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Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2005 Jan 14
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
13|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
18 1.3 Lists |List|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000031
32{Vi does not have any of these commands}
33
34==============================================================================
351. Variables *variables*
36
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000371.1 Variable types ~
38
39There are four types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000040
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000041Number A 32 bit signed number.
42 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
43
44String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
45 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
46
47Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
48 Example: function("strlen")
49
50List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
51 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000052
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000053The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
54are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000055
56Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
57the Number. Examples: >
58 Number 123 --> String "123"
59 Number 0 --> String "0"
60 Number -1 --> String "-1"
61
62Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
63to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
64the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
65 String "456" --> Number 456
66 String "6bar" --> Number 6
67 String "foo" --> Number 0
68 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
69 String "0100" --> Number 64
70 String "-8" --> Number -8
71 String "+8" --> Number 0
72
73To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
74 :echo "0100" + 0
75
76For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
77
78Note that in the command >
79 :if "foo"
80"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
81use strlen(): >
82 :if strlen("foo")
83
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000084List and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000085
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000086 *E706*
87You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
88to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000089equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000090 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000091 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000092 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000093
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000094
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000951.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000096 *Funcref* *E695* *E703*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000097A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
98in an expression to invoke the function it refers to by using it in the place
99of a function name, before the parenthesis around the arguments. Example: >
100
101 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
102 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000103<
104 *E704* *E705* *E707*
105A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:" or "b:". You cannot
106have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000107
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000108Note that a Funcref cannot be used with the |:call| command, because its
109argument is not an expression.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000110
111The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
112 :echo "The function is " . string(Myfunc)
113
114You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
115arguments: >
116 :let r = call(Myfunc, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000117
118
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001191.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000120 *List* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000121A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
122can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
123position in the sequence.
124
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000125
126List creation ~
127 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000128A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000129Examples: >
130 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
131 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000132
133An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000134nested List: >
135 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000136
137An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
138
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000139
140List index ~
141 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000142An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
144 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000145 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000146
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000147When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000148 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000149<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000150A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
151the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000152 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
153
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000154To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000155is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000156 :echo get(mylist, idx)
157 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
158
159
160List concatenation ~
161
162Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
163 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
164
165To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
166it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
167
168
169Sublist ~
170
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000171A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
172separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000173 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000174
175Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
176similar to -1. The difference is that there is no error if the items are not
177available. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000178 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
179 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
180 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000181
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000182The second index can be just before the first index. In that case the result
183is an empty list. If the second index is lower, this results in an error. >
184 :echo mylist[2:1] " result: []
185 :echo mylist[2:0] " error!
186
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000187
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000188List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000189 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000190When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
191variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
192change "bb": >
193 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
194 :let bb = aa
195 :call add(aa, 4)
196 :echo bb
197 [1, 2, 3, 4]
198
199Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
200works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000201a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000202 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
203 :let bb = copy(aa)
204 :let aa = aa + [4]
205 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
206 :echo aa
207 [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4]
208 :echo bb
209 [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
210
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000211To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
212copy of the values in the list, recursively.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000213
214The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
215list. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000216the same value. >
217 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
218 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
219 :echo alist is blist
220 0
221 :echo alist == blist
222 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000223
224
225List unpack ~
226
227To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
228square brackets, like list items: >
229 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
230
231When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
232this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
233and a variable name: >
234 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
235
236This works like: >
237 :let var1 = mylist[0]
238 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000239 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000240
241Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
242empty list then.
243
244
245List modification ~
246 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000247To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000248 :let list[4] = "four"
249 :let listlist[0][3] = item
250
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000251To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000252modified. The value must match the range of replaced items: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000253 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
254
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000255Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
256examples: >
257 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
258 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
259 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
260 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append List as one new item
261 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
262 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
263 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000264 :call filter(list, '& =~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000265
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000266Changing the oder of items in a list: >
267 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
268 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
269
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000270
271For loop ~
272
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000273The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
274to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000275 :for i in mylist
276 : call Doit(i)
277 :endfor
278
279This works like: >
280 :let index = 0
281 :while index < len(mylist)
282 : let i = mylist[index]
283 : :call Doit(i)
284 : let index = index + 1
285 :endwhile
286
287Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000288results in an error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
289the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000290
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000291If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
292function might be a simpler method than a for loop.
293
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000294Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
295requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
296 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
297 : call Doit(lnum, col)
298 :endfor
299
300This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
301must remain the same to avoid an error.
302
303It is also possible to put remaining items in a list: >
304 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
305 : call Doit(i, j)
306 : if !empty(rest)
307 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
308 : endif
309 :endfor
310
311
312List functions ~
313
314Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000315 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000316 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
317 :let l = len(list) " number of items in a list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000318 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in a list
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000319 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in a list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000320 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
321 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000322 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
323 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000324 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
325 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000326 :let s = string() " String representation of a list
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000327 :call map(list, '">> " . &') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000328
329
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003301.4 Dictionaries ~
331 *Dictionaries*
332A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
333entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without ordering.
334
335
336Dictionary creation ~
337
338A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
339braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Examples: >
340 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
341 :let emptydict = {}
342
343A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
344String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
345entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since 04
346will be converted to the String '4'.
347
348A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for an entry creates a
349nested Dictionary: >
350 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
351
352An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
353
354
355Accessing entries ~
356
357The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
358 :let val = mydict["one"]
359 :let mydict["four"] = 4
360
361You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way.
362
363For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
364form can be used |expr-entry|: >
365 :let val = mydict.one
366 :let mydict.four = 4
367
368Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
369key lookup can be repeated: >
370 :let dict.key[idx].key = 0
371
372
373Dictionary to List conversion ~
374
375You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
376turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
377
378Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
379 :for key in keys(mydict)
380 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
381 :endfor
382
383The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
384 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
385
386To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
387 :for v in values(mydict)
388 : echo "value: " . v
389 :endfor
390
391If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
392a List of Lists with two items: the key and the value: >
393 :for entry in items(mydict)
394 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
395 :endfor
396
397
398Dictionary identity ~
399
400Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
401Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
402Dictionary: >
403 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
404 :let adict = onedict
405 :let adict['a'] = 11
406 :echo onedict['a']
407 11
408
409For more info see |list-identity|.
410
411
412Dictionary modification ~
413 *dict-modification*
414To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
415use |:let| this way: >
416 :let dict[4] = "four"
417 :let dict['one'] = item
418
419Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()|: >
420 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa') " remove item with key 'aaa'
421
422Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
423 :call extend(adict, bdict) " extend adict with entries from bdict
424
425Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
426 :call filter(dict '& =~ "x"') " remove entries with value 'x'
427
428
4291.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000430 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000431If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
432function.
433
434When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
435start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
436stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
437
438When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
439start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
440stored in the session file |session-file|.
441
442variable name can be stored where ~
443my_var_6 not
444My_Var_6 session file
445MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
446
447
448It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
449|curly-braces-names|.
450
451==============================================================================
4522. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
453
454Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
455
456|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
457
458|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
459
460|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
461
462|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
463 expr5 != expr5 not equal
464 expr5 > expr5 greater than
465 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
466 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
467 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
468 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
469 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
470
471 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
472 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
473 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
474 matching case
475
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000476 expr5 is expr5 same List instance
477 expr5 isnot expr5 different List instance
478
479|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000480 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
481 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
482
483|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
484 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
485 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
486
487|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
488 - expr7 unary minus
489 + expr7 unary plus
490 expr8
491
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000492|expr8| expr9[expr1] byte of a String or item of a List
493 expr9[expr1 : expr2] substring of a String or sublist of a List
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000494 expr9.name entry in a Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000495
496|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000497 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000498 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000499 [expr1, ...] List
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000500 &option option value
501 (expr1) nested expression
502 variable internal variable
503 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
504 $VAR environment variable
505 @r contents of register 'r'
506 function(expr1, ...) function call
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000507 Funcref(expr1, ...) function call with Funcref variable
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000508 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
509
510
511".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
512Example: >
513 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
514
515All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
516
517
518expr1 *expr1* *E109*
519-----
520
521expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
522
523The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
524non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
525otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
526Example: >
527 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
528
529Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
530other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
531Example: >
532 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
533
534To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
535 :echo lnum == 1
536 :\ ? "top"
537 :\ : lnum == 1000
538 :\ ? "last"
539 :\ : lnum
540
541
542expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
543---------------
544
545 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
546The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
547are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
548
549 input output ~
550n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
551zero zero zero zero
552zero non-zero non-zero zero
553non-zero zero non-zero zero
554non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
555
556The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
557
558 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
559
560Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
561
562 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
563
564Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
565arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
566
567 let a = 1
568 echo a || b
569
570This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
571so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
572
573 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
574
575This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
576only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
577
578
579expr4 *expr4*
580-----
581
582expr5 {cmp} expr5
583
584Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
585if it evaluates to true.
586
587 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
588 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
589 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
590 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
591 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
592 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000593 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000594 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
595equal == ==# ==?
596not equal != !=# !=?
597greater than > ># >?
598greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
599smaller than < <# <?
600smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
601regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
602regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000603same instance is
604different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000605
606Examples:
607"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
608"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
609"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
610
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000611 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000612A List can only be compared with a List and only "equal", "not equal" and "is"
613can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively. Ignoring
614case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
615
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000616 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000617A Funcref can only be compared with a Funcref and only "equal" and "not equal"
618can be used. Case is never ignored.
619
620When using "is" or "isnot" with a List this checks if the expressions are
621referring to the same List instance. A copy of a List is different from the
622original List. When using "is" without a List it is equivalent to using
623"equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
624different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
625is false.
626
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000627When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
628and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
629because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
630
631When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
632results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
633necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
634
635When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
636'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
637
638When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
639'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
640
641The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
642argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
643This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
644matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
645portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
646single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
647Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
648(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
649can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
650 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
651 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
652
653
654expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
655---------------
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000656expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or List concatenation *expr-+*
657expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
658expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000659
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000660For Lists only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The result
661is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
662
663expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
664expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
665expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000666
667For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
668
669Note the difference between "+" and ".":
670 "123" + "456" = 579
671 "123" . "456" = "123456"
672
673When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
674When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
675
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000676None of these work for Funcrefs.
677
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000678
679expr7 *expr7*
680-----
681! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
682- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
683+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
684
685For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
686For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
687For '+' the number is unchanged.
688
689A String will be converted to a Number first.
690
691These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
692 !-1 == 0
693 !!8 == 1
694 --9 == 9
695
696
697expr8 *expr8*
698-----
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000699expr9[expr1] item of String or List *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000700
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000701If expr9 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
702expr1'th single byte from expr9. expr9 is used as a String, expr1 as a
703Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000704
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000705Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
706text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
707cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000708 :let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1]
709
710If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000711String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
712compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
713
714If expr9 is a List then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
715for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
716error. Example: >
717 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
718
719Generally, if a List index is equal to or higher than the length of the List,
720or more negative than the length of the List, this results in an error.
721
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000722
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000723expr9[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
724
725If expr9 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
726from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr9 is used as a String, expr1a and
727expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
728encodings.
729
730If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
731string minus one is used.
732
733A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
734the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
735
736If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
737expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
738
739Examples: >
740 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
741 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
742 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
743 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
744
745If expr9 is a List this results in a new List with the items indicated by the
746indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained just
747above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
748 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
749 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
750 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
751
752Using expr9[expr1] or expr9[expr1a : expr1b] on a Funcref results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000753
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000754
755expr9.name entry in a Dictionary *expr-entry*
756
757If expr9 is a Dictionary and it is followed by a dot, then the following name
758will be used as a key in the Dictionary. This is just like: expr9[name].
759
760The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
761but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
762
763There must not be white space before or after the dot.
764
765Examples: >
766 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
767 :echo dict.one
768 :echo dict .2
769
770Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
771always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
772
773
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000774 *expr9*
775number
776------
777number number constant *expr-number*
778
779Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
780
781
782string *expr-string* *E114*
783------
784"string" string constant *expr-quote*
785
786Note that double quotes are used.
787
788A string constant accepts these special characters:
789\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
790\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
791\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
792\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
793\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
794\X.. same as \x..
795\X. same as \x.
796\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
797 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
798\U.... same as \u....
799\b backspace <BS>
800\e escape <Esc>
801\f formfeed <FF>
802\n newline <NL>
803\r return <CR>
804\t tab <Tab>
805\\ backslash
806\" double quote
807\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
808
809Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
810
811
812literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
813---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000814'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000815
816Note that single quotes are used.
817
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000818This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000819meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000820
821Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
822to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
823 if a =~ "\\s*"
824 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000825
826
827option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
828------
829&option option value, local value if possible
830&g:option global option value
831&l:option local option value
832
833Examples: >
834 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
835 if &insertmode
836
837Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
838and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
839anyway.
840
841
842register *expr-register*
843--------
844@r contents of register 'r'
845
846The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
847Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
848register use @" or @@. The '=' register can not be used here. See
849|registers| for an explanation of the available registers.
850
851
852nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
853-------
854(expr1) nested expression
855
856
857environment variable *expr-env*
858--------------------
859$VAR environment variable
860
861The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
862result is an empty string.
863 *expr-env-expand*
864Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
865expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
866are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
867the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
868fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
869does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
870 :echo $version
871 :echo expand("$version")
872The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
873variable (if your shell supports it).
874
875
876internal variable *expr-variable*
877-----------------
878variable internal variable
879See below |internal-variables|.
880
881
882function call *expr-function* *E116* *E117* *E118* *E119* *E120*
883-------------
884function(expr1, ...) function call
885See below |functions|.
886
887
888==============================================================================
8893. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
890 *E461*
891An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
892cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
893|curly-braces-names|.
894
895An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000896An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
897|:unlet|.
898Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
899been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000900
901There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
902specified by what is prepended:
903
904 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
905|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
906|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
907|global-variable| g: Global.
908|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
909|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
910|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
911|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
912
913 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
914A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
915Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
916This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
917|:bdelete|.
918
919One local buffer variable is predefined:
920 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
921b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
922 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
923 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
924 the buffer has changed. Example: >
925 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
926 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
927 : call My_Update()
928 :endif
929<
930 *window-variable* *w:var*
931A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
932is deleted when the window is closed.
933
934 *global-variable* *g:var*
935Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
936access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
937place if you like.
938
939 *local-variable* *l:var*
940Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
941But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
942
943 *script-variable* *s:var*
944In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
945accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
946
947They can be used in:
948- commands executed while the script is sourced
949- functions defined in the script
950- autocommands defined in the script
951- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
952 defined in the script (recursively)
953- user defined commands defined in the script
954Thus not in:
955- other scripts sourced from this one
956- mappings
957- etc.
958
959script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
960Take this example:
961
962 let s:counter = 0
963 function MyCounter()
964 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
965 echo s:counter
966 endfunction
967 command Tick call MyCounter()
968
969You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
970that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
971"Tick" was defined is used.
972
973Another example that does the same: >
974
975 let s:counter = 0
976 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
977
978When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +0000979script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000980defined.
981
982The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
983function that is defined in a script. Example: >
984
985 let s:counter = 0
986 function StartCounting(incr)
987 if a:incr
988 function MyCounter()
989 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
990 endfunction
991 else
992 function MyCounter()
993 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
994 endfunction
995 endif
996 endfunction
997
998This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
999when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1000called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1001
1002When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1003They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1004maintain a counter: >
1005
1006 if !exists("s:counter")
1007 let s:counter = 1
1008 echo "script executed for the first time"
1009 else
1010 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1011 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1012 endif
1013
1014Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1015variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1016
1017
1018Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1019
1020 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1021v:charconvert_from
1022 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1023 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1024
1025 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1026v:charconvert_to
1027 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1028 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1029
1030 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1031v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1032 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1033 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1034 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1035 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1036 possible to append this variable directly after the
1037 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1038 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1039 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1040 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1041 in 'printexpr'.
1042
1043 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1044v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1045 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1046 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1047 can be used.
1048
1049 *v:count* *count-variable*
1050v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1051 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1052 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1053< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1054 get when typing ':' after a count.
1055 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1056
1057 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1058v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1059 used.
1060
1061 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1062v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1063 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1064 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1065 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1066 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1067 command.
1068 See |multi-lang|.
1069
1070 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1071v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1072 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1073 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1074 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1075 Example: >
1076 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1077<
1078 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1079v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1080 Example: >
1081 :let v:errmsg = ""
1082 :silent! next
1083 :if v:errmsg != ""
1084 : ... handle error
1085< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1086
1087 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1088v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1089 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1090 Example: >
1091 :try
1092 : throw "oops"
1093 :catch /.*/
1094 : echo "caught" v:exception
1095 :endtry
1096< Output: "caught oops".
1097
1098 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
1099v:fname_in The name of the input file. Only valid while evaluating:
1100 option used for ~
1101 'charconvert' file to be converted
1102 'diffexpr' original file
1103 'patchexpr' original file
1104 'printexpr' file to be printed
1105
1106 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1107v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1108 evaluating:
1109 option used for ~
1110 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1111 'diffexpr' output of diff
1112 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1113 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1114 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1115 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1116 file and different from v:fname_in.
1117
1118 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1119v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1120 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1121
1122 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1123v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1124 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1125
1126 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1127v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1128 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001129 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001130
1131 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1132v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001133 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001134
1135 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1136v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001137 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001138
1139 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1140v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001141 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001142
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001143 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1144v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1145 events. Values:
1146 i Insert mode
1147 r Replace mode
1148 v Virtual Replace mode
1149
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001150 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1151v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1152 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1153 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1154 The value is system dependent.
1155 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1156 command.
1157 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1158 in a different language than what is used for character
1159 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1160
1161 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1162v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1163 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1164 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1165 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1166 command. See |multi-lang|.
1167
1168 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001169v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
1170 expressions. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1171 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001172
1173 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1174v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1175 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1176 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1177 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1178< Read-only.
1179
1180 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1181v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1182 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1183 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1184 Read-only.
1185
1186 *v:register* *register-variable*
1187v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1188 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1189
1190 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1191v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1192 Read-only.
1193
1194 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1195v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1196 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1197 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1198 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1199 executed. Read-only.
1200 Example: >
1201 :!mv foo bar
1202 :if v:shell_error
1203 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1204 :endif
1205< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1206
1207 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1208v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1209
1210 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1211v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1212 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1213 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1214 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1215 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1216 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1217 terminal.
1218 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1219 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1220 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1221 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1222 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1223
1224 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1225v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1226 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1227 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1228 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1229
1230 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1231v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1232 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1233 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1234 Example: >
1235 :try
1236 : throw "oops"
1237 :catch /.*/
1238 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1239 :endtry
1240< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1241
1242 *v:version* *version-variable*
1243v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1244 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1245 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1246 compatibility.
1247 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1248 if has("patch123")
1249< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1250 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1251 completely different.
1252
1253 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1254v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1255
1256==============================================================================
12574. Builtin Functions *functions*
1258
1259See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1260
1261(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation)
1262
1263USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1264
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001265add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to List {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001266append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001267argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001268argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001269argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
1270browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1271 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001272browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001273bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001274buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1275bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001276bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1277bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1278bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1279byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001280byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001281call( {func}, {arglist}) any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001282char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001283cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001284col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
1285confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1286 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001287copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001288count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1289 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001290cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1291 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001292cursor( {lnum}, {col}) Number position cursor at {lnum}, {col}
1293deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001294delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1295did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001296diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1297diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001298empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001299escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001300eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001301eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001302executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1303exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
1304expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
1305filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001306filter( {list}, {expr}) List remove from {list} where {expr} is 0
1307finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
1308 String Find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001309findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001310 String Find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001311filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
1312fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001313foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1314foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001315foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001316foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001317foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001318function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001319get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001320getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1321getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001322getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
1323getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1324getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
1325getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001326getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1327getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001328getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001329getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001330getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001331getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} from current buffer
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001332getreg( [{regname}]) String contents of register
1333getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001334getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1335getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1336getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in window {nr}
1337glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1338globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1339has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
1340hasmapto( {what} [, {mode}]) Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
1341histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1342histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1343histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1344histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1345hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1346hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1347hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001348iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1349indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001350index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1351 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001352input( {prompt} [, {text}]) String get input from the user
1353inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001354inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1355inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001356inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001357insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001358isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001359join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001360keys( {dict}) List List of keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001361len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1362libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001363libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1364line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1365line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001366lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001367localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001368map( {list}, {expr}) List change each item in {list} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001369maparg( {name}[, {mode}]) String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1370mapcheck( {name}[, {mode}]) String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001371match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001372 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001373matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001374 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001375matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1376 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001377max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1378min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001379mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001380nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1381nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
1382prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001383range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1384 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001385remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1386 String send expression
1387remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1388remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1389 Number check for reply string
1390remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1391remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1392 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001393remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001394remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001395rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1396repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1397resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001398reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001399search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001400searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001401 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001402server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1403 Number send reply string
1404serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1405setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1406setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1407setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001408setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001409setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001410simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001411sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001412split( {expr} [, {pat}]) List make List from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001413strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
1414stridx( {haystack}, {needle}) Number first index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001415string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001416strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1417strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1418 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
1419strridx( {haystack}, {needle}) Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
1420strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001421submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001422substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1423 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001424synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001425synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1426 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1427synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001428system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001429tempname() String name for a temporary file
1430tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1431toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001432tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1433 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001434type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
1435virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1436visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1437winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1438wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1439winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1440winline() Number window line of the cursor
1441winnr() Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001442winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001443winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
1444
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001445add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
1446 Append the item {expr} to List {list}. Returns the resulting
1447 List. Examples: >
1448 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1449 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
1450< Note that when {expr} is a List it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001451 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001452 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001453
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001454
1455append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
1456 When {expr} is a List: Append each item of the list as a text
1457 line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
1458 Otherwise append the text line {expr} below line {lnum} in the
1459 current buffer.
1460 {lnum} can be zero, to insert a line before the first one.
1461 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1462 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001463 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001464 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001465<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001466 *argc()*
1467argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1468 current window. See |arglist|.
1469
1470 *argidx()*
1471argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1472 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1473
1474 *argv()*
1475argv({nr}) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
1476 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1477 Example: >
1478 :let i = 0
1479 :while i < argc()
1480 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1481 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1482 : let i = i + 1
1483 :endwhile
1484<
1485 *browse()*
1486browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1487 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1488 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1489 The input fields are:
1490 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1491 {title} title for the requester
1492 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1493 {default} default file name
1494 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1495 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1496
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001497 *browsedir()*
1498browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1499 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1500 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1501 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1502 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1503 to be used.
1504 The input fields are:
1505 {title} title for the requester
1506 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1507 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1508 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1509
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001510bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1511 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1512 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001513 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001514 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001515 exactly. The name can be:
1516 - Relative to the current directory.
1517 - A full path.
1518 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1519 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001520 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1521 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1522 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1523 long name to be able to find them.
1524 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1525 file name.
1526 *buffer_exists()*
1527 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1528
1529buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1530 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1531 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001532 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001533
1534bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1535 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1536 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001537 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001538
1539bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1540 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1541 ":ls" command.
1542 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1543 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1544 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1545 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1546 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1547 match an empty string is returned.
1548 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1549 alternate buffer.
1550 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1551 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1552 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1553 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1554 buffers are searched for.
1555 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1556 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1557 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1558< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1559 string is returned. >
1560 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1561 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1562 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1563 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1564< *buffer_name()*
1565 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1566
1567 *bufnr()*
1568bufnr({expr}) The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
1569 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
1570 above. If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
1571 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1572 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1573< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1574 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1575 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1576 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1577 *buffer_number()*
1578 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1579 *last_buffer_nr()*
1580 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1581
1582bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1583 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1584 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1585 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1586 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1587
1588 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1589
1590< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1591 |:wincmd|.
1592
1593
1594byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1595 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1596 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1597 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1598 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1599 one.
1600 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1601 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1602 feature}
1603
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001604byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1605 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1606 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1607 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1608 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1609 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1610 Example : >
1611 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1612< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1613 same: >
1614 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1615 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1616< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1617 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1618 is returned.
1619
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001620call({func}, {arglist}) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001621 Call function {func} with the items in List {arglist} as
1622 arguments.
1623 {func} can either be a Funcref or the name of a function.
1624 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1625 Returns the return value of the called function.
1626
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001627char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1628 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1629 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1630 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1631< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
1632 char2nr("á") returns 225
1633 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
1634
1635cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1636 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1637 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1638 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1639 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1640 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1641 feature, -1 is returned.
1642
1643 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001644col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001645 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1646 . the cursor position
1647 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1648 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1649 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1650 returned)
1651 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1652 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1653 Examples: >
1654 col(".") column of cursor
1655 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1656 col("'t") column of mark t
1657 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1658< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
1659 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1660 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1661 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
1662 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
1663 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
1664 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
1665 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
1666<
1667 *confirm()*
1668confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1669 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
1670 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
1671 choice this is 1.
1672 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
1673 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
1674 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
1675 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
1676 used (and translated).
1677 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
1678 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
1679 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
1680 by '\n', e.g. >
1681 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
1682< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
1683 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
1684 not need to be the first letter: >
1685 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
1686< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
1687 the default shortcut key.
1688 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
1689 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
1690 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
1691 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
1692 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
1693 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
1694 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
1695 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
1696 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
1697 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
1698 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
1699
1700 An example: >
1701 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
1702 :if choice == 0
1703 : echo "make up your mind!"
1704 :elseif choice == 3
1705 : echo "tasteful"
1706 :else
1707 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
1708 :endif
1709< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
1710 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
1711 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
1712 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
1713 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
1714 the horizontal layout is always used.
1715
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001716 *copy()*
1717copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
1718 different from using {expr} directly.
1719 When {expr} is a List a shallow copy is created. This means
1720 that the original List can be changed without changing the
1721 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
1722 changing an item changes the contents of both Lists. Also see
1723 |deepcopy()|.
1724
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001725count({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001726 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
1727 in List {list}.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001728 If {start} is given then don't count items with a lower index.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001729 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
1730
1731
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001732 *cscope_connection()*
1733cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1734 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
1735 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
1736 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
1737 if there are no cscope connections;
1738 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
1739
1740 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
1741 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
1742
1743 {num} Description of existence check
1744 ----- ------------------------------
1745 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
1746 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
1747 {dbpath}.
1748 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
1749 {dbpath}.
1750 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
1751 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1752 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
1753 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1754
1755 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
1756
1757 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
1758
1759 # pid database name prepend path
1760 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
1761<
1762 Invocation Return Val ~
1763 ---------- ---------- >
1764 cscope_connection() 1
1765 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
1766 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
1767 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
1768 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
1769 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
1770 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
1771 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
1772<
1773cursor({lnum}, {col}) *cursor()*
1774 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
1775 Does not change the jumplist.
1776 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
1777 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
1778 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
1779 If {col} is greater than the number of characters in the line,
1780 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
1781 line.
1782 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
1783
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001784
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001785deepcopy({expr}) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001786 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
1787 different from using {expr} directly.
1788 When {expr} is a List a full copy is created. This means
1789 that the original List can be changed without changing the
1790 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a List, a copy for it
1791 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
1792 not change the contents of the original List.
1793 Also see |copy()|.
1794
1795delete({fname}) *delete()*
1796 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001797 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
1798 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001799 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001800
1801 *did_filetype()*
1802did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
1803 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
1804 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
1805 that detect the file type. |FileType|
1806 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
1807 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
1808 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
1809 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
1810 file.
1811
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001812diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
1813 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
1814 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
1815 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
1816 display but don't exist in the buffer.
1817 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
1818 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
1819 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
1820
1821diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
1822 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
1823 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
1824 diff change zero is returned.
1825 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
1826 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
1827 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
1828 line.
1829 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
1830 syntax information about the highlighting.
1831
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001832empty({expr}) *empty()*
1833 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
1834 A List is empty when it does not have any items.
1835 A Number is empty when its value is zero.
1836 For a long List this is much faster then comparing the length
1837 with zero.
1838
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001839escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
1840 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
1841 backslash. Example: >
1842 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
1843< results in: >
1844 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001845
1846< *eval()*
1847eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
1848 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
1849 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
1850 Also works for Funcrefs that refer to existing functions.
1851
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001852eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
1853 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
1854 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
1855 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
1856 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
1857
1858executable({expr}) *executable()*
1859 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
1860 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00001861 arguments.
1862 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
1863 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
1864 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
1865 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
1866 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
1867 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
1868 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
1869 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
1870 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
1871 extension.
1872 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
1873 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001874 The result is a Number:
1875 1 exists
1876 0 does not exist
1877 -1 not implemented on this system
1878
1879 *exists()*
1880exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
1881 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
1882 which contains one of these:
1883 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
1884 not if it really works)
1885 +option-name Vim option that works.
1886 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
1887 done by comparing with an empty
1888 string)
1889 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
1890 or user defined function (see
1891 |user-functions|).
1892 varname internal variable (see
1893 |internal-variables|). Does not work
1894 for |curly-braces-names|.
1895 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
1896 command or command modifier |:command|.
1897 Returns:
1898 1 for match with start of a command
1899 2 full match with a command
1900 3 matches several user commands
1901 To check for a supported command
1902 always check the return value to be 2.
1903 #event autocommand defined for this event
1904 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
1905 pattern (the pattern is taken
1906 literally and compared to the
1907 autocommand patterns character by
1908 character)
1909 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
1910
1911 Examples: >
1912 exists("&shortname")
1913 exists("$HOSTNAME")
1914 exists("*strftime")
1915 exists("*s:MyFunc")
1916 exists("bufcount")
1917 exists(":Make")
1918 exists("#CursorHold");
1919 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
1920< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
1921 name.
1922 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
1923 variable itself! For example: >
1924 exists(bufcount)
1925< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
1926 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
1927 exists.
1928
1929expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
1930 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
1931 The result is a String.
1932
1933 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
1934 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
1935 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
1936
1937 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
1938 for a non-existing file is not included.
1939
1940 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
1941 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
1942 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
1943
1944 % current file name
1945 # alternate file name
1946 #n alternate file name n
1947 <cfile> file name under the cursor
1948 <afile> autocmd file name
1949 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
1950 <amatch> autocmd matched name
1951 <sfile> sourced script file name
1952 <cword> word under the cursor
1953 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
1954 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
1955 message |server2client()|
1956 Modifiers:
1957 :p expand to full path
1958 :h head (last path component removed)
1959 :t tail (last path component only)
1960 :r root (one extension removed)
1961 :e extension only
1962
1963 Example: >
1964 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
1965< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
1966 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
1967 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
1968< Use this: >
1969 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
1970< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
1971 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
1972 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
1973 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
1974 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
1975<
1976 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
1977 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
1978 to modify normal file names.
1979
1980 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
1981 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
1982 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
1983 '/' added.
1984
1985 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
1986 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
1987 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
1988 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
1989 non-existing files are included.
1990
1991 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
1992 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
1993 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
1994 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
1995 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
1996 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
1997 "$FOOBAR".
1998
1999 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2000 getting the raw output of an external command.
2001
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002002extend({list1}, {list2} [, {idx}]) *extend()*
2003 Append {list2} to {list1}.
2004 If {idx} is given insert the items of {list2} before item
2005 {idx} in {list1}. When {idx} is zero insert before the first
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002006 item. When {idx} is equal to len({list1}) then {list2} is
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002007 appended.
2008 {list1} is changed when {list2} is not empty.
2009 {list2} remains unchanged.
2010 {list1} and {list2} must be Lists.
2011 Returns {list1}.
2012 Examples: >
2013 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2014 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002015< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2016 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002017 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
2018
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002019filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2020 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2021 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2022 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2023 expression, which is used as a String.
2024 *file_readable()*
2025 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2026
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002027
2028filter({list}, {expr}) *filter()* *E712*
2029 For each item in {list} evaluate {expr} and when the result is
2030 zero remove the item from the List.
2031 Inside {expr} the symbol "&" stands for the existing
2032 item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002033 :call filter(mylist, '& !~ "OLD"')
2034< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. And this: >
2035 :call filter(mylist, 0)
2036< Removes all the items, thus clears the List or Dictionary.
2037
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002038 Note that {expr} is an expression that evaluates to an
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002039 expression. Often it is good to use a |literal-string| to
2040 avoid having to double backslashes.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002041 The operation is done in-place. If you want a list to remain
2042 unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002043 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), '& =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002044< Returns {list}.
2045
2046
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002047finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
2048 Find directory {name} in {path}.
2049 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2050 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
2051 {name} in {path}.
2052 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
2053 When the found directory is below the current directory a
2054 relative path is returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
2055 Example: >
2056 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2057< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2058 the file "tags.vim".
2059 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2060
2061findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2062 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
2063
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002064filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2065 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2066 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2067 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2068 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2069
2070fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2071 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2072 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2073 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2074 Example: >
2075 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2076< results in: >
2077 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2078< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2079 |expand()| first then.
2080
2081foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2082 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2083 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2084 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2085
2086foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2087 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2088 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2089 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2090
2091foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2092 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2093 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2094 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2095 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2096 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2097 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2098 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2099 previous line is usually available.
2100
2101 *foldtext()*
2102foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2103 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2104 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2105 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2106 The returned string looks like this: >
2107 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2108< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2109 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2110 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2111 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2112 options is removed.
2113 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2114
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002115foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2116 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2117 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2118 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2119 returned.
2120 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2121 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2122 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2123 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2124
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002125 *foreground()*
2126foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2127 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2128 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2129 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2130 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2131 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2132 Win32 console version}
2133
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002134
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002135function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002136 Return a Funcref variable that refers to function {name}.
2137 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2138
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002139
2140get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get*
2141 Get item {idx} from List {list}. When this item is not
2142 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2143 omitted.
2144
2145getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2146 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2147 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2148 must be used.
2149 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
2150 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
2151 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2152 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2153 returned, there is no error message.
2154 Examples: >
2155 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2156 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2157<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002158getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2159 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2160 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2161 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2162 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2163 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2164 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2165 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2166 not consumed. If a normal character is
2167 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2168 non-zero value is returned.
2169 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2170 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2171 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2172 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2173 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2174 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2175 user that a character has to be typed.
2176 There is no mapping for the character.
2177 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2178 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2179 sequence. Examples: >
2180 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2181 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2182< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2183 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2184 :function FindChar()
2185 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2186 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2187 : normal l
2188 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2189 : break
2190 : endif
2191 : endwhile
2192 :endfunction
2193
2194getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2195 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2196 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2197 These values are added together:
2198 2 shift
2199 4 control
2200 8 alt (meta)
2201 16 mouse double click
2202 32 mouse triple click
2203 64 mouse quadruple click
2204 128 Macintosh only: command
2205 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2206 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2207 with no modifier.
2208
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002209getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2210 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2211 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2212 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2213 Example: >
2214 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
2215< Also see |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
2216
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002217getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002218 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2219 byte count. The first column is 1.
2220 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2221 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
2222 Also see |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2223
2224 *getcwd()*
2225getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2226 working directory.
2227
2228getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2229 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2230 given file {fname}.
2231 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2232 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2233
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002234getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2235 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2236 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2237 |hl-Normal|.
2238 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2239 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2240 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2241 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
2242 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not you your vimrc or
2243 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2244 for a valid name does not work.
2245 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2246 function just after the GUI has started.
2247
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002248getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2249 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2250 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2251 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2252 empty string is returned.
2253 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2254 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2255 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2256 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2257 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2258 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2259< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2260 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
2261
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002262getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2263 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2264 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2265 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2266 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2267 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2268
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002269getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2270 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2271 file of the given file {fname}.
2272 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2273 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2274 results:
2275 Normal file "file"
2276 Directory "dir"
2277 Symbolic link "link"
2278 Block device "bdev"
2279 Character device "cdev"
2280 Socket "socket"
2281 FIFO "fifo"
2282 All other "other"
2283 Example: >
2284 getftype("/home")
2285< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2286 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2287 "file" are returned.
2288
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002289 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002290getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2291 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2292 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002293 getline(1)
2294< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2295 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2296 To get the line under the cursor: >
2297 getline(".")
2298< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2299 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2300
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002301 When {end} is given the result is a List where each item is a
2302 line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
2303 including line {end}.
2304 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2305 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
2306 When {end} is before {lnum} an error is given.
2307 Example: >
2308 :let start = line('.')
2309 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2310 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2311
2312
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002313getreg([{regname}]) *getreg()*
2314 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
2315 {regname}. Example: >
2316 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2317< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
2318 register. (For use in maps).
2319 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2320
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002321
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002322getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2323 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2324 The value will be one of:
2325 "v" for |characterwise| text
2326 "V" for |linewise| text
2327 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2328 0 for an empty or unknown register
2329 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2330 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2331
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002332
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002333 *getwinposx()*
2334getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2335 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2336 -1 if the information is not available.
2337
2338 *getwinposy()*
2339getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2340 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2341 information is not available.
2342
2343getwinvar({nr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2344 The result is the value of option or local window variable
2345 {varname} in window {nr}.
2346 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
2347 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
2348 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2349 Examples: >
2350 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2351 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2352<
2353 *glob()*
2354glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2355 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2356 characters.
2357 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2358 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2359
2360 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2361 any external command. Example: >
2362 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2363 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2364< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2365 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2366
2367 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2368 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2369
2370globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2371 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2372 the results. Example: >
2373 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2374< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2375 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2376 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2377 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2378 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2379 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2380 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2381 error message.
2382 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2383 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2384
2385 *has()*
2386has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2387 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2388 string. See |feature-list| below.
2389 Also see |exists()|.
2390
2391hasmapto({what} [, {mode}]) *hasmapto()*
2392 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2393 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2394 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2395 {mode}.
2396 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2397 buffer are checked for a match.
2398 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2399 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2400 n Normal mode
2401 v Visual mode
2402 o Operator-pending mode
2403 i Insert mode
2404 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2405 c Command-line mode
2406 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2407
2408 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2409 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2410 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2411 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2412 :endif
2413< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
2414 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
2415
2416histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
2417 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
2418 one of: *hist-names*
2419 "cmd" or ":" command line history
2420 "search" or "/" search pattern history
2421 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
2422 "input" or "@" input line history
2423 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
2424 shifted to become the newest entry.
2425 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
2426 otherwise 0 is returned.
2427
2428 Example: >
2429 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
2430 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
2431< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2432
2433histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
2434 Clear {history}, ie. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
2435 for the possible values of {history}.
2436
2437 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
2438 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
2439 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
2440 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
2441 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
2442 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
2443 if it exists.
2444
2445 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
2446 otherwise 0 is returned.
2447
2448 Examples:
2449 Clear expression register history: >
2450 :call histdel("expr")
2451<
2452 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
2453 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
2454<
2455 The following three are equivalent: >
2456 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
2457 :call histdel("search", -1)
2458 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
2459<
2460 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
2461 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
2462 :call histdel("search", -1)
2463 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
2464
2465histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
2466 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
2467 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
2468 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
2469 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
2470 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
2471
2472 Examples:
2473 Redo the second last search from history. >
2474 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
2475
2476< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
2477 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
2478 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
2479<
2480histnr({history}) *histnr()*
2481 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
2482 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
2483 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
2484
2485 Example: >
2486 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
2487<
2488hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
2489 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
2490 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
2491 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
2492 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
2493 item.
2494 *highlight_exists()*
2495 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
2496
2497 *hlID()*
2498hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
2499 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
2500 zero is returned.
2501 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
2502 group. For example, to get the background color of the
2503 "Comment" group: >
2504 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
2505< *highlightID()*
2506 Obsolete name: highlightID().
2507
2508hostname() *hostname()*
2509 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
2510 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
2511 256 characters long are truncated.
2512
2513iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
2514 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
2515 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
2516 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
2517 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
2518 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
2519 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
2520 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
2521 can be done.
2522 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
2523 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
2524 UTF-8 and use: >
2525 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
2526< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
2527 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
2528 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
2529 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
2530
2531 *indent()*
2532indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
2533 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
2534 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
2535 |getline()|.
2536 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
2537
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002538
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002539index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002540 Return the lowest index in List {list} where the item has a
2541 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002542 If {start} is given then skip items with a lower index.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002543 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
2544 case must match.
2545 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
2546 Example: >
2547 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00002548 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002549
2550
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002551input({prompt} [, {text}]) *input()*
2552 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
2553 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
2554 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
2555 prompt to start a new line. The highlighting set with
2556 |:echohl| is used for the prompt. The input is entered just
2557 like a command-line, with the same editing commands and
2558 mappings. There is a separate history for lines typed for
2559 input().
2560 If the optional {text} is present, this is used for the
2561 default reply, as if the user typed this.
2562 NOTE: This must not be used in a startup file, for the
2563 versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
2564 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
2565 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
2566 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
2567 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
2568 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
2569 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
2570 |:execute| or |:normal|.
2571
2572 Example: >
2573 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
2574 : echo "Cheers!"
2575 :endif
2576< Example with default text: >
2577 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
2578< Example with a mapping: >
2579 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
2580 :function GetFoo()
2581 : call inputsave()
2582 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
2583 : call inputrestore()
2584 :endfunction
2585
2586inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
2587 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
2588 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
2589 Example: >
2590 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
2591 :if n != ""
2592 : let &sw = n
2593 :endif
2594< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
2595 omitted an empty string is returned.
2596 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
2597 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
2598
2599inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
2600 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
2601 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
2602 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
2603 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
2604
2605inputsave() *inputsave()*
2606 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
2607 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
2608 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
2609 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
2610 many inputrestore() calls.
2611 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
2612
2613inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
2614 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
2615 two exceptions:
2616 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
2617 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
2618 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
2619 |history| stack.
2620 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
2621 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
2622
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002623insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
2624 Insert {item} at the start of List {list}.
2625 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
2626 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
2627 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
2628 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
2629 Returns the resulting List. Examples: >
2630 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
2631 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
2632 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002633< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002634 Note that when {item} is a List it is inserted as a single
2635 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
2636
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002637isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
2638 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
2639 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
2640 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
2641 is any expression, which is used as a String.
2642
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002643
2644join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
2645 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
2646 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
2647 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
2648 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
2649 add it there too: >
2650 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
2651< String items are used as-is. Lists and Dictionaries are
2652 converted into a string like with |string()|.
2653 The opposite function is |split()|.
2654
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002655keys({dict}) *keys()*
2656 Return a List with all the keys of {dict}. The List is in
2657 arbitrary order.
2658
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002659 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002660len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
2661 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
2662 used, as with |strlen()|.
2663 When {expr} is a List the number of items in the List is
2664 returned.
2665 Otherwise an error is given.
2666
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002667 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
2668libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
2669 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
2670 with single argument {argument}.
2671 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
2672 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
2673 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
2674 limited.
2675 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
2676 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
2677 to Vim.
2678 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
2679 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
2680 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
2681 null-terminated string.
2682 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
2683
2684 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
2685 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
2686 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
2687 very probably crash.
2688
2689 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
2690 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
2691 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
2692 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
2693 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
2694 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
2695 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
2696 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
2697 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
2698 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
2699
2700 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
2701 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
2702 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
2703 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
2704 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
2705 the DLL is not in the usual places.
2706 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
2707 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
2708 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
2709 feature is present}
2710 Examples: >
2711 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
2712 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
2713<
2714 *libcallnr()*
2715libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
2716 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
2717 int instead of a string.
2718 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
2719 feature is present}
2720 Example (not very useful...): >
2721 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
2722 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
2723<
2724 *line()*
2725line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
2726 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2727 . the cursor position
2728 $ the last line in the current buffer
2729 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2730 returned)
2731 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2732 Examples: >
2733 line(".") line number of the cursor
2734 line("'t") line number of mark t
2735 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
2736< *last-position-jump*
2737 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
2738 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
2739 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002740
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002741line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
2742 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
2743 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
2744 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
2745 line returns 1.
2746 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
2747 below the last line: >
2748 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
2749< This is the file size plus one.
2750 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
2751 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
2752 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
2753
2754lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
2755 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
2756 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
2757 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
2758 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
2759 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
2760 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
2761
2762localtime() *localtime()*
2763 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
2764 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
2765
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002766
2767map({list}, {expr}) *map()*
2768 Replace each item in {list} with the result of evaluating
2769 {expr}.
2770 Inside {expr} the symbol "&" stands for the existing
2771 item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002772 :call map(mylist, '"> " . & . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002773< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
2774 Note that {expr} is an expression that evaluates to an
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002775 expression. Often it is good to use a |literal-string| to
2776 avoid having to double backslashes.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002777 The operation is done in-place. If you want a list to remain
2778 unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002779 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002780< Returns {list}.
2781
2782
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002783maparg({name}[, {mode}]) *maparg()*
2784 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
2785 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
2786 These characters can be used for {mode}:
2787 "n" Normal
2788 "v" Visual
2789 "o" Operator-pending
2790 "i" Insert
2791 "c" Cmd-line
2792 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
2793 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
2794 When {mode} is omitted, the modes from "" are used.
2795 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
2796 command. The returned String has special characters
2797 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
2798 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
2799 then the global mappings.
2800
2801mapcheck({name}[, {mode}]) *mapcheck()*
2802 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
2803 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
2804 {name}.
2805 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
2806 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
2807
2808 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
2809 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
2810 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
2811 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
2812 mapcheck("b") no no no
2813
2814 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
2815 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
2816 mapping for {name} exactly.
2817 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
2818 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
2819 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
2820 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
2821 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
2822 then the global mappings.
2823 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
2824 without being ambiguous. Example: >
2825 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
2826 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
2827 :endif
2828< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
2829 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
2830
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002831match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002832 When {expr} is a List then this returns the index of the first
2833 item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a String,
2834 Lists and Dictionaries are used as echoed.
2835 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
2836 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
2837 {pat} matches.
2838 A match at the first character or List item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002839 If there is no match -1 is returned.
2840 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002841 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
2842 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 2
2843< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
2844
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002845 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002846 is found in a String the search for the next one starts on
2847 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002848 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002849< In a List the search continues in the next item.
2850
2851 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
2852 {start} in a String or item {start} in a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002853 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002854 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002855 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
2856< result is again "4". >
2857 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
2858< result is again "4". >
2859 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
2860< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002861 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
2862 the index is counted from the end.
2863 If {start} is out of range (> strlen({expr} for a String or
2864 > len({expr} for a List) -1 is returned.
2865
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002866 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
2867 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
2868 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
2869 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
2870
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002871matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002872 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
2873 the match. Example: >
2874 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
2875< results in "7".
2876 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
2877 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
2878< results in "7". >
2879 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
2880< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002881 When {expr} is a List the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002882
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002883matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002884 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
2885 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
2886< results in "ing".
2887 When there is no match "" is returned.
2888 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
2889 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
2890< results in "ing". >
2891 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
2892< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002893 When {expr} is a List then the matching item is returned.
2894 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002895
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00002896 *max()*
2897max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
2898 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
2899 be used as a Number this results in an error.
2900 An empty List results in zero.
2901
2902 *min()*
2903min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
2904 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
2905 be used as a Number this results in an error.
2906 An empty List results in zero.
2907
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002908 *mode()*
2909mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
2910 n Normal
2911 v Visual by character
2912 V Visual by line
2913 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
2914 s Select by character
2915 S Select by line
2916 CTRL-S Select blockwise
2917 i Insert
2918 R Replace
2919 c Command-line
2920 r Hit-enter prompt
2921 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
2922 places it always returns "c" or "n".
2923
2924nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
2925 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
2926 that is not blank. Example: >
2927 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
2928< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
2929 below it, zero is returned.
2930 See also |prevnonblank()|.
2931
2932nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
2933 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
2934 value {expr}. Examples: >
2935 nr2char(64) returns "@"
2936 nr2char(32) returns " "
2937< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
2938 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
2939< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
2940 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
2941 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
2942 string, thus isn't very useful.
2943
2944prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
2945 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
2946 that is not blank. Example: >
2947 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
2948< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
2949 above it, zero is returned.
2950 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
2951
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002952range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
2953 Returns a List with Numbers:
2954 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
2955 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
2956 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
2957 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
2958 producing a value past {max}).
2959 Examples: >
2960 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
2961 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
2962 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
2963 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
2964<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002965 *remote_expr()* *E449*
2966remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
2967 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
2968 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
2969 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
2970 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
2971 remote_read() is stored there.
2972 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
2973 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2974 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
2975 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
2976 and the result will be the empty string.
2977 Examples: >
2978 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
2979 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
2980<
2981
2982remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
2983 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
2984 This works like: >
2985 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
2986< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
2987 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
2988 to bring itself to the foreground.
2989 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2990 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2991 Win32 console version}
2992
2993
2994remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
2995 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
2996 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
2997 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
2998 name of a variable.
2999 Returns zero if none are available.
3000 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3001 See also |clientserver|.
3002 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3003 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3004 Examples: >
3005 :let repl = ""
3006 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3007
3008remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3009 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3010 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3011 See also |clientserver|.
3012 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3013 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3014 Example: >
3015 :echo remote_read(id)
3016<
3017 *remote_send()* *E241*
3018remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003019 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3020 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3021 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003022 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3023 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3024 remote_read() is stored there.
3025 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3026 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3027 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3028 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3029 up the display.
3030 Examples: >
3031 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3032 \ remote_read(serverid)
3033
3034 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3035 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3036 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3037 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003038<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003039remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
3040 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from List {list} and
3041 return it.
3042 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3043 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3044 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3045 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3046 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003047 Example: >
3048 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003049 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003050remove({dict}, {key})
3051 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3052 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3053< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3054
3055 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003056
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003057rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3058 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3059 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3060 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3061 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
3062 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3063
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003064repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
3065 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
3066 result. Example: >
3067 :let seperator = repeat('-', 80)
3068< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003069 When {expr} is a List the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003070 {count} times. Example: >
3071 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
3072< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003073
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003074
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003075resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
3076 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
3077 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
3078 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
3079 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
3080 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
3081 stopped after 100 iterations.
3082 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
3083 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
3084 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
3085 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
3086 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
3087
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003088 *reverse()*
3089reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
3090 {list}.
3091 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3092 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
3093
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003094search({pattern} [, {flags}]) *search()*
3095 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
3096 cursor position.
3097 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
3098 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003099 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003100 'w' wrap around the end of the file
3101 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
3102 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
3103
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003104 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
3105 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
3106 flag is used).
3107 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
3108 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003109
3110 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
3111 :let n = 1
3112 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
3113 : exe "argument " . n
3114 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
3115 : " first search to find match at start of file
3116 : normal G$
3117 : let flags = "w"
3118 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
3119 : s/foo/bar/g
3120 : let flags = "W"
3121 : endwhile
3122 : update " write the file if modified
3123 : let n = n + 1
3124 :endwhile
3125<
3126 *searchpair()*
3127searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
3128 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
3129 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
3130 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
3131 The search starts at the cursor. If a match is found, the
3132 cursor is positioned at it and the line number is returned.
3133 If no match is found 0 or -1 is returned and the cursor
3134 doesn't move. No error message is given.
3135
3136 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
3137 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
3138 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
3139 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
3140 typical use is: >
3141 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
3142< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
3143
3144 {flags} are used like with |search()|. Additionally:
3145 'n' do Not move the cursor
3146 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
3147 outer pair
3148 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
3149 the match; will only be > 1 when 'r' is used.
3150
3151 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
3152 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
3153 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
3154 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
3155 or a string.
3156 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
3157 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
3158 and -1 returned.
3159
3160 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
3161 patterns are used like it's on.
3162
3163 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
3164 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
3165 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
3166 if 1
3167 if 2
3168 endif 2
3169 endif 1
3170< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
3171 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
3172 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
3173 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
3174 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
3175 "endif 2".
3176 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
3177 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
3178 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
3179 the matching start.
3180
3181 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
3182
3183 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
3184 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
3185
3186< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
3187 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
3188 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
3189 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
3190 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
3191 match.
3192 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
3193
3194 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
3195
3196< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
3197 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
3198 highlighting recognized as strings: >
3199
3200 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
3201 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
3202<
3203server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
3204 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
3205 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
3206 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3207 Note:
3208 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
3209 received. Ie. before returning from the received command and
3210 before calling any commands that waits for input.
3211 See also |clientserver|.
3212 Example: >
3213 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
3214<
3215serverlist() *serverlist()*
3216 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
3217 When there are no servers or the information is not available
3218 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
3219 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3220 Example: >
3221 :echo serverlist()
3222<
3223setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
3224 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
3225 {val}.
3226 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
3227 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
3228 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
3229 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3230 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
3231 Examples: >
3232 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
3233 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
3234< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3235
3236setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
3237 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
3238 {pos}. The first position is 1.
3239 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
3240 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003241 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
3242 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
3243 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
3244 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
3245 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003246 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
3247 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
3248 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
3249 line.
3250
3251setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
3252 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}. If this
3253 succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely because
3254 {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
3255 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
3256< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
3257
3258 *setreg()*
3259setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
3260 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
3261 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
3262 then the value is appended.
3263 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
3264 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
3265 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
3266 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
3267 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
3268 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
3269 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
3270 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
3271
3272 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
3273 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
3274 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
3275 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
3276
3277 Examples: >
3278 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
3279 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
3280 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
3281
3282< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
3283 register. >
3284 :let var_a = getreg('a')
3285 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
3286 ....
3287 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
3288
3289< You can also change the type of a register by appending
3290 nothing: >
3291 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
3292
3293setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
3294 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
3295 {val}.
3296 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
3297 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
3298 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
3299 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
3300 Examples: >
3301 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
3302 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
3303< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3304
3305simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
3306 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
3307 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
3308 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
3309 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
3310 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
3311 not removed either.
3312 Example: >
3313 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
3314< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
3315 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
3316 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
3317 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
3318 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
3319
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003320
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003321sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003322 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
3323 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3324 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
3325< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003326 Numbers sort after Strings, Lists after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003327 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
3328 When {func} is a Funcref or a function name, this function is
3329 called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
3330 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
3331 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
3332 sorts before the second one. Example: >
3333 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
3334 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
3335 endfunc
3336 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
3337
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003338split({expr} [, {pattern}]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003339 Make a List out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted each
3340 white-separated sequence of characters becomes an item.
3341 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
3342 removing the matched characters. Empty strings are omitted.
3343 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003344 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003345< Since empty strings are not added the "\+" isn't required but
3346 it makes the function work a bit faster.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003347 The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003348
3349
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003350strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
3351 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
3352 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
3353 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
3354 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
3355 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
3356 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
3357 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
3358 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
3359 Examples: >
3360 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
3361 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
3362 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
3363 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
3364 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
3365 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003366< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3367 :if exists("*strftime")
3368
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003369stridx({haystack}, {needle}) *stridx()*
3370 The result is a Number, which gives the index in {haystack} of
3371 the first occurrence of the String {needle} in the String
3372 {haystack}. The search is done case-sensitive. For advanced
3373 searches use |match()|.
3374 If the {needle} does not occur in {haystack} it returns -1.
3375 See also |strridx()|. Examples: >
3376 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
3377 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
3378 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
3379<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003380 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003381string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
3382 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
3383 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003384 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003385 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003386 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003387 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003388 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003389 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003390
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003391 *strlen()*
3392strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
3393 {expr} in bytes. If you want to count the number of
3394 multi-byte characters use something like this: >
3395
3396 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
3397
3398< Composing characters are not counted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003399 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
3400 For other types an error is given.
3401 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003402
3403strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
3404 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
3405 byte {start}, with the length {len}.
3406 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
3407 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
3408 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
3409 end of the {src}. >
3410 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
3411 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
3412 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
3413 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
3414< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
3415 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
3416 strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3)
3417<
3418strridx({haystack}, {needle}) *strridx()*
3419 The result is a Number, which gives the index in {haystack} of
3420 the last occurrence of the String {needle} in the String
3421 {haystack}. The search is done case-sensitive. For advanced
3422 searches use |match()|.
3423 If the {needle} does not occur in {haystack} it returns -1.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003424 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003425 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
3426 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
3427<
3428strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
3429 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
3430 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
3431 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
3432 echo strtrans(@a)
3433< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
3434 starting a new line.
3435
3436submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
3437 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
3438 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
3439 the whole matched text is returned.
3440 Example: >
3441 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
3442< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
3443 A line break is included as a newline character.
3444
3445substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
3446 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
3447 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
3448 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
3449 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
3450 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
3451 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
3452 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
3453 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
3454 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
3455 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
3456 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
3457 unmodified.
3458 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
3459 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
3460 Example: >
3461 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
3462< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
3463 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
3464< results in "TESTING".
3465
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003466synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003467 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003468 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003469 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
3470 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003471 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003472 line.
3473 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
3474 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
3475 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
3476 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
3477 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
3478 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
3479 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
3480
3481 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
3482 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
3483<
3484synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
3485 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
3486 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
3487 about a syntax item.
3488 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
3489 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
3490 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
3491 used (GUI, cterm or term).
3492 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
3493 {what} result
3494 "name" the name of the syntax item
3495 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
3496 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
3497 term: empty string)
3498 "bg" background color (like "fg")
3499 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
3500 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
3501 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
3502 "bold" "1" if bold
3503 "italic" "1" if italic
3504 "reverse" "1" if reverse
3505 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
3506 "underline" "1" if underlined
3507
3508 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
3509 cursor): >
3510 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
3511<
3512synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
3513 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
3514 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
3515 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
3516 ":highlight link" are followed.
3517
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00003518system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
3519 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
3520 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
3521 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
3522 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
3523 yourself.
3524 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
3525 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
3526 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003527 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
3528 The result is a String. Example: >
3529
3530 :let files = system("ls")
3531
3532< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
3533 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
3534 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
3535 The command executed is constructed using several options:
3536 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
3537 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
3538 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
3539 concatenated commands.
3540
3541 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
3542 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3543 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
3544 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
3545
3546tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
3547 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
3548 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
3549 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
3550 :let tmpfile = tempname()
3551 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
3552< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
3553 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
3554 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
3555 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
3556 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
3557 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
3558
3559tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
3560 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
3561 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
3562 the string).
3563
3564toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
3565 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
3566 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
3567 the string).
3568
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00003569tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
3570 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
3571 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
3572 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
3573 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
3574 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
3575 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
3576
3577 Examples: >
3578 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
3579< returns "Hello THere" >
3580 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
3581< returns "{blob}"
3582
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003583 *type()*
3584type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
3585 Number: 0
3586 String: 1
3587 Funcref: 2
3588 List: 3
3589 To avoid the magic numbers it can be used this way: >
3590 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
3591 :if type(myvar) == type("")
3592 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
3593 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003594
3595virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
3596 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
3597 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
3598 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
3599 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
3600 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
3601 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
3602 set to 8, it returns 8.
3603 For the byte position use |col()|.
3604 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
3605 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
3606 The accepted positions are:
3607 . the cursor position
3608 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
3609 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
3610 plus one)
3611 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3612 returned)
3613 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
3614 Examples: >
3615 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
3616 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
3617 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
3618< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
3619
3620visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
3621 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
3622 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
3623 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
3624 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
3625 block-wise Visual mode respectively.
3626 Example: >
3627 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
3628< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
3629 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
3630 Visual mode that was used.
3631
3632 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
3633 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
3634 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
3635 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
3636
3637 *winbufnr()*
3638winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
3639 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
3640 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
3641 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
3642 Example: >
3643 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
3644<
3645 *wincol()*
3646wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
3647 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
3648 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
3649
3650winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
3651 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
3652 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
3653 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
3654 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
3655 Examples: >
3656 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
3657<
3658 *winline()*
3659winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
3660 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
3661 the window. The first line is one.
3662
3663 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003664winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
3665 window. The top window has number 1.
3666 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
3667 last window is returnd (the window count).
3668 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
3669 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
3670 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
3671 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
3672 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003673
3674 *winrestcmd()*
3675winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
3676 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
3677 are opened or closed and the current window is unchanged.
3678 Example: >
3679 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
3680 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
3681 :exe cmd
3682
3683winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
3684 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
3685 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
3686 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
3687 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
3688 Examples: >
3689 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
3690 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
3691 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
3692 :endif
3693<
3694
3695 *feature-list*
3696There are three types of features:
36971. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
3698 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
3699 :if has("cindent")
37002. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
3701 Example: >
3702 :if has("gui_running")
3703< *has-patch*
37043. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
3705 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
3706 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
3707 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
3708
3709all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
3710amiga Amiga version of Vim.
3711arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
3712arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
3713autocmd Compiled with autocommands support.
3714balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
3715beos BeOS version of Vim.
3716browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
3717 work.
3718builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
3719byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
3720cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
3721clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
3722clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
3723cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
3724cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
3725cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
3726comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
3727cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
3728cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
3729compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
3730debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
3731dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
3732dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
3733diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
3734digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
3735dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
3736dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
3737dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
3738ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
3739emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
3740eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
3741 true, of course!
3742ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
3743extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
3744 |'hlsearch'|
3745farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
3746file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
3747find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
3748 |+find_in_path|.
3749fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
3750 Windows this is not present).
3751folding Compiled with |folding| support.
3752footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
3753fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
3754gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
3755gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
3756gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003757gui_beos Compiled with BeOS GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003758gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
3759gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00003760gui_kde Compiled with KDE GUI |KVim|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003761gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
3762gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
3763gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
3764gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
3765gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
3766gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
3767hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
3768iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
3769insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
3770 Insert mode.
3771jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
3772keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
3773langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
3774libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
3775linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
3776 support.
3777lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
3778listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
3779 and the argument list |arglist|.
3780localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
3781mac Macintosh version of Vim.
3782macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
3783menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
3784mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
3785modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
3786mouse Compiled with support mouse.
3787mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
3788mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
3789mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
3790mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
3791mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
3792mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
3793multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
3794multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
3795multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00003796mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003797netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00003798netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003799ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
3800os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
3801osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
3802path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
3803perl Compiled with Perl interface.
3804postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
3805printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
3806python Compiled with Python interface.
3807qnx QNX version of Vim.
3808quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
3809rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
3810ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
3811scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
3812showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
3813signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
3814smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003815sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003816statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
3817 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
3818sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
3819syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support.
3820syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
3821 current buffer.
3822system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
3823tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
3824 |tag-binary-search|.
3825tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
3826 |tag-old-static|.
3827tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
3828 files |tag-any-white|.
3829tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
3830terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
3831termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
3832textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
3833tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
3834 or terminfo file.
3835title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
3836toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
3837unix Unix version of Vim.
3838user_commands User-defined commands.
3839viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
3840vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
3841vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
3842virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
3843visual Compiled with Visual mode.
3844visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
3845 |blockwise-operators|.
3846vms VMS version of Vim.
3847vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
3848wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
3849wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
3850windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
3851winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
3852win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
3853win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
3854win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
3855win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
3856win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
3857writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
3858xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
3859xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
3860xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
3861xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
3862xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
3863xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
3864 xterm screen.
3865x11 Compiled with X11 support.
3866
3867 *string-match*
3868Matching a pattern in a String
3869
3870A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
3871the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
3872everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
3873like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
3874line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
3875with ".". Example: >
3876 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
3877 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
3878 aa
3879 xx
3880 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
3881 a
3882 x
3883
3884Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
3885"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
3886"\n".
3887
3888==============================================================================
38895. Defining functions *user-functions*
3890
3891New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
3892functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
3893commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
3894
3895The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
3896builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
3897avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
3898the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
3899
3900It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|.
3901
3902 *local-function*
3903A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
3904can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
3905and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
3906function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
3907instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
3908
3909 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
3910:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
3911
3912:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
3913 *E124* *E125*
3914:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort]
3915 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
3916 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
3917 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
3918 *function-argument* *a:var*
3919 An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the
3920 function this can then be used as "a:name" ("a:" for
3921 argument).
3922 Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas.
3923 Finally, an argument "..." can be specified, which
3924 means that more arguments may be following. In the
3925 function they can be used as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0"
3926 is set to the number of extra arguments (which can be
3927 0).
3928 When not using "...", the number of arguments in a
3929 function call must be equal to the number of named
3930 arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
3931 may be larger.
3932 It is also possible to define a function without any
3933 arguments. You must still supply the () then.
3934 The body of the function follows in the next lines,
3935 until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to
3936 define another function inside a function body.
3937 *E127* *E122*
3938 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
3939 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
3940 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
3941 is currently being executed, that is an error.
3942 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
3943 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
3944 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
3945 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
3946 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
3947 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
3948 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
3949 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
3950 abort as soon as an error is detected.
3951 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
3952 will not be changed by the function.
3953
3954 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
3955:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
3956 by its own, without other commands.
3957
3958 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
3959:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
3960
3961 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
3962:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
3963 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
3964 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
3965 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
3966 the number 0 is returned.
3967 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
3968 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
3969
3970 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
3971 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
3972 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
3973 are executed first. This process applies to all
3974 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
3975 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
3976
3977
3978Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
3979will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
3980accessed with "g:".
3981
3982Example: >
3983 :function Table(title, ...)
3984 : echohl Title
3985 : echo a:title
3986 : echohl None
3987 : let idx = 1
3988 : while idx <= a:0
3989 : echo a:{idx} . ' '
3990 : let idx = idx + 1
3991 : endwhile
3992 : return idx
3993 :endfunction
3994
3995This function can then be called with: >
3996 let lines = Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
3997 let lines = Table("Empty Table")
3998
3999To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
4000 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
4001 : if a:n2 == 0
4002 : return "fail"
4003 : endif
4004 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
4005 : return "ok"
4006 :endfunction
4007
4008This function can then be called with: >
4009 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
4010 :if success == "ok"
4011 : echo div
4012 :endif
4013
4014An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
4015with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
4016 :function Foo()
4017 : execute Bar()
4018 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
4019 :endfunction
4020
4021 :function Bar()
4022 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
4023 :endfunction
4024
4025The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
4026the caller to set the names.
4027
4028 *:cal* *:call* *E107*
4029:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
4030 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
4031 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
4032 used.
4033 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
4034 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
4035 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
4036 function.
4037 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
4038 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
4039 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
4040 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
4041 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
4042 this works:
4043 *function-range-example* >
4044 :function Mynumber(arg)
4045 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
4046 :endfunction
4047 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
4048<
4049 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
4050 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
4051 the range.
4052
4053 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
4054
4055 :function Cont() range
4056 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
4057 :endfunction
4058 :4,8call Cont()
4059<
4060 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
4061 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
4062
4063 *E132*
4064The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
4065option.
4066
4067 *autoload-functions*
4068When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
4069only when they are used. Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a
4070pattern that matches the function(s) to be defined. Example: >
4071
4072 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
4073
4074The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
4075"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
4076
4077==============================================================================
40786. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
4079
4080Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
4081This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
4082{} like this: >
4083 my_{adjective}_variable
4084
4085When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
4086that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
4087name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
4088"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
4089"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
4090
4091One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
4092value. For example, the statement >
4093 echo my_{&background}_message
4094
4095would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
4096on the current value of 'background'.
4097
4098You can use multiple brace pairs: >
4099 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
4100..or even nest them: >
4101 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
4102where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
4103
4104However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
4105variable name. e.g. this is invalid: >
4106 :let foo='a + b'
4107 :echo c{foo}d
4108.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
4109
4110 *curly-braces-function-names*
4111You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
4112Example: >
4113 :let func_end='whizz'
4114 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
4115
4116This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
4117
4118==============================================================================
41197. Commands *expression-commands*
4120
4121:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
4122 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
4123 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
4124 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
4125 is created.
4126
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004127:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
4128 Set a list item to the result of the expression
4129 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
4130 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
4131 the index can be repeated.
4132 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
4133
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004134:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710* *E711*
4135 Set a sequence of items in a List to the result of the
4136 expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
4137 correct number of items.
4138 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
4139 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
4140 When the selected range of items is partly past the
4141 end of the list, items will be added.
4142
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004143:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
4144 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
4145 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
4146
4147:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
4148 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
4149 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
4150 must be the name of a writable register (see
4151 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
4152 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
4153 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
4154 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
4155 characterwise.
4156 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
4157 :let @/ = ""
4158< This is different from searching for an empty string,
4159 that would match everywhere.
4160
4161:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
4162 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004163 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
4164 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004165 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
4166 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
4167 value and the global value is changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004168 Example: >
4169 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004170
4171:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
4172 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
4173 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
4174
4175:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
4176 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
4177 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
4178
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004179:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004180 {expr1} must evaluate to a List. The first item in
4181 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
4182 {name2}, etc.
4183 The number of names must match the number of items in
4184 the List.
4185 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
4186 command as mentioned above.
4187 Example: >
4188 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
4189
4190:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
4191 Like above, but the List may have more items than
4192 there are names. A list of the remaining items is
4193 assigned to {lastname}. If there are no remaining
4194 items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
4195 Example: >
4196 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
4197<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004198 *E106*
4199:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Several
4200 variable names may be given.
4201
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004202:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
4203 variable is indicated before the value:
4204 <nothing> String
4205 # Number
4206 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004207
4208 *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
4209:unl[et][!] {var-name} ...
4210 Remove the internal variable {var-name}. Several
4211 variable names can be given, they are all removed.
4212 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
4213 variables.
4214
4215:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
4216:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
4217 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
4218
4219 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
4220 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
4221 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
4222 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
4223 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
4224 part was not executed either.
4225
4226 You can use this to remain compatible with older
4227 versions: >
4228 :if version >= 500
4229 : version-5-specific-commands
4230 :endif
4231< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
4232 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
4233 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
4234 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
4235 avoid problems: >
4236 :if version >= 600
4237 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
4238 :endif
4239<
4240 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
4241 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
4242
4243 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
4244:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
4245 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
4246 executed.
4247
4248 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
4249:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
4250 is no extra ":endif".
4251
4252:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
4253 *E170* *E585* *E588*
4254:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
4255 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
4256 When an error is detected from a command inside the
4257 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004258 Example: >
4259 :let lnum = 1
4260 :while lnum <= line("$")
4261 :call FixLine(lnum)
4262 :let lnum = lnum + 1
4263 :endwhile
4264<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004265 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004266 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004267
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004268:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004269:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
4270 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004271 each item in {list}. variable {var} is set to the
4272 value of each item.
4273 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004274 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004275 Changing {list} affects what items are used. Make a
4276 copy if this is unwanted: >
4277 :for item in copy(mylist)
4278< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
4279 next item in the list, before executing the commands
4280 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
4281 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
4282 it will not be found. Thus the following example
4283 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
4284 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004285 :call remove(mylist, 0)
4286 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004287< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
4288 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
4289 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004290 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
4291 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
4292 to allow multiple item types.
4293
4294:for {var} in {string}
4295:endfo[r] Like ":for" above, but use each character in {string}
4296 as a list item.
4297 Composing characters are used as separate characters.
4298 A Number is first converted to a String.
4299
4300:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
4301:endfo[r]
4302 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
4303 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
4304 {var2}, etc. Example: >
4305 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
4306 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
4307 :endfor
4308<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004309 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004310:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
4311 to the start of the loop.
4312 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
4313 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
4314 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
4315 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
4316 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
4317 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004318
4319 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004320:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
4321 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
4322 ":endfor".
4323 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
4324 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
4325 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
4326 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
4327 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
4328 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004329
4330:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
4331:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
4332 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
4333 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
4334 or autocommand invocations.
4335
4336 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
4337 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
4338 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
4339 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
4340 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
4341 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
4342 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
4343 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
4344 Example: >
4345 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
4346 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
4347<
4348 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
4349 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
4350 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
4351 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
4352 processing is not terminated.
4353
4354 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
4355 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
4356 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
4357 other errors are converted to a value of the form
4358 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
4359 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
4360 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
4361 the error number.
4362 Examples: >
4363 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
4364 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
4365<
4366 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
4367:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
4368 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
4369 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
4370 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
4371 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
4372 commands are skipped.
4373 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
4374 Examples: >
4375 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
4376 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
4377 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
4378 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
4379 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
4380 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
4381 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
4382 :catch " same as /.*/
4383<
4384 Another character can be used instead of / around the
4385 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
4386 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
4387 {pattern}.
4388 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
4389 an error message because it may vary in different
4390 locales.
4391
4392 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
4393:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
4394 are executed whenever the part between the matching
4395 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
4396 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
4397 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
4398 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
4399
4400 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
4401:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
4402 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
4403 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
4404 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
4405 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
4406 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
4407 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
4408 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
4409 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
4410 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
4411 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
4412 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
4413 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
4414 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
4415 is terminated.
4416 Example: >
4417 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
4418<
4419
4420 *:ec* *:echo*
4421:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
4422 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
4423 Also see |:comment|.
4424 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
4425 cursor to the first column.
4426 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
4427 Cannot be followed by a comment.
4428 Example: >
4429 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
4430< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
4431 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
4432 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
4433 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
4434 command. Example: >
4435 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
4436<
4437 *:echon*
4438:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
4439 |:comment|.
4440 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
4441 Cannot be followed by a comment.
4442 Example: >
4443 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
4444<
4445 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
4446 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
4447 command: >
4448 :!echo % --> filename
4449< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
4450 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
4451< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
4452 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
4453 :echo % --> nothing
4454< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
4455 :echo "%" --> %
4456< This just echoes the '%' character. >
4457 :echo expand("%") --> filename
4458< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
4459
4460 *:echoh* *:echohl*
4461:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
4462 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
4463 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
4464 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
4465< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
4466 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
4467
4468 *:echom* *:echomsg*
4469:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
4470 message in the |message-history|.
4471 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
4472 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
4473 displayed, not interpreted.
4474 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
4475 Example: >
4476 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
4477<
4478 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
4479:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
4480 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
4481 script or function the line number will be added.
4482 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
4483 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
4484 the message is raised as an error exception instead
4485 (see |try-echoerr|).
4486 Example: >
4487 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
4488< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
4489 And to get a beep: >
4490 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
4491<
4492 *:exe* *:execute*
4493:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
4494 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
4495 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
4496 used as the processed command, command line editing
4497 keys are not recognized.
4498 Cannot be followed by a comment.
4499 Examples: >
4500 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
4501 :execute "normal " count . "w"
4502<
4503 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
4504 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
4505 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
4506
4507< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
4508 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
4509 command: >
4510 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
4511< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
4512
4513 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004514 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
4515 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004516 :execute 'while i > 5'
4517 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
4518<
4519 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
4520 completely in the executed string: >
4521 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
4522<
4523
4524 *:comment*
4525 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
4526 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
4527 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
4528 comment. Example: >
4529 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
4530
4531==============================================================================
45328. Exception handling *exception-handling*
4533
4534The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
4535explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
4536
4537Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
4538|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
4539exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
4540
4541
4542TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
4543
4544Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
4545use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
4546a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
4547 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
4548|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
4549a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
4550be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
4551which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
4552clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
4553
4554 :try
4555 : ...
4556 : ... TRY BLOCK
4557 : ...
4558 :catch /{pattern}/
4559 : ...
4560 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
4561 : ...
4562 :catch /{pattern}/
4563 : ...
4564 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
4565 : ...
4566 :finally
4567 : ...
4568 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
4569 : ...
4570 :endtry
4571
4572The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
4573appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
4574from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
4575 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
4576is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
4577script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
4578 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
4579lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
4580patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
4581after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
4582executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
4583":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
4584(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
4585continues in the following line as usual.
4586 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
4587":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
4588that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
4589finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
4590the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
4591the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
4592see |try-nesting|.
4593 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
4594remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
4595not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
4596try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
4597a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
4598execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
4599exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
4600 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
4601thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
4602clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
4603catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
4604following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
4605clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
4606
4607The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
4608a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
4609try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
4610from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
4611sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
4612":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
4613":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
4614from the finally clause.
4615 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
4616try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
4617clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
4618":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
4619clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
4620":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
4621this pending exception or command is discarded.
4622
4623For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
4624
4625
4626NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
4627
4628Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
4629conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
4630clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
4631catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
4632of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
4633checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
4634try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
4635otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
4636nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
4637one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
4638the inner try conditional.
4639
4640When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
4641finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
4642An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
4643thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
4644implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
4645as usual.
4646
4647For examples see |throw-catch|.
4648
4649
4650EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
4651
4652Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
4653'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
4654script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
4655finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
4656a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
4657(see |debug-scripts|).
4658
4659
4660THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
4661
4662You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
4663and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
4664 :throw 4711
4665 :throw "string"
4666< *throw-expression*
4667You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
4668first, and the result is thrown: >
4669 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
4670 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
4671
4672An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
4673command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
4674The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
4675 Example: >
4676
4677 :function! Foo(arg)
4678 : try
4679 : throw a:arg
4680 : catch /foo/
4681 : endtry
4682 : return 1
4683 :endfunction
4684 :
4685 :function! Bar()
4686 : echo "in Bar"
4687 : return 4710
4688 :endfunction
4689 :
4690 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
4691
4692This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
4693executed. >
4694 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
4695however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
4696
4697Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
4698abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
4699exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
4700 Example: >
4701
4702 :if Foo("arrgh")
4703 : echo "then"
4704 :else
4705 : echo "else"
4706 :endif
4707
4708Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
4709
4710 *catch-order*
4711Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
4712commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
4713command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
4714gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
4715 Example: >
4716
4717 :function! Foo(value)
4718 : try
4719 : throw a:value
4720 : catch /^\d\+$/
4721 : echo "Number thrown"
4722 : catch /.*/
4723 : echo "String thrown"
4724 : endtry
4725 :endfunction
4726 :
4727 :call Foo(0x1267)
4728 :call Foo('string')
4729
4730The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
4731An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
4732specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
4733specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
4734
4735 : catch /.*/
4736 : echo "String thrown"
4737 : catch /^\d\+$/
4738 : echo "Number thrown"
4739
4740The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
4741never taken.
4742
4743 *throw-variables*
4744If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
4745in the variable |v:exception|: >
4746
4747 : catch /^\d\+$/
4748 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
4749
4750You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
4751|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
4752exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
4753 Example: >
4754
4755 :function! Caught()
4756 : if v:exception != ""
4757 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
4758 : else
4759 : echo 'Nothing caught'
4760 : endif
4761 :endfunction
4762 :
4763 :function! Foo()
4764 : try
4765 : try
4766 : try
4767 : throw 4711
4768 : finally
4769 : call Caught()
4770 : endtry
4771 : catch /.*/
4772 : call Caught()
4773 : throw "oops"
4774 : endtry
4775 : catch /.*/
4776 : call Caught()
4777 : finally
4778 : call Caught()
4779 : endtry
4780 :endfunction
4781 :
4782 :call Foo()
4783
4784This displays >
4785
4786 Nothing caught
4787 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
4788 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
4789 Nothing caught
4790
4791A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
4792number in the script or function where it has been used: >
4793
4794 :function! LineNumber()
4795 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
4796 :endfunction
4797 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
4798<
4799 *try-nested*
4800An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
4801a surrounding try conditional: >
4802
4803 :try
4804 : try
4805 : throw "foo"
4806 : catch /foobar/
4807 : echo "foobar"
4808 : finally
4809 : echo "inner finally"
4810 : endtry
4811 :catch /foo/
4812 : echo "foo"
4813 :endtry
4814
4815The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
4816clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
4817conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
4818
4819 *throw-from-catch*
4820You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
4821catch clause: >
4822
4823 :function! Foo()
4824 : throw "foo"
4825 :endfunction
4826 :
4827 :function! Bar()
4828 : try
4829 : call Foo()
4830 : catch /foo/
4831 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
4832 : throw "bar"
4833 : endtry
4834 :endfunction
4835 :
4836 :try
4837 : call Bar()
4838 :catch /.*/
4839 : echo "Caught" v:exception
4840 :endtry
4841
4842This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
4843
4844 *rethrow*
4845There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
4846"v:exception" instead: >
4847
4848 :function! Bar()
4849 : try
4850 : call Foo()
4851 : catch /.*/
4852 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
4853 : throw v:exception
4854 : endtry
4855 :endfunction
4856< *try-echoerr*
4857Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
4858exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
4859Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
4860denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
4861the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
4862
4863 :try
4864 : try
4865 : asdf
4866 : catch /.*/
4867 : echoerr v:exception
4868 : endtry
4869 :catch /.*/
4870 : echo v:exception
4871 :endtry
4872
4873This code displays
4874
4875 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
4876
4877
4878CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
4879
4880Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
4881user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
4882an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
4883a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
4884catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
4885a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
4886normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
4887(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
4888to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
4889clause has been executed.)
4890Example: >
4891
4892 :try
4893 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
4894 : set ts=17
4895 :
4896 : " Do the hard work here.
4897 :
4898 :finally
4899 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
4900 : unlet s:saved_ts
4901 :endtry
4902
4903This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
4904changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
4905that function or script part.
4906
4907 *break-finally*
4908Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
4909a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
4910 Example: >
4911
4912 :let first = 1
4913 :while 1
4914 : try
4915 : if first
4916 : echo "first"
4917 : let first = 0
4918 : continue
4919 : else
4920 : throw "second"
4921 : endif
4922 : catch /.*/
4923 : echo v:exception
4924 : break
4925 : finally
4926 : echo "cleanup"
4927 : endtry
4928 : echo "still in while"
4929 :endwhile
4930 :echo "end"
4931
4932This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
4933
4934 :function! Foo()
4935 : try
4936 : return 4711
4937 : finally
4938 : echo "cleanup\n"
4939 : endtry
4940 : echo "Foo still active"
4941 :endfunction
4942 :
4943 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
4944
4945This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
4946extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
4947return value.)
4948
4949 *except-from-finally*
4950Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
4951a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
4952cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
4953exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
4954 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
4955working correctly: >
4956
4957 :try
4958 : try
4959 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
4960 : while 1
4961 : endwhile
4962 : finally
4963 : unlet novar
4964 : endtry
4965 :catch /novar/
4966 :endtry
4967 :echo "Script still running"
4968 :sleep 1
4969
4970If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
4971think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
4972|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
4973
4974
4975CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
4976
4977If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
4978watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
4979presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
4980exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
4981the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
4982the error exception is.
4983 Error exceptions have the following format: >
4984
4985 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
4986or >
4987 Vim:{errmsg}
4988
4989{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
4990the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
4991when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
4992a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
4993a space.
4994
4995Examples:
4996
4997The command >
4998 :unlet novar
4999normally produces the error message >
5000 E108: No such variable: "novar"
5001which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5002 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
5003
5004The command >
5005 :dwim
5006normally produces the error message >
5007 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
5008which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5009 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
5010
5011You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
5012 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
5013or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
5014 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
5015
5016Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
5017 :function nofunc
5018and >
5019 :delfunction nofunc
5020both produce the error message >
5021 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5022which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5023 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5024or >
5025 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5026respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
5027command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
5028 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
5029
5030Some commands like >
5031 :let x = novar
5032produce multiple error messages, here: >
5033 E121: Undefined variable: novar
5034 E15: Invalid expression: novar
5035Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
5036one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
5037 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
5038
5039You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
5040 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
5041
5042You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
5043 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
5044
5045You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
5046 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
5047<
5048 *catch-text*
5049NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
5050 :catch /No such variable/
5051only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
5052a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
5053cite the message text in a comment: >
5054 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
5055
5056
5057IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
5058
5059You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
5060
5061 :try
5062 : write
5063 :catch
5064 :endtry
5065
5066But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
5067catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
5068be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
5069
5070 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
5071
5072There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
5073writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
5074then hide the error from the user.
5075 It is much better to use >
5076
5077 :try
5078 : write
5079 :catch /^Vim(write):/
5080 :endtry
5081
5082which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
5083intentionally.
5084
5085For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
5086even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
5087command: >
5088 :silent! nunmap k
5089This works also when a try conditional is active.
5090
5091
5092CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
5093
5094When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
5095the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
5096script is not terminated, then.
5097 Example: >
5098
5099 :function! TASK1()
5100 : sleep 10
5101 :endfunction
5102
5103 :function! TASK2()
5104 : sleep 20
5105 :endfunction
5106
5107 :while 1
5108 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
5109 : try
5110 : if command == ""
5111 : continue
5112 : elseif command == "END"
5113 : break
5114 : elseif command == "TASK1"
5115 : call TASK1()
5116 : elseif command == "TASK2"
5117 : call TASK2()
5118 : else
5119 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
5120 : continue
5121 : endif
5122 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
5123 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
5124 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
5125 : endtry
5126 :endwhile
5127
5128You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
5129a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
5130
5131For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
5132your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
5133command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
5134
5135
5136CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
5137
5138The commands >
5139
5140 :catch /.*/
5141 :catch //
5142 :catch
5143
5144catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
5145explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
5146a script in order to catch unexpected things.
5147 Example: >
5148
5149 :try
5150 :
5151 : " do the hard work here
5152 :
5153 :catch /MyException/
5154 :
5155 : " handle known problem
5156 :
5157 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
5158 : echo "Script interrupted"
5159 :catch /.*/
5160 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
5161 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
5162 :endtry
5163 :" end of script
5164
5165Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
5166strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
5167specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
5168 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
5169by pressing CTRL-C: >
5170
5171 :while 1
5172 : try
5173 : sleep 1
5174 : catch
5175 : endtry
5176 :endwhile
5177
5178
5179EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
5180
5181Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
5182
5183 :autocmd User x try
5184 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
5185 :autocmd User x catch
5186 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
5187 :autocmd User x endtry
5188 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
5189 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
5190 :
5191 :try
5192 : doautocmd User x
5193 :catch
5194 : echo v:exception
5195 :endtry
5196
5197This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
5198
5199 *except-autocmd-Pre*
5200For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
5201command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
5202of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
5203abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
5204 Example: >
5205
5206 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
5207 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
5208 :
5209 :try
5210 : write
5211 :catch
5212 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
5213 :endtry
5214
5215Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
5216you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
5217autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
5218script displays: >
5219
5220 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
5221<
5222 *except-autocmd-Post*
5223For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
5224command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
5225an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
5226is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
5227 Example: >
5228
5229 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
5230 :
5231 :try
5232 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5233 :catch
5234 : echo v:exception
5235 :endtry
5236
5237This just displays: >
5238
5239 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
5240
5241If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
5242fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
5243 Example: >
5244
5245 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
5246 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
5247 :
5248 :try
5249 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5250 :catch
5251 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5252 :endtry
5253<
5254You can also use ":silent!": >
5255
5256 :let x = "ok"
5257 :let v:errmsg = ""
5258 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
5259 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
5260 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
5261 :try
5262 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5263 :catch
5264 :endtry
5265 :echo x
5266
5267This displays "after fail".
5268
5269If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
5270autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
5271
5272 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
5273 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
5274 :
5275 :try
5276 : write
5277 :catch
5278 : echo v:exception
5279 :endtry
5280<
5281 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
5282For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
5283autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
5284of the command.
5285 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
5286had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
5287some way. >
5288
5289 :if !exists("cnt")
5290 : let cnt = 0
5291 :
5292 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
5293 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
5294 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
5295 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
5296 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
5297 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
5298 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
5299 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
5300 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
5301 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
5302 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
5303 :endif
5304 :
5305 :try
5306 : write
5307 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
5308 : if &modified
5309 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
5310 : else
5311 : echo "Error after writing"
5312 : endif
5313 :catch /^Vim(write):/
5314 : echo "Error on writing"
5315 :endtry
5316
5317When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
5318first >
5319 File successfully written!
5320then >
5321 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
5322then >
5323 Error after writing
5324etc.
5325
5326 *except-autocmd-ill*
5327You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
5328The following code is ill-formed: >
5329
5330 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
5331 :
5332 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
5333 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
5334 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
5335 :
5336 :write
5337
5338
5339EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
5340
5341Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
5342pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
5343similar things in Vim.
5344 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
5345class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
5346string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
5347 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
5348it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
5349for an error when writing "myfile".
5350 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
5351base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
5352parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
5353 Example: >
5354
5355 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
5356 : if a:a < 0
5357 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
5358 : endif
5359 :endfunction
5360 :
5361 :function! Add(a, b)
5362 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
5363 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
5364 : let c = a:a + a:b
5365 : if c < 0
5366 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
5367 : endif
5368 : return c
5369 :endfunction
5370 :
5371 :function! Div(a, b)
5372 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
5373 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
5374 : if (a:b == 0)
5375 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
5376 : endif
5377 : return a:a / a:b
5378 :endfunction
5379 :
5380 :function! Write(file)
5381 : try
5382 : execute "write" a:file
5383 : catch /^Vim(write):/
5384 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
5385 : endtry
5386 :endfunction
5387 :
5388 :try
5389 :
5390 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
5391 :
5392 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
5393 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
5394 : echo "Range error in" function
5395 :
5396 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
5397 : echo "Math error"
5398 :
5399 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
5400 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
5401 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
5402 : if file !~ '^/'
5403 : let file = dir . "/" . file
5404 : endif
5405 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
5406 :
5407 :catch /^EXCEPT/
5408 : echo "Unspecified error"
5409 :
5410 :endtry
5411
5412The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
5413a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
5414exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
5415 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
5416failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
5417
5418
5419PECULIARITIES
5420 *except-compat*
5421The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
5422exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
5423and/or a catch clause.
5424
5425In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
5426continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
5427after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
5428functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
5429or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
5430(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
5431
5432This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
5433immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
5434conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
5435be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
5436termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
5437catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
5438by specifying a finally clause.)
5439
5440When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
5441behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
5442scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
5443
5444However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
5445commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
5446conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
5447script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
5448error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
5449messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
5450|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
5451not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
5452where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
5453error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
5454scripts.
5455
5456 *except-syntax-err*
5457Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
5458the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
5459clauses, however, is executed.
5460 Example: >
5461
5462 :try
5463 : try
5464 : throw 4711
5465 : catch /\(/
5466 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
5467 : catch
5468 : echo "inner catch-all"
5469 : finally
5470 : echo "inner finally"
5471 : endtry
5472 :catch
5473 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
5474 : finally
5475 : echo "outer finally"
5476 :endtry
5477
5478This displays: >
5479 inner finally
5480 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
5481 outer finally
5482The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
5483
5484 *except-single-line*
5485The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
5486a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
5487"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
5488 Example: >
5489 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
5490raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
5491argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
5492error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
5493displayed.
5494
5495 *except-several-errors*
5496When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
5497usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
5498 Example: >
5499 echo novar
5500causes >
5501 E121: Undefined variable: novar
5502 E15: Invalid expression: novar
5503The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
5504 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
5505< *except-syntax-error*
5506But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
5507the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
5508 Example: >
5509 unlet novar #
5510causes >
5511 E108: No such variable: "novar"
5512 E488: Trailing characters
5513The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
5514 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
5515This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
5516not intended by the user. Example: >
5517 try
5518 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
5519 catch /.*/
5520 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
5521 endtry
5522This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
5523a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
5524
5525==============================================================================
55269. Examples *eval-examples*
5527
5528Printing in Hex ~
5529>
5530 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
5531 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
5532 : let n = a:nr
5533 : let r = ""
5534 : while n
5535 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
5536 : let n = n / 16
5537 : endwhile
5538 : return r
5539 :endfunc
5540
5541 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
5542 :" character Hex string.
5543 :func String2Hex(str)
5544 : let out = ''
5545 : let ix = 0
5546 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
5547 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
5548 : let ix = ix + 1
5549 : endwhile
5550 : return out
5551 :endfunc
5552
5553Example of its use: >
5554 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
5555result: "20" >
5556 :echo String2Hex("32")
5557result: "3332"
5558
5559
5560Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
5561
5562Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
5563":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
5564platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
5565function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
5566with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
5567>
5568 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
5569 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
5570 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
5571 : return -1
5572 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
5573 : return 1
5574 : else
5575 : return 0
5576 : endif
5577 :endfunction
5578
5579 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
5580 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
5581 : if (a:start >= a:end)
5582 : return
5583 : endif
5584 : let partition = a:start - 1
5585 : let middle = partition
5586 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
5587 : let i = a:start
5588 : while (i <= a:end)
5589 : let str = getline(i)
5590 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
5591 : if (result <= 0)
5592 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
5593 : let partition = partition + 1
5594 : if (result == 0)
5595 : let middle = partition
5596 : endif
5597 : if (i != partition)
5598 : let str2 = getline(partition)
5599 : call setline(i, str2)
5600 : call setline(partition, str)
5601 : endif
5602 : endif
5603 : let i = i + 1
5604 : endwhile
5605
5606 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
5607 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
5608 : " the end of the partition.
5609 : if (middle != partition)
5610 : let str = getline(middle)
5611 : let str2 = getline(partition)
5612 : call setline(middle, str2)
5613 : call setline(partition, str)
5614 : endif
5615 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
5616 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
5617 :endfunc
5618
5619 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
5620 :" function that will compare two lines.
5621 :func! Sort(cmp) range
5622 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
5623 :endfunc
5624
5625 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
5626 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
5627<
5628 *sscanf*
5629There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
5630line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
5631how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
5632"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
5633 :" Set up the match bit
5634 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
5635 :"get the part matching the whole expression
5636 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
5637 :"get each item out of the match
5638 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
5639 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
5640 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
5641
5642The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
5643"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
5644
5645==============================================================================
564610. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
5647
5648When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
5649evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
5650to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
5651recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
5652and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
5653only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
5654recognized.
5655
5656Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
5657missing: >
5658
5659 :if 1
5660 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
5661 :else
5662 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
5663 :endif
5664
5665==============================================================================
566611. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
5667
5668The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
5669options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
5670these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
5671these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
5672a tags file is executed.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00005673The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005674
5675These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
5676 - changing the buffer text
5677 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
5678 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
5679 - executing a shell command
5680 - reading or writing a file
5681 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00005682This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
5683
5684 *:san* *:sandbox*
5685:sandbox {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
5686 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
5687 'foldexpr'.
5688
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005689
5690 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: