2115diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2116 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2117 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2118 diff change zero is returned.
2119 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2120 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2121 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2122 line.
2123 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2124 syntax information about the highlighting.
2125
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002126empty({expr}) *empty()*
2127 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002128 A List or Dictionary is empty when it does not have any items.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002129 A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2130 For a long List this is much faster then comparing the length
2131 with zero.
2132
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002133escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2134 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2135 backslash. Example: >
2136 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2137< results in: >
2138 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002139
2140< *eval()*
2141eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2142 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2143 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
2144 Also works for Funcrefs that refer to existing functions.
2145
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002146eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2147 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2148 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2149 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2150 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2151
2152executable({expr}) *executable()*
2153 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2154 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002155 arguments.
2156 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2157 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2158 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2159 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2160 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2161 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2162 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2163 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2164 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2165 extension.
2166 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2167 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002168 The result is a Number:
2169 1 exists
2170 0 does not exist
2171 -1 not implemented on this system
2172
2173 *exists()*
2174exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2175 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2176 which contains one of these:
2177 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2178 not if it really works)
2179 +option-name Vim option that works.
2180 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2181 done by comparing with an empty
2182 string)
2183 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2184 or user defined function (see
2185 |user-functions|).
2186 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002187 |internal-variables|). Also works
2188 for |curly-braces-names|, Dictionary
2189 entries, List items, etc. Beware that
2190 this may cause functions to be
2191 invoked cause an error message for an
2192 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002193 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2194 command or command modifier |:command|.
2195 Returns:
2196 1 for match with start of a command
2197 2 full match with a command
2198 3 matches several user commands
2199 To check for a supported command
2200 always check the return value to be 2.
2201 #event autocommand defined for this event
2202 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2203 pattern (the pattern is taken
2204 literally and compared to the
2205 autocommand patterns character by
2206 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002207 #group autocommand group exists
2208 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2209 event.
2210 #group#event#pattern
2211 autocommand defined for this group,
2212 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002213 ##event autocommand for this event is
2214 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002215 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2216
2217 Examples: >
2218 exists("&shortname")
2219 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2220 exists("*strftime")
2221 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2222 exists("bufcount")
2223 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002224 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002225 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002226 exists("#filetypeindent")
2227 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2228 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002229 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002230< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2231 name.
2232 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2233 variable itself! For example: >
2234 exists(bufcount)
2235< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
2236 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
2237 exists.
2238
2239expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2240 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2241 The result is a String.
2242
2243 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2244 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2245 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2246
2247 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2248 for a non-existing file is not included.
2249
2250 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2251 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2252 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2253
2254 % current file name
2255 # alternate file name
2256 #n alternate file name n
2257 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2258 <afile> autocmd file name
2259 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2260 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2261 <sfile> sourced script file name
2262 <cword> word under the cursor
2263 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2264 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2265 message |server2client()|
2266 Modifiers:
2267 :p expand to full path
2268 :h head (last path component removed)
2269 :t tail (last path component only)
2270 :r root (one extension removed)
2271 :e extension only
2272
2273 Example: >
2274 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2275< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2276 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2277 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2278< Use this: >
2279 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2280< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2281 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2282 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2283 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2284 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2285<
2286 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2287 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2288 to modify normal file names.
2289
2290 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2291 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2292 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2293 '/' added.
2294
2295 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2296 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2297 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2298 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002299 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2300 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2301 files in the current directory and below: >
2302 :echo expand("**/README")
2303<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002304 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2305 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2306 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2307 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2308 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2309 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2310 "$FOOBAR".
2311
2312 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2313 getting the raw output of an external command.
2314
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002315extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
2316 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both Lists or both Dictionaries.
2317
2318 If they are Lists: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
2319 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2320 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2321 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2322 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002323 Examples: >
2324 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2325 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002326< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2327 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002328 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002329<
2330 If they are Dictionaries:
2331 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2332 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2333 used to decide what to do:
2334 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2335 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00002336 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002337 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2338
2339 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2340 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2341 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2342 Returns {expr1}.
2343
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002344
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002345filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2346 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2347 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2348 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2349 expression, which is used as a String.
2350 *file_readable()*
2351 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2352
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002353
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002354filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
2355 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
2356 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
2357 is zero remove the item from the List or Dictionary.
2358 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
2359 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
2360 Examples: >
2361 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2362< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2363 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2364< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2365 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002366< Removes all the items, thus clears the List or Dictionary.
2367
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002368 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2369 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2370 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2371
2372 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
2373 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002374 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), '& =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002375
2376< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002377
2378
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002379finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
2380 Find directory {name} in {path}.
2381 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2382 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
2383 {name} in {path}.
2384 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
2385 When the found directory is below the current directory a
2386 relative path is returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
2387 Example: >
2388 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2389< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2390 the file "tags.vim".
2391 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2392
2393findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2394 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
2395
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002396filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2397 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2398 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2399 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2400 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2401
2402fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2403 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2404 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2405 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2406 Example: >
2407 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2408< results in: >
2409 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2410< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2411 |expand()| first then.
2412
2413foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2414 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2415 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2416 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2417
2418foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2419 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2420 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2421 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2422
2423foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2424 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2425 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2426 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2427 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2428 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2429 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2430 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2431 previous line is usually available.
2432
2433 *foldtext()*
2434foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2435 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2436 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2437 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2438 The returned string looks like this: >
2439 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2440< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2441 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2442 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2443 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2444 options is removed.
2445 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2446
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002447foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2448 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2449 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2450 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2451 returned.
2452 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2453 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2454 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2455 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2456
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002457 *foreground()*
2458foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2459 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2460 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2461 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2462 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2463 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2464 Win32 console version}
2465
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002466
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002467function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002468 Return a Funcref variable that refers to function {name}.
2469 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2470
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002471
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002472garbagecollect() *garbagecollect()*
2473 Cleanup unused Lists and Dictionaries that have circular
2474 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2475 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2476 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2477 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2478 freed when they become unused.
2479 This is useful if you have deleted a very big List and/or
2480 Dictionary with circular references in a script that runs for
2481 a long time.
2482
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002483get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002484 Get item {idx} from List {list}. When this item is not
2485 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2486 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002487get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
2488 Get item with key {key} from Dictionary {dict}. When this
2489 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2490 {default} is omitted.
2491
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002492 *getbufline()*
2493getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002494 Return a List with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2495 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a List
2496 with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002497
2498 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2499
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002500 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2501 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002502
2503 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2504 lines in the buffer, an empty List is returned.
2505
2506 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2507 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002508 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty List is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002509 returned.
2510
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002511 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002512 non-existing buffers, an empty List is returned.
2513
2514 Example: >
2515 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002516
2517getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2518 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2519 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2520 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002521 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2522 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2523 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002524 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2525 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2526 returned, there is no error message.
2527 Examples: >
2528 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2529 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2530<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002531getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2532 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2533 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2534 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2535 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2536 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2537 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2538 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2539 not consumed. If a normal character is
2540 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2541 non-zero value is returned.
2542 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2543 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2544 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2545 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2546 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2547 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2548 user that a character has to be typed.
2549 There is no mapping for the character.
2550 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2551 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2552 sequence. Examples: >
2553 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2554 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2555< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2556 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2557 :function FindChar()
2558 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2559 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2560 : normal l
2561 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2562 : break
2563 : endif
2564 : endwhile
2565 :endfunction
2566
2567getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2568 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2569 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2570 These values are added together:
2571 2 shift
2572 4 control
2573 8 alt (meta)
2574 16 mouse double click
2575 32 mouse triple click
2576 64 mouse quadruple click
2577 128 Macintosh only: command
2578 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2579 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2580 with no modifier.
2581
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002582getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2583 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2584 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2585 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2586 Example: >
2587 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002588< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002589
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002590getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002591 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2592 byte count. The first column is 1.
2593 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2594 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002595 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2596
2597getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
2598 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
2599 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00002600 : normal Ex command
2601 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
2602 / forward search command
2603 ? backward search command
2604 @ |input()| command
2605 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002606 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2607 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
2608 otherwise.
2609 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002610
2611 *getcwd()*
2612getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2613 working directory.
2614
2615getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2616 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2617 given file {fname}.
2618 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2619 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2620
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002621getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2622 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2623 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2624 |hl-Normal|.
2625 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2626 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2627 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2628 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
2629 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not you your vimrc or
2630 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2631 for a valid name does not work.
2632 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2633 function just after the GUI has started.
2634
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002635getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2636 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2637 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2638 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2639 empty string is returned.
2640 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2641 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2642 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2643 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2644 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2645 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2646< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2647 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002648
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002649getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2650 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2651 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2652 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2653 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2654 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2655
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002656getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2657 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2658 file of the given file {fname}.
2659 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2660 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2661 results:
2662 Normal file "file"
2663 Directory "dir"
2664 Symbolic link "link"
2665 Block device "bdev"
2666 Character device "cdev"
2667 Socket "socket"
2668 FIFO "fifo"
2669 All other "other"
2670 Example: >
2671 getftype("/home")
2672< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2673 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2674 "file" are returned.
2675
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002676 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002677getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2678 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2679 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002680 getline(1)
2681< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2682 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2683 To get the line under the cursor: >
2684 getline(".")
2685< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2686 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2687
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002688 When {end} is given the result is a List where each item is a
2689 line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
2690 including line {end}.
2691 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2692 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002693 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty List is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002694 Example: >
2695 :let start = line('.')
2696 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2697 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2698
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00002699getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
2700 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
2701 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
2702 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
2703 returned. Otherwise, same as getqflist().
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002704
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002705getqflist() *getqflist()*
2706 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2707 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2708 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2709 bufname() to get the name
2710 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2711 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002712 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2713 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002714 nr error number
2715 text description of the error
2716 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2717 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2718
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002719 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
2720 returned.
2721
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002722 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2723 do something with them: >
2724 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2725 :for d in getqflist()
2726 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2727 :endfor
2728
2729
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002730getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002731 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002732 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002733 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2734< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002735 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002736 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2737 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2738 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002739 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2740
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002741
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002742getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2743 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2744 The value will be one of:
2745 "v" for |characterwise| text
2746 "V" for |linewise| text
2747 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2748 0 for an empty or unknown register
2749 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2750 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2751
2752 *getwinposx()*
2753getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2754 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2755 -1 if the information is not available.
2756
2757 *getwinposy()*
2758getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2759 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2760 information is not available.
2761
2762getwinvar({nr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2763 The result is the value of option or local window variable
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00002764 {varname} in window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current
2765 window is used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002766 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
2767 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
2768 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002769 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2770 Examples: >
2771 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2772 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2773<
2774 *glob()*
2775glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2776 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2777 characters.
2778 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2779 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2780
2781 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2782 any external command. Example: >
2783 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2784 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2785< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2786 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2787
2788 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2789 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2790
2791globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2792 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2793 the results. Example: >
2794 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2795< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2796 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2797 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2798 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2799 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2800 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2801 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2802 error message.
2803 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2804 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2805
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002806 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
2807 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
2808 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
2809 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
2810<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002811 *has()*
2812has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2813 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2814 string. See |feature-list| below.
2815 Also see |exists()|.
2816
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002817
2818has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
2819 The result is a Number, which is 1 if Dictionary {dict} has an
2820 entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
2821
2822
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002823hasmapto({what} [, {mode}]) *hasmapto()*
2824 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2825 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2826 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2827 {mode}.
2828 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2829 buffer are checked for a match.
2830 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2831 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2832 n Normal mode
2833 v Visual mode
2834 o Operator-pending mode
2835 i Insert mode
2836 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2837 c Command-line mode
2838 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2839
2840 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2841 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2842 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2843 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2844 :endif
2845< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
2846 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
2847
2848histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
2849 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
2850 one of: *hist-names*
2851 "cmd" or ":" command line history
2852 "search" or "/" search pattern history
2853 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
2854 "input" or "@" input line history
2855 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
2856 shifted to become the newest entry.
2857 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
2858 otherwise 0 is returned.
2859
2860 Example: >
2861 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
2862 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
2863< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2864
2865histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002866 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002867 for the possible values of {history}.
2868
2869 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
2870 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
2871 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
2872 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
2873 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
2874 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
2875 if it exists.
2876
2877 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
2878 otherwise 0 is returned.
2879
2880 Examples:
2881 Clear expression register history: >
2882 :call histdel("expr")
2883<
2884 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
2885 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
2886<
2887 The following three are equivalent: >
2888 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
2889 :call histdel("search", -1)
2890 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
2891<
2892 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
2893 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
2894 :call histdel("search", -1)
2895 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
2896
2897histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
2898 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
2899 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
2900 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
2901 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
2902 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
2903
2904 Examples:
2905 Redo the second last search from history. >
2906 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
2907
2908< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
2909 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
2910 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
2911<
2912histnr({history}) *histnr()*
2913 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
2914 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
2915 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
2916
2917 Example: >
2918 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
2919<
2920hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
2921 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
2922 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
2923 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
2924 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
2925 item.
2926 *highlight_exists()*
2927 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
2928
2929 *hlID()*
2930hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
2931 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
2932 zero is returned.
2933 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
2934 group. For example, to get the background color of the
2935 "Comment" group: >
2936 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
2937< *highlightID()*
2938 Obsolete name: highlightID().
2939
2940hostname() *hostname()*
2941 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002942 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002943 256 characters long are truncated.
2944
2945iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
2946 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
2947 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
2948 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
2949 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
2950 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
2951 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
2952 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
2953 can be done.
2954 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
2955 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
2956 UTF-8 and use: >
2957 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
2958< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
2959 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
2960 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
2961 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
2962
2963 *indent()*
2964indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
2965 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
2966 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
2967 |getline()|.
2968 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
2969
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002970
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002971index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002972 Return the lowest index in List {list} where the item has a
2973 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002974 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
2975 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002976 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
2977 case must match.
2978 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
2979 Example: >
2980 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00002981 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002982
2983
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002984input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002985 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
2986 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
2987 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002988 prompt to start a new line.
2989 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
2990 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
2991 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
2992 for lines typed for input().
2993 Example: >
2994 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
2995 : echo "Cheers!"
2996 :endif
2997<
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00002998 If the optional {text} is present and not empty, this is used
2999 for the default reply, as if the user typed this. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003000 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3001
3002< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3003 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
3004 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
3005 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
3006 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
3007 more information. Example: >
3008 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3009<
3010 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3011 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003012 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3013 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3014 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3015 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3016 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3017 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3018 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3019
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003020 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003021 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3022 :function GetFoo()
3023 : call inputsave()
3024 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3025 : call inputrestore()
3026 :endfunction
3027
3028inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
3029 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
3030 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
3031 Example: >
3032 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3033 :if n != ""
3034 : let &sw = n
3035 :endif
3036< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3037 omitted an empty string is returned.
3038 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3039 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003040 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003041
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003042inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
3043 {textlist} must be a list of strings. This list is displayed,
3044 one string per line. The user will be prompted to enter a
3045 number, which is returned.
3046 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
3047 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
3048 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3049 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3050 is returned.
3051 Make sure {textlist} has less then 'lines' entries, otherwise
3052 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
3053 the start of the string. Example: >
3054 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3055 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3056
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003057inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
3058 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
3059 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3060 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3061 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3062
3063inputsave() *inputsave()*
3064 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3065 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3066 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3067 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3068 many inputrestore() calls.
3069 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3070
3071inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3072 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3073 two exceptions:
3074 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3075 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3076 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3077 |history| stack.
3078 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3079 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003080 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003081
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003082insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
3083 Insert {item} at the start of List {list}.
3084 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
3085 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
3086 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3087 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003088 Returns the resulting List. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003089 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3090 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3091 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003092< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003093 Note that when {item} is a List it is inserted as a single
3094 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
3095
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003096isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3097 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3098 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3099 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3100 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3101
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003102islocked({expr}) *islocked()*
3103 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3104 name of a locked variable.
3105 {expr} must be the name of a variable, List item or Dictionary
3106 entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
3107 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3108 :lockvar 1 alist
3109 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3110 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3111
3112< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
3113 message. Use |exists()| to check for existance.
3114
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003115items({dict}) *items()*
3116 Return a List with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3117 List item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict} entry
3118 and the value of this entry. The List is in arbitrary order.
3119
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003120
3121join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3122 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3123 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3124 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3125 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3126 add it there too: >
3127 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
3128< String items are used as-is. Lists and Dictionaries are
3129 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3130 The opposite function is |split()|.
3131
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003132keys({dict}) *keys()*
3133 Return a List with all the keys of {dict}. The List is in
3134 arbitrary order.
3135
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003136 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003137len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3138 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3139 used, as with |strlen()|.
3140 When {expr} is a List the number of items in the List is
3141 returned.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003142 When {expr} is a Dictionary the number of entries in the
3143 Dictionary is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003144 Otherwise an error is given.
3145
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003146 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3147libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3148 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3149 with single argument {argument}.
3150 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3151 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3152 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3153 limited.
3154 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3155 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3156 to Vim.
3157 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3158 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3159 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3160 null-terminated string.
3161 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3162
3163 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3164 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3165 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3166 very probably crash.
3167
3168 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3169 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3170 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3171 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3172 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3173 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3174 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3175 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3176 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3177 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3178
3179 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
3180 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
3181 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3182 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3183 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3184 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3185 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3186 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3187 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3188 feature is present}
3189 Examples: >
3190 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
3191 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
3192<
3193 *libcallnr()*
3194libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3195 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3196 int instead of a string.
3197 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3198 feature is present}
3199 Example (not very useful...): >
3200 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3201 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3202<
3203 *line()*
3204line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3205 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3206 . the cursor position
3207 $ the last line in the current buffer
3208 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3209 returned)
3210 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
3211 Examples: >
3212 line(".") line number of the cursor
3213 line("'t") line number of mark t
3214 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3215< *last-position-jump*
3216 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3217 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3218 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003219
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003220line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3221 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3222 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3223 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3224 line returns 1.
3225 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3226 below the last line: >
3227 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3228< This is the file size plus one.
3229 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3230 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3231 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3232
3233lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3234 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3235 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3236 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3237 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3238 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3239 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3240
3241localtime() *localtime()*
3242 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3243 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3244
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003245
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003246map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
3247 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
3248 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3249 {string}.
3250 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
3251 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
3252 Example: >
3253 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003254< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003255
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003256 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003257 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003258 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3259 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003260
3261 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
3262 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003263 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003264
3265< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003266
3267
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003268maparg({name}[, {mode}]) *maparg()*
3269 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3270 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003271 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003272 "n" Normal
3273 "v" Visual
3274 "o" Operator-pending
3275 "i" Insert
3276 "c" Cmd-line
3277 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3278 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003279 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003280 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3281 command. The returned String has special characters
3282 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3283 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3284 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00003285 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
3286 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
3287 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
3288
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003289
3290mapcheck({name}[, {mode}]) *mapcheck()*
3291 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3292 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3293 {name}.
3294 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3295 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3296
3297 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3298 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3299 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3300 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3301 mapcheck("b") no no no
3302
3303 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3304 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3305 mapping for {name} exactly.
3306 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3307 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3308 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3309 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3310 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3311 then the global mappings.
3312 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3313 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3314 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3315 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3316 :endif
3317< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3318 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3319
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003320match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003321 When {expr} is a List then this returns the index of the first
3322 item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a String,
3323 Lists and Dictionaries are used as echoed.
3324 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3325 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3326 {pat} matches.
3327 A match at the first character or List item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003328 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3329 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003330 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
3331 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 2
3332< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003333 *strpbrk()*
3334 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3335 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3336< *strcasestr()*
3337 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3338 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3339 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3340<
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003341 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003342 is found in a String the search for the next one starts on
3343 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003344 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003345< In a List the search continues in the next item.
3346
3347 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
3348 {start} in a String or item {start} in a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003349 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003350 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003351 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3352< result is again "4". >
3353 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3354< result is again "4". >
3355 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3356< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003357 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3358 the index is counted from the end.
3359 If {start} is out of range (> strlen({expr} for a String or
3360 > len({expr} for a List) -1 is returned.
3361
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003362 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3363 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3364 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3365 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3366
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003367matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003368 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3369 the match. Example: >
3370 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3371< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003372 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3373 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3374 do it with matchend(): >
3375 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3376 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3377< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3378
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003379 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3380 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3381< results in "7". >
3382 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3383< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003384 When {expr} is a List the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003385
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003386matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
3387 Same as match(), but return a List. The first item in the
3388 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3389 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
3390 in |:substitute|.
3391 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3392
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003393matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003394 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3395 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3396< results in "ing".
3397 When there is no match "" is returned.
3398 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3399 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3400< results in "ing". >
3401 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3402< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003403 When {expr} is a List then the matching item is returned.
3404 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003405
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003406 *max()*
3407max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3408 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3409 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3410 An empty List results in zero.
3411
3412 *min()*
3413min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3414 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3415 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3416 An empty List results in zero.
3417
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003418 *mkdir()* *E749*
3419mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3420 Create directory {name}.
3421 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3422 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3423 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3424 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3425 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3426 for others.
3427 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3428 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3429 :if exists("*mkdir")
3430<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003431 *mode()*
3432mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3433 n Normal
3434 v Visual by character
3435 V Visual by line
3436 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3437 s Select by character
3438 S Select by line
3439 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3440 i Insert
3441 R Replace
3442 c Command-line
3443 r Hit-enter prompt
3444 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3445 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3446
3447nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3448 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3449 that is not blank. Example: >
3450 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3451< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3452 below it, zero is returned.
3453 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3454
3455nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3456 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3457 value {expr}. Examples: >
3458 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3459 nr2char(32) returns " "
3460< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3461 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3462< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3463 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3464 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003465 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003466
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003467printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
3468 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
3469 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003470 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003471< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003472 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003473
3474 Often used items are:
3475 %s string
3476 %6s string right-aligned in 6 characters
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003477 %c single byte
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003478 %d decimal number
3479 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
3480 %x hex number
3481 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
3482 %X hex number using upper case letters
3483 %o octal number
3484 %% the % character
3485
3486 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
3487 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
3488 the result.
3489
3490 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003491 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003492
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003493 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003494
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003495 flags
3496 Zero or more of the following flags:
3497
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003498 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
3499 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
3500 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
3501 of the number is increased to force the first
3502 character of the output string to a zero (except
3503 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
3504 precision of zero).
3505 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
3506 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
3507 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003508
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003509 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
3510 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
3511 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
3512 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
3513 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003514
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003515 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
3516 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
3517 The converted value is padded on the right with
3518 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
3519 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003520
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003521 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
3522 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003523
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003524 + A sign must always be placed before a number
3525 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
3526 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003527
3528 field-width
3529 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
3530 field width. If the converted value has fewer
3531 characters than the field width, it will be padded
3532 with spaces on the left (or right, if the
3533 left-adjustment flag has been given) to fill out the
3534 field width.
3535
3536 .precision
3537 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
3538 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
3539 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
3540 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
3541 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
3542 characters to be printed from a string for s
3543 conversions.
3544
3545 type
3546 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
3547 be applied, see below.
3548
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003549 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
3550 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
3551 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
3552 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
3553 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
3554 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003555 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003556< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003557 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003558
3559 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003560
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003561 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
3562 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
3563 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
3564 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003565 conversions.
3566 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
3567 digits that must appear; if the converted value
3568 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
3569 zeros.
3570 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
3571 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
3572 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
3573 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
3574
3575 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
3576 resulting character is written.
3577
3578 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
3579 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
3580 specified are used.
3581
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003582 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
3583 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003584
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003585 Each argument can be Number or String and is converted
3586 automatically to fit the conversion specifier. Any other
3587 argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003588
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00003589 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003590 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
3591 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003592 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003593
3594
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003595prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3596 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3597 that is not blank. Example: >
3598 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3599< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3600 above it, zero is returned.
3601 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3602
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003603 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003604range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
3605 Returns a List with Numbers:
3606 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3607 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3608 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3609 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3610 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003611 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
3612 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
3613 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003614 Examples: >
3615 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
3616 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3617 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
3618 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003619 range(0) " []
3620 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003621<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003622 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003623readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003624 Read file {fname} and return a List, each line of the file as
3625 an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
3626 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3627 NL appears somewhere).
3628 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3629 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3630 added.
3631 - No CR characters are removed.
3632 Otherwise:
3633 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3634 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3635 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003636 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
3637 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
3638 lines of a file: >
3639 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
3640 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
3641 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003642< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
3643 are returned, or as many as there are.
3644 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003645 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
3646 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
3647 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003648 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3649 the result is an empty list.
3650 Also see |writefile()|.
3651
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003652 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3653remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3654 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3655 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
3656 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3657 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3658 remote_read() is stored there.
3659 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3660 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3661 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3662 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3663 and the result will be the empty string.
3664 Examples: >
3665 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3666 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3667<
3668
3669remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3670 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3671 This works like: >
3672 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3673< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3674 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3675 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00003676 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
3677 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003678 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3679 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3680 Win32 console version}
3681
3682
3683remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3684 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3685 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3686 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3687 name of a variable.
3688 Returns zero if none are available.
3689 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3690 See also |clientserver|.
3691 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3692 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3693 Examples: >
3694 :let repl = ""
3695 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3696
3697remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3698 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3699 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3700 See also |clientserver|.
3701 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3702 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3703 Example: >
3704 :echo remote_read(id)
3705<
3706 *remote_send()* *E241*
3707remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003708 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3709 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3710 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003711 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3712 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3713 remote_read() is stored there.
3714 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3715 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3716 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3717 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3718 up the display.
3719 Examples: >
3720 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3721 \ remote_read(serverid)
3722
3723 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3724 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3725 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3726 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003727<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003728remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
3729 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from List {list} and
3730 return it.
3731 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3732 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3733 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3734 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3735 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003736 Example: >
3737 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003738 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003739remove({dict}, {key})
3740 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3741 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3742< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3743
3744 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003745
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003746rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3747 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3748 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3749 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3750 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
3751 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3752
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003753repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
3754 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
3755 result. Example: >
3756 :let seperator = repeat('-', 80)
3757< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003758 When {expr} is a List the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003759 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003760 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
3761< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003762
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003763
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003764resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
3765 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
3766 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
3767 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
3768 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
3769 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
3770 stopped after 100 iterations.
3771 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
3772 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
3773 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
3774 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
3775 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
3776
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003777 *reverse()*
3778reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
3779 {list}.
3780 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3781 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
3782
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003783search({pattern} [, {flags}]) *search()*
3784 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003785 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003786 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
3787 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003788 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003789 'w' wrap around the end of the file
3790 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003791 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the
3792 cursor.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003793 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
3794
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003795 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
3796 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
3797 flag.
3798
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003799 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
3800 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
3801 flag is used).
3802 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
3803 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003804
3805 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
3806 :let n = 1
3807 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
3808 : exe "argument " . n
3809 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
3810 : " first search to find match at start of file
3811 : normal G$
3812 : let flags = "w"
3813 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
3814 : s/foo/bar/g
3815 : let flags = "W"
3816 : endwhile
3817 : update " write the file if modified
3818 : let n = n + 1
3819 :endwhile
3820<
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00003821
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00003822searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
3823 Search for the declaration of {name}.
3824
3825 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
3826 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
3827 first match in the function.
3828
3829 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
3830 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
3831 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
3832
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00003833 Moves the cursor to the found match.
3834 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
3835 Example: >
3836 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
3837 echo getline('.')
3838 endif
3839<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003840 *searchpair()*
3841searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
3842 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
3843 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
3844 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
3845 The search starts at the cursor. If a match is found, the
3846 cursor is positioned at it and the line number is returned.
3847 If no match is found 0 or -1 is returned and the cursor
3848 doesn't move. No error message is given.
3849
3850 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
3851 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
3852 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
3853 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
3854 typical use is: >
3855 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
3856< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
3857
3858 {flags} are used like with |search()|. Additionally:
3859 'n' do Not move the cursor
3860 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
3861 outer pair
3862 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
3863 the match; will only be > 1 when 'r' is used.
3864
3865 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
3866 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
3867 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
3868 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
3869 or a string.
3870 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
3871 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
3872 and -1 returned.
3873
3874 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
3875 patterns are used like it's on.
3876
3877 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
3878 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
3879 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
3880 if 1
3881 if 2
3882 endif 2
3883 endif 1
3884< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
3885 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
3886 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
3887 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
3888 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
3889 "endif 2".
3890 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
3891 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
3892 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
3893 the matching start.
3894
3895 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
3896
3897 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
3898 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
3899
3900< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
3901 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
3902 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
3903 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
3904 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
3905 match.
3906 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
3907
3908 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
3909
3910< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
3911 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
3912 highlighting recognized as strings: >
3913
3914 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
3915 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
3916<
3917server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
3918 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
3919 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
3920 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3921 Note:
3922 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003923 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003924 before calling any commands that waits for input.
3925 See also |clientserver|.
3926 Example: >
3927 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
3928<
3929serverlist() *serverlist()*
3930 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
3931 When there are no servers or the information is not available
3932 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
3933 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3934 Example: >
3935 :echo serverlist()
3936<
3937setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
3938 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
3939 {val}.
3940 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
3941 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
3942 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
3943 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3944 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
3945 Examples: >
3946 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
3947 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
3948< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3949
3950setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
3951 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
3952 {pos}. The first position is 1.
3953 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
3954 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003955 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
3956 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
3957 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
3958 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
3959 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003960 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
3961 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
3962 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
3963 line.
3964
3965setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003966 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
3967 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003968 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
3969 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003970 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
3971 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003972 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003973< When {line} is a List then line {lnum} and following lines
3974 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
3975 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
3976< This is equivalent to: >
3977 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
3978 : call setline(n, l)
3979 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003980< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
3981
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00003982setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
3983 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
3984 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
3985 list window, the displayed location list is modified.
3986 Otherwise, same as setqflist().
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003987
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00003988setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00003989 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
3990 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
3991 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
3992 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003993
3994 filename name of a file
3995 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003996 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003997 col column number
3998 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
3999 when zero: "col" is byte index
4000 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004001 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004002 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004003
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004004 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
4005 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
4006 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004007 If the "filename" entry is not present or neither the "lnum"
4008 or "pattern" entries are present, then the item will not be
4009 handled as an error line.
4010 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
4011 be used.
4012
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004013 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
4014 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
4015 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
4016 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
4017 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
4018 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
4019
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004020 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
4021
4022 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
4023 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
4024 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
4025
4026
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004027 *setreg()*
4028setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
4029 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
4030 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
4031 then the value is appended.
4032 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
4033 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
4034 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
4035 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
4036 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
4037 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
4038 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
4039 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
4040
4041 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
4042 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
4043 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
4044 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4045
4046 Examples: >
4047 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
4048 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
4049 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
4050
4051< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
4052 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004053 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004054 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
4055 ....
4056 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
4057
4058< You can also change the type of a register by appending
4059 nothing: >
4060 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
4061
4062setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
4063 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004064 {val}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004065 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
4066 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
4067 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
4068 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
4069 Examples: >
4070 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
4071 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
4072< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4073
4074simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
4075 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
4076 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
4077 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
4078 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
4079 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
4080 not removed either.
4081 Example: >
4082 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
4083< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
4084 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
4085 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
4086 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
4087 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
4088
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004089
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004090sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004091 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
4092 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4093 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
4094< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004095 Numbers sort after Strings, Lists after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004096 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004097 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
4098 When {func} is a Funcref or a function name, this function is
4099 called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
4100 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
4101 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
4102 sorts before the second one. Example: >
4103 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
4104 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
4105 endfunc
4106 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004107<
4108
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004109 *soundfold()*
4110soundfold({word})
4111 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
4112 language in 'spellang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004113 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
4114 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004115 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
4116 the method can be quite slow.
4117
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004118 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004119spellbadword([{sentence}])
4120 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
4121 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
4122 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
4123 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
4124
4125 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
4126 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
4127 result is an empty string.
4128
4129 The return value is a list with two items:
4130 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
4131 - The type of the spelling error:
4132 "bad" spelling mistake
4133 "rare" rare word
4134 "local" word only valid in another region
4135 "caps" word should start with Capital
4136 Example: >
4137 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
4138< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
4139
4140 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
4141 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
4142 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004143
4144 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004145spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004146 Return a List with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
4147 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
4148 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
4149
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004150 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
4151 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
4152 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
4153
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004154 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
4155 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00004156 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
4157 replace a line.
4158
4159 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004160 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
4161 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004162
4163 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004164 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
4165 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004166
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004167
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004168split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
4169 Make a List out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or empty
4170 each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004171 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004172 removing the matched characters.
4173 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
4174 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00004175 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
4176 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004177 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004178 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004179< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004180 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00004181< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
4182 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
4183< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004184 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
4185 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
4186< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004187
4188
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004189strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
4190 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
4191 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
4192 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
4193 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
4194 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
4195 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
4196 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
4197 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
4198 Examples: >
4199 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
4200 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
4201 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
4202 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
4203 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
4204 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004205< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4206 :if exists("*strftime")
4207
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004208stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
4209 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4210 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004211 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
4212 This can be used to find a second match: >
4213 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
4214 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
4215< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004216 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004217 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004218 See also |strridx()|.
4219 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004220 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
4221 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
4222 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004223< *strstr()* *strchr()*
4224 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
4225 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
4226
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004227 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004228string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
4229 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
4230 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004231 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004232 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004233 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004234 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004235 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004236 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004237 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004238
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004239 *strlen()*
4240strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004241 {expr} in bytes.
4242 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
4243 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004244
4245 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004246<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004247 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
4248 For other types an error is given.
4249 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004250
4251strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
4252 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004253 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004254 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
4255 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
4256 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
4257 end of the {src}. >
4258 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
4259 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
4260 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
4261 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
4262< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
4263 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
4264 strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3)
4265<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004266strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
4267 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4268 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
4269 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
4270 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
4271 match: >
4272 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
4273 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
4274< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004275 For pattern searches use |match()|.
4276 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004277 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004278 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004279 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004280< *strrchr()*
4281 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
4282 function strrchr().
4283
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004284strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
4285 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
4286 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
4287 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
4288 echo strtrans(@a)
4289< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
4290 starting a new line.
4291
4292submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
4293 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
4294 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
4295 the whole matched text is returned.
4296 Example: >
4297 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
4298< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
4299 A line break is included as a newline character.
4300
4301substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
4302 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
4303 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
4304 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
4305 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
4306 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
4307 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
4308 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
4309 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
4310 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
4311 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
4312 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
4313 unmodified.
4314 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
4315 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
4316 Example: >
4317 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
4318< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
4319 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
4320< results in "TESTING".
4321
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004322synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004323 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004324 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004325 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
4326 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004327
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004328 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004329 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
4330
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004331 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
4332 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
4333 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
4334 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
4335 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
4336 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
4337 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
4338
4339 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
4340 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
4341<
4342synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
4343 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
4344 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
4345 about a syntax item.
4346 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
4347 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
4348 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
4349 used (GUI, cterm or term).
4350 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
4351 {what} result
4352 "name" the name of the syntax item
4353 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
4354 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
4355 term: empty string)
4356 "bg" background color (like "fg")
4357 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
4358 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
4359 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
4360 "bold" "1" if bold
4361 "italic" "1" if italic
4362 "reverse" "1" if reverse
4363 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
4364 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004365 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004366
4367 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
4368 cursor): >
4369 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
4370<
4371synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
4372 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
4373 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
4374 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
4375 ":highlight link" are followed.
4376
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004377system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
4378 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
4379 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
4380 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
4381 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004382 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004383 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
4384 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
4385 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004386 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
4387 The result is a String. Example: >
4388
4389 :let files = system("ls")
4390
4391< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
4392 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
4393 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
4394 The command executed is constructed using several options:
4395 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
4396 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
4397 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
4398 concatenated commands.
4399
4400 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
4401 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00004402
4403 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
4404 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
4405 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004406 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
4407 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
4408
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004409
4410taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
4411 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00004412 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
4413 entries:
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004414 name name of the tag.
4415 filename name of the file where the tag is
4416 defined.
4417 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
4418 the file.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004419 kind type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004420 entry depends on the language specific
4421 kind values generated by the ctags
4422 tool.
4423 static a file specific tag. Refer to
4424 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004425 The "kind" entry is only available when using Exuberant ctags
4426 generated tags file. More entries may be present, depending
4427 on the content of the tags file: access, implementation,
4428 inherits and signature. Refer to the ctags documentation for
4429 information about these fields. For C code the fields
4430 "struct", "class" and "enum" may appear, they give the name of
4431 the entity the tag is contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004432
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004433 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
4434 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004435
4436 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
4437
4438 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
4439 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
4440 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
4441
4442 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
4443 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
4444 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
4445
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00004446 *tagfiles()*
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00004447tagfiles() Returns a List with the file names used to search for tags for
4448 the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
4449
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004450
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004451tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
4452 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
4453 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
4454 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
4455 :let tmpfile = tempname()
4456 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
4457< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
4458 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
4459 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
4460 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
4461 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
4462 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
4463
4464tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
4465 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
4466 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
4467 the string).
4468
4469toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
4470 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
4471 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
4472 the string).
4473
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00004474tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
4475 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
4476 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
4477 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
4478 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
4479 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
4480 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
4481
4482 Examples: >
4483 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
4484< returns "Hello THere" >
4485 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
4486< returns "{blob}"
4487
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004488 *type()*
4489type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004490 Number: 0
4491 String: 1
4492 Funcref: 2
4493 List: 3
4494 Dictionary: 4
4495 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004496 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
4497 :if type(myvar) == type("")
4498 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
4499 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004500 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004501
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004502values({dict}) *values()*
4503 Return a List with all the values of {dict}. The List is in
4504 arbitrary order.
4505
4506
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004507virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
4508 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
4509 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
4510 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
4511 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
4512 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
4513 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
4514 set to 8, it returns 8.
4515 For the byte position use |col()|.
4516 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
4517 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
4518 The accepted positions are:
4519 . the cursor position
4520 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
4521 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
4522 plus one)
4523 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
4524 returned)
4525 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
4526 Examples: >
4527 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
4528 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
4529 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
4530< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
4531
4532visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
4533 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
4534 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
4535 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
4536 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
4537 block-wise Visual mode respectively.
4538 Example: >
4539 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
4540< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
4541 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
4542 Visual mode that was used.
4543
4544 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
4545 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
4546 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
4547 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
4548
4549 *winbufnr()*
4550winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004551 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004552 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
4553 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4554 Example: >
4555 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
4556<
4557 *wincol()*
4558wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
4559 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
4560 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
4561
4562winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
4563 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
4564 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
4565 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4566 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
4567 Examples: >
4568 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
4569<
4570 *winline()*
4571winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
4572 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
4573 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004574 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
4575 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004576
4577 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004578winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4579 window. The top window has number 1.
4580 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
4581 last window is returnd (the window count).
4582 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
4583 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
4584 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
4585 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
4586 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004587
4588 *winrestcmd()*
4589winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
4590 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
4591 are opened or closed and the current window is unchanged.
4592 Example: >
4593 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
4594 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
4595 :exe cmd
4596
4597winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
4598 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
4599 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
4600 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4601 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
4602 Examples: >
4603 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
4604 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
4605 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
4606 :endif
4607<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004608 *writefile()*
4609writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
4610 Write List {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
4611 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
4612 Number.
4613 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
4614 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
4615 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
4616 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
4617 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
4618 to writefile().
4619 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
4620 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
4621 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
4622 fails.
4623 Also see |readfile()|.
4624 To copy a file byte for byte: >
4625 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
4626 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
4627<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004628
4629 *feature-list*
4630There are three types of features:
46311. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
4632 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
4633 :if has("cindent")
46342. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
4635 Example: >
4636 :if has("gui_running")
4637< *has-patch*
46383. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
4639 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
4640 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
4641 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
4642
4643all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
4644amiga Amiga version of Vim.
4645arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
4646arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00004647autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004648balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00004649balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004650beos BeOS version of Vim.
4651browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
4652 work.
4653builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
4654byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
4655cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
4656clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
4657clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
4658cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
4659cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
4660cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
4661comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
4662cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
4663cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
4664compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
4665debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
4666dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
4667dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
4668diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
4669digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
4670dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
4671dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
4672dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
4673ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
4674emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
4675eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
4676 true, of course!
4677ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
4678extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
4679 |'hlsearch'|
4680farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
4681file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004682filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
4683 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004684find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
4685 |+find_in_path|.
4686fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
4687 Windows this is not present).
4688folding Compiled with |folding| support.
4689footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
4690fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
4691gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
4692gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
4693gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004694gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
4695gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00004696gui_kde Compiled with KDE GUI |KVim|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004697gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
4698gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
4699gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
4700gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
4701gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
4702gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
4703hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
4704iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
4705insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
4706 Insert mode.
4707jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
4708keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
4709langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
4710libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
4711linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
4712 support.
4713lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
4714listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
4715 and the argument list |arglist|.
4716localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
4717mac Macintosh version of Vim.
4718macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
4719menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
4720mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
4721modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
4722mouse Compiled with support mouse.
4723mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
4724mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
4725mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
4726mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
4727mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
4728mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
4729multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
4730multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
4731multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00004732mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004733netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00004734netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004735ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
4736os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
4737osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
4738path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
4739perl Compiled with Perl interface.
4740postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
4741printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004742profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004743python Compiled with Python interface.
4744qnx QNX version of Vim.
4745quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
4746rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
4747ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
4748scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
4749showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
4750signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
4751smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00004752sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004753statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
4754 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
4755sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00004756spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
4757syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004758syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
4759 current buffer.
4760system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
4761tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
4762 |tag-binary-search|.
4763tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
4764 |tag-old-static|.
4765tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
4766 files |tag-any-white|.
4767tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
4768terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
4769termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
4770textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
4771tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
4772 or terminfo file.
4773title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
4774toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
4775unix Unix version of Vim.
4776user_commands User-defined commands.
4777viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
4778vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
4779vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
4780virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
4781visual Compiled with Visual mode.
4782visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
4783 |blockwise-operators|.
4784vms VMS version of Vim.
4785vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
4786wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
4787wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
4788windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
4789winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
4790win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
4791win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
4792win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
4793win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
4794win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
4795writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
4796xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
4797xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
4798xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
4799xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
4800xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
4801xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
4802 xterm screen.
4803x11 Compiled with X11 support.
4804
4805 *string-match*
4806Matching a pattern in a String
4807
4808A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
4809the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
4810everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
4811like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
4812line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
4813with ".". Example: >
4814 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
4815 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
4816 aa
4817 xx
4818 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
4819 a
4820 x
4821
4822Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
4823"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
4824"\n".
4825
4826==============================================================================
48275. Defining functions *user-functions*
4828
4829New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
4830functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
4831commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
4832
4833The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
4834builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
4835avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
4836the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
4837
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004838It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
4839|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004840
4841 *local-function*
4842A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
4843can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
4844and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
4845function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
4846instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
4847
4848 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
4849:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
4850
4851:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004852 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4853 Funcref: >
4854 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004855
4856:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
4857 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
4858 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00004859<
4860 *:function-verbose*
4861When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
4862last defined. Example: >
4863
4864 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
4865 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
4866 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
4867<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00004868See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00004869
4870 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004871:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004872 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
4873 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
4874 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004875
4876 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4877 Funcref: >
4878 :function dict.init(arg)
4879< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
4880 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
4881 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
4882 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
4883 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
4884 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004885 *E127* *E122*
4886 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
4887 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
4888 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
4889 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004890
4891 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
4892
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004893 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
4894 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
4895 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
4896 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
4897 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
4898 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
4899 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004900
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004901 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
4902 abort as soon as an error is detected.
4903 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
4904 will not be changed by the function.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004905
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004906 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
4907 be invoked through an entry in a Dictionary. The
4908 local variable "self" will then be set to the
4909 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004910
4911 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
4912:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
4913 by its own, without other commands.
4914
4915 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
4916:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004917 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4918 Funcref: >
4919 :delfunc dict.init
4920< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
4921 function is deleted if there are no more references to
4922 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004923 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
4924:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
4925 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
4926 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
4927 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
4928 the number 0 is returned.
4929 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
4930 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
4931
4932 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
4933 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
4934 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
4935 are executed first. This process applies to all
4936 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
4937 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
4938
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004939 *function-argument* *a:var*
4940An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
4941be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
4942 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
4943Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
4944arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
4945may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
4946as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004947can be 0). "a:000" is set to a List that contains these arguments. Note that
4948"a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
4949 *E742*
4950The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
4951However, if a List or Dictionary is used, you can changes their contents.
4952Thus you can pass a List to a function and have the function add an item to
4953it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a List or Dictionary
4954use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004955
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004956When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
4957to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
4958may be larger.
4959
4960It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
4961still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
4962until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
4963inside a function body.
4964
4965 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004966Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
4967will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
4968accessed with "g:".
4969
4970Example: >
4971 :function Table(title, ...)
4972 : echohl Title
4973 : echo a:title
4974 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004975 : echo a:0 . " items:"
4976 : for s in a:000
4977 : echon ' ' . s
4978 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004979 :endfunction
4980
4981This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004982 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
4983 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004984
4985To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
4986 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
4987 : if a:n2 == 0
4988 : return "fail"
4989 : endif
4990 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
4991 : return "ok"
4992 :endfunction
4993
4994This function can then be called with: >
4995 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
4996 :if success == "ok"
4997 : echo div
4998 :endif
4999
5000An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
5001with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
5002 :function Foo()
5003 : execute Bar()
5004 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
5005 :endfunction
5006
5007 :function Bar()
5008 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
5009 :endfunction
5010
5011The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
5012the caller to set the names.
5013
5014 *:cal* *:call* *E107*
5015:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
5016 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
5017 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
5018 used.
5019 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
5020 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
5021 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
5022 function.
5023 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
5024 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
5025 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
5026 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
5027 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
5028 this works:
5029 *function-range-example* >
5030 :function Mynumber(arg)
5031 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
5032 :endfunction
5033 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
5034<
5035 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
5036 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
5037 the range.
5038
5039 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
5040
5041 :function Cont() range
5042 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
5043 :endfunction
5044 :4,8call Cont()
5045<
5046 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
5047 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
5048
5049 *E132*
5050The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
5051option.
5052
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005053
5054AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005055 *autoload-functions*
5056When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005057only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
5058the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
5059
5060
5061Using an autocommand ~
5062
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005063This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
5064
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005065The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
5066You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
5067That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
5068again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
5069
5070Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
5071function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005072
5073 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
5074
5075The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
5076"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
5077
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005078
5079Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005080 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005081This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
5082
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005083Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
5084exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
5085like this: >
5086
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005087 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005088
5089When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
5090"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
5091"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
5092then define the function like this: >
5093
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005094 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005095 echo "Done!"
5096 endfunction
5097
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00005098The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005099exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
5100called.
5101
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005102It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
5103a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005104
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005105 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005106
5107Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
5108
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005109This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
5110
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005111 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005112
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00005113However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
5114for an unknown variable.
5115
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005116When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
5117be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
5118
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005119 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
5120 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005121
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00005122Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
5123defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
5124function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005125And you will get an error message every time.
5126
5127Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
5128other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
5129Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005130
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005131==============================================================================
51326. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
5133
5134Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
5135This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
5136{} like this: >
5137 my_{adjective}_variable
5138
5139When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
5140that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
5141name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
5142"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
5143"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
5144
5145One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
5146value. For example, the statement >
5147 echo my_{&background}_message
5148
5149would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
5150on the current value of 'background'.
5151
5152You can use multiple brace pairs: >
5153 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
5154..or even nest them: >
5155 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
5156where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
5157
5158However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005159variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005160 :let foo='a + b'
5161 :echo c{foo}d
5162.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
5163
5164 *curly-braces-function-names*
5165You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
5166Example: >
5167 :let func_end='whizz'
5168 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
5169
5170This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
5171
5172==============================================================================
51737. Commands *expression-commands*
5174
5175:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
5176 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
5177 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
5178 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
5179 is created.
5180
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005181:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
5182 Set a list item to the result of the expression
5183 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
5184 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
5185 the index can be repeated.
5186 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
5187
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005188 *E711* *E719*
5189:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005190 Set a sequence of items in a List to the result of the
5191 expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
5192 correct number of items.
5193 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
5194 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
5195 When the selected range of items is partly past the
5196 end of the list, items will be added.
5197
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005198 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005199:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
5200:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
5201:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
5202 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
5203 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
5204
5205
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005206:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
5207 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
5208 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005209:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
5210 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
5211 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
5212 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005213
5214:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
5215 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
5216 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
5217 must be the name of a writable register (see
5218 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
5219 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
5220 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
5221 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
5222 characterwise.
5223 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
5224 :let @/ = ""
5225< This is different from searching for an empty string,
5226 that would match everywhere.
5227
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005228:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
5229 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
5230 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
5231
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005232:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
5233 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005234 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
5235 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005236 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
5237 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00005238 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005239 Example: >
5240 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005241
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005242:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
5243 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
5244 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
5245
5246:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
5247:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
5248 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
5249 {expr1}.
5250
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005251:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005252:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5253:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
5254:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005255 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
5256 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
5257
5258:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005259:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5260:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
5261:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005262 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
5263 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
5264
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005265:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005266 {expr1} must evaluate to a List. The first item in
5267 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
5268 {name2}, etc.
5269 The number of names must match the number of items in
5270 the List.
5271 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
5272 command as mentioned above.
5273 Example: >
5274 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005275< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
5276 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
5277 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
5278 :let x = [0, 1]
5279 :let i = 0
5280 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
5281 :echo x
5282< The result is [0, 2].
5283
5284:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
5285:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
5286:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
5287 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
5288 List item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005289
5290:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005291 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the List may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005292 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
5293 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
5294 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005295 Example: >
5296 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
5297<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005298:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
5299:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
5300:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
5301 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
5302 List item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005303 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005304:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005305 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
5306 here: *E738*
5307 g: global variables.
5308 b: local buffer variables.
5309 w: local window variables.
5310 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005311
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005312:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
5313 variable is indicated before the value:
5314 <nothing> String
5315 # Number
5316 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005317
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005318
5319:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
5320 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
5321 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
5322 may also be a List or Dictionary item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005323 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
5324 variables.
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005325 One or more items from a List can be removed: >
5326 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
5327 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
5328< One item from a Dictionary can be removed at a time: >
5329 :unlet dict['two']
5330 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005331
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005332:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
5333 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
5334 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
5335 A locked variable can be deleted: >
5336 :lockvar v
5337 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
5338 :unlet v
5339< *E741*
5340 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
5341 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
5342
5343 [depth] is relevant when locking a List or Dictionary.
5344 It specifies how deep the locking goes:
5345 1 Lock the List or Dictionary itself,
5346 cannot add or remove items, but can
5347 still change their values.
5348 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
5349 the items. If an item is a List or
5350 Dictionary, cannot add or remove
5351 items, but can still change the
5352 values.
5353 3 Like 2 but for the List/Dictionary in
5354 the List/Dictionary, one level deeper.
5355 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a List
5356 or Dictionary the values cannot be changed.
5357 *E743*
5358 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
5359 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
5360 loops.
5361
5362 Note that when two variables refer to the same List
5363 and you lock one of them, the List will also be locked
5364 when used through the other variable. Example: >
5365 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
5366 :let cl = l
5367 :lockvar l
5368 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
5369< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
5370 See |deepcopy()|.
5371
5372
5373:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
5374 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
5375 opposite of |:lockvar|.
5376
5377
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005378:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
5379:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5380 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5381
5382 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
5383 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
5384 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
5385 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
5386 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
5387 part was not executed either.
5388
5389 You can use this to remain compatible with older
5390 versions: >
5391 :if version >= 500
5392 : version-5-specific-commands
5393 :endif
5394< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
5395 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
5396 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
5397 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
5398 avoid problems: >
5399 :if version >= 600
5400 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
5401 :endif
5402<
5403 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
5404 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
5405
5406 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
5407:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5408 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
5409 executed.
5410
5411 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
5412:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
5413 is no extra ":endif".
5414
5415:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005416 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005417:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
5418 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5419 When an error is detected from a command inside the
5420 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005421 Example: >
5422 :let lnum = 1
5423 :while lnum <= line("$")
5424 :call FixLine(lnum)
5425 :let lnum = lnum + 1
5426 :endwhile
5427<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005428 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005429 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005430
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005431:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005432:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
5433 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005434 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005435 value of each item.
5436 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005437 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00005438 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
5439 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005440 :for item in copy(mylist)
5441< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
5442 next item in the list, before executing the commands
5443 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
5444 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
5445 it will not be found. Thus the following example
5446 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
5447 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005448 :call remove(mylist, 0)
5449 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005450< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
5451 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
5452 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005453 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
5454 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
5455 to allow multiple item types.
5456
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005457:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
5458:endfo[r]
5459 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
5460 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
5461 {var2}, etc. Example: >
5462 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
5463 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
5464 :endfor
5465<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005466 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005467:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
5468 to the start of the loop.
5469 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5470 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5471 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5472 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5473 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5474 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005475
5476 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005477:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
5478 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
5479 ":endfor".
5480 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5481 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5482 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5483 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5484 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5485 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005486
5487:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
5488:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
5489 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
5490 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
5491 or autocommand invocations.
5492
5493 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
5494 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
5495 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
5496 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
5497 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
5498 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
5499 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
5500 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
5501 Example: >
5502 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
5503 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
5504<
5505 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
5506 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
5507 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
5508 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
5509 processing is not terminated.
5510
5511 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
5512 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
5513 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
5514 other errors are converted to a value of the form
5515 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
5516 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
5517 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
5518 the error number.
5519 Examples: >
5520 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
5521 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
5522<
5523 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
5524:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
5525 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
5526 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
5527 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
5528 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
5529 commands are skipped.
5530 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
5531 Examples: >
5532 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
5533 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
5534 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
5535 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
5536 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
5537 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
5538 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
5539 :catch " same as /.*/
5540<
5541 Another character can be used instead of / around the
5542 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
5543 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
5544 {pattern}.
5545 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
5546 an error message because it may vary in different
5547 locales.
5548
5549 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
5550:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
5551 are executed whenever the part between the matching
5552 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
5553 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
5554 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
5555 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
5556
5557 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
5558:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
5559 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
5560 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
5561 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
5562 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
5563 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
5564 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
5565 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
5566 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
5567 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
5568 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
5569 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
5570 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
5571 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
5572 is terminated.
5573 Example: >
5574 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
5575<
5576
5577 *:ec* *:echo*
5578:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
5579 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
5580 Also see |:comment|.
5581 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
5582 cursor to the first column.
5583 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5584 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5585 Example: >
5586 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
5587< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
5588 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
5589 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
5590 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
5591 command. Example: >
5592 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
5593<
5594 *:echon*
5595:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
5596 |:comment|.
5597 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5598 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5599 Example: >
5600 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
5601<
5602 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
5603 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
5604 command: >
5605 :!echo % --> filename
5606< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
5607 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
5608< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
5609 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
5610 :echo % --> nothing
5611< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
5612 :echo "%" --> %
5613< This just echoes the '%' character. >
5614 :echo expand("%") --> filename
5615< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
5616
5617 *:echoh* *:echohl*
5618:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
5619 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
5620 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
5621 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
5622< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
5623 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
5624
5625 *:echom* *:echomsg*
5626:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
5627 message in the |message-history|.
5628 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5629 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
5630 displayed, not interpreted.
5631 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5632 Example: >
5633 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
5634<
5635 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
5636:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
5637 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
5638 script or function the line number will be added.
5639 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5640 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
5641 the message is raised as an error exception instead
5642 (see |try-echoerr|).
5643 Example: >
5644 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
5645< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
5646 And to get a beep: >
5647 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
5648<
5649 *:exe* *:execute*
5650:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
5651 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
5652 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
5653 used as the processed command, command line editing
5654 keys are not recognized.
5655 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5656 Examples: >
5657 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
5658 :execute "normal " count . "w"
5659<
5660 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
5661 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
5662 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
5663
5664< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
5665 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
5666 command: >
5667 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
5668< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
5669
5670 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005671 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
5672 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005673 :execute 'while i > 5'
5674 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
5675<
5676 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
5677 completely in the executed string: >
5678 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
5679<
5680
5681 *:comment*
5682 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
5683 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
5684 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
5685 comment. Example: >
5686 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
5687
5688==============================================================================
56898. Exception handling *exception-handling*
5690
5691The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
5692explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
5693
5694Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
5695|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
5696exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
5697
5698
5699TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
5700
5701Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
5702use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
5703a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
5704 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
5705|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
5706a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
5707be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
5708which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
5709clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
5710
5711 :try
5712 : ...
5713 : ... TRY BLOCK
5714 : ...
5715 :catch /{pattern}/
5716 : ...
5717 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5718 : ...
5719 :catch /{pattern}/
5720 : ...
5721 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5722 : ...
5723 :finally
5724 : ...
5725 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
5726 : ...
5727 :endtry
5728
5729The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
5730appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
5731from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
5732 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
5733is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
5734script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
5735 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
5736lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
5737patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
5738after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
5739executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
5740":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
5741(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
5742continues in the following line as usual.
5743 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
5744":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
5745that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
5746finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
5747the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
5748the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
5749see |try-nesting|.
5750 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
5751remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
5752not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
5753try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
5754a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
5755execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
5756exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5757 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
5758thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
5759clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
5760catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
5761following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
5762clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5763
5764The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
5765a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
5766try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
5767from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
5768sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
5769":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
5770":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
5771from the finally clause.
5772 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
5773try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
5774clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
5775":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
5776clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
5777":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
5778this pending exception or command is discarded.
5779
5780For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
5781
5782
5783NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
5784
5785Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
5786conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
5787clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
5788catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
5789of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
5790checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
5791try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
5792otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
5793nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
5794one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
5795the inner try conditional.
5796
5797When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
5798finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
5799An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
5800thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
5801implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
5802as usual.
5803
5804For examples see |throw-catch|.
5805
5806
5807EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
5808
5809Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
5810'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
5811script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
5812finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
5813a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
5814(see |debug-scripts|).
5815
5816
5817THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
5818
5819You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
5820and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
5821 :throw 4711
5822 :throw "string"
5823< *throw-expression*
5824You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
5825first, and the result is thrown: >
5826 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
5827 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
5828
5829An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
5830command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
5831The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
5832 Example: >
5833
5834 :function! Foo(arg)
5835 : try
5836 : throw a:arg
5837 : catch /foo/
5838 : endtry
5839 : return 1
5840 :endfunction
5841 :
5842 :function! Bar()
5843 : echo "in Bar"
5844 : return 4710
5845 :endfunction
5846 :
5847 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
5848
5849This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
5850executed. >
5851 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
5852however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
5853
5854Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
5855abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
5856exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
5857 Example: >
5858
5859 :if Foo("arrgh")
5860 : echo "then"
5861 :else
5862 : echo "else"
5863 :endif
5864
5865Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
5866
5867 *catch-order*
5868Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
5869commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
5870command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
5871gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
5872 Example: >
5873
5874 :function! Foo(value)
5875 : try
5876 : throw a:value
5877 : catch /^\d\+$/
5878 : echo "Number thrown"
5879 : catch /.*/
5880 : echo "String thrown"
5881 : endtry
5882 :endfunction
5883 :
5884 :call Foo(0x1267)
5885 :call Foo('string')
5886
5887The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
5888An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
5889specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
5890specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
5891
5892 : catch /.*/
5893 : echo "String thrown"
5894 : catch /^\d\+$/
5895 : echo "Number thrown"
5896
5897The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
5898never taken.
5899
5900 *throw-variables*
5901If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
5902in the variable |v:exception|: >
5903
5904 : catch /^\d\+$/
5905 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
5906
5907You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
5908|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
5909exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
5910 Example: >
5911
5912 :function! Caught()
5913 : if v:exception != ""
5914 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
5915 : else
5916 : echo 'Nothing caught'
5917 : endif
5918 :endfunction
5919 :
5920 :function! Foo()
5921 : try
5922 : try
5923 : try
5924 : throw 4711
5925 : finally
5926 : call Caught()
5927 : endtry
5928 : catch /.*/
5929 : call Caught()
5930 : throw "oops"
5931 : endtry
5932 : catch /.*/
5933 : call Caught()
5934 : finally
5935 : call Caught()
5936 : endtry
5937 :endfunction
5938 :
5939 :call Foo()
5940
5941This displays >
5942
5943 Nothing caught
5944 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
5945 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
5946 Nothing caught
5947
5948A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
5949number in the script or function where it has been used: >
5950
5951 :function! LineNumber()
5952 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
5953 :endfunction
5954 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
5955<
5956 *try-nested*
5957An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
5958a surrounding try conditional: >
5959
5960 :try
5961 : try
5962 : throw "foo"
5963 : catch /foobar/
5964 : echo "foobar"
5965 : finally
5966 : echo "inner finally"
5967 : endtry
5968 :catch /foo/
5969 : echo "foo"
5970 :endtry
5971
5972The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
5973clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
5974conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
5975
5976 *throw-from-catch*
5977You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
5978catch clause: >
5979
5980 :function! Foo()
5981 : throw "foo"
5982 :endfunction
5983 :
5984 :function! Bar()
5985 : try
5986 : call Foo()
5987 : catch /foo/
5988 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
5989 : throw "bar"
5990 : endtry
5991 :endfunction
5992 :
5993 :try
5994 : call Bar()
5995 :catch /.*/
5996 : echo "Caught" v:exception
5997 :endtry
5998
5999This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
6000
6001 *rethrow*
6002There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
6003"v:exception" instead: >
6004
6005 :function! Bar()
6006 : try
6007 : call Foo()
6008 : catch /.*/
6009 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
6010 : throw v:exception
6011 : endtry
6012 :endfunction
6013< *try-echoerr*
6014Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
6015exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
6016Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
6017denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
6018the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
6019
6020 :try
6021 : try
6022 : asdf
6023 : catch /.*/
6024 : echoerr v:exception
6025 : endtry
6026 :catch /.*/
6027 : echo v:exception
6028 :endtry
6029
6030This code displays
6031
6032 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
6033
6034
6035CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
6036
6037Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
6038user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
6039an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
6040a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
6041catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
6042a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
6043normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
6044(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
6045to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
6046clause has been executed.)
6047Example: >
6048
6049 :try
6050 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
6051 : set ts=17
6052 :
6053 : " Do the hard work here.
6054 :
6055 :finally
6056 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
6057 : unlet s:saved_ts
6058 :endtry
6059
6060This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
6061changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
6062that function or script part.
6063
6064 *break-finally*
6065Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
6066a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
6067 Example: >
6068
6069 :let first = 1
6070 :while 1
6071 : try
6072 : if first
6073 : echo "first"
6074 : let first = 0
6075 : continue
6076 : else
6077 : throw "second"
6078 : endif
6079 : catch /.*/
6080 : echo v:exception
6081 : break
6082 : finally
6083 : echo "cleanup"
6084 : endtry
6085 : echo "still in while"
6086 :endwhile
6087 :echo "end"
6088
6089This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
6090
6091 :function! Foo()
6092 : try
6093 : return 4711
6094 : finally
6095 : echo "cleanup\n"
6096 : endtry
6097 : echo "Foo still active"
6098 :endfunction
6099 :
6100 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
6101
6102This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
6103extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
6104return value.)
6105
6106 *except-from-finally*
6107Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
6108a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
6109cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
6110exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
6111 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
6112working correctly: >
6113
6114 :try
6115 : try
6116 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
6117 : while 1
6118 : endwhile
6119 : finally
6120 : unlet novar
6121 : endtry
6122 :catch /novar/
6123 :endtry
6124 :echo "Script still running"
6125 :sleep 1
6126
6127If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
6128think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
6129|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
6130
6131
6132CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
6133
6134If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
6135watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
6136presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
6137exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
6138the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
6139the error exception is.
6140 Error exceptions have the following format: >
6141
6142 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
6143or >
6144 Vim:{errmsg}
6145
6146{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
6147the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
6148when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
6149a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
6150a space.
6151
6152Examples:
6153
6154The command >
6155 :unlet novar
6156normally produces the error message >
6157 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6158which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6159 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
6160
6161The command >
6162 :dwim
6163normally produces the error message >
6164 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6165which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6166 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6167
6168You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
6169 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
6170or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
6171 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
6172
6173Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
6174 :function nofunc
6175and >
6176 :delfunction nofunc
6177both produce the error message >
6178 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6179which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6180 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6181or >
6182 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6183respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
6184command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
6185 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
6186
6187Some commands like >
6188 :let x = novar
6189produce multiple error messages, here: >
6190 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6191 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6192Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
6193one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
6194 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
6195
6196You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
6197 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
6198
6199You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
6200 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
6201
6202You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
6203 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
6204<
6205 *catch-text*
6206NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
6207 :catch /No such variable/
6208only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
6209a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
6210cite the message text in a comment: >
6211 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
6212
6213
6214IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
6215
6216You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
6217
6218 :try
6219 : write
6220 :catch
6221 :endtry
6222
6223But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
6224catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
6225be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
6226
6227 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
6228
6229There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
6230writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
6231then hide the error from the user.
6232 It is much better to use >
6233
6234 :try
6235 : write
6236 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6237 :endtry
6238
6239which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
6240intentionally.
6241
6242For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
6243even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
6244command: >
6245 :silent! nunmap k
6246This works also when a try conditional is active.
6247
6248
6249CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
6250
6251When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
6252the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
6253script is not terminated, then.
6254 Example: >
6255
6256 :function! TASK1()
6257 : sleep 10
6258 :endfunction
6259
6260 :function! TASK2()
6261 : sleep 20
6262 :endfunction
6263
6264 :while 1
6265 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
6266 : try
6267 : if command == ""
6268 : continue
6269 : elseif command == "END"
6270 : break
6271 : elseif command == "TASK1"
6272 : call TASK1()
6273 : elseif command == "TASK2"
6274 : call TASK2()
6275 : else
6276 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
6277 : continue
6278 : endif
6279 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6280 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
6281 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
6282 : endtry
6283 :endwhile
6284
6285You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
6286a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
6287
6288For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
6289your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
6290command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
6291
6292
6293CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
6294
6295The commands >
6296
6297 :catch /.*/
6298 :catch //
6299 :catch
6300
6301catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
6302explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
6303a script in order to catch unexpected things.
6304 Example: >
6305
6306 :try
6307 :
6308 : " do the hard work here
6309 :
6310 :catch /MyException/
6311 :
6312 : " handle known problem
6313 :
6314 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6315 : echo "Script interrupted"
6316 :catch /.*/
6317 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
6318 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
6319 :endtry
6320 :" end of script
6321
6322Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
6323strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
6324specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
6325 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
6326by pressing CTRL-C: >
6327
6328 :while 1
6329 : try
6330 : sleep 1
6331 : catch
6332 : endtry
6333 :endwhile
6334
6335
6336EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
6337
6338Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
6339
6340 :autocmd User x try
6341 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
6342 :autocmd User x catch
6343 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
6344 :autocmd User x endtry
6345 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
6346 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
6347 :
6348 :try
6349 : doautocmd User x
6350 :catch
6351 : echo v:exception
6352 :endtry
6353
6354This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
6355
6356 *except-autocmd-Pre*
6357For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
6358command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
6359of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
6360abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
6361 Example: >
6362
6363 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
6364 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
6365 :
6366 :try
6367 : write
6368 :catch
6369 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
6370 :endtry
6371
6372Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
6373you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
6374autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
6375script displays: >
6376
6377 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
6378<
6379 *except-autocmd-Post*
6380For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
6381command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
6382an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
6383is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
6384 Example: >
6385
6386 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
6387 :
6388 :try
6389 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6390 :catch
6391 : echo v:exception
6392 :endtry
6393
6394This just displays: >
6395
6396 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
6397
6398If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
6399fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
6400 Example: >
6401
6402 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
6403 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
6404 :
6405 :try
6406 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6407 :catch
6408 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6409 :endtry
6410<
6411You can also use ":silent!": >
6412
6413 :let x = "ok"
6414 :let v:errmsg = ""
6415 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
6416 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
6417 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
6418 :try
6419 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6420 :catch
6421 :endtry
6422 :echo x
6423
6424This displays "after fail".
6425
6426If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
6427autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
6428
6429 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
6430 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
6431 :
6432 :try
6433 : write
6434 :catch
6435 : echo v:exception
6436 :endtry
6437<
6438 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
6439For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
6440autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
6441of the command.
6442 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
6443had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
6444some way. >
6445
6446 :if !exists("cnt")
6447 : let cnt = 0
6448 :
6449 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
6450 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
6451 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
6452 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6453 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6454 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
6455 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
6456 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6457 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6458 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
6459 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6460 :endif
6461 :
6462 :try
6463 : write
6464 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
6465 : if &modified
6466 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
6467 : else
6468 : echo "Error after writing"
6469 : endif
6470 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6471 : echo "Error on writing"
6472 :endtry
6473
6474When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
6475first >
6476 File successfully written!
6477then >
6478 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
6479then >
6480 Error after writing
6481etc.
6482
6483 *except-autocmd-ill*
6484You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
6485The following code is ill-formed: >
6486
6487 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
6488 :
6489 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
6490 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
6491 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
6492 :
6493 :write
6494
6495
6496EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
6497
6498Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
6499pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
6500similar things in Vim.
6501 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
6502class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
6503string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
6504 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
6505it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
6506for an error when writing "myfile".
6507 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
6508base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
6509parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
6510 Example: >
6511
6512 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
6513 : if a:a < 0
6514 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
6515 : endif
6516 :endfunction
6517 :
6518 :function! Add(a, b)
6519 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
6520 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
6521 : let c = a:a + a:b
6522 : if c < 0
6523 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
6524 : endif
6525 : return c
6526 :endfunction
6527 :
6528 :function! Div(a, b)
6529 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
6530 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
6531 : if (a:b == 0)
6532 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
6533 : endif
6534 : return a:a / a:b
6535 :endfunction
6536 :
6537 :function! Write(file)
6538 : try
6539 : execute "write" a:file
6540 : catch /^Vim(write):/
6541 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
6542 : endtry
6543 :endfunction
6544 :
6545 :try
6546 :
6547 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
6548 :
6549 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
6550 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6551 : echo "Range error in" function
6552 :
6553 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
6554 : echo "Math error"
6555 :
6556 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
6557 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
6558 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6559 : if file !~ '^/'
6560 : let file = dir . "/" . file
6561 : endif
6562 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
6563 :
6564 :catch /^EXCEPT/
6565 : echo "Unspecified error"
6566 :
6567 :endtry
6568
6569The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
6570a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
6571exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
6572 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
6573failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
6574
6575
6576PECULIARITIES
6577 *except-compat*
6578The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
6579exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
6580and/or a catch clause.
6581
6582In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
6583continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
6584after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
6585functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
6586or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
6587(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
6588
6589This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
6590immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
6591conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
6592be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
6593termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
6594catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
6595by specifying a finally clause.)
6596
6597When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
6598behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
6599scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
6600
6601However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
6602commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
6603conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
6604script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
6605error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
6606messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
6607|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
6608not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
6609where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
6610error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
6611scripts.
6612
6613 *except-syntax-err*
6614Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
6615the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
6616clauses, however, is executed.
6617 Example: >
6618
6619 :try
6620 : try
6621 : throw 4711
6622 : catch /\(/
6623 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
6624 : catch
6625 : echo "inner catch-all"
6626 : finally
6627 : echo "inner finally"
6628 : endtry
6629 :catch
6630 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
6631 : finally
6632 : echo "outer finally"
6633 :endtry
6634
6635This displays: >
6636 inner finally
6637 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
6638 outer finally
6639The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
6640
6641 *except-single-line*
6642The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
6643a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
6644"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
6645 Example: >
6646 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
6647raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
6648argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
6649error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
6650displayed.
6651
6652 *except-several-errors*
6653When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
6654usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
6655 Example: >
6656 echo novar
6657causes >
6658 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6659 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6660The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6661 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
6662< *except-syntax-error*
6663But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
6664the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
6665 Example: >
6666 unlet novar #
6667causes >
6668 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6669 E488: Trailing characters
6670The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6671 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
6672This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
6673not intended by the user. Example: >
6674 try
6675 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
6676 catch /.*/
6677 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
6678 endtry
6679This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
6680a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
6681
6682==============================================================================
66839. Examples *eval-examples*
6684
6685Printing in Hex ~
6686>
6687 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
6688 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
6689 : let n = a:nr
6690 : let r = ""
6691 : while n
6692 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
6693 : let n = n / 16
6694 : endwhile
6695 : return r
6696 :endfunc
6697
6698 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
6699 :" character Hex string.
6700 :func String2Hex(str)
6701 : let out = ''
6702 : let ix = 0
6703 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
6704 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
6705 : let ix = ix + 1
6706 : endwhile
6707 : return out
6708 :endfunc
6709
6710Example of its use: >
6711 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
6712result: "20" >
6713 :echo String2Hex("32")
6714result: "3332"
6715
6716
6717Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
6718
6719Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
6720":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
6721platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
6722function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
6723with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
6724>
6725 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
6726 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
6727 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
6728 : return -1
6729 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
6730 : return 1
6731 : else
6732 : return 0
6733 : endif
6734 :endfunction
6735
6736 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
6737 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
6738 : if (a:start >= a:end)
6739 : return
6740 : endif
6741 : let partition = a:start - 1
6742 : let middle = partition
6743 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
6744 : let i = a:start
6745 : while (i <= a:end)
6746 : let str = getline(i)
6747 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
6748 : if (result <= 0)
6749 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
6750 : let partition = partition + 1
6751 : if (result == 0)
6752 : let middle = partition
6753 : endif
6754 : if (i != partition)
6755 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6756 : call setline(i, str2)
6757 : call setline(partition, str)
6758 : endif
6759 : endif
6760 : let i = i + 1
6761 : endwhile
6762
6763 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
6764 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
6765 : " the end of the partition.
6766 : if (middle != partition)
6767 : let str = getline(middle)
6768 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6769 : call setline(middle, str2)
6770 : call setline(partition, str)
6771 : endif
6772 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
6773 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
6774 :endfunc
6775
6776 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
6777 :" function that will compare two lines.
6778 :func! Sort(cmp) range
6779 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
6780 :endfunc
6781
6782 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
6783 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
6784<
6785 *sscanf*
6786There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
6787line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
6788how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
6789"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
6790 :" Set up the match bit
6791 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
6792 :"get the part matching the whole expression
6793 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
6794 :"get each item out of the match
6795 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
6796 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
6797 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
6798
6799The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
6800"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
6801
6802==============================================================================
680310. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
6804
6805When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
6806evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
6807to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
6808recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
6809and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
6810only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
6811recognized.
6812
6813Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
6814missing: >
6815
6816 :if 1
6817 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
6818 :else
6819 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
6820 :endif
6821
6822==============================================================================
682311. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
6824
6825The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
6826options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
6827these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
6828these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00006829a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006830The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006831
6832These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
6833 - changing the buffer text
6834 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
6835 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
6836 - executing a shell command
6837 - reading or writing a file
6838 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00006839 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006840This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
6841
6842 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00006843:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006844 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
6845 'foldexpr'.
6846
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00006847 *sandbox-option*
6848A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
6849have to be done in the sandbox to avoid trouble. But the sandbox is
6850restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
6851location. Insecure in this context are:
6852- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directlry
6853- while executing in the sandbox
6854- value coming from a modeline
6855
6856Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
6857option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
6858
6859==============================================================================
686012. Textlock *textlock*
6861
6862In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
6863to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
6864is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
6865actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
6866happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
6867
6868This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
6869 - changing the buffer text
6870 - jumping to another buffer or window
6871 - editing another file
6872 - closing a window or quitting Vim
6873 - etc.
6874
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006875
6876 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: