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Bram Moolenaard28478b2010-07-18 23:29:58 +02001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.3b. Last change: 2010 May 14
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00003112. Textlock |textlock|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000032
33{Vi does not have any of these commands}
34
35==============================================================================
361. Variables *variables*
37
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000039 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000040There are six types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000042Number A 32 bit signed number. |expr-number| *Number*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000043 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
44
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000045Float A floating point number. |floating-point-format| *Float*
46 {only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
47 Examples: 123.456 1.15e-6 -1.1e3
48
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000049String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000050 |expr-string| Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000051
52Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
53 Example: function("strlen")
54
55List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
56 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000057
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000058Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
59 value. |Dictionary|
60 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
61
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000062The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
63are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000064
65Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
66the Number. Examples: >
67 Number 123 --> String "123"
68 Number 0 --> String "0"
69 Number -1 --> String "-1"
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +020070 *octal*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000071Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
72to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
73the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
74 String "456" --> Number 456
75 String "6bar" --> Number 6
76 String "foo" --> Number 0
77 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
78 String "0100" --> Number 64
79 String "-8" --> Number -8
80 String "+8" --> Number 0
81
82To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
83 :echo "0100" + 0
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +000084< 64 ~
85
86To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different
87base, use |str2nr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000088
89For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
90
91Note that in the command >
92 :if "foo"
93"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
94use strlen(): >
95 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000096< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
97List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000098
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000099 *E805* *E806* *E808*
100When mixing Number and Float the Number is converted to Float. Otherwise
101there is no automatic conversion of Float. You can use str2float() for String
102to Float, printf() for Float to String and float2nr() for Float to Number.
103
104 *E706* *sticky-type-checking*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000105You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
106to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000107equivalent though, as well are Float and Number. Consider this sequence of
108commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000109 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000110 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000111 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error! l is still a Number
112 :let l = 4.4 " changes type from Number to Float
113 :let l = "string" " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000114
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000115
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001161.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000117 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000118A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000119in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
120around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000121
122 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
123 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000124< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000125A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:", "t:" or "b:". You
126cannot have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000127
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000128A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
129Dictionary entry. Example: >
130 :function dict.init() dict
131 : let self.val = 0
132 :endfunction
133
134The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
135function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
136
137A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
138 :call Fn()
139 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000140
141The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000142 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143
144You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
145arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000146 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000147
148
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001491.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000150 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000151A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000152can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000153position in the sequence.
154
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000155
156List creation ~
157 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000158A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000159Examples: >
160 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
161 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000162
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000163An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000164List of Lists: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000165 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000166
167An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
168
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000169
170List index ~
171 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000172An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000173after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
174 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000175 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000176
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000177When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000178 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000179<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000180A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
181the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000182 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
183
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000184To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000185is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000186 :echo get(mylist, idx)
187 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
188
189
190List concatenation ~
191
192Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
193 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000194 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000195
196To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
197it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
198
199
200Sublist ~
201
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000202A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
203separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000204 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000205
206Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000207similar to -1. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000208 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
209 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
210 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000211
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000212If the first index is beyond the last item of the List or the second item is
213before the first item, the result is an empty list. There is no error
214message.
215
216If the second index is equal to or greater than the length of the list the
217length minus one is used: >
Bram Moolenaar9e54a0e2006-04-14 20:42:25 +0000218 :let mylist = [0, 1, 2, 3]
219 :echo mylist[2:8] " result: [2, 3]
220
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000221NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000222using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000223mylist[s : e].
224
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000225
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000226List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000227 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000228When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
229variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
230change "bb": >
231 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
232 :let bb = aa
233 :call add(aa, 4)
234 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000235< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000236
237Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
238works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000239a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000240 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
241 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000242 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000243 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
244 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000245< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000246 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000247< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000248
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000249To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000250copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000251
252The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000253List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000254the same value. >
255 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
256 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
257 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000258< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000259 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000260< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000261
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000262Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
263same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000264exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
265different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
266variables. Example: >
267 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000268< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000269 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000270< 0
271
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000272Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000273can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000274
275 :let a = 5
276 :let b = "5"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000277 :echo a == b
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000278< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000279 :echo [a] == [b]
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000280< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000281
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000282
283List unpack ~
284
285To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
286square brackets, like list items: >
287 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
288
289When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
290this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
291and a variable name: >
292 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
293
294This works like: >
295 :let var1 = mylist[0]
296 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000297 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000298
299Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
300empty list then.
301
302
303List modification ~
304 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000305To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000306 :let list[4] = "four"
307 :let listlist[0][3] = item
308
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000309To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000310modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000311 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
312
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000313Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
314examples: >
315 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
316 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
317 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000318 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000319 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
320 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000321 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000322 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000323 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000324 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000325
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000326Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000327 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
328 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
329
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000330
331For loop ~
332
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000333The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
334to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000335 :for item in mylist
336 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000337 :endfor
338
339This works like: >
340 :let index = 0
341 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000342 : let item = mylist[index]
343 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000344 : let index = index + 1
345 :endwhile
346
347Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000348results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000349the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000350
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000351If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000352function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000353
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000354Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000355requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
356 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
357 : call Doit(lnum, col)
358 :endfor
359
360This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
361must remain the same to avoid an error.
362
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000363It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000364 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
365 : call Doit(i, j)
366 : if !empty(rest)
367 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
368 : endif
369 :endfor
370
371
372List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000373 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000374Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000375 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000376 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000377 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
378 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
379 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000380 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
381 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000382 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
383 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000384 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
385 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000386 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
387 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000388
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000389Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
390example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
391 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
392
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000393
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003941.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000395 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000396A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000397entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
398ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000399
400
401Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000402 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000403A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000404braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
405only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000406 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
407 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000408< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000409A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
410String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000411entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000412Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000413
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000414A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000415nested Dictionary: >
416 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
417
418An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
419
420
421Accessing entries ~
422
423The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
424 :let val = mydict["one"]
425 :let mydict["four"] = 4
426
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000427You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000428
429For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
430form can be used |expr-entry|: >
431 :let val = mydict.one
432 :let mydict.four = 4
433
434Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
435key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000436 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000437
438
439Dictionary to List conversion ~
440
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000441You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000442turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
443
444Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
445 :for key in keys(mydict)
446 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
447 :endfor
448
449The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
450 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
451
452To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
453 :for v in values(mydict)
454 : echo "value: " . v
455 :endfor
456
457If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000458a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000459 :for [key, value] in items(mydict)
460 : echo key . ': ' . value
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000461 :endfor
462
463
464Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000465 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000466Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
467Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
468Dictionary: >
469 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
470 :let adict = onedict
471 :let adict['a'] = 11
472 :echo onedict['a']
473 11
474
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000475Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
476more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000477
478
479Dictionary modification ~
480 *dict-modification*
481To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
482use |:let| this way: >
483 :let dict[4] = "four"
484 :let dict['one'] = item
485
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000486Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
487Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
488 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
489 :unlet dict.aaa
490 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000491
492Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000493 :call extend(adict, bdict)
494This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
495in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000496Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
497expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
498adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000499
500Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000501 :call filter(dict, 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000502This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000503
504
505Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000506 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000507When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000508special way with a dictionary. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000509 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000510 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000511 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000512 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
513 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000514
515This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
516Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
517the function was invoked from.
518
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000519It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
520Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
521
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000522 *numbered-function* *anonymous-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000523To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
524assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000525 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
526 :function mydict.len() dict
527 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000528 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000529 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000530
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000531The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000532that references this function. The function can only be used through a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000533|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
534remaining that refers to it.
535
536It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000537
538
539Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000540 *E715*
541Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000542 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
543 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
544 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
545 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
546 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
547 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
548 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
549 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000550
551
5521.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000553 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000554If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
555function.
556
557When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
558start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
559stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
560
561When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
562start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
563stored in the session file |session-file|.
564
565variable name can be stored where ~
566my_var_6 not
567My_Var_6 session file
568MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
569
570
571It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
572|curly-braces-names|.
573
574==============================================================================
5752. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
576
577Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
578
579|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
580
581|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
582
583|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
584
585|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
586 expr5 != expr5 not equal
587 expr5 > expr5 greater than
588 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
589 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
590 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
591 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
592 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
593
594 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
595 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
596 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
597 matching case
598
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000599 expr5 is expr5 same |List| instance
600 expr5 isnot expr5 different |List| instance
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000601
602|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000603 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
604 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
605
606|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
607 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
608 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
609
610|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
611 - expr7 unary minus
612 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000613
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000614
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000615|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a |List|
616 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a |List|
617 expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary|
618 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with |Funcref| variable
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000619
620|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000621 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000622 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000623 [expr1, ...] |List|
624 {expr1: expr1, ...} |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000625 &option option value
626 (expr1) nested expression
627 variable internal variable
628 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
629 $VAR environment variable
630 @r contents of register 'r'
631 function(expr1, ...) function call
632 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
633
634
635".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
636Example: >
637 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
638
639All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
640
641
642expr1 *expr1* *E109*
643-----
644
645expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
646
647The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
648non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
649otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
650Example: >
651 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
652
653Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
654other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
655Example: >
656 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
657
658To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
659 :echo lnum == 1
660 :\ ? "top"
661 :\ : lnum == 1000
662 :\ ? "last"
663 :\ : lnum
664
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000665You should always put a space before the ':', otherwise it can be mistaken for
666use in a variable such as "a:1".
667
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000668
669expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
670---------------
671
672 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
673The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
674are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
675
676 input output ~
677n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
678zero zero zero zero
679zero non-zero non-zero zero
680non-zero zero non-zero zero
681non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
682
683The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
684
685 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
686
687Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
688
689 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
690
691Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
692arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
693
694 let a = 1
695 echo a || b
696
697This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
698so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
699
700 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
701
702This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
703only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
704
705
706expr4 *expr4*
707-----
708
709expr5 {cmp} expr5
710
711Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
712if it evaluates to true.
713
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000714 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000715 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
716 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
717 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
718 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
719 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000720 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000721 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
722equal == ==# ==?
723not equal != !=# !=?
724greater than > ># >?
725greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
726smaller than < <# <?
727smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
728regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
729regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000730same instance is
731different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000732
733Examples:
734"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
735"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
736"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
737
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000738 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000739A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
740"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
741Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000742
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000743 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000744A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
745equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000746recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
747
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000748 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000749A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
750equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000751
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000752When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| this checks if the expressions are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000753referring to the same |List| instance. A copy of a |List| is different from
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000754the original |List|. When using "is" without a |List| it is equivalent to
755using "equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000756different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000757is false.
758
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000759When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000760and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000761because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
762
763When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
764results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
765necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
766
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000767When using the operators with a trailing '#', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000768'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp(): case matters.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000769
770When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000771'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp(): case is ignored.
772
773'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000774
775The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
776argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
777This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
778matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
779portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
780single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
781Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
782(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
783can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
784 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
785 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
786
787
788expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
789---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000790expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000791expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
792expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000793
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +0000794For |Lists| only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000795result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000796
797expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
798expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
799expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000800
801For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
802
803Note the difference between "+" and ".":
804 "123" + "456" = 579
805 "123" . "456" = "123456"
806
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000807Since '.' has the same precedence as '+' and '-', you need to read: >
808 1 . 90 + 90.0
809As: >
810 (1 . 90) + 90.0
811That works, since the String "190" is automatically converted to the Number
812190, which can be added to the Float 90.0. However: >
813 1 . 90 * 90.0
814Should be read as: >
815 1 . (90 * 90.0)
816Since '.' has lower precedence than '*'. This does NOT work, since this
817attempts to concatenate a Float and a String.
818
819When dividing a Number by zero the result depends on the value:
820 0 / 0 = -0x80000000 (like NaN for Float)
821 >0 / 0 = 0x7fffffff (like positive infinity)
822 <0 / 0 = -0x7fffffff (like negative infinity)
823 (before Vim 7.2 it was always 0x7fffffff)
824
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000825When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
826
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000827None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000828
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000829. and % do not work for Float. *E804*
830
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000831
832expr7 *expr7*
833-----
834! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
835- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
836+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
837
838For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
839For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
840For '+' the number is unchanged.
841
842A String will be converted to a Number first.
843
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000844These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000845 !-1 == 0
846 !!8 == 1
847 --9 == 9
848
849
850expr8 *expr8*
851-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000852expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000853
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000854If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
855expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100856Number. This doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings, see |byteidx()| for
857an alternative.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000858
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000859Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
860text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
861cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000862 :let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000863
864If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000865String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
866compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
867
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000868If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000869for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000870error. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000871 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
872
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000873Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
874|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
875error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000876
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000877
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000878expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000879
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000880If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
881from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100882expr1b are used as a Number. This doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings, see
883|byteidx()| for computing the indexes.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000884
885If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
886string minus one is used.
887
888A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
889the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
890
891If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
892expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
893
894Examples: >
895 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
896 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
897 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
898 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100899<
900 *sublist* *slice*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000901If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000902the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000903just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000904 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
905 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
906 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
907
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000908Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
909error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000910
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000911
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000912expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000913
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000914If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
915name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
916expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000917
918The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
919but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
920
921There must not be white space before or after the dot.
922
923Examples: >
924 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
925 :echo dict.one
926 :echo dict .2
927
928Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
929always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
930
931
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000932expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000933
934When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
935
936
937
938 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000939number
940------
941number number constant *expr-number*
942
943Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
944
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000945 *floating-point-format*
946Floating point numbers can be written in two forms:
947
948 [-+]{N}.{M}
949 [-+]{N}.{M}e[-+]{exp}
950
951{N} and {M} are numbers. Both {N} and {M} must be present and can only
952contain digits.
953[-+] means there is an optional plus or minus sign.
954{exp} is the exponent, power of 10.
955Only a decimal point is accepted, not a comma. No matter what the current
956locale is.
957{only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
958
959Examples:
960 123.456
961 +0.0001
962 55.0
963 -0.123
964 1.234e03
965 1.0E-6
966 -3.1416e+88
967
968These are INVALID:
969 3. empty {M}
970 1e40 missing .{M}
971
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +0000972 *float-pi* *float-e*
973A few useful values to copy&paste: >
974 :let pi = 3.14159265359
975 :let e = 2.71828182846
976
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000977Rationale:
978Before floating point was introduced, the text "123.456" was interpreted as
979the two numbers "123" and "456", both converted to a string and concatenated,
980resulting in the string "123456". Since this was considered pointless, and we
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +0000981could not find it intentionally being used in Vim scripts, this backwards
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000982incompatibility was accepted in favor of being able to use the normal notation
983for floating point numbers.
984
985 *floating-point-precision*
986The precision and range of floating points numbers depends on what "double"
987means in the library Vim was compiled with. There is no way to change this at
988runtime.
989
990The default for displaying a |Float| is to use 6 decimal places, like using
991printf("%g", f). You can select something else when using the |printf()|
992function. Example: >
993 :echo printf('%.15e', atan(1))
994< 7.853981633974483e-01
995
996
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000997
998string *expr-string* *E114*
999------
1000"string" string constant *expr-quote*
1001
1002Note that double quotes are used.
1003
1004A string constant accepts these special characters:
1005\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
1006\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
1007\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
1008\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
1009\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
1010\X.. same as \x..
1011\X. same as \x.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001012\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001013 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
1014\U.... same as \u....
1015\b backspace <BS>
1016\e escape <Esc>
1017\f formfeed <FF>
1018\n newline <NL>
1019\r return <CR>
1020\t tab <Tab>
1021\\ backslash
1022\" double quote
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02001023\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W. This is for use
1024 in mappings, the 0x80 byte is escaped. Don't use <Char-xxxx> to get a
1025 utf-8 character, use \uxxxx as mentioned above.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001026
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001027Note that "\xff" is stored as the byte 255, which may be invalid in some
1028encodings. Use "\u00ff" to store character 255 according to the current value
1029of 'encoding'.
1030
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001031Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
1032
1033
1034literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
1035---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001036'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001037
1038Note that single quotes are used.
1039
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001040This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001041meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001042
1043Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001044to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001045 if a =~ "\\s*"
1046 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001047
1048
1049option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
1050------
1051&option option value, local value if possible
1052&g:option global option value
1053&l:option local option value
1054
1055Examples: >
1056 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
1057 if &insertmode
1058
1059Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
1060and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
1061anyway.
1062
1063
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001064register *expr-register* *@r*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001065--------
1066@r contents of register 'r'
1067
1068The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
1069Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001070register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00001071registers.
1072
1073When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
1074evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001075
1076
1077nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
1078-------
1079(expr1) nested expression
1080
1081
1082environment variable *expr-env*
1083--------------------
1084$VAR environment variable
1085
1086The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
1087result is an empty string.
1088 *expr-env-expand*
1089Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
1090expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
1091are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
1092the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
1093fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
1094does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
1095 :echo $version
1096 :echo expand("$version")
1097The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
1098variable (if your shell supports it).
1099
1100
1101internal variable *expr-variable*
1102-----------------
1103variable internal variable
1104See below |internal-variables|.
1105
1106
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001107function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001108-------------
1109function(expr1, ...) function call
1110See below |functions|.
1111
1112
1113==============================================================================
11143. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1115 *E461*
1116An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1117cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1118|curly-braces-names|.
1119
1120An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001121An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1122|:unlet|.
1123Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1124been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001125
1126There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1127specified by what is prepended:
1128
1129 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1130|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1131|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001132|tabpage-variable| t: Local to the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001133|global-variable| g: Global.
1134|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1135|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1136|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001137|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001138
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001139The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1140delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001141 :for k in keys(s:)
1142 : unlet s:[k]
1143 :endfor
1144<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001145 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1146A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1147Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1148This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1149|:bdelete|.
1150
1151One local buffer variable is predefined:
1152 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1153b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1154 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1155 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1156 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1157 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001158 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1159 : call My_Update()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001160 :endif
1161<
1162 *window-variable* *w:var*
1163A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1164is deleted when the window is closed.
1165
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001166 *tabpage-variable* *t:var*
1167A variable name that is preceded with "t:" is local to the current tab page,
1168It is deleted when the tab page is closed. {not available when compiled
1169without the +windows feature}
1170
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001171 *global-variable* *g:var*
1172Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001173access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001174place if you like.
1175
1176 *local-variable* *l:var*
1177Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001178But you can also prepend "l:" if you like. However, without prepending "l:"
1179you may run into reserved variable names. For example "count". By itself it
1180refers to "v:count". Using "l:count" you can have a local variable with the
1181same name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001182
1183 *script-variable* *s:var*
1184In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1185accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1186
1187They can be used in:
1188- commands executed while the script is sourced
1189- functions defined in the script
1190- autocommands defined in the script
1191- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1192 defined in the script (recursively)
1193- user defined commands defined in the script
1194Thus not in:
1195- other scripts sourced from this one
1196- mappings
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001197- menus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001198- etc.
1199
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001200Script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1201Take this example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001202
1203 let s:counter = 0
1204 function MyCounter()
1205 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1206 echo s:counter
1207 endfunction
1208 command Tick call MyCounter()
1209
1210You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1211that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1212"Tick" was defined is used.
1213
1214Another example that does the same: >
1215
1216 let s:counter = 0
1217 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1218
1219When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001220script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001221defined.
1222
1223The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1224function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1225
1226 let s:counter = 0
1227 function StartCounting(incr)
1228 if a:incr
1229 function MyCounter()
1230 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1231 endfunction
1232 else
1233 function MyCounter()
1234 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1235 endfunction
1236 endif
1237 endfunction
1238
1239This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1240when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1241called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1242
1243When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1244They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1245maintain a counter: >
1246
1247 if !exists("s:counter")
1248 let s:counter = 1
1249 echo "script executed for the first time"
1250 else
1251 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1252 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1253 endif
1254
1255Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1256variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1257
1258
1259Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1260
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001261 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1262v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1263 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1264 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1265
1266 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1267v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1268 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1269
1270 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1271v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1272 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1273
1274 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001275v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1276 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1277 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1278 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001279 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1280 highlighted text is used.
1281 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1282
1283 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1284v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1285 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1286
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001287 *v:char* *char-variable*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001288v:char Argument for evaluating 'formatexpr' and used for the typed
Bram Moolenaar945e2db2010-06-05 17:43:32 +02001289 character when using <expr> in an abbreviation |:map-<expr>|.
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001290
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001291 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1292v:charconvert_from
1293 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1294 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1295
1296 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1297v:charconvert_to
1298 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1299 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1300
1301 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1302v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1303 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1304 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1305 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1306 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1307 possible to append this variable directly after the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001308 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001309 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1310 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1311 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1312 in 'printexpr'.
1313
1314 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1315v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1316 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1317 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1318 can be used.
1319
1320 *v:count* *count-variable*
1321v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001322 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001323 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1324< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1325 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001326 When there are two counts, as in "3d2w", they are multiplied,
1327 just like what happens in the command, "d6w" for the example.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001328 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001329 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1330
1331 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1332v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1333 used.
1334
1335 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1336v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1337 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1338 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1339 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1340 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1341 command.
1342 See |multi-lang|.
1343
1344 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001345v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001346 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1347 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1348 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1349 Example: >
1350 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +02001351< Note: if another deadly signal is caught when v:dying is one,
1352 VimLeave autocommands will not be executed.
1353
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001354 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1355v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1356 Example: >
1357 :let v:errmsg = ""
1358 :silent! next
1359 :if v:errmsg != ""
1360 : ... handle error
1361< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1362
1363 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1364v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1365 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1366 Example: >
1367 :try
1368 : throw "oops"
1369 :catch /.*/
1370 : echo "caught" v:exception
1371 :endtry
1372< Output: "caught oops".
1373
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001374 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1375v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1376 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1377 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1378 deleted file no longer exists
1379 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1380 changed and buffer is modified
1381 changed file contents has changed
1382 mode mode of file changed
1383 time only file timestamp changed
1384
1385 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1386v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1387 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1388 do with the affected buffer:
1389 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1390 the file was deleted).
1391 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1392 was no autocommand. Except that when
1393 only the timestamp changed nothing
1394 will happen.
1395 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1396 everything that needs to be done.
1397 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1398 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1399
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001400 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001401v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001402 option used for ~
1403 'charconvert' file to be converted
1404 'diffexpr' original file
1405 'patchexpr' original file
1406 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001407 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001408
1409 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1410v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1411 evaluating:
1412 option used for ~
1413 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1414 'diffexpr' output of diff
1415 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1416 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001417 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001418 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1419 file and different from v:fname_in.
1420
1421 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1422v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1423 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1424
1425 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1426v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1427 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1428
1429 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1430v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1431 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001432 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001433
1434 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1435v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001436 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001437
1438 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1439v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001440 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001441
1442 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1443v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001444 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001445
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001446 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1447v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1448 events. Values:
1449 i Insert mode
1450 r Replace mode
1451 v Virtual Replace mode
1452
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001453 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001454v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001455 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1456 Read-only.
1457
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001458 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1459v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1460 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1461 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1462 The value is system dependent.
1463 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1464 command.
1465 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1466 in a different language than what is used for character
1467 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1468
1469 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1470v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1471 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1472 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1473 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1474 command. See |multi-lang|.
1475
1476 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar368373e2010-07-19 20:46:22 +02001477v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr|, 'formatexpr' and
1478 'indentexpr' expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel'
1479 and 'guitabtooltip'. Only valid while one of these
1480 expressions is being evaluated. Read-only when in the
1481 |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001482
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00001483 *v:mouse_win* *mouse_win-variable*
1484v:mouse_win Window number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1485 First window has number 1, like with |winnr()|. The value is
1486 zero when there was no mouse button click.
1487
1488 *v:mouse_lnum* *mouse_lnum-variable*
1489v:mouse_lnum Line number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1490 This is the text line number, not the screen line number. The
1491 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1492
1493 *v:mouse_col* *mouse_col-variable*
1494v:mouse_col Column number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1495 This is the screen column number, like with |virtcol()|. The
1496 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1497
Bram Moolenaard812df62008-11-09 12:46:09 +00001498 *v:oldfiles* *oldfiles-variable*
1499v:oldfiles List of file names that is loaded from the |viminfo| file on
1500 startup. These are the files that Vim remembers marks for.
1501 The length of the List is limited by the ' argument of the
1502 'viminfo' option (default is 100).
1503 Also see |:oldfiles| and |c_#<|.
1504 The List can be modified, but this has no effect on what is
1505 stored in the |viminfo| file later. If you use values other
1506 than String this will cause trouble.
1507 {only when compiled with the +viminfo feature}
1508
Bram Moolenaar8af1fbf2008-01-05 12:35:21 +00001509 *v:operator* *operator-variable*
1510v:operator The last operator given in Normal mode. This is a single
1511 character except for commands starting with <g> or <z>,
1512 in which case it is two characters. Best used alongside
1513 |v:prevcount| and |v:register|. Useful if you want to cancel
1514 Operator-pending mode and then use the operator, e.g.: >
1515 :omap O <Esc>:call MyMotion(v:operator)<CR>
1516< The value remains set until another operator is entered, thus
1517 don't expect it to be empty.
1518 v:operator is not set for |:delete|, |:yank| or other Ex
1519 commands.
1520 Read-only.
1521
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001522 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1523v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1524 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
Bram Moolenaar8af1fbf2008-01-05 12:35:21 +00001525 you want to cancel Visual or Operator-pending mode and then
1526 use the count, e.g.: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001527 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1528< Read-only.
1529
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001530 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001531v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001532 See |profiling|.
1533
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001534 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1535v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1536 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1537 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1538 Read-only.
1539
1540 *v:register* *register-variable*
1541v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1542 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1543
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001544 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1545v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1546 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1547 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1548 typed command.
1549 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1550 hit-enter prompt.
1551
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001552 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1553v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1554 Read-only.
1555
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001556
1557v:searchforward *v:searchforward* *searchforward-variable*
1558 Search direction: 1 after a forward search, 0 after a
1559 backward search. It is reset to forward when directly setting
1560 the last search pattern, see |quote/|.
1561 Note that the value is restored when returning from a
1562 function. |function-search-undo|.
1563 Read-write.
1564
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001565 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1566v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1567 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1568 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1569 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1570 executed. Read-only.
1571 Example: >
1572 :!mv foo bar
1573 :if v:shell_error
1574 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1575 :endif
1576< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1577
1578 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1579v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1580
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001581 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1582v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1583 the swap file found. Read-only.
1584
1585 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1586v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1587 for handling an existing swap file:
1588 'o' Open read-only
1589 'e' Edit anyway
1590 'r' Recover
1591 'd' Delete swapfile
1592 'q' Quit
1593 'a' Abort
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001594 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001595 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1596 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1597
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001598 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001599v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001600 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001601 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001602 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001603 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001604
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001605 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1606v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001607 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001608 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1609 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1610 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1611 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1612 terminal.
1613 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1614 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1615 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1616 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1617 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1618
1619 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1620v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1621 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1622 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1623 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1624
1625 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1626v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001627 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001628 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1629 Example: >
1630 :try
1631 : throw "oops"
1632 :catch /.*/
1633 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1634 :endtry
1635< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1636
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001637 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001638v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001639 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001640 |filter()|. Read-only.
1641
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001642 *v:version* *version-variable*
1643v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1644 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1645 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1646 compatibility.
1647 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1648 if has("patch123")
1649< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1650 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1651 completely different.
1652
1653 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1654v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1655
1656==============================================================================
16574. Builtin Functions *functions*
1658
1659See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1660
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001661(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001662
1663USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1664
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001665abs( {expr}) Float or Number absolute value of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001666acos( {expr}) Float arc cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001667add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001668append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001669append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001670argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001671argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001672argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001673argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001674asin( {expr}) Float arc sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001675atan( {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001676atan2( {expr}, {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001677browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1678 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001679browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001680bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001681buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1682bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001683bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1684bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1685bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1686byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001687byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001688call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1689 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001690ceil( {expr}) Float round {expr} up
1691changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001692char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001693cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001694clearmatches() none clear all matches
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001695col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001696complete( {startcol}, {matches}) none set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001697complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001698complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001699confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1700 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001701copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001702cos( {expr}) Float cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001703cosh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001704count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1705 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001706cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1707 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001708cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {coladd}])
1709 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {coladd}
1710cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001711deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001712delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1713did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001714diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1715diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001716empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001717escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001718eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001719eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001720executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1721exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001722extend( {expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001723 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001724exp( {expr}) Float exponential of {expr}
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00001725expand( {expr} [, {flag}]) String expand special keywords in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001726feedkeys( {string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001727filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001728filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001729filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1730 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001731finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001732 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001733findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001734 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001735float2nr( {expr}) Number convert Float {expr} to a Number
1736floor( {expr}) Float round {expr} down
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001737fmod( {expr1}, {expr2}) Float remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00001738fnameescape( {fname}) String escape special characters in {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001739fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001740foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1741foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001742foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001743foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001744foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001745foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001746function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00001747garbagecollect( [at_exit]) none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001748get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001749get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001750getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1751 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001752getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001753getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1754getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001755getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1756getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001757getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001758getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001759getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1760getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001761getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001762getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001763getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001764getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1765getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001766getloclist( {nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001767getmatches() List list of current matches
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00001768getpid() Number process ID of Vim
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001769getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001770getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001771getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001772getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02001773gettabvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in tab {nr}
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001774gettabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {name})
1775 any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001776getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1777getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001778getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00001779glob( {expr} [, {flag}]) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1780globpath( {path}, {expr} [, {flag}])
1781 String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001782has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001783has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00001784haslocaldir() Number TRUE if current window executed |:lcd|
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001785hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1786 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001787histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1788histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1789histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1790histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1791hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1792hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1793hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001794iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1795indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001796index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1797 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001798input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1799 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001800inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001801inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001802inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1803inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001804inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001805insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001806isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001807islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001808items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001809join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001810keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001811len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1812libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001813libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1814line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1815line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001816lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001817localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001818log( {expr}) Float natural logarithm (base e) of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001819log10( {expr}) Float logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001820map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001821maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1822 String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1823mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1824 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001825match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001826 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001827matchadd( {group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
1828 Number highlight {pattern} with {group}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001829matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001830matchdelete( {id}) Number delete match identified by {id}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001831matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001832 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001833matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1834 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001835matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1836 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001837max( {list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1838min( {list}) Number minimum value of items in {list}
1839mkdir( {name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001840 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001841mode( [expr]) String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01001842mzeval( {expr}) any evaluate |MzScheme| expression
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001843nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1844nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001845pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001846pow( {x}, {y}) Float {x} to the power of {y}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001847prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001848printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
1849pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001850range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1851 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001852readfile( {fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001853 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00001854reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
1855reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001856remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1857 String send expression
1858remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1859remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1860 Number check for reply string
1861remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1862remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1863 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001864remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001865remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001866rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1867repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1868resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001869reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001870round( {expr}) Float round off {expr}
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001871search( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
1872 Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001873searchdecl( {name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001874 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001875searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001876 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001877searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001878 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001879searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001880 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001881server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1882 Number send reply string
1883serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1884setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1885setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1886setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001887setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1888 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001889setmatches( {list}) Number restore a list of matches
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001890setpos( {expr}, {list}) Number set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001891setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001892setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02001893settabvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in tab page {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001894settabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window
1895 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001896setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00001897shellescape( {string} [, {special}])
1898 String escape {string} for use as shell
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00001899 command argument
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001900simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001901sin( {expr}) Float sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001902sinh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001903sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001904soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001905spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001906spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1907 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001908split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001909 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001910sqrt( {expr} Float squar root of {expr}
1911str2float( {expr}) Float convert String to Float
1912str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert String to Number
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02001913strchars( {expr}) Number character length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02001914strdisplaywidth( {expr} [, {col}]) Number display length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001915strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001916stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1917 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001918string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001919strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1920strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1921 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001922strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1923 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001924strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02001925strwidth( {expr}) Number display cell length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001926submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001927substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1928 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001929synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001930synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1931 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1932synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001933synstack( {lnum}, {col}) List stack of syntax IDs at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001934system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001935tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1936tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1937tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1938 Number number of current window in tab page
1939taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001940tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001941tempname() String name for a temporary file
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001942tan( {expr}) Float tangent of {expr}
1943tanh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001944tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1945toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001946tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1947 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001948trunc( {expr} Float truncate Float {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001949type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02001950undofile( {name}) String undo file name for {name}
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02001951undotree() List undo file tree
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001952values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001953virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1954visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1955winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1956wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1957winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1958winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001959winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001960winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001961winrestview( {dict}) none restore view of current window
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00001962winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001963winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001964writefile( {list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001965 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001966
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001967abs({expr}) *abs()*
1968 Return the absolute value of {expr}. When {expr} evaluates to
1969 a |Float| abs() returns a |Float|. When {expr} can be
1970 converted to a |Number| abs() returns a |Number|. Otherwise
1971 abs() gives an error message and returns -1.
1972 Examples: >
1973 echo abs(1.456)
1974< 1.456 >
1975 echo abs(-5.456)
1976< 5.456 >
1977 echo abs(-4)
1978< 4
1979 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
1980
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001981
1982acos({expr}) *acos()*
1983 Return the arc cosine of {expr} measured in radians, as a
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02001984 |Float| in the range of [0, pi].
1985 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001986 [-1, 1].
1987 Examples: >
1988 :echo acos(0)
1989< 1.570796 >
1990 :echo acos(-0.5)
1991< 2.094395
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02001992 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001993
1994
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001995add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001996 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
1997 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001998 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1999 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002000< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002001 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002002 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002003
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002004
2005append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002006 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
2007 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002008 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
2009 the current buffer.
2010 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002011 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002012 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002013 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002014 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002015<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002016 *argc()*
2017argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
2018 current window. See |arglist|.
2019
2020 *argidx()*
2021argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
2022 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
2023
2024 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00002025argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002026 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
2027 Example: >
2028 :let i = 0
2029 :while i < argc()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002030 : let f = escape(fnameescape(argv(i)), '.')
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002031 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
2032 : let i = i + 1
2033 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00002034< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
2035 returned.
2036
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002037asin({expr}) *asin()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002038 Return the arc sine of {expr} measured in radians, as a |Float|
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002039 in the range of [-pi/2, pi/2].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002040 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002041 [-1, 1].
2042 Examples: >
2043 :echo asin(0.8)
2044< 0.927295 >
2045 :echo asin(-0.5)
2046< -0.523599
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002047 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002048
2049
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002050atan({expr}) *atan()*
2051 Return the principal value of the arc tangent of {expr}, in
2052 the range [-pi/2, +pi/2] radians, as a |Float|.
2053 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2054 Examples: >
2055 :echo atan(100)
2056< 1.560797 >
2057 :echo atan(-4.01)
2058< -1.326405
2059 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2060
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002061
2062atan2({expr1}, {expr2}) *atan2()*
2063 Return the arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}, measured in
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002064 radians, as a |Float| in the range [-pi, pi].
2065 {expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002066 Examples: >
2067 :echo atan2(-1, 1)
2068< -0.785398 >
2069 :echo atan2(1, -1)
2070< 2.356194
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002071 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002072
2073
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002074 *browse()*
2075browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
2076 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
2077 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2078 The input fields are:
2079 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
2080 {title} title for the requester
2081 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2082 {default} default file name
2083 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2084 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2085
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002086 *browsedir()*
2087browsedir({title}, {initdir})
2088 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
2089 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2090 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
2091 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
2092 to be used.
2093 The input fields are:
2094 {title} title for the requester
2095 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2096 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2097 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2098
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002099bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
2100 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2101 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002102 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002103 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002104 exactly. The name can be:
2105 - Relative to the current directory.
2106 - A full path.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002107 - The name of a buffer with 'buftype' set to "nofile".
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002108 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002109 Unlisted buffers will be found.
2110 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
2111 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
2112 long name to be able to find them.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002113 bufexists() may report a buffer exists, but to use the name
2114 with a |:buffer| command you may need to use |expand()|. Esp
2115 for MS-Windows 8.3 names in the form "c:\DOCUME~1"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002116 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
2117 file name.
2118 *buffer_exists()*
2119 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
2120
2121buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
2122 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2123 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002124 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002125
2126bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
2127 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2128 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002129 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002130
2131bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
2132 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
2133 ":ls" command.
2134 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
2135 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
2136 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002137 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002138 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
2139 match an empty string is returned.
2140 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
2141 alternate buffer.
2142 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002143 or middle of the buffer name is accepted. If you only want a
2144 full match then put "^" at the start and "$" at the end of the
2145 pattern.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002146 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
2147 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
2148 buffers are searched for.
2149 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
2150 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
2151 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
2152< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
2153 string is returned. >
2154 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
2155 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
2156 bufname("%") name of current buffer
2157 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
2158< *buffer_name()*
2159 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
2160
2161 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002162bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
2163 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002164 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002165 above.
2166 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
2167 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
2168 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002169 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
2170 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
2171< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
2172 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
2173 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
2174 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
2175 *buffer_number()*
2176 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
2177 *last_buffer_nr()*
2178 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
2179
2180bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
2181 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
2182 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002183 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002184 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
2185
2186 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
2187
2188< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
2189 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002190 Only deals with the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002191
2192
2193byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
2194 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
2195 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
2196 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
2197 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
2198 one.
2199 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
2200 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
2201 feature}
2202
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00002203byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
2204 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
2205 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
2206 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
2207 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
2208 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
2209 Example : >
2210 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
2211< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
2212 same: >
2213 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
2214 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
2215< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
2216 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
2217 is returned.
2218
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002219call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002220 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002221 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002222 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002223 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
2224 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002225 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
2226 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002227
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002228ceil({expr}) *ceil()*
2229 Return the smallest integral value greater than or equal to
2230 {expr} as a |Float| (round up).
2231 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2232 Examples: >
2233 echo ceil(1.456)
2234< 2.0 >
2235 echo ceil(-5.456)
2236< -5.0 >
2237 echo ceil(4.0)
2238< 4.0
2239 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2240
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00002241changenr() *changenr()*
2242 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
2243 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
2244 with the |:undo| command.
2245 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
2246 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
2247 one less than the number of the undone change.
2248
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002249char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
2250 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
2251 char2nr(" ") returns 32
2252 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
2253< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002254 char2nr("á") returns 225
2255 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002256< |nr2char()| does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002257
2258cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
2259 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
2260 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
2261 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
2262 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
2263 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
2264 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00002265 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002266
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00002267clearmatches() *clearmatches()*
2268 Clears all matches previously defined by |matchadd()| and the
2269 |:match| commands.
2270
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002271 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00002272col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002273 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2274 . the cursor position
2275 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
2276 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
2277 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2278 returned)
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002279 Additionally {expr} can be [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line
2280 and column number. Most useful when the column is "$", to get
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002281 the last column of a specific line. When "lnum" or "col" is
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002282 out of range then col() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002283 To get the line number use |line()|. To get both use
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002284 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002285 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
2286 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2287 Examples: >
2288 col(".") column of cursor
2289 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
2290 col("'t") column of mark t
2291 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002292< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002293 For an uppercase mark the column may actually be in another
2294 buffer.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002295 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
2296 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
2297 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
2298 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
2299 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
2300 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
2301 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
2302<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002303
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002304complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
2305 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2306 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002307 with CTRL-R = |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O or
2308 with an expression mapping.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002309 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2310 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2311 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2312 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2313 match.
2314 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2315 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2316 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002317 inserting anything that would cause completion to stop.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002318 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2319 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2320 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2321 Example: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002322 inoremap <F5> <C-R>=ListMonths()<CR>
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002323
2324 func! ListMonths()
2325 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2326 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2327 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2328 return ''
2329 endfunc
2330< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2331 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2332
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002333complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2334 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2335 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2336 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2337 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2338 the list.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002339 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002340 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002341
2342complete_check() *complete_check()*
2343 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2344 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2345 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2346 zero otherwise.
2347 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2348 'completefunc' option.
2349
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002350 *confirm()*
2351confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2352 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2353 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2354 choice this is 1.
2355 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2356 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002357
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002358 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2359 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2360 used (and translated).
2361 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2362 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002363
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002364 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2365 by '\n', e.g. >
2366 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2367< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2368 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2369 not need to be the first letter: >
2370 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2371< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2372 the default shortcut key.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002373
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002374 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2375 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2376 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2377 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002378
2379 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
2380 is only used for the icon of the GTK, Mac, Motif and Win32
2381 GUI. It can be one of these values: "Error", "Question",
2382 "Info", "Warning" or "Generic". Only the first character is
2383 relevant. When {type} is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2384
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002385 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2386 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2387
2388 An example: >
2389 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2390 :if choice == 0
2391 : echo "make up your mind!"
2392 :elseif choice == 3
2393 : echo "tasteful"
2394 :else
2395 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2396 :endif
2397< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2398 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002399 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002400 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2401 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2402 the horizontal layout is always used.
2403
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002404 *copy()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002405copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002406 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002407 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2408 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002409 copy, and vice versa. But the items are identical, thus
2410 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002411 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002412
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002413cos({expr}) *cos()*
2414 Return the cosine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
2415 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2416 Examples: >
2417 :echo cos(100)
2418< 0.862319 >
2419 :echo cos(-4.01)
2420< -0.646043
2421 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2422
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002423
2424cosh({expr}) *cosh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002425 Return the hyperbolic cosine of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002426 [1, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002427 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002428 Examples: >
2429 :echo cosh(0.5)
2430< 1.127626 >
2431 :echo cosh(-0.5)
2432< -1.127626
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002433 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002434
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002435
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002436count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002437 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002438 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002439 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002440 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002441 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2442
2443
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002444 *cscope_connection()*
2445cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2446 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2447 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2448 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2449 if there are no cscope connections;
2450 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2451
2452 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2453 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2454
2455 {num} Description of existence check
2456 ----- ------------------------------
2457 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2458 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2459 {dbpath}.
2460 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2461 {dbpath}.
2462 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2463 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2464 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2465 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2466
2467 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2468
2469 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2470
2471 # pid database name prepend path
2472 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2473<
2474 Invocation Return Val ~
2475 ---------- ---------- >
2476 cscope_connection() 1
2477 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2478 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2479 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2480 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2481 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2482 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2483 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2484<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002485cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2486cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002487 Positions the cursor at the column (byte count) {col} in the
2488 line {lnum}. The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002489 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002490 with two or three items {lnum}, {col} and {off}. This is like
2491 the return value of |getpos()|, but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002492 Does not change the jumplist.
2493 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2494 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2495 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002496 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002497 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2498 line.
2499 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002500 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2501 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00002502 position within a <Tab> or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar798b30b2009-04-22 10:56:16 +00002503 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002504
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002505
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002506deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002507 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002508 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002509 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2510 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002511 copy, and vice versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002512 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002513 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2514 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2515 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2516 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2517 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2518 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002519 *E724*
2520 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002521 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2522 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002523 Also see |copy()|.
2524
2525delete({fname}) *delete()*
2526 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002527 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2528 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002529 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002530
2531 *did_filetype()*
2532did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2533 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2534 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2535 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2536 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2537 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2538 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2539 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2540 file.
2541
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002542diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2543 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2544 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2545 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2546 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2547 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2548 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2549 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2550
2551diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2552 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2553 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2554 diff change zero is returned.
2555 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2556 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2557 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2558 line.
2559 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2560 syntax information about the highlighting.
2561
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002562empty({expr}) *empty()*
2563 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002564 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002565 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002566 For a long |List| this is much faster than comparing the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002567 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002568
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002569escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2570 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2571 backslash. Example: >
2572 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2573< results in: >
2574 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002575< Also see |shellescape()|.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002576
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002577 *eval()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002578eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2579 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002580 This works for Numbers, Floats, Strings and composites of
2581 them. Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing
2582 functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002583
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002584eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2585 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2586 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2587 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2588 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2589
2590executable({expr}) *executable()*
2591 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2592 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002593 arguments.
2594 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2595 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2596 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2597 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002598 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2599 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002600 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002601 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002602 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2603 extension.
2604 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2605 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002606 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2607 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2608 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002609 The result is a Number:
2610 1 exists
2611 0 does not exist
2612 -1 not implemented on this system
2613
2614 *exists()*
2615exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2616 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2617 which contains one of these:
2618 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2619 not if it really works)
2620 +option-name Vim option that works.
2621 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2622 done by comparing with an empty
2623 string)
2624 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2625 or user defined function (see
2626 |user-functions|).
2627 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002628 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002629 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2630 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00002631 that evaluating an index may cause an
2632 error message for an invalid
2633 expression. E.g.: >
2634 :let l = [1, 2, 3]
2635 :echo exists("l[5]")
2636< 0 >
2637 :echo exists("l[xx]")
2638< E121: Undefined variable: xx
2639 0
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002640 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2641 command or command modifier |:command|.
2642 Returns:
2643 1 for match with start of a command
2644 2 full match with a command
2645 3 matches several user commands
2646 To check for a supported command
2647 always check the return value to be 2.
Bram Moolenaar14716812006-05-04 21:54:08 +00002648 :2match The |:2match| command.
2649 :3match The |:3match| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002650 #event autocommand defined for this event
2651 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2652 pattern (the pattern is taken
2653 literally and compared to the
2654 autocommand patterns character by
2655 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002656 #group autocommand group exists
2657 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2658 event.
2659 #group#event#pattern
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002660 autocommand defined for this group,
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002661 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002662 ##event autocommand for this event is
2663 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002664 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2665
2666 Examples: >
2667 exists("&shortname")
2668 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2669 exists("*strftime")
2670 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2671 exists("bufcount")
2672 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002673 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002674 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002675 exists("#filetypeindent")
2676 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2677 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002678 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002679< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2680 name.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002681 There must be no extra characters after the name, although in
2682 a few cases this is ignored. That may become more strict in
2683 the future, thus don't count on it!
2684 Working example: >
2685 exists(":make")
2686< NOT working example: >
2687 exists(":make install")
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00002688
2689< Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2690 variable itself. For example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002691 exists(bufcount)
2692< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00002693 but gets the value of "bufcount", and checks if that exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002694
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002695exp({expr}) *exp()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002696 Return the exponential of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002697 [0, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002698 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002699 Examples: >
2700 :echo exp(2)
2701< 7.389056 >
2702 :echo exp(-1)
2703< 0.367879
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002704 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002705
2706
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002707expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2708 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2709 The result is a String.
2710
2711 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2712 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2713 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2714
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002715 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002716 for a non-existing file is not included.
2717
2718 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2719 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2720 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2721
2722 % current file name
2723 # alternate file name
2724 #n alternate file name n
2725 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2726 <afile> autocmd file name
2727 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2728 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2729 <sfile> sourced script file name
2730 <cword> word under the cursor
2731 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2732 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2733 message |server2client()|
2734 Modifiers:
2735 :p expand to full path
2736 :h head (last path component removed)
2737 :t tail (last path component only)
2738 :r root (one extension removed)
2739 :e extension only
2740
2741 Example: >
2742 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2743< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2744 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2745 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2746< Use this: >
2747 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2748< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2749 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2750 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2751 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2752 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2753<
2754 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2755 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2756 to modify normal file names.
2757
2758 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2759 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2760 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2761 '/' added.
2762
2763 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2764 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2765 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2766 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002767 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2768 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2769 files in the current directory and below: >
2770 :echo expand("**/README")
2771<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002772 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2773 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002774 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002775 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002776 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002777 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2778 "$FOOBAR".
2779
2780 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2781 getting the raw output of an external command.
2782
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002783extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002784 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
2785 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002786
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002787 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002788 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2789 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2790 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2791 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002792 Examples: >
2793 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2794 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaardc9cf9c2008-08-08 10:36:31 +00002795< When {expr1} is the same List as {expr2} then the number of
2796 items copied is equal to the original length of the List.
2797 E.g., when {expr3} is 1 you get N new copies of the first item
2798 (where N is the original length of the List).
2799 Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002800 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002801 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002802<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002803 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002804 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2805 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2806 used to decide what to do:
2807 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2808 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002809 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002810 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2811
2812 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2813 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2814 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2815 Returns {expr1}.
2816
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002817
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002818feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) *feedkeys()*
2819 Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002820 come from a mapping or were typed by the user. They are added
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002821 to the end of the typeahead buffer, thus if a mapping is still
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002822 being executed these characters come after them.
2823 The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
2824 {string}.
2825 To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
2826 and "\..." notation |expr-quote|. For example,
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00002827 feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the <Enter> key. But
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002828 feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
2829 If {mode} is absent, keys are remapped.
2830 {mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00002831 'm' Remap keys. This is default.
2832 'n' Do not remap keys.
2833 't' Handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
2834 if coming from a mapping. This matters for undo,
2835 opening folds, etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002836 Return value is always 0.
2837
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002838filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2839 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2840 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2841 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2842 expression, which is used as a String.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002843 If you don't care about the file being readable you can use
2844 |glob()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002845 *file_readable()*
2846 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2847
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002848
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002849filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2850 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2851 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002852 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If {file} is a
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002853 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2854
2855
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002856filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002857 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002858 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002859 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002860 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002861 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002862 Examples: >
2863 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2864< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2865 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2866< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2867 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002868< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002869
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002870 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2871 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2872 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2873
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002874 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2875 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002876 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002877
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002878< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002879 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2880 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002881
2882
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002883finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar5b6b1ca2007-03-27 08:19:43 +00002884 Find directory {name} in {path}. Supports both downwards and
2885 upwards recursive directory searches. See |file-searching|
2886 for the syntax of {path}.
2887 Returns the path of the first found match. When the found
2888 directory is below the current directory a relative path is
2889 returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002890 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2891 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002892 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00002893 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002894 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002895 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2896
2897findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2898 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002899 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
2900 Example: >
2901 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002902< Searches from the directory of the current file upwards until
2903 it finds the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002904
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002905float2nr({expr}) *float2nr()*
2906 Convert {expr} to a Number by omitting the part after the
2907 decimal point.
2908 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a Number.
2909 When the value of {expr} is out of range for a |Number| the
2910 result is truncated to 0x7fffffff or -0x7fffffff. NaN results
2911 in -0x80000000.
2912 Examples: >
2913 echo float2nr(3.95)
2914< 3 >
2915 echo float2nr(-23.45)
2916< -23 >
2917 echo float2nr(1.0e100)
2918< 2147483647 >
2919 echo float2nr(-1.0e150)
2920< -2147483647 >
2921 echo float2nr(1.0e-100)
2922< 0
2923 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2924
2925
2926floor({expr}) *floor()*
2927 Return the largest integral value less than or equal to
2928 {expr} as a |Float| (round down).
2929 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2930 Examples: >
2931 echo floor(1.856)
2932< 1.0 >
2933 echo floor(-5.456)
2934< -6.0 >
2935 echo floor(4.0)
2936< 4.0
2937 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2938
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002939
2940fmod({expr1}, {expr2}) *fmod()*
2941 Return the remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}, even if the
2942 division is not representable. Returns {expr1} - i * {expr2}
2943 for some integer i such that if {expr2} is non-zero, the
2944 result has the same sign as {expr1} and magnitude less than
2945 the magnitude of {expr2}. If {expr2} is zero, the value
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002946 returned is zero. The value returned is a |Float|.
2947 {expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002948 Examples: >
2949 :echo fmod(12.33, 1.22)
2950< 0.13 >
2951 :echo fmod(-12.33, 1.22)
2952< -0.13
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002953 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002954
2955
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002956fnameescape({string}) *fnameescape()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002957 Escape {string} for use as file name command argument. All
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002958 characters that have a special meaning, such as '%' and '|'
2959 are escaped with a backslash.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002960 For most systems the characters escaped are
2961 " \t\n*?[{`$\\%#'\"|!<". For systems where a backslash
2962 appears in a filename, it depends on the value of 'isfname'.
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002963 A leading '+' and '>' is also escaped (special after |:edit|
2964 and |:write|). And a "-" by itself (special after |:cd|).
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002965 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002966 :let fname = '+some str%nge|name'
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002967 :exe "edit " . fnameescape(fname)
2968< results in executing: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002969 edit \+some\ str\%nge\|name
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002970
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002971fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2972 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2973 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2974 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2975 Example: >
2976 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2977< results in: >
2978 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002979< Note: Environment variables don't work in {fname}, use
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002980 |expand()| first then.
2981
2982foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2983 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2984 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2985 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2986
2987foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2988 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2989 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2990 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2991
2992foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2993 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002994 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002995 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2996 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2997 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2998 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2999 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
3000 previous line is usually available.
3001
3002 *foldtext()*
3003foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
3004 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
3005 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
3006 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
3007 The returned string looks like this: >
3008 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003009< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003010 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
3011 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
3012 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
3013 options is removed.
3014 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
3015
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00003016foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
3017 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
3018 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
3019 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
3020 returned.
3021 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
3022 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
3023 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
3024 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
3025
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003026 *foreground()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003027foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003028 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
3029 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
3030 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
3031 |remote_foreground()| instead.
3032 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3033 Win32 console version}
3034
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003035
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003036function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003037 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003038 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
3039
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003040
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00003041garbagecollect([at_exit]) *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003042 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00003043 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
3044 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
3045 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
3046 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
3047 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003048 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
3049 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
3050 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00003051 When the optional "at_exit" argument is one, garbage
3052 collection will also be done when exiting Vim, if it wasn't
3053 done before. This is useful when checking for memory leaks.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00003054
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003055get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003056 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003057 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
3058 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003059get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003060 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003061 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
3062 {default} is omitted.
3063
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003064 *getbufline()*
3065getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003066 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
3067 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
3068 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003069
3070 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3071
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00003072 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
3073 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003074
3075 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003076 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003077
3078 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
3079 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003080 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003081 returned.
3082
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00003083 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003084 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003085
3086 Example: >
3087 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003088
3089getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
3090 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
3091 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
3092 must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003093 When {varname} is empty returns a dictionary with all the
3094 buffer-local variables.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00003095 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
3096 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
3097 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003098 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3099 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
3100 returned, there is no error message.
3101 Examples: >
3102 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
3103 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
3104<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003105getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003106 Get a single character from the user or input stream.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003107 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
3108 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003109 Return zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003110 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003111 not consumed. Return zero if no character available.
3112
3113 Without {expr} and when {expr} is 0 a whole character or
3114 special key is returned. If it is an 8-bit character, the
3115 result is a number. Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
3116 Otherwise a String is returned with the encoded character.
3117 For a special key it's a sequence of bytes starting with 0x80
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003118 (decimal: 128). This is the same value as the string
3119 "\<Key>", e.g., "\<Left>". The returned value is also a
3120 String when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used that is
3121 not included in the character.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003122
3123 When {expr} is 1 only the first byte is returned. For a
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003124 one-byte character it is the character itself as a number.
3125 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003126
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003127 When the user clicks a mouse button, the mouse event will be
3128 returned. The position can then be found in |v:mouse_col|,
3129 |v:mouse_lnum| and |v:mouse_win|. This example positions the
3130 mouse as it would normally happen: >
3131 let c = getchar()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003132 if c == "\<LeftMouse>" && v:mouse_win > 0
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003133 exe v:mouse_win . "wincmd w"
3134 exe v:mouse_lnum
3135 exe "normal " . v:mouse_col . "|"
3136 endif
3137<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003138 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
3139 user that a character has to be typed.
3140 There is no mapping for the character.
3141 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
3142 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
3143 sequence. Examples: >
3144 getchar() == "\<Del>"
3145 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
3146< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
3147 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
3148 :function FindChar()
3149 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
3150 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
3151 : normal l
3152 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
3153 : break
3154 : endif
3155 : endwhile
3156 :endfunction
3157
3158getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
3159 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
3160 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
3161 These values are added together:
3162 2 shift
3163 4 control
3164 8 alt (meta)
3165 16 mouse double click
3166 32 mouse triple click
3167 64 mouse quadruple click
3168 128 Macintosh only: command
3169 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003170 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003171 without a modifier.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003172
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003173getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
3174 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
3175 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
3176 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
3177 Example: >
3178 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003179< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003180
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003181getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003182 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
3183 byte count. The first column is 1.
3184 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
3185 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003186 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
3187
3188getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
3189 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
3190 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003191 : normal Ex command
3192 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
3193 / forward search command
3194 ? backward search command
3195 @ |input()| command
3196 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003197 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
3198 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
3199 otherwise.
3200 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003201
3202 *getcwd()*
3203getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
3204 working directory.
3205
3206getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
3207 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
3208 given file {fname}.
3209 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
3210 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard827ada2007-06-19 15:19:55 +00003211 If the size of {fname} is too big to fit in a Number then -2
3212 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003213
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003214getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
3215 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
3216 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
3217 |hl-Normal|.
3218 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
3219 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
3220 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
3221 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00003222 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003223 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
3224 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003225 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
3226 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003227
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003228getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
3229 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
3230 permissions of the given file {fname}.
3231 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
3232 empty string is returned.
3233 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
3234 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
3235 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
3236 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
3237 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
3238 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
3239< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
3240 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003241
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003242getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
3243 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
3244 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
3245 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
3246 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
3247 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
3248
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003249getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
3250 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
3251 file of the given file {fname}.
3252 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
3253 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
3254 results:
3255 Normal file "file"
3256 Directory "dir"
3257 Symbolic link "link"
3258 Block device "bdev"
3259 Character device "cdev"
3260 Socket "socket"
3261 FIFO "fifo"
3262 All other "other"
3263 Example: >
3264 getftype("/home")
3265< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
3266 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
3267 "file" are returned.
3268
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003269 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003270getline({lnum} [, {end}])
3271 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
3272 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003273 getline(1)
3274< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
3275 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
3276 To get the line under the cursor: >
3277 getline(".")
3278< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
3279 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
3280
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003281 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
3282 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003283 including line {end}.
3284 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
3285 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003286 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003287 Example: >
3288 :let start = line('.')
3289 :let end = search("^$") - 1
3290 :let lines = getline(start, end)
3291
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003292< To get lines from another buffer see |getbufline()|
3293
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00003294getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
3295 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
3296 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
3297 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003298 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003299 returned. Otherwise, same as |getqflist()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003300
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003301getmatches() *getmatches()*
3302 Returns a |List| with all matches previously defined by
3303 |matchadd()| and the |:match| commands. |getmatches()| is
3304 useful in combination with |setmatches()|, as |setmatches()|
3305 can restore a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|.
3306 Example: >
3307 :echo getmatches()
3308< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3309 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3310 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3311 :let m = getmatches()
3312 :call clearmatches()
3313 :echo getmatches()
3314< [] >
3315 :call setmatches(m)
3316 :echo getmatches()
3317< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3318 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3319 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3320 :unlet m
3321<
3322
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003323getqflist() *getqflist()*
3324 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
3325 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
3326 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
3327 bufname() to get the name
3328 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
3329 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003330 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
3331 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003332 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003333 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003334 text description of the error
3335 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
3336 valid non-zero: recognized error message
3337
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003338 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003339 returned. Quickfix list entries with non-existing buffer
3340 number are returned with "bufnr" set to zero.
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003341
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003342 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
3343 do something with them: >
3344 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
3345 :for d in getqflist()
3346 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
3347 :endfor
3348
3349
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003350getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003351 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003352 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003353 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
3354< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003355 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003356 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
3357 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
3358 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003359 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3360
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003361
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003362getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
3363 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
3364 The value will be one of:
3365 "v" for |characterwise| text
3366 "V" for |linewise| text
3367 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
3368 0 for an empty or unknown register
3369 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
3370 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3371
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02003372gettabvar({tabnr}, {varname}) *gettabvar()*
3373 Get the value of a tab-local variable {varname} in tab page
3374 {tabnr}. |t:var|
3375 Tabs are numbered starting with one.
3376 Note that the name without "t:" must be used.
3377
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003378gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}) *gettabwinvar()*
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003379 Get the value of window-local variable {varname} in window
3380 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
3381 When {varname} starts with "&" get the value of a window-local
3382 option.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003383 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
3384 use |getwinvar()|.
3385 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
3386 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
3387 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
3388 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003389 When {varname} is empty a dictionary with all window-local
3390 variables is returned.
3391 Note that {varname} must be the name without "w:".
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003392 Examples: >
3393 :let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
3394 :echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00003395<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003396 *getwinposx()*
3397getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
3398 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
3399 -1 if the information is not available.
3400
3401 *getwinposy()*
3402getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003403 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003404 information is not available.
3405
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003406getwinvar({winnr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
3407 Like |gettabwinvar()| for the current tabpage.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003408 Examples: >
3409 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
3410 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
3411<
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003412glob({expr} [, {flag}]) *glob()*
3413 Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. See |wildcards| for the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003414 use of special characters.
3415 The result is a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003416 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
3417 characters.
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003418 Unless the optional {flag} argument is given and is non-zero,
3419 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3420 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3421 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003422 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
3423 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
3424
3425 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
3426 any external command. Example: >
3427 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
3428 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
3429< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003430 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003431
3432 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
3433 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
3434
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003435globpath({path}, {expr} [, {flag}]) *globpath()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003436 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
3437 the results. Example: >
3438 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
3439< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
3440 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003441 |glob()|. A path separator is inserted when needed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003442 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
3443 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
3444 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
3445 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
3446 error message.
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003447 Unless the optional {flag} argument is given and is non-zero,
3448 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3449 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3450 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003451
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003452 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
3453 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
3454 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
3455 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003456< Upwards search and limiting the depth of "**" is not
3457 supported, thus using 'path' will not always work properly.
3458
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003459 *has()*
3460has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
3461 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
3462 string. See |feature-list| below.
3463 Also see |exists()|.
3464
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003465
3466has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003467 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
3468 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003469
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00003470haslocaldir() *haslocaldir()*
3471 The result is a Number, which is 1 when the current
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003472 window has set a local path via |:lcd|, and 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003473
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003474hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003475 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
3476 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
3477 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
3478 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003479 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00003480 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
3481 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003482 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
3483 buffer are checked for a match.
3484 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
3485 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
3486 n Normal mode
3487 v Visual mode
3488 o Operator-pending mode
3489 i Insert mode
3490 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
3491 c Command-line mode
3492 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
3493
3494 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003495 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003496 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
3497 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
3498 :endif
3499< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
3500 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
3501
3502histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
3503 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
3504 one of: *hist-names*
3505 "cmd" or ":" command line history
3506 "search" or "/" search pattern history
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003507 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003508 "input" or "@" input line history
3509 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
3510 shifted to become the newest entry.
3511 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
3512 otherwise 0 is returned.
3513
3514 Example: >
3515 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
3516 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
3517< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3518
3519histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003520 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003521 for the possible values of {history}.
3522
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003523 If the parameter {item} evaluates to a String, it is used as a
3524 regular expression. All entries matching that expression will
3525 be removed from the history (if there are any).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003526 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003527 If {item} evaluates to a Number, it will be interpreted as
3528 an index, see |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will
3529 be removed if it exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003530
3531 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
3532 otherwise 0 is returned.
3533
3534 Examples:
3535 Clear expression register history: >
3536 :call histdel("expr")
3537<
3538 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
3539 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
3540<
3541 The following three are equivalent: >
3542 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
3543 :call histdel("search", -1)
3544 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
3545<
3546 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
3547 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
3548 :call histdel("search", -1)
3549 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
3550
3551histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
3552 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
3553 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
3554 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
3555 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
3556 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
3557
3558 Examples:
3559 Redo the second last search from history. >
3560 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
3561
3562< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
3563 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
3564 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
3565<
3566histnr({history}) *histnr()*
3567 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
3568 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
3569 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
3570
3571 Example: >
3572 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
3573<
3574hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
3575 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
3576 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
3577 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
3578 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
3579 item.
3580 *highlight_exists()*
3581 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
3582
3583 *hlID()*
3584hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
3585 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
3586 zero is returned.
3587 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003588 group. For example, to get the background color of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003589 "Comment" group: >
3590 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
3591< *highlightID()*
3592 Obsolete name: highlightID().
3593
3594hostname() *hostname()*
3595 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003596 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003597 256 characters long are truncated.
3598
3599iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
3600 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
3601 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003602 When the conversion completely fails an empty string is
3603 returned. When some characters could not be converted they
3604 are replaced with "?".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003605 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
3606 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
3607 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
3608 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
3609 can be done.
3610 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
3611 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
3612 UTF-8 and use: >
3613 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
3614< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
3615 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
3616 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
3617 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
3618
3619 *indent()*
3620indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
3621 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
3622 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
3623 |getline()|.
3624 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
3625
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003626
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003627index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003628 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003629 value equal to {expr}. There is no automatic conversion, so
3630 the String "4" is different from the Number 4. And the number
3631 4 is different from the Float 4.0. The value of 'ignorecase'
3632 is not used here, case always matters.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003633 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
3634 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003635 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
3636 case must match.
3637 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
3638 Example: >
3639 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003640 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003641
3642
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003643input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003644 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003645 the command-line. The {prompt} argument is either a prompt
3646 string, or a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used
3647 in the prompt to start a new line.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003648 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3649 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003650 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003651 for lines typed for input().
3652 Example: >
3653 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3654 : echo "Cheers!"
3655 :endif
3656<
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003657 If the optional {text} argument is present and not empty, this
3658 is used for the default reply, as if the user typed this.
3659 Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003660 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3661
3662< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3663 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003664 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003665 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003666 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003667 more information. Example: >
3668 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3669<
3670 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3671 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003672 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3673 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3674 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3675 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3676 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3677 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3678 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3679
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003680 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003681 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3682 :function GetFoo()
3683 : call inputsave()
3684 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3685 : call inputrestore()
3686 :endfunction
3687
3688inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003689 Like |input()|, but when the GUI is running and text dialogs
3690 are supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003691 Example: >
3692 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3693 :if n != ""
3694 : let &sw = n
3695 :endif
3696< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3697 omitted an empty string is returned.
3698 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3699 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003700 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003701
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003702inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003703 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
3704 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
3705 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003706 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003707 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003708 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3709 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3710 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003711 Make sure {textlist} has less than 'lines' entries, otherwise
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003712 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003713 the start of the string. And put a prompt in the first item.
3714 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003715 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3716 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3717
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003718inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003719 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous |inputsave()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003720 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3721 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3722 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3723
3724inputsave() *inputsave()*
3725 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3726 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3727 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3728 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3729 many inputrestore() calls.
3730 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3731
3732inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3733 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3734 two exceptions:
3735 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3736 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3737 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3738 |history| stack.
3739 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3740 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003741 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003742
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003743insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003744 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003745 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003746 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003747 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3748 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003749 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003750 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3751 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3752 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003753< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003754 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003755 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003756
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003757isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3758 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3759 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3760 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3761 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3762
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003763islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003764 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3765 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003766 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3767 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003768 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3769 :lockvar 1 alist
3770 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3771 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3772
3773< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003774 message. Use |exists()| to check for existence.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003775
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003776items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003777 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3778 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3779 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3780 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003781
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003782
3783join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3784 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3785 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3786 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3787 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3788 add it there too: >
3789 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003790< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003791 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3792 The opposite function is |split()|.
3793
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003794keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003795 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003796 arbitrary order.
3797
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003798 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003799len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3800 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3801 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003802 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003803 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003804 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3805 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003806 Otherwise an error is given.
3807
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003808 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3809libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3810 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3811 with single argument {argument}.
3812 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3813 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3814 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3815 limited.
3816 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3817 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3818 to Vim.
3819 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3820 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3821 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3822 null-terminated string.
3823 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3824
3825 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3826 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3827 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3828 very probably crash.
3829
3830 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3831 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3832 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3833 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3834 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3835 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3836 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3837 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3838 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3839 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3840
3841 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003842 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003843 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3844 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3845 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3846 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3847 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3848 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003849 {only in Win32 and some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003850 feature is present}
3851 Examples: >
3852 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003853<
3854 *libcallnr()*
3855libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003856 Just like |libcall()|, but used for a function that returns an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003857 int instead of a string.
3858 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3859 feature is present}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003860 Examples: >
3861 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003862 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3863 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3864<
3865 *line()*
3866line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3867 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3868 . the cursor position
3869 $ the last line in the current buffer
3870 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3871 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003872 w0 first line visible in current window
3873 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar9ecd0232008-06-20 15:31:51 +00003874 v In Visual mode: the start of the Visual area (the
3875 cursor is the end). When not in Visual mode
3876 returns the cursor position. Differs from |'<| in
3877 that it's updated right away.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003878 Note that a mark in another file can be used. The line number
3879 then applies to another buffer.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003880 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
3881 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003882 Examples: >
3883 line(".") line number of the cursor
3884 line("'t") line number of mark t
3885 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3886< *last-position-jump*
3887 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3888 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003889 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 1 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal! g`\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003890
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003891line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3892 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3893 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3894 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3895 line returns 1.
3896 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3897 below the last line: >
3898 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3899< This is the file size plus one.
3900 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3901 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3902 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3903
3904lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3905 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3906 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3907 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3908 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3909 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3910 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3911
3912localtime() *localtime()*
3913 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3914 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3915
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003916
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003917log({expr}) *log()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02003918 Return the natural logarithm (base e) of {expr} as a |Float|.
3919 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003920 (0, inf].
3921 Examples: >
3922 :echo log(10)
3923< 2.302585 >
3924 :echo log(exp(5))
3925< 5.0
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02003926 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003927
3928
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003929log10({expr}) *log10()*
3930 Return the logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10 as a |Float|.
3931 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
3932 Examples: >
3933 :echo log10(1000)
3934< 3.0 >
3935 :echo log10(0.01)
3936< -2.0
3937 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
3938
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003939map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003940 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003941 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3942 {string}.
3943 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar627b1d32009-11-17 11:20:35 +00003944 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item
3945 and for a |List| |v:key| has the index of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003946 Example: >
3947 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003948< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003949
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003950 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003951 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003952 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3953 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003954
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003955 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3956 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003957 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003958
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003959< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003960 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3961 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003962
3963
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003964maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *maparg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003965 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3966 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003967 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003968 "n" Normal
3969 "v" Visual
3970 "o" Operator-pending
3971 "i" Insert
3972 "c" Cmd-line
3973 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3974 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003975 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003976 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3977 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003978 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3979 command. The returned String has special characters
3980 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3981 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3982 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00003983 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
3984 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
3985 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
3986
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003987
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003988mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003989 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3990 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3991 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003992 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3993 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003994 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3995 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3996
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003997 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003998 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3999 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
4000 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
4001 mapcheck("b") no no no
4002
4003 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
4004 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
4005 mapping for {name} exactly.
4006 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
4007 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
4008 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
4009 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
4010 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
4011 then the global mappings.
4012 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
4013 without being ambiguous. Example: >
4014 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
4015 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
4016 :endif
4017< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
4018 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
4019
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004020match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004021 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
4022 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004023 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004024 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004025 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
4026 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004027 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004028 If there is no match -1 is returned.
4029 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004030 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004031 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004032< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004033 *strpbrk()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004034 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004035 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
4036< *strcasestr()*
4037 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
4038 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
4039 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
4040<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004041 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004042 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004043 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004044 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004045 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
4046< result is again "4". >
4047 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
4048< result is again "4". >
4049 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
4050< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004051 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004052 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
4053 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
4054 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
4055 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004056 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
4057 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00004058 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
4059 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004060
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004061 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00004062 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004063 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
4064 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
4065< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004066 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
4067 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004068
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004069 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
4070 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004071 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004072 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
4073
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004074 *matchadd()* *E798* *E799* *E801*
4075matchadd({group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
4076 Defines a pattern to be highlighted in the current window (a
4077 "match"). It will be highlighted with {group}. Returns an
4078 identification number (ID), which can be used to delete the
4079 match using |matchdelete()|.
4080
4081 The optional {priority} argument assigns a priority to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004082 match. A match with a high priority will have its
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004083 highlighting overrule that of a match with a lower priority.
4084 A priority is specified as an integer (negative numbers are no
4085 exception). If the {priority} argument is not specified, the
4086 default priority is 10. The priority of 'hlsearch' is zero,
4087 hence all matches with a priority greater than zero will
4088 overrule it. Syntax highlighting (see 'syntax') is a separate
4089 mechanism, and regardless of the chosen priority a match will
4090 always overrule syntax highlighting.
4091
4092 The optional {id} argument allows the request for a specific
4093 match ID. If a specified ID is already taken, an error
4094 message will appear and the match will not be added. An ID
4095 is specified as a positive integer (zero excluded). IDs 1, 2
4096 and 3 are reserved for |:match|, |:2match| and |:3match|,
4097 respectively. If the {id} argument is not specified,
4098 |matchadd()| automatically chooses a free ID.
4099
4100 The number of matches is not limited, as it is the case with
4101 the |:match| commands.
4102
4103 Example: >
4104 :highlight MyGroup ctermbg=green guibg=green
4105 :let m = matchadd("MyGroup", "TODO")
4106< Deletion of the pattern: >
4107 :call matchdelete(m)
4108
4109< A list of matches defined by |matchadd()| and |:match| are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004110 available from |getmatches()|. All matches can be deleted in
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004111 one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004112
4113matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004114 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004115 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
4116 Return a |List| with two elements:
4117 The name of the highlight group used
4118 The pattern used.
4119 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
4120 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004121 This is useful to save and restore a |:match|.
4122 Highlighting matches using the |:match| commands are limited
4123 to three matches. |matchadd()| does not have this limitation.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004124
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004125matchdelete({id}) *matchdelete()* *E802* *E803*
4126 Deletes a match with ID {id} previously defined by |matchadd()|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004127 or one of the |:match| commands. Returns 0 if successful,
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004128 otherwise -1. See example for |matchadd()|. All matches can
4129 be deleted in one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004130
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004131matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004132 Same as |match()|, but return the index of first character
4133 after the match. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004134 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
4135< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004136 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
4137 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
4138 do it with matchend(): >
4139 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
4140 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
4141< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
4142
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004143 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for |match()|. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004144 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
4145< results in "7". >
4146 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
4147< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004148 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004149
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004150matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004151 Same as |match()|, but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004152 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
4153 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00004154 in |:substitute|. When an optional submatch didn't match an
4155 empty string is used. Example: >
4156 echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
4157< Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004158 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
4159
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004160matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004161 Same as |match()|, but return the matched string. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004162 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
4163< results in "ing".
4164 When there is no match "" is returned.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004165 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for |match()|. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004166 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
4167< results in "ing". >
4168 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
4169< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004170 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004171 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004172
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004173 *max()*
4174max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
4175 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4176 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004177 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004178
4179 *min()*
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00004180min({list}) Return the minimum value of all items in {list}.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004181 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4182 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004183 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004184
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004185 *mkdir()* *E739*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004186mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
4187 Create directory {name}.
4188 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
4189 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
4190 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
4191 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004192 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
Bram Moolenaared39e1d2008-08-09 17:55:22 +00004193 for others. This is only used for the last part of {name}.
4194 Thus if you create /tmp/foo/bar then /tmp/foo will be created
4195 with 0755.
4196 Example: >
4197 :call mkdir($HOME . "/tmp/foo/bar", "p", 0700)
4198< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004199 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4200 :if exists("*mkdir")
4201<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004202 *mode()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004203mode([expr]) Return a string that indicates the current mode.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004204 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
4205 a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then the full mode is
4206 returned, otherwise only the first letter is returned. Note
4207 that " " and "0" are also non-empty strings.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004208
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004209 n Normal
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004210 no Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004211 v Visual by character
4212 V Visual by line
4213 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
4214 s Select by character
4215 S Select by line
4216 CTRL-S Select blockwise
4217 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004218 R Replace |R|
4219 Rv Virtual Replace |gR|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004220 c Command-line
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004221 cv Vim Ex mode |gQ|
4222 ce Normal Ex mode |Q|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004223 r Hit-enter prompt
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004224 rm The -- more -- prompt
4225 r? A |:confirm| query of some sort
4226 ! Shell or external command is executing
4227 This is useful in the 'statusline' option or when used
4228 with |remote_expr()| In most other places it always returns
4229 "c" or "n".
4230 Also see |visualmode()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004231
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01004232mzeval({expr}) *mzeval()*
4233 Evaluate MzScheme expression {expr} and return its result
4234 convert to Vim data structures.
4235 Numbers and strings are returned as they are.
4236 Pairs (including lists and improper lists) and vectors are
4237 returned as Vim |Lists|.
4238 Hash tables are represented as Vim |Dictionary| type with keys
4239 converted to strings.
4240 All other types are converted to string with display function.
4241 Examples: >
4242 :mz (define l (list 1 2 3))
4243 :mz (define h (make-hash)) (hash-set! h "list" l)
4244 :echo mzeval("l")
4245 :echo mzeval("h")
4246<
4247 {only available when compiled with the |+mzscheme| feature}
4248
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004249nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
4250 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
4251 that is not blank. Example: >
4252 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
4253< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4254 below it, zero is returned.
4255 See also |prevnonblank()|.
4256
4257nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
4258 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
4259 value {expr}. Examples: >
4260 nr2char(64) returns "@"
4261 nr2char(32) returns " "
4262< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
4263 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
4264< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
4265 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
4266 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004267 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004268
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00004269 *getpid()*
4270getpid() Return a Number which is the process ID of the Vim process.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004271 On Unix and MS-Windows this is a unique number, until Vim
4272 exits. On MS-DOS it's always zero.
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00004273
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004274 *getpos()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004275getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
4276 see |line()|.
4277 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
4278 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4279 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
4280 is the buffer number of the mark.
4281 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4282 column is 1.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004283 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
4284 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00004285 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004286 character.
4287 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
4288 let save_cursor = getpos(".")
4289 MoveTheCursorAround
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004290 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004291< Also see |setpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004292
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004293pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
4294 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
4295 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
4296 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
4297 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
4298 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
4299< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
4300 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
4301
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004302pow({x}, {y}) *pow()*
4303 Return the power of {x} to the exponent {y} as a |Float|.
4304 {x} and {y} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4305 Examples: >
4306 :echo pow(3, 3)
4307< 27.0 >
4308 :echo pow(2, 16)
4309< 65536.0 >
4310 :echo pow(32, 0.20)
4311< 2.0
4312 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4313
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004314prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
4315 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
4316 that is not blank. Example: >
4317 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
4318< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4319 above it, zero is returned.
4320 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
4321
4322
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004323printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
4324 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
4325 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004326 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004327< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004328 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004329
4330 Often used items are:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004331 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004332 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004333 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
4334 %c single byte
4335 %d decimal number
4336 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
4337 %x hex number
4338 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
4339 %X hex number using upper case letters
4340 %o octal number
4341 %f floating point number in the form 123.456
4342 %e floating point number in the form 1.234e3
4343 %E floating point number in the form 1.234E3
4344 %g floating point number, as %f or %e depending on value
4345 %G floating point number, as %f or %E depending on value
4346 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004347
4348 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
4349 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
4350 the result.
4351
4352 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004353 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004354
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004355 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004356
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004357 flags
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004358 Zero or more of the following flags:
4359
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004360 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
4361 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
4362 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
4363 of the number is increased to force the first
4364 character of the output string to a zero (except
4365 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
4366 precision of zero).
4367 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
4368 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
4369 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004370
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004371 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
4372 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
4373 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
4374 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
4375 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004376
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004377 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
4378 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
4379 The converted value is padded on the right with
4380 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
4381 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004382
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004383 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
4384 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004385
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004386 + A sign must always be placed before a number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004387 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004388 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004389
4390 field-width
4391 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004392 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
4393 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
4394 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
4395 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004396
4397 .precision
4398 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
4399 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
4400 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
4401 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
4402 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004403 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004404 For floating point it is the number of digits after
4405 the decimal point.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004406
4407 type
4408 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
4409 be applied, see below.
4410
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004411 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
4412 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004413 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004414 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
4415 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
4416 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004417 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004418< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004419 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004420
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004421 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004422
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004423 *printf-d* *printf-o* *printf-x* *printf-X*
4424 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004425 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
4426 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
4427 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004428 conversions.
4429 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
4430 digits that must appear; if the converted value
4431 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
4432 zeros.
4433 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
4434 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
4435 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
4436 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
4437
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004438 *printf-c*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004439 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
4440 resulting character is written.
4441
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004442 *printf-s*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004443 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
4444 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
4445 specified are used.
4446
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004447 *printf-f* *E807*
4448 f The Float argument is converted into a string of the
4449 form 123.456. The precision specifies the number of
4450 digits after the decimal point. When the precision is
4451 zero the decimal point is omitted. When the precision
4452 is not specified 6 is used. A really big number
4453 (out of range or dividing by zero) results in "inf".
4454 "0.0 / 0.0" results in "nan".
4455 Example: >
4456 echo printf("%.2f", 12.115)
4457< 12.12
4458 Note that roundoff depends on the system libraries.
4459 Use |round()| when in doubt.
4460
4461 *printf-e* *printf-E*
4462 e E The Float argument is converted into a string of the
4463 form 1.234e+03 or 1.234E+03 when using 'E'. The
4464 precision specifies the number of digits after the
4465 decimal point, like with 'f'.
4466
4467 *printf-g* *printf-G*
4468 g G The Float argument is converted like with 'f' if the
4469 value is between 0.001 (inclusive) and 10000000.0
4470 (exclusive). Otherwise 'e' is used for 'g' and 'E'
4471 for 'G'. When no precision is specified superfluous
4472 zeroes and '+' signs are removed, except for the zero
4473 immediately after the decimal point. Thus 10000000.0
4474 results in 1.0e7.
4475
4476 *printf-%*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004477 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
4478 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004479
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00004480 When a Number argument is expected a String argument is also
4481 accepted and automatically converted.
4482 When a Float or String argument is expected a Number argument
4483 is also accepted and automatically converted.
4484 Any other argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004485
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00004486 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004487 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
4488 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004489 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004490
4491
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004492pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
4493 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
4494 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004495 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
4496 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004497
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004498 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004499range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004500 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004501 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
4502 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
4503 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
4504 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
4505 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00004506 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
4507 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
4508 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004509 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004510 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004511 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
4512 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004513 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00004514 range(0) " []
4515 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004516<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004517 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004518readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004519 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
4520 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004521 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
4522 NL appears somewhere).
4523 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
4524 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
4525 added.
4526 - No CR characters are removed.
4527 Otherwise:
4528 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
4529 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
4530 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004531 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
4532 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
4533 lines of a file: >
4534 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
4535 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
4536 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004537< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
4538 are returned, or as many as there are.
4539 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004540 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
4541 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
4542 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004543 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
4544 the result is an empty list.
4545 Also see |writefile()|.
4546
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004547reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
4548 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
4549 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
4550 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
4551 Without an argument it returns the current time.
4552 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
4553 specified in the argument.
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004554 With two arguments it returns the time passed between {start}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004555 and {end}.
4556 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
4557 reltime().
4558 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
4559
4560reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
4561 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
4562 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
4563 microseconds. Example: >
4564 let start = reltime()
4565 call MyFunction()
4566 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
4567< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
4568 The accuracy depends on the system.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004569 Leading spaces are used to make the string align nicely. You
4570 can use split() to remove it. >
4571 echo split(reltimestr(reltime(start)))[0]
4572< Also see |profiling|.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004573 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
4574
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004575 *remote_expr()* *E449*
4576remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004577 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004578 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004579 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
4580 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
4581 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004582 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
4583 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
4584 remote_read() is stored there.
4585 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4586 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4587 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4588 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
4589 and the result will be the empty string.
4590 Examples: >
4591 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
4592 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
4593<
4594
4595remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
4596 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
4597 This works like: >
4598 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
4599< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
4600 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
4601 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004602 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
4603 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004604 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4605 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
4606 Win32 console version}
4607
4608
4609remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
4610 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
4611 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004612 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004613 name of a variable.
4614 Returns zero if none are available.
4615 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
4616 See also |clientserver|.
4617 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4618 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4619 Examples: >
4620 :let repl = ""
4621 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
4622
4623remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
4624 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
4625 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
4626 See also |clientserver|.
4627 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4628 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4629 Example: >
4630 :echo remote_read(id)
4631<
4632 *remote_send()* *E241*
4633remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004634 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004635 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
4636 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004637 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
4638 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
4639 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004640 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4641 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4642 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4643 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
4644 up the display.
4645 Examples: >
4646 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
4647 \ remote_read(serverid)
4648
4649 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
4650 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
4651 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
4652 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004653<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004654remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004655 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004656 return the item.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004657 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004658 return a List with these items. When {idx} points to the same
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004659 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
4660 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
4661 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004662 Example: >
4663 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004664 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004665remove({dict}, {key})
4666 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
4667 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
4668< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
4669
4670 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004671
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004672rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
4673 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
4674 should also work to move files across file systems. The
4675 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
4676 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
Bram Moolenaar798b30b2009-04-22 10:56:16 +00004677 NOTE: If {to} exists it is overwritten without warning.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004678 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4679
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004680repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
4681 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
4682 result. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004683 :let separator = repeat('-', 80)
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004684< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004685 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004686 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004687 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
4688< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004689
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004690
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004691resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
4692 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
4693 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
4694 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
4695 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
4696 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
4697 stopped after 100 iterations.
4698 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
4699 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
4700 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
4701 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
4702 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
4703
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004704 *reverse()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004705reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004706 {list}.
4707 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4708 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
4709
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004710round({expr}) *round()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00004711 Round off {expr} to the nearest integral value and return it
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004712 as a |Float|. If {expr} lies halfway between two integral
4713 values, then use the larger one (away from zero).
4714 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4715 Examples: >
4716 echo round(0.456)
4717< 0.0 >
4718 echo round(4.5)
4719< 5.0 >
4720 echo round(-4.5)
4721< -5.0
4722 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4723
4724
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004725search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004726 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004727 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004728
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004729 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
4730 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004731 'c' accept a match at the cursor position
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004732 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004733 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004734 'p' return number of matching sub-pattern (see below)
4735 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004736 'w' wrap around the end of the file
4737 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
4738 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
4739
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00004740 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
4741 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
4742 flag.
4743
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004744 'ignorecase', 'smartcase' and 'magic' are used.
4745
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004746 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
4747 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
4748 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
4749 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
4750 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
4751< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
4752 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004753 A zero value is equal to not giving the argument.
4754
4755 When the {timeout} argument is given the search stops when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004756 more than this many milli seconds have passed. Thus when
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004757 {timeout} is 500 the search stops after half a second.
4758 The value must not be negative. A zero value is like not
4759 giving the argument.
4760 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004761
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004762 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
4763 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004764 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
4765 *search()-sub-match*
4766 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
4767 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
4768 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004769 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004770
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004771 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
4772 flag is used.
4773
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004774 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
4775 :let n = 1
4776 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
4777 : exe "argument " . n
4778 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
4779 : " first search to find match at start of file
4780 : normal G$
4781 : let flags = "w"
4782 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004783 : s/foo/bar/g
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004784 : let flags = "W"
4785 : endwhile
4786 : update " write the file if modified
4787 : let n = n + 1
4788 :endwhile
4789<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004790 Example for using some flags: >
4791 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
4792< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
4793 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
4794 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
4795 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
4796 line:
4797 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
4798 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
4799 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
4800 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
4801 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
4802
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004803
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004804searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
4805 Search for the declaration of {name}.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004806
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004807 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
4808 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
4809 first match in the function.
4810
4811 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
4812 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
4813 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
4814
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004815 Moves the cursor to the found match.
4816 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4817 Example: >
4818 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
4819 echo getline('.')
4820 endif
4821<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004822 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004823searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
4824 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004825 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
4826 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
4827 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004828 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
4829 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
4830 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
4831 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
4832 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
4833 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004834
4835 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
4836 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
4837 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
4838 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
4839 typical use is: >
4840 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
4841< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
4842
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004843 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
4844 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004845 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004846 outer pair. Implies the 'W' flag.
4847 'm' Return number of matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004848 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004849 Note: it's nearly always a good idea to use the 'W' flag, to
4850 avoid wrapping around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004851
4852 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
4853 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
4854 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
4855 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
4856 or a string.
4857 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
4858 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
4859 and -1 returned.
4860
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004861 For {stopline} and {timeout} see |search()|.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004862
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004863 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
4864 patterns are used like it's on.
4865
4866 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
4867 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
4868 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
4869 if 1
4870 if 2
4871 endif 2
4872 endif 1
4873< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
4874 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
4875 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004876 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004877 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
4878 "endif 2".
4879 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
4880 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
4881 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
4882 the matching start.
4883
4884 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
4885
4886 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
4887 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
4888
4889< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
4890 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
4891 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
4892 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
4893 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
4894 match.
4895 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
4896
4897 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
4898
4899< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
4900 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
4901 highlighting recognized as strings: >
4902
4903 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
4904 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
4905<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004906 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004907searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
4908 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004909 Same as |searchpair()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004910 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4911 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004912 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02004913 returns [0, 0]. >
4914
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004915 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
4916<
4917 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
4918
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004919searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *searchpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004920 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004921 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4922 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
4923 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4924 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004925 Example: >
4926 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
4927
4928< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
4929 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
4930 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
4931< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
4932 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
4933
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004934server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
4935 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
4936 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
4937 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4938 Note:
4939 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004940 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004941 before calling any commands that waits for input.
4942 See also |clientserver|.
4943 Example: >
4944 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
4945<
4946serverlist() *serverlist()*
4947 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
4948 When there are no servers or the information is not available
4949 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
4950 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4951 Example: >
4952 :echo serverlist()
4953<
4954setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
4955 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
4956 {val}.
4957 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
4958 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
4959 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
4960 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
4961 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
4962 Examples: >
4963 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
4964 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
4965< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4966
4967setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
4968 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004969 {pos}. The first position is 1.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004970 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
4971 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004972 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
4973 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
4974 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
4975 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
4976 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004977 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
4978 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
4979 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
4980 line.
4981
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004982setline({lnum}, {text}) *setline()*
4983 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {text}.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004984 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004985 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {text} will be
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004986 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004987 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
4988 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004989 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004990< When {text} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004991 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
4992 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
4993< This is equivalent to: >
4994 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
4995 : call setline(n, l)
4996 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004997< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
4998
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004999setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
5000 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
5001 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005002 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
5003 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00005004 Otherwise, same as |setqflist()|.
5005 Also see |location-list|.
5006
5007setmatches({list}) *setmatches()*
5008 Restores a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|. Returns 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005009 if successful, otherwise -1. All current matches are cleared
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00005010 before the list is restored. See example for |getmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005011
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005012 *setpos()*
5013setpos({expr}, {list})
5014 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
5015 . the cursor
5016 'x mark x
5017
5018 {list} must be a |List| with four numbers:
5019 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
5020
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005021 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005022 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005023 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
5024 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
5025 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005026 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005027
5028 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005029 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark. If "col" is
5030 smaller than 1 then 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005031
5032 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
5033 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005034 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005035 character.
5036
Bram Moolenaar08250432008-02-13 11:42:46 +00005037 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
5038 An error message is given if {expr} is invalid.
5039
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005040 Also see |getpos()|
5041
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005042 This does not restore the preferred column for moving
5043 vertically. See |winrestview()| for that.
5044
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005045
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00005046setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00005047 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
5048 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
5049 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
5050 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005051
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005052 bufnr buffer number; must be the number of a valid
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005053 buffer
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005054 filename name of a file; only used when "bufnr" is not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005055 present or it is invalid.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005056 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005057 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005058 col column number
5059 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005060 when zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005061 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005062 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005063 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005064
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005065 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
5066 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
5067 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005068 If the "filename" and "bufnr" entries are not present or
5069 neither the "lnum" or "pattern" entries are present, then the
5070 item will not be handled as an error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005071 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
5072 be used.
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02005073 If you supply an empty {list}, the quickfix list will be
5074 cleared.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005075 Note that the list is not exactly the same as what
5076 |getqflist()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005077
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00005078 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
5079 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
5080 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
5081 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
5082 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
5083 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
5084
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005085 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
5086
5087 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
5088 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
5089 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
5090
5091
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005092 *setreg()*
5093setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
5094 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
5095 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
5096 then the value is appended.
5097 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
5098 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
5099 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
5100 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
5101 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
5102 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
5103 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005104 in the longest line (counting a <Tab> as 1 character).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005105
5106 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
5107 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
5108 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
5109 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
5110
5111 Examples: >
5112 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
5113 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
5114 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
5115
5116< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
5117 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005118 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005119 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
5120 ....
5121 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
5122
5123< You can also change the type of a register by appending
5124 nothing: >
5125 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
5126
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02005127settabvar({tabnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabvar()*
5128 Set tab-local variable {varname} to {val} in tab page {tabnr}.
5129 |t:var|
5130 Note that the variable name without "t:" must be used.
5131 Tabs are numbered starting with one.
5132 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
5133 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
5134 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5135
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00005136settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabwinvar()*
5137 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
5138 {val}.
5139 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
5140 use |setwinvar()|.
5141 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005142 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
5143 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
5144 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
5145 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00005146 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
5147 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
5148 Examples: >
5149 :call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
5150 :call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
5151< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5152
5153setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
5154 Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005155 Examples: >
5156 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
5157 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005158
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005159shellescape({string} [, {special}]) *shellescape()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005160 Escape {string} for use as a shell command argument.
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005161 On MS-Windows and MS-DOS, when 'shellslash' is not set, it
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005162 will enclose {string} in double quotes and double all double
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005163 quotes within {string}.
5164 For other systems, it will enclose {string} in single quotes
5165 and replace all "'" with "'\''".
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005166 When the {special} argument is present and it's a non-zero
5167 Number or a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then special
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005168 items such as "!", "%", "#" and "<cword>" will be preceded by
5169 a backslash. This backslash will be removed again by the |:!|
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005170 command.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005171 The "!" character will be escaped (again with a |non-zero-arg|
5172 {special}) when 'shell' contains "csh" in the tail. That is
5173 because for csh and tcsh "!" is used for history replacement
5174 even when inside single quotes.
5175 The <NL> character is also escaped. With a |non-zero-arg|
5176 {special} and 'shell' containing "csh" in the tail it's
5177 escaped a second time.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005178 Example of use with a |:!| command: >
5179 :exe '!dir ' . shellescape(expand('<cfile>'), 1)
5180< This results in a directory listing for the file under the
5181 cursor. Example of use with |system()|: >
5182 :call system("chmod +w -- " . shellescape(expand("%")))
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005183
5184
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005185simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
5186 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
5187 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
5188 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
5189 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
5190 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
5191 not removed either.
5192 Example: >
5193 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
5194< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
5195 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
5196 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
5197 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
5198 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
5199
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005200
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005201sin({expr}) *sin()*
5202 Return the sine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
5203 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5204 Examples: >
5205 :echo sin(100)
5206< -0.506366 >
5207 :echo sin(-4.01)
5208< 0.763301
5209 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5210
5211
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005212sinh({expr}) *sinh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005213 Return the hyperbolic sine of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005214 [-inf, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005215 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005216 Examples: >
5217 :echo sinh(0.5)
5218< 0.521095 >
5219 :echo sinh(-0.9)
5220< -1.026517
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005221 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005222
5223
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005224sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005225 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
5226 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
5227 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
5228< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005229 Numbers sort after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005230 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005231 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005232 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
5233 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005234 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 or
5235 bigger if the first one sorts after the second one, -1 or
5236 smaller if the first one sorts before the second one.
5237 Example: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005238 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
5239 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
5240 endfunc
5241 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005242< A shorter compare version for this specific simple case, which
5243 ignores overflow: >
5244 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
5245 return a:i1 - a:i2
5246 endfunc
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005247<
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00005248 *soundfold()*
5249soundfold({word})
5250 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005251 language in 'spelllang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00005252 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
5253 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00005254 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
5255 the method can be quite slow.
5256
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005257 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00005258spellbadword([{sentence}])
5259 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
5260 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
5261 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
5262 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
5263
5264 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
5265 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
5266 result is an empty string.
5267
5268 The return value is a list with two items:
5269 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
5270 - The type of the spelling error:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005271 "bad" spelling mistake
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00005272 "rare" rare word
5273 "local" word only valid in another region
5274 "caps" word should start with Capital
5275 Example: >
5276 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
5277< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
5278
5279 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
5280 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
5281 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005282
5283 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005284spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005285 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005286 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
5287 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
5288
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005289 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
5290 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
5291 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
5292
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005293 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
5294 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00005295 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
5296 replace a line.
5297
5298 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005299 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
5300 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005301
5302 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00005303 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
5304 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005305
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005306
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005307split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005308 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
5309 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
5310 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005311 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005312 removing the matched characters.
5313 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
5314 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00005315 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
5316 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005317 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005318 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005319< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005320 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00005321< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
5322 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
5323< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005324 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
5325 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
5326< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005327
5328
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005329sqrt({expr}) *sqrt()*
5330 Return the non-negative square root of Float {expr} as a
5331 |Float|.
5332 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|. When {expr}
5333 is negative the result is NaN (Not a Number).
5334 Examples: >
5335 :echo sqrt(100)
5336< 10.0 >
5337 :echo sqrt(-4.01)
5338< nan
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005339 "nan" may be different, it depends on system libraries.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005340 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5341
5342
5343str2float( {expr}) *str2float()*
5344 Convert String {expr} to a Float. This mostly works the same
5345 as when using a floating point number in an expression, see
5346 |floating-point-format|. But it's a bit more permissive.
5347 E.g., "1e40" is accepted, while in an expression you need to
5348 write "1.0e40".
5349 Text after the number is silently ignored.
5350 The decimal point is always '.', no matter what the locale is
5351 set to. A comma ends the number: "12,345.67" is converted to
5352 12.0. You can strip out thousands separators with
5353 |substitute()|: >
5354 let f = str2float(substitute(text, ',', '', 'g'))
5355< {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5356
5357
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00005358str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
5359 Convert string {expr} to a number.
5360 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 8, 10 or 16.
5361 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
5362 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
5363 with the default String to Number conversion.
5364 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
5365 different base the result will be zero.
5366 Text after the number is silently ignored.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005367
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00005368
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005369strchars({expr}) *strchars()*
5370 The result is a Number, which is the number of characters
5371 String {expr} occupies. Composing characters are counted
5372 separately.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005373 Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strwidth()|.
5374
5375strdisplaywidth({expr}[, {col}]) *strdisplaywidth()*
5376 The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
5377 String {expr} occupies on the screen.
5378 When {col} is omitted zero is used. Otherwise it is the
5379 screen column where to start. This matters for Tab
5380 characters.
Bram Moolenaar4d32c2d2010-07-18 22:10:01 +02005381 The option settings of the current window are used. This
5382 matters for anything that's displayed differently, such as
5383 'tabstop' and 'display'.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005384 When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
5385 Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
5386 Also see |strlen()|, |strwidth()| and |strchars()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005387
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005388strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
5389 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
5390 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
5391 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
5392 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
5393 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
5394 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
5395 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
5396 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
5397 Examples: >
5398 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
5399 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
5400 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
5401 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
5402 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
5403 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005404< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
5405 :if exists("*strftime")
5406
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005407stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
5408 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
5409 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005410 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
5411 This can be used to find a second match: >
5412 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
5413 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
5414< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005415 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005416 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005417 See also |strridx()|.
5418 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005419 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
5420 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
5421 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005422< *strstr()* *strchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005423 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
5424 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
5425
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005426 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005427string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005428 Float, String or a composition of them, then the result can be
5429 parsed back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005430 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005431 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005432 Number 123
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005433 Float 123.123456 or 1.123456e8
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005434 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005435 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00005436 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005437 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005438 Also see |strtrans()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005439
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005440 *strlen()*
5441strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00005442 {expr} in bytes.
5443 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
5444 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005445
5446 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00005447<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005448 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
5449 For other types an error is given.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005450 Also see |len()|, |strchars()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and
5451 |strwidth()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005452
5453strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
5454 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00005455 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005456 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
5457 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
5458 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
5459 end of the {src}. >
5460 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
5461 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
5462 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005463 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005464< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
5465 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00005466 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005467<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005468strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
5469 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
5470 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
5471 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
5472 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
5473 match: >
5474 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
5475 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
5476< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005477 For pattern searches use |match()|.
5478 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00005479 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005480 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005481 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005482< *strrchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005483 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
5484 function strrchr().
5485
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005486strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
5487 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
5488 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
5489 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
5490 echo strtrans(@a)
5491< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
5492 starting a new line.
5493
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005494strwidth({expr}) *strwidth()*
5495 The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
5496 String {expr} occupies. A Tab character is counted as one
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005497 cell, alternatively use |strdisplaywidth()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005498 When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
5499 Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005500 Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strchars()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005501
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005502submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
5503 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
5504 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
5505 the whole matched text is returned.
5506 Example: >
5507 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
5508< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
5509 A line break is included as a newline character.
5510
5511substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
5512 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
5513 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
5514 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
5515 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
5516 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005517 'ignorecase' is still relevant. 'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005518 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
5519 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
5520 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005521 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005522 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
5523 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
5524 unmodified.
5525 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
5526 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
5527 Example: >
5528 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
5529< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
5530 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
5531< results in "TESTING".
5532
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005533synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005534 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005535 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005536 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
5537 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00005538
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005539 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00005540 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
5541
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005542 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005543 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005544 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
5545 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
5546 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
5547 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
5548 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
5549
5550 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
5551 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
5552<
5553synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
5554 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
5555 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
5556 about a syntax item.
5557 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005558 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005559 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
5560 used (GUI, cterm or term).
5561 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
5562 {what} result
5563 "name" the name of the syntax item
5564 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
5565 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
5566 term: empty string)
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00005567 "bg" background color (as with "fg")
Bram Moolenaar12682fd2010-03-10 13:43:49 +01005568 "font" font name (only available in the GUI)
5569 |highlight-font|
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00005570 "sp" special color (as with "fg") |highlight-guisp|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005571 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
5572 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
5573 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00005574 "sp#" like "fg#" for "sp"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005575 "bold" "1" if bold
5576 "italic" "1" if italic
5577 "reverse" "1" if reverse
5578 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
Bram Moolenaar12682fd2010-03-10 13:43:49 +01005579 "standout" "1" if standout
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005580 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005581 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005582
5583 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
5584 cursor): >
5585 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
5586<
5587synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
5588 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
5589 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
5590 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
5591 ":highlight link" are followed.
5592
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005593synstack({lnum}, {col}) *synstack()*
5594 Return a |List|, which is the stack of syntax items at the
5595 position {lnum} and {col} in the current window. Each item in
5596 the List is an ID like what |synID()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005597 The first item in the List is the outer region, following are
5598 items contained in that one. The last one is what |synID()|
5599 returns, unless not the whole item is highlighted or it is a
5600 transparent item.
5601 This function is useful for debugging a syntax file.
5602 Example that shows the syntax stack under the cursor: >
5603 for id in synstack(line("."), col("."))
5604 echo synIDattr(id, "name")
5605 endfor
Bram Moolenaar0bc380a2010-07-10 13:52:13 +02005606< When the position specified with {lnum} and {col} is invalid
5607 nothing is returned. The position just after the last
5608 character in a line and the first column in an empty line are
5609 valid positions.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005610
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00005611system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
5612 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
5613 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
5614 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
5615 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005616 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005617 Note: Use |shellescape()| to escape special characters in a
5618 command argument. Newlines in {expr} may cause the command to
5619 fail. The characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may
5620 also cause trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005621 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005622
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005623 The result is a String. Example: >
5624 :let files = system("ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h')))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005625
5626< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
5627 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
5628 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
5629 The command executed is constructed using several options:
5630 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
5631 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
5632 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
5633 concatenated commands.
5634
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005635 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
5636 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
5637
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005638 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
5639 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00005640
5641 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
5642 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
5643 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005644 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
5645 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
5646
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005647
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005648tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005649 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005650 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
5651 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
5652 omitted the current tab page is used.
5653 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
5654 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
5655 tablist = []
5656 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
5657 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
5658 endfor
5659< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
5660
5661
5662tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00005663 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
5664 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
5665 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
5666 page is returned (the tab page count).
5667 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
5668
5669
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005670tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
5671 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {arg}.
5672 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
5673 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
5674 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
5675 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
5676 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
5677 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
5678 Useful examples: >
5679 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
5680 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
5681< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
5682
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00005683 *tagfiles()*
5684tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
5685 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
5686
5687
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005688taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
5689 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00005690 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
5691 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005692 name Name of the tag.
5693 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005694 defined. It is either relative to the
5695 current directory or a full path.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005696 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
5697 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005698 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005699 entry depends on the language specific
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005700 kind values. Only available when
5701 using a tags file generated by
5702 Exuberant ctags or hdrtag.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005703 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005704 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005705 More entries may be present, depending on the content of the
5706 tags file: access, implementation, inherits and signature.
5707 Refer to the ctags documentation for information about these
5708 fields. For C code the fields "struct", "class" and "enum"
5709 may appear, they give the name of the entity the tag is
5710 contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005711
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00005712 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
5713 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005714
5715 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
5716
5717 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
5718 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
5719 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
5720
5721 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
5722 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
5723 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
5724
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005725tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
5726 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005727 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005728 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
5729 :let tmpfile = tempname()
5730 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005731< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory |tempfile|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005732 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
5733 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
5734
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005735
5736tan({expr}) *tan()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005737 Return the tangent of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005738 in the range [-inf, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005739 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005740 Examples: >
5741 :echo tan(10)
5742< 0.648361 >
5743 :echo tan(-4.01)
5744< -1.181502
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005745 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005746
5747
5748tanh({expr}) *tanh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005749 Return the hyperbolic tangent of {expr} as a |Float| in the
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005750 range [-1, 1].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005751 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005752 Examples: >
5753 :echo tanh(0.5)
5754< 0.462117 >
5755 :echo tanh(-1)
5756< -0.761594
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005757 {only available when compiled with |+float|}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005758
5759
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005760tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
5761 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
5762 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
5763 the string).
5764
5765toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
5766 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
5767 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
5768 the string).
5769
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00005770tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
5771 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
5772 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
5773 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
5774 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
5775 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
5776 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
5777
5778 Examples: >
5779 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
5780< returns "Hello THere" >
5781 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
5782< returns "{blob}"
5783
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005784trunc({expr}) *trunc()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005785 Return the largest integral value with magnitude less than or
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005786 equal to {expr} as a |Float| (truncate towards zero).
5787 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5788 Examples: >
5789 echo trunc(1.456)
5790< 1.0 >
5791 echo trunc(-5.456)
5792< -5.0 >
5793 echo trunc(4.0)
5794< 4.0
5795 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5796
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005797 *type()*
5798type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005799 Number: 0
5800 String: 1
5801 Funcref: 2
5802 List: 3
5803 Dictionary: 4
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005804 Float: 5
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005805 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005806 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
5807 :if type(myvar) == type("")
5808 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
5809 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005810 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005811 :if type(myvar) == type(0.0)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005812
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02005813undofile({name}) *undofile()*
5814 Return the name of the undo file that would be used for a file
5815 with name {name} when writing. This uses the 'undodir'
5816 option, finding directories that exist. It does not check if
Bram Moolenaar860cae12010-06-05 23:22:07 +02005817 the undo file exists.
Bram Moolenaar945e2db2010-06-05 17:43:32 +02005818 {name} is always expanded to the full path, since that is what
5819 is used internally.
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02005820 Useful in combination with |:wundo| and |:rundo|.
5821 When compiled without the +persistent_undo option this always
5822 returns an empty string.
5823
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02005824undotree() *undotree()*
5825 Return the current state of the undo tree in a dictionary with
5826 the following items:
5827 "seq_last" The highest undo sequence number used.
5828 "seq_cur" The sequence number of the current position in
5829 the undo tree. This differs from "seq_last"
5830 when some changes were undone.
5831 "time_cur" Time last used for |:earlier| and related
5832 commands. Use |strftime()| to convert to
5833 something readable.
5834 "save_last" Number of the last file write. Zero when no
5835 write yet.
Bram Moolenaar730cde92010-06-27 05:18:54 +02005836 "save_cur" Number of the current position in the undo
5837 tree.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02005838 "synced" Non-zero when the last undo block was synced.
5839 This happens when waiting from input from the
5840 user. See |undo-blocks|.
5841 "entries" A list of dictionaries with information about
5842 undo blocks.
5843
5844 The first item in the "entries" list is the oldest undo item.
5845 Each List item is a Dictionary with these items:
5846 "seq" Undo sequence number. Same as what appears in
5847 |:undolist|.
5848 "time" Timestamp when the change happened. Use
5849 |strftime()| to convert to something readable.
5850 "newhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
5851 that was added. This marks the last change
5852 and where further changes will be added.
5853 "curhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
5854 that was undone. This marks the current
5855 position in the undo tree, the block that will
5856 be used by a redo command. When nothing was
5857 undone after the last change this item will
5858 not appear anywhere.
5859 "save" Only appears on the last block before a file
5860 write. The number is the write count. The
5861 first write has number 1, the last one the
5862 "save_last" mentioned above.
5863 "alt" Alternate entry. This is again a List of undo
5864 blocks. Each item may again have an "alt"
5865 item.
5866
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005867values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005868 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005869 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005870
5871
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005872virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
5873 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
5874 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
5875 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
5876 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
5877 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
5878 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
5879 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00005880 For the byte position use |col()|.
5881 For the use of {expr} see |col()|.
5882 When 'virtualedit' is used {expr} can be [lnum, col, off], where
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005883 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005884 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005885 character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005886 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
5887 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
5888 The accepted positions are:
5889 . the cursor position
5890 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
5891 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
5892 plus one)
5893 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
5894 returned)
5895 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
5896 Examples: >
5897 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
5898 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005899 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
5900< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005901 A more advanced example that echoes the maximum length of
5902 all lines: >
5903 echo max(map(range(1, line('$')), "virtcol([v:val, '$'])"))
5904
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005905
5906visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
5907 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005908 used in the current buffer. Initially it returns an empty
5909 string, but once Visual mode has been used, it returns "v",
5910 "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a single CTRL-V character) for
5911 character-wise, line-wise, or block-wise Visual mode
5912 respectively.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005913 Example: >
5914 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
5915< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
5916 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
5917 Visual mode that was used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005918 If Visual mode is active, use |mode()| to get the Visual mode
5919 (e.g., in a |:vmap|).
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005920 *non-zero-arg*
5921 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
5922 a non-empty String, then the Visual mode will be cleared and
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005923 the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005924 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared. A List,
5925 Dictionary or Float is not a Number or String, thus does not
5926 cause the mode to be cleared.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005927
5928 *winbufnr()*
5929winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005930 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005931 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
5932 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5933 Example: >
5934 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
5935<
5936 *wincol()*
5937wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
5938 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
5939 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
5940
5941winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
5942 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
5943 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
5944 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5945 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
5946 Examples: >
5947 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
5948<
5949 *winline()*
5950winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005951 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005952 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00005953 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
5954 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005955
5956 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005957winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
5958 window. The top window has number 1.
5959 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00005960 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005961 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
5962 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005963 If there is no previous window or it is in another tab page 0
5964 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005965 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
5966 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005967 Also see |tabpagewinnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005968
5969 *winrestcmd()*
5970winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
5971 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005972 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
5973 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005974 Example: >
5975 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
5976 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
5977 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005978<
5979 *winrestview()*
5980winrestview({dict})
5981 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
5982 the view of the current window.
5983 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
5984 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
5985
5986 *winsaveview()*
5987winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
5988 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
5989 restore the view.
5990 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
5991 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
5992 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005993 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
5994 not opened when moving around.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005995 The return value includes:
5996 lnum cursor line number
5997 col cursor column
5998 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
5999 curswant column for vertical movement
6000 topline first line in the window
6001 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
6002 leftcol first column displayed
6003 skipcol columns skipped
6004 Note that no option values are saved.
6005
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006006
6007winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
6008 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
6009 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
6010 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
6011 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
6012 Examples: >
6013 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
6014 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
6015 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
6016 :endif
6017<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006018 *writefile()*
6019writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006020 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006021 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
6022 Number.
6023 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
6024 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
6025 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
6026 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
6027 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
6028 to writefile().
6029 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
6030 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
6031 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
6032 fails.
6033 Also see |readfile()|.
6034 To copy a file byte for byte: >
6035 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
6036 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
6037<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006038
6039 *feature-list*
6040There are three types of features:
60411. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
6042 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
6043 :if has("cindent")
60442. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
6045 Example: >
6046 :if has("gui_running")
6047< *has-patch*
60483. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
6049 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
6050 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
6051 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006052< Note that it's possible for patch 147 to be omitted even though 148 is
6053 included.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006054
6055all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
6056amiga Amiga version of Vim.
6057arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
6058arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00006059autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006060balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00006061balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006062beos BeOS version of Vim.
6063browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
6064 work.
6065builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
6066byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
6067cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
6068clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
6069clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
6070cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
6071cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
6072cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
6073comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
6074cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
6075cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
6076compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
6077debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
6078dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
6079dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
6080diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
6081digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
6082dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
6083dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
6084dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
6085ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
6086emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
6087eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
6088 true, of course!
6089ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
6090extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
6091 |'hlsearch'|
6092farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
6093file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006094filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
6095 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006096find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
6097 |+find_in_path|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006098float Compiled with support for |Float|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006099fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
6100 Windows this is not present).
6101folding Compiled with |folding| support.
6102footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
6103fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
6104gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
6105gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
6106gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006107gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
6108gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006109gui_gnome Compiled with Gnome support (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006110gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
6111gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
6112gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
6113gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
6114gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
6115gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
6116hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
6117iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
6118insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
6119 Insert mode.
6120jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
6121keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
6122langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
6123libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
6124linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
6125 support.
6126lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
6127listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
6128 and the argument list |arglist|.
6129localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
Bram Moolenaar0ba04292010-07-14 23:23:17 +02006130lua Compiled with Lua interface |Lua|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006131mac Macintosh version of Vim.
6132macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
6133menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
6134mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
6135modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
6136mouse Compiled with support mouse.
6137mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
6138mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
6139mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
6140mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
6141mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006142mouse_sysmouse Compiled with support for sysmouse (*BSD console mouse)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006143mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar42022d52008-12-09 09:57:49 +00006144multi_byte Compiled with support for 'encoding'
6145multi_byte_encoding 'encoding' is set to a multi-byte encoding.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006146multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
6147multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00006148mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006149netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaarb26e6322010-05-22 21:34:09 +02006150netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and connected.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006151ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
6152os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
6153osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
6154path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
6155perl Compiled with Perl interface.
Bram Moolenaar55debbe2010-05-23 23:34:36 +02006156persistent_undo Compiled with support for persistent undo history.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006157postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
6158printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006159profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006160python Compiled with Python interface.
6161qnx QNX version of Vim.
6162quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00006163reltime Compiled with |reltime()| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006164rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
6165ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
6166scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
6167showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
6168signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
6169smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00006170sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaaref94eec2009-11-11 13:22:11 +00006171startuptime Compiled with |--startuptime| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006172statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
6173 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
6174sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00006175spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
6176syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006177syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
6178 current buffer.
6179system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
6180tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
6181 |tag-binary-search|.
6182tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
6183 |tag-old-static|.
6184tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
6185 files |tag-any-white|.
6186tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
6187terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
6188termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
6189textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
6190tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
6191 or terminfo file.
6192title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
6193toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
6194unix Unix version of Vim.
6195user_commands User-defined commands.
6196viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
6197vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
6198vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
6199virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
6200visual Compiled with Visual mode.
6201visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
6202 |blockwise-operators|.
6203vms VMS version of Vim.
6204vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
6205wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
6206wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
6207windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
6208winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
6209win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
6210win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
6211win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
6212win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
6213win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
6214writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
6215xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
6216xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
6217xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
6218xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
6219xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
6220xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
6221 xterm screen.
6222x11 Compiled with X11 support.
6223
6224 *string-match*
6225Matching a pattern in a String
6226
6227A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
6228the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
6229everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
6230like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
6231line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
6232with ".". Example: >
6233 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
6234 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
6235 aa
6236 xx
6237 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
6238 a
6239 x
6240
6241Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
6242"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
6243"\n".
6244
6245==============================================================================
62465. Defining functions *user-functions*
6247
6248New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
6249functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
6250commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
6251
6252The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
6253builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
6254avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
6255the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
6256
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00006257It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
6258|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006259
6260 *local-function*
6261A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
6262can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
6263and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00006264function from a mapping defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006265instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
6266
6267 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
6268:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
6269
6270:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006271 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6272 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006273 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00006274
6275:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
6276 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
6277 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00006278<
6279 *:function-verbose*
6280When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
6281last defined. Example: >
6282
6283 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
6284 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
6285 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
6286<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00006287See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00006288
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006289 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006290:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006291 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
6292 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
6293 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006294
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006295 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6296 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006297 :function dict.init(arg)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006298< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006299 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006300 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006301 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
6302 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
6303 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006304 *E127* *E122*
6305 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
6306 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
6307 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
6308 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006309
6310 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
6311
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006312 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
6313 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
6314 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
6315 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
6316 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
6317 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
6318 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006319
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006320 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
6321 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006322
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006323 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006324 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006325 local variable "self" will then be set to the
6326 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006327
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006328 *function-search-undo*
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00006329 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006330 will not be changed by the function. This also
6331 implies that the effect of |:nohlsearch| is undone
6332 when the function returns.
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00006333
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006334 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
6335:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
6336 by its own, without other commands.
6337
6338 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
6339:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006340 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6341 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006342 :delfunc dict.init
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006343< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006344 function is deleted if there are no more references to
6345 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006346 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
6347:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
6348 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
6349 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
6350 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
6351 the number 0 is returned.
6352 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
6353 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
6354
6355 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
6356 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
6357 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
6358 are executed first. This process applies to all
6359 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
6360 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
6361
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006362 *function-argument* *a:var*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006363An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006364be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006365 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740* *...*
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006366Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
6367arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
6368may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
6369as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006370can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
6371that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006372 *E742*
6373The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00006374However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can change their contents.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006375Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
6376it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
6377|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006378
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006379When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
6380to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
6381may be larger.
6382
6383It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
6384still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
6385until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
6386inside a function body.
6387
6388 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006389Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
6390will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
6391accessed with "g:".
6392
6393Example: >
6394 :function Table(title, ...)
6395 : echohl Title
6396 : echo a:title
6397 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006398 : echo a:0 . " items:"
6399 : for s in a:000
6400 : echon ' ' . s
6401 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006402 :endfunction
6403
6404This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006405 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
6406 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006407
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006408To return more than one value, return a |List|: >
6409 :function Compute(n1, n2)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006410 : if a:n2 == 0
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006411 : return ["fail", 0]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006412 : endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006413 : return ["ok", a:n1 / a:n2]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006414 :endfunction
6415
6416This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006417 :let [success, div] = Compute(102, 6)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006418 :if success == "ok"
6419 : echo div
6420 :endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006421<
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00006422 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006423:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
6424 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
6425 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006426 used. The returned value is discarded.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006427 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
6428 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
6429 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
6430 function.
6431 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
6432 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
6433 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
6434 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006435 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006436 this works:
6437 *function-range-example* >
6438 :function Mynumber(arg)
6439 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
6440 :endfunction
6441 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
6442<
6443 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
6444 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
6445 the range.
6446
6447 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
6448
6449 :function Cont() range
6450 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
6451 :endfunction
6452 :4,8call Cont()
6453<
6454 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
6455 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
6456
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006457 When the function returns a composite value it can be further
6458 dereferenced, but the range will not be used then. Example: >
6459 :4,8call GetDict().method()
6460< Here GetDict() gets the range but method() does not.
6461
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006462 *E132*
6463The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
6464option.
6465
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006466
6467AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006468 *autoload-functions*
6469When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006470only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
6471the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
6472
6473
6474Using an autocommand ~
6475
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006476This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
6477
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006478The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
6479You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006480That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006481again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
6482
6483Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
6484function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006485
6486 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
6487
6488The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
6489"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
6490
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006491
6492Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006493 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006494This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
6495
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006496Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
6497exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
6498like this: >
6499
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006500 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006501
6502When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
6503"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
6504"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
6505then define the function like this: >
6506
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006507 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006508 echo "Done!"
6509 endfunction
6510
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00006511The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006512exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
6513called.
6514
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006515It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
6516a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006517
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006518 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006519
6520Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
6521
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006522This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
6523
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006524 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006525
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00006526However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
6527for an unknown variable.
6528
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006529When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
6530be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
6531
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006532 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
6533 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006534
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00006535Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
6536defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
6537function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006538And you will get an error message every time.
6539
6540Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006541other and vice versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006542Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006543
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00006544Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
6545|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
6546
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006547==============================================================================
65486. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
6549
6550Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
6551This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
6552{} like this: >
6553 my_{adjective}_variable
6554
6555When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
6556that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
6557name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
6558"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
6559"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
6560
6561One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006562value. For example, the statement >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006563 echo my_{&background}_message
6564
6565would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
6566on the current value of 'background'.
6567
6568You can use multiple brace pairs: >
6569 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
6570..or even nest them: >
6571 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
6572where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
6573
6574However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00006575variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006576 :let foo='a + b'
6577 :echo c{foo}d
6578.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
6579
6580 *curly-braces-function-names*
6581You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
6582Example: >
6583 :let func_end='whizz'
6584 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
6585
6586This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
6587
6588==============================================================================
65897. Commands *expression-commands*
6590
6591:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
6592 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
6593 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
6594 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
6595 is created.
6596
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00006597:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
6598 Set a list item to the result of the expression
6599 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
6600 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
6601 the index can be repeated.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006602 This cannot be used to add an item to a |List|.
6603 This cannot be used to set a byte in a String. You
6604 can do that like this: >
6605 :let var = var[0:2] . 'X' . var[4:]
6606<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006607 *E711* *E719*
6608:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006609 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
6610 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006611 correct number of items.
6612 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
6613 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
6614 When the selected range of items is partly past the
6615 end of the list, items will be added.
6616
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00006617 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006618:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
6619:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
6620:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
6621 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
6622 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
6623
6624
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006625:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
6626 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
6627 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006628:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
6629 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
6630 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
6631 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006632
6633:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
6634 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
6635 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
6636 must be the name of a writable register (see
6637 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
6638 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
6639 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
6640 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
6641 characterwise.
6642 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
6643 :let @/ = ""
6644< This is different from searching for an empty string,
6645 that would match everywhere.
6646
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006647:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006648 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006649 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
6650
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006651:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-&*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006652 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006653 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
6654 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006655 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
6656 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00006657 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006658 Example: >
6659 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006660
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006661:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
6662 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
6663 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
6664
6665:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
6666:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
6667 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
6668 {expr1}.
6669
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006670:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006671:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
6672:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
6673:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006674 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
6675 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
6676
6677:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006678:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
6679:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
6680:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006681 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
6682 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
6683
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00006684:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006685 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006686 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
6687 {name2}, etc.
6688 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006689 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006690 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
6691 command as mentioned above.
6692 Example: >
6693 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006694< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
6695 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
6696 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
6697 :let x = [0, 1]
6698 :let i = 0
6699 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
6700 :echo x
6701< The result is [0, 2].
6702
6703:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
6704:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
6705:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
6706 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006707 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006708
6709:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006710 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006711 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
6712 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
6713 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006714 Example: >
6715 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
6716<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006717:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
6718:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
6719:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
6720 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006721 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006722 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006723:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00006724 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
6725 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00006726 g: global variables
6727 b: local buffer variables
6728 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00006729 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00006730 s: script-local variables
6731 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00006732 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006733
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00006734:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
6735 variable is indicated before the value:
6736 <nothing> String
6737 # Number
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006738 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006739
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006740
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006741:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108* *E795*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006742 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
6743 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006744 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006745 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
6746 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006747 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00006748 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
6749 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006750< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00006751 :unlet dict['two']
6752 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00006753< This is especially useful to clean up used global
6754 variables and script-local variables (these are not
6755 deleted when the script ends). Function-local
6756 variables are automatically deleted when the function
6757 ends.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006758
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006759:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
6760 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
6761 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
6762 A locked variable can be deleted: >
6763 :lockvar v
6764 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
6765 :unlet v
6766< *E741*
6767 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
6768 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
6769
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006770 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
6771 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
6772 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006773 cannot add or remove items, but can
6774 still change their values.
6775 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006776 the items. If an item is a |List| or
6777 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006778 items, but can still change the
6779 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006780 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
6781 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
6782 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
6783 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
6784 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006785 *E743*
6786 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
6787 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
6788 loops.
6789
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006790 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
6791 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00006792 locked when used through the other variable.
6793 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006794 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
6795 :let cl = l
6796 :lockvar l
6797 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
6798< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
6799 See |deepcopy()|.
6800
6801
6802:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
6803 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
6804 opposite of |:lockvar|.
6805
6806
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006807:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
6808:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6809 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6810
6811 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
6812 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
6813 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
6814 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
6815 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
6816 part was not executed either.
6817
6818 You can use this to remain compatible with older
6819 versions: >
6820 :if version >= 500
6821 : version-5-specific-commands
6822 :endif
6823< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
6824 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
6825 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
6826 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
6827 avoid problems: >
6828 :if version >= 600
6829 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
6830 :endif
6831<
6832 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
6833 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
6834
6835 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
6836:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6837 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
6838 executed.
6839
6840 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
6841:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
6842 is no extra ":endif".
6843
6844:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006845 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006846:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
6847 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6848 When an error is detected from a command inside the
6849 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006850 Example: >
6851 :let lnum = 1
6852 :while lnum <= line("$")
6853 :call FixLine(lnum)
6854 :let lnum = lnum + 1
6855 :endwhile
6856<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006857 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006858 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006859
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006860:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006861:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
6862 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006863 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006864 value of each item.
6865 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006866 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00006867 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
6868 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006869 :for item in copy(mylist)
6870< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
6871 next item in the list, before executing the commands
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006872 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006873 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
6874 it will not be found. Thus the following example
6875 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006876 for item in mylist
6877 call remove(mylist, 0)
6878 endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006879< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
6880 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
6881 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006882 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
6883 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006884 to allow multiple item types: >
6885 for item in ["foo", ["bar"]]
6886 echo item
6887 unlet item " E706 without this
6888 endfor
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006889
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006890:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
6891:endfo[r]
6892 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
6893 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
6894 {var2}, etc. Example: >
6895 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
6896 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
6897 :endfor
6898<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006899 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006900:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
6901 to the start of the loop.
6902 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6903 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6904 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6905 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6906 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6907 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006908
6909 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006910:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
6911 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
6912 ":endfor".
6913 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6914 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6915 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6916 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6917 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6918 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006919
6920:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
6921:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
6922 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
6923 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
6924 or autocommand invocations.
6925
6926 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
6927 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
6928 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
6929 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
6930 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
6931 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
6932 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
6933 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
6934 Example: >
6935 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
6936 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
6937<
6938 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
6939 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
6940 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
6941 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
6942 processing is not terminated.
6943
6944 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
6945 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
6946 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
6947 other errors are converted to a value of the form
6948 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
6949 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
6950 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
6951 the error number.
6952 Examples: >
6953 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
6954 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
6955<
6956 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006957:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next |:catch|,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006958 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
6959 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
6960 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
6961 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
6962 commands are skipped.
6963 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
6964 Examples: >
6965 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
6966 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
6967 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
6968 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
6969 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
6970 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
6971 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
6972 :catch " same as /.*/
6973<
6974 Another character can be used instead of / around the
6975 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
6976 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
6977 {pattern}.
6978 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
6979 an error message because it may vary in different
6980 locales.
6981
6982 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
6983:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
6984 are executed whenever the part between the matching
6985 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
6986 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
6987 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
6988 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
6989
6990 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
6991:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
6992 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
6993 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
6994 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
6995 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
6996 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
6997 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
6998 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
6999 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
7000 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
7001 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
7002 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
7003 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
7004 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
7005 is terminated.
7006 Example: >
7007 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
7008<
7009
7010 *:ec* *:echo*
7011:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
7012 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
7013 Also see |:comment|.
7014 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
7015 cursor to the first column.
7016 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7017 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7018 Example: >
7019 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007020< *:echo-redraw*
7021 A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
7022 And since Vim mostly postpones redrawing until it's
7023 finished with a sequence of commands this happens
7024 quite often. To avoid that a command from before the
7025 ":echo" causes a redraw afterwards (redraws are often
7026 postponed until you type something), force a redraw
7027 with the |:redraw| command. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007028 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
7029<
7030 *:echon*
7031:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
7032 |:comment|.
7033 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7034 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7035 Example: >
7036 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
7037<
7038 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
7039 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
7040 command: >
7041 :!echo % --> filename
7042< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
7043 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
7044< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
7045 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
7046 :echo % --> nothing
7047< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
7048 :echo "%" --> %
7049< This just echoes the '%' character. >
7050 :echo expand("%") --> filename
7051< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
7052
7053 *:echoh* *:echohl*
7054:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
7055 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
7056 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
7057 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
7058< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
7059 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
7060
7061 *:echom* *:echomsg*
7062:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
7063 message in the |message-history|.
7064 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
7065 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
7066 displayed, not interpreted.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007067 The parsing works slightly different from |:echo|,
7068 more like |:execute|. All the expressions are first
7069 evaluated and concatenated before echoing anything.
7070 The expressions must evaluate to a Number or String, a
7071 Dictionary or List causes an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007072 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7073 Example: >
7074 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007075< See |:echo-redraw| to avoid the message disappearing
7076 when the screen is redrawn.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007077 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
7078:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
7079 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
7080 script or function the line number will be added.
7081 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007082 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007083 the message is raised as an error exception instead
7084 (see |try-echoerr|).
7085 Example: >
7086 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
7087< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
7088 And to get a beep: >
7089 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
7090<
7091 *:exe* *:execute*
7092:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02007093 of {expr1} as an Ex command.
7094 Multiple arguments are concatenated, with a space in
7095 between. To avoid the extra space use the "."
7096 operator to concatenate strings into one argument.
7097 {expr1} is used as the processed command, command line
7098 editing keys are not recognized.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007099 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7100 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02007101 :execute "buffer" nextbuf
7102 :execute "normal" count . "w"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007103<
7104 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
7105 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
7106 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
7107
7108< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
7109 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
7110 command: >
7111 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
7112< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
7113
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007114 Be careful to correctly escape special characters in
7115 file names. The |fnameescape()| function can be used
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00007116 for Vim commands, |shellescape()| for |:!| commands.
7117 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007118 :execute "e " . fnameescape(filename)
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00007119 :execute "!ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h'), 1)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007120<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007121 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00007122 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
7123 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007124 :execute 'while i > 5'
7125 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
7126<
7127 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
7128 completely in the executed string: >
7129 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
7130<
7131
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01007132 *:exe-comment*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007133 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
7134 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
7135 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
7136 comment. Example: >
7137 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
7138
7139==============================================================================
71408. Exception handling *exception-handling*
7141
7142The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
7143explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
7144
7145Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
7146|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
7147exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
7148
7149
7150TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
7151
7152Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
7153use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
7154a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
7155 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
7156|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
7157a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
7158be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
7159which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
7160clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
7161
7162 :try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007163 : ...
7164 : ... TRY BLOCK
7165 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007166 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007167 : ...
7168 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
7169 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007170 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007171 : ...
7172 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
7173 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007174 :finally
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007175 : ...
7176 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
7177 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007178 :endtry
7179
7180The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
7181appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
7182from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
7183 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
7184is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
7185script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
7186 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
7187lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
7188patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
7189after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
7190executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
7191":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
7192(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
7193continues in the following line as usual.
7194 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
7195":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
7196that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
7197finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
7198the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
7199the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
7200see |try-nesting|.
7201 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007202remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007203not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
7204try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
7205a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
7206execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
7207exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
7208 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007209thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007210clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
7211catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
7212following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
7213clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
7214
7215The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
7216a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
7217try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
7218from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
7219sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
7220":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
7221":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
7222from the finally clause.
7223 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
7224try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
7225clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
7226":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
7227clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
7228":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
7229this pending exception or command is discarded.
7230
7231For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
7232
7233
7234NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
7235
7236Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
7237conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
7238clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
7239catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
7240of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
7241checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
7242try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007243otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007244nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
7245one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
7246the inner try conditional.
7247
7248When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
7249finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
7250An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
7251thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
7252implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
7253as usual.
7254
7255For examples see |throw-catch|.
7256
7257
7258EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
7259
7260Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
7261'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
7262script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
7263finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
7264a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
7265(see |debug-scripts|).
7266
7267
7268THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
7269
7270You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
7271and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
7272 :throw 4711
7273 :throw "string"
7274< *throw-expression*
7275You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
7276first, and the result is thrown: >
7277 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
7278 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
7279
7280An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
7281command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
7282The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
7283 Example: >
7284
7285 :function! Foo(arg)
7286 : try
7287 : throw a:arg
7288 : catch /foo/
7289 : endtry
7290 : return 1
7291 :endfunction
7292 :
7293 :function! Bar()
7294 : echo "in Bar"
7295 : return 4710
7296 :endfunction
7297 :
7298 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
7299
7300This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
7301executed. >
7302 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
7303however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
7304
7305Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007306abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007307exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
7308 Example: >
7309
7310 :if Foo("arrgh")
7311 : echo "then"
7312 :else
7313 : echo "else"
7314 :endif
7315
7316Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
7317
7318 *catch-order*
7319Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
7320commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
7321command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
7322gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
7323 Example: >
7324
7325 :function! Foo(value)
7326 : try
7327 : throw a:value
7328 : catch /^\d\+$/
7329 : echo "Number thrown"
7330 : catch /.*/
7331 : echo "String thrown"
7332 : endtry
7333 :endfunction
7334 :
7335 :call Foo(0x1267)
7336 :call Foo('string')
7337
7338The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
7339An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
7340specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
7341specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
7342
7343 : catch /.*/
7344 : echo "String thrown"
7345 : catch /^\d\+$/
7346 : echo "Number thrown"
7347
7348The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
7349never taken.
7350
7351 *throw-variables*
7352If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
7353in the variable |v:exception|: >
7354
7355 : catch /^\d\+$/
7356 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
7357
7358You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
7359|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
7360exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
7361 Example: >
7362
7363 :function! Caught()
7364 : if v:exception != ""
7365 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
7366 : else
7367 : echo 'Nothing caught'
7368 : endif
7369 :endfunction
7370 :
7371 :function! Foo()
7372 : try
7373 : try
7374 : try
7375 : throw 4711
7376 : finally
7377 : call Caught()
7378 : endtry
7379 : catch /.*/
7380 : call Caught()
7381 : throw "oops"
7382 : endtry
7383 : catch /.*/
7384 : call Caught()
7385 : finally
7386 : call Caught()
7387 : endtry
7388 :endfunction
7389 :
7390 :call Foo()
7391
7392This displays >
7393
7394 Nothing caught
7395 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
7396 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
7397 Nothing caught
7398
7399A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
7400number in the script or function where it has been used: >
7401
7402 :function! LineNumber()
7403 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
7404 :endfunction
7405 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
7406<
7407 *try-nested*
7408An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
7409a surrounding try conditional: >
7410
7411 :try
7412 : try
7413 : throw "foo"
7414 : catch /foobar/
7415 : echo "foobar"
7416 : finally
7417 : echo "inner finally"
7418 : endtry
7419 :catch /foo/
7420 : echo "foo"
7421 :endtry
7422
7423The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
7424clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
7425conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
7426
7427 *throw-from-catch*
7428You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
7429catch clause: >
7430
7431 :function! Foo()
7432 : throw "foo"
7433 :endfunction
7434 :
7435 :function! Bar()
7436 : try
7437 : call Foo()
7438 : catch /foo/
7439 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
7440 : throw "bar"
7441 : endtry
7442 :endfunction
7443 :
7444 :try
7445 : call Bar()
7446 :catch /.*/
7447 : echo "Caught" v:exception
7448 :endtry
7449
7450This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
7451
7452 *rethrow*
7453There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
7454"v:exception" instead: >
7455
7456 :function! Bar()
7457 : try
7458 : call Foo()
7459 : catch /.*/
7460 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
7461 : throw v:exception
7462 : endtry
7463 :endfunction
7464< *try-echoerr*
7465Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
7466exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
7467Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
7468denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
7469the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
7470
7471 :try
7472 : try
7473 : asdf
7474 : catch /.*/
7475 : echoerr v:exception
7476 : endtry
7477 :catch /.*/
7478 : echo v:exception
7479 :endtry
7480
7481This code displays
7482
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007483 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007484
7485
7486CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
7487
7488Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
7489user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007490an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007491a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
7492catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
7493a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
7494normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
7495(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007496to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007497clause has been executed.)
7498Example: >
7499
7500 :try
7501 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
7502 : set ts=17
7503 :
7504 : " Do the hard work here.
7505 :
7506 :finally
7507 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
7508 : unlet s:saved_ts
7509 :endtry
7510
7511This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
7512changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
7513that function or script part.
7514
7515 *break-finally*
7516Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
7517a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
7518 Example: >
7519
7520 :let first = 1
7521 :while 1
7522 : try
7523 : if first
7524 : echo "first"
7525 : let first = 0
7526 : continue
7527 : else
7528 : throw "second"
7529 : endif
7530 : catch /.*/
7531 : echo v:exception
7532 : break
7533 : finally
7534 : echo "cleanup"
7535 : endtry
7536 : echo "still in while"
7537 :endwhile
7538 :echo "end"
7539
7540This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
7541
7542 :function! Foo()
7543 : try
7544 : return 4711
7545 : finally
7546 : echo "cleanup\n"
7547 : endtry
7548 : echo "Foo still active"
7549 :endfunction
7550 :
7551 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
7552
7553This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007554extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007555return value.)
7556
7557 *except-from-finally*
7558Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
7559a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
7560cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
7561exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
7562 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
7563working correctly: >
7564
7565 :try
7566 : try
7567 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
7568 : while 1
7569 : endwhile
7570 : finally
7571 : unlet novar
7572 : endtry
7573 :catch /novar/
7574 :endtry
7575 :echo "Script still running"
7576 :sleep 1
7577
7578If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
7579think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
7580|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
7581
7582
7583CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
7584
7585If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
7586watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
7587presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
7588exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
7589the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
7590the error exception is.
7591 Error exceptions have the following format: >
7592
7593 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
7594or >
7595 Vim:{errmsg}
7596
7597{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007598the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007599when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
7600a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
7601a space.
7602
7603Examples:
7604
7605The command >
7606 :unlet novar
7607normally produces the error message >
7608 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7609which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7610 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
7611
7612The command >
7613 :dwim
7614normally produces the error message >
7615 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
7616which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7617 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
7618
7619You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
7620 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
7621or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
7622 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
7623
7624Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
7625 :function nofunc
7626and >
7627 :delfunction nofunc
7628both produce the error message >
7629 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7630which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7631 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7632or >
7633 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7634respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
7635command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
7636 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
7637
7638Some commands like >
7639 :let x = novar
7640produce multiple error messages, here: >
7641 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7642 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7643Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
7644one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
7645 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
7646
7647You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
7648 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
7649
7650You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
7651 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
7652
7653You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
7654 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
7655<
7656 *catch-text*
7657NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
7658 :catch /No such variable/
7659only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
7660a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
7661cite the message text in a comment: >
7662 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
7663
7664
7665IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
7666
7667You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
7668
7669 :try
7670 : write
7671 :catch
7672 :endtry
7673
7674But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
7675catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
7676be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
7677
7678 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
7679
7680There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
7681writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
7682then hide the error from the user.
7683 It is much better to use >
7684
7685 :try
7686 : write
7687 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7688 :endtry
7689
7690which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
7691intentionally.
7692
7693For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
7694even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
7695command: >
7696 :silent! nunmap k
7697This works also when a try conditional is active.
7698
7699
7700CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
7701
7702When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007703the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007704script is not terminated, then.
7705 Example: >
7706
7707 :function! TASK1()
7708 : sleep 10
7709 :endfunction
7710
7711 :function! TASK2()
7712 : sleep 20
7713 :endfunction
7714
7715 :while 1
7716 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
7717 : try
7718 : if command == ""
7719 : continue
7720 : elseif command == "END"
7721 : break
7722 : elseif command == "TASK1"
7723 : call TASK1()
7724 : elseif command == "TASK2"
7725 : call TASK2()
7726 : else
7727 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
7728 : continue
7729 : endif
7730 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
7731 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
7732 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
7733 : endtry
7734 :endwhile
7735
7736You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007737a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007738
7739For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
7740your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
7741command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
7742
7743
7744CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
7745
7746The commands >
7747
7748 :catch /.*/
7749 :catch //
7750 :catch
7751
7752catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
7753explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
7754a script in order to catch unexpected things.
7755 Example: >
7756
7757 :try
7758 :
7759 : " do the hard work here
7760 :
7761 :catch /MyException/
7762 :
7763 : " handle known problem
7764 :
7765 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
7766 : echo "Script interrupted"
7767 :catch /.*/
7768 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
7769 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
7770 :endtry
7771 :" end of script
7772
7773Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
7774strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
7775specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
7776 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
7777by pressing CTRL-C: >
7778
7779 :while 1
7780 : try
7781 : sleep 1
7782 : catch
7783 : endtry
7784 :endwhile
7785
7786
7787EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
7788
7789Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
7790
7791 :autocmd User x try
7792 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
7793 :autocmd User x catch
7794 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
7795 :autocmd User x endtry
7796 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
7797 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
7798 :
7799 :try
7800 : doautocmd User x
7801 :catch
7802 : echo v:exception
7803 :endtry
7804
7805This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
7806
7807 *except-autocmd-Pre*
7808For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
7809command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
7810of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
7811abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
7812 Example: >
7813
7814 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
7815 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
7816 :
7817 :try
7818 : write
7819 :catch
7820 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
7821 :endtry
7822
7823Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
7824you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
7825autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
7826script displays: >
7827
7828 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
7829<
7830 *except-autocmd-Post*
7831For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
7832command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
7833an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
7834is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
7835 Example: >
7836
7837 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
7838 :
7839 :try
7840 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7841 :catch
7842 : echo v:exception
7843 :endtry
7844
7845This just displays: >
7846
7847 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
7848
7849If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
7850fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
7851 Example: >
7852
7853 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
7854 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
7855 :
7856 :try
7857 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7858 :catch
7859 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7860 :endtry
7861<
7862You can also use ":silent!": >
7863
7864 :let x = "ok"
7865 :let v:errmsg = ""
7866 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
7867 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
7868 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
7869 :try
7870 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7871 :catch
7872 :endtry
7873 :echo x
7874
7875This displays "after fail".
7876
7877If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
7878autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
7879
7880 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
7881 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
7882 :
7883 :try
7884 : write
7885 :catch
7886 : echo v:exception
7887 :endtry
7888<
7889 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
7890For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
7891autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
7892of the command.
7893 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007894had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007895some way. >
7896
7897 :if !exists("cnt")
7898 : let cnt = 0
7899 :
7900 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
7901 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
7902 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
7903 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7904 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7905 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
7906 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
7907 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7908 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7909 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
7910 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7911 :endif
7912 :
7913 :try
7914 : write
7915 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
7916 : if &modified
7917 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
7918 : else
7919 : echo "Error after writing"
7920 : endif
7921 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7922 : echo "Error on writing"
7923 :endtry
7924
7925When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
7926first >
7927 File successfully written!
7928then >
7929 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
7930then >
7931 Error after writing
7932etc.
7933
7934 *except-autocmd-ill*
7935You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
7936The following code is ill-formed: >
7937
7938 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
7939 :
7940 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
7941 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
7942 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
7943 :
7944 :write
7945
7946
7947EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
7948
7949Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
7950pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
7951similar things in Vim.
7952 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
7953class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
7954string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
7955 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
7956it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
7957for an error when writing "myfile".
7958 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
7959base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
7960parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
7961 Example: >
7962
7963 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
7964 : if a:a < 0
7965 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
7966 : endif
7967 :endfunction
7968 :
7969 :function! Add(a, b)
7970 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
7971 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
7972 : let c = a:a + a:b
7973 : if c < 0
7974 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
7975 : endif
7976 : return c
7977 :endfunction
7978 :
7979 :function! Div(a, b)
7980 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
7981 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
7982 : if (a:b == 0)
7983 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
7984 : endif
7985 : return a:a / a:b
7986 :endfunction
7987 :
7988 :function! Write(file)
7989 : try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007990 : execute "write" fnameescape(a:file)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007991 : catch /^Vim(write):/
7992 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
7993 : endtry
7994 :endfunction
7995 :
7996 :try
7997 :
7998 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
7999 :
8000 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
8001 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
8002 : echo "Range error in" function
8003 :
8004 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
8005 : echo "Math error"
8006 :
8007 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
8008 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
8009 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
8010 : if file !~ '^/'
8011 : let file = dir . "/" . file
8012 : endif
8013 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
8014 :
8015 :catch /^EXCEPT/
8016 : echo "Unspecified error"
8017 :
8018 :endtry
8019
8020The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
8021a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
8022exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
8023 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
8024failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
8025
8026
8027PECULIARITIES
8028 *except-compat*
8029The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
8030exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
8031and/or a catch clause.
8032
8033In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
8034continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
8035after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
8036functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
8037or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
8038(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
8039
8040This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
8041immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008042conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
8043be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008044termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
8045catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
8046by specifying a finally clause.)
8047
8048When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
8049behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
8050scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
8051
8052However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
8053commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
8054conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
8055script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
8056error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
8057messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008058|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
8059not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008060where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
8061error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
8062scripts.
8063
8064 *except-syntax-err*
8065Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
8066the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
8067clauses, however, is executed.
8068 Example: >
8069
8070 :try
8071 : try
8072 : throw 4711
8073 : catch /\(/
8074 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
8075 : catch
8076 : echo "inner catch-all"
8077 : finally
8078 : echo "inner finally"
8079 : endtry
8080 :catch
8081 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
8082 : finally
8083 : echo "outer finally"
8084 :endtry
8085
8086This displays: >
8087 inner finally
8088 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
8089 outer finally
8090The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
8091
8092 *except-single-line*
8093The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
8094a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
8095"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
8096 Example: >
8097 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
8098raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
8099argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
8100error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
8101displayed.
8102
8103 *except-several-errors*
8104When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
8105usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
8106 Example: >
8107 echo novar
8108causes >
8109 E121: Undefined variable: novar
8110 E15: Invalid expression: novar
8111The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
8112 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
8113< *except-syntax-error*
8114But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
8115the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
8116 Example: >
8117 unlet novar #
8118causes >
8119 E108: No such variable: "novar"
8120 E488: Trailing characters
8121The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
8122 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
8123This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
8124not intended by the user. Example: >
8125 try
8126 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
8127 catch /.*/
8128 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
8129 endtry
8130This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
8131a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
8132
8133==============================================================================
81349. Examples *eval-examples*
8135
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008136Printing in Binary ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008137>
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01008138 :" The function Nr2Bin() returns the binary string representation of a number.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008139 :func Nr2Bin(nr)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008140 : let n = a:nr
8141 : let r = ""
8142 : while n
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008143 : let r = '01'[n % 2] . r
8144 : let n = n / 2
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008145 : endwhile
8146 : return r
8147 :endfunc
8148
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008149 :" The function String2Bin() converts each character in a string to a
8150 :" binary string, separated with dashes.
8151 :func String2Bin(str)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008152 : let out = ''
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008153 : for ix in range(strlen(a:str))
8154 : let out = out . '-' . Nr2Bin(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
8155 : endfor
8156 : return out[1:]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008157 :endfunc
8158
8159Example of its use: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008160 :echo Nr2Bin(32)
8161result: "100000" >
8162 :echo String2Bin("32")
8163result: "110011-110010"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008164
8165
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008166Sorting lines ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008167
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008168This example sorts lines with a specific compare function. >
8169
8170 :func SortBuffer()
8171 : let lines = getline(1, '$')
8172 : call sort(lines, function("Strcmp"))
8173 : call setline(1, lines)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008174 :endfunction
8175
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008176As a one-liner: >
8177 :call setline(1, sort(getline(1, '$'), function("Strcmp")))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008178
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008179
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008180scanf() replacement ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008181 *sscanf*
8182There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
8183line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
8184how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
8185"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
8186 :" Set up the match bit
8187 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
8188 :"get the part matching the whole expression
8189 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
8190 :"get each item out of the match
8191 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
8192 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
8193 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
8194
8195The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
8196"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
8197
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008198
8199getting the scriptnames in a Dictionary ~
8200 *scriptnames-dictionary*
8201The |:scriptnames| command can be used to get a list of all script files that
8202have been sourced. There is no equivalent function or variable for this
8203(because it's rarely needed). In case you need to manipulate the list this
8204code can be used: >
8205 " Get the output of ":scriptnames" in the scriptnames_output variable.
8206 let scriptnames_output = ''
8207 redir => scriptnames_output
8208 silent scriptnames
8209 redir END
8210
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008211 " Split the output into lines and parse each line. Add an entry to the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008212 " "scripts" dictionary.
8213 let scripts = {}
8214 for line in split(scriptnames_output, "\n")
8215 " Only do non-blank lines.
8216 if line =~ '\S'
8217 " Get the first number in the line.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008218 let nr = matchstr(line, '\d\+')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008219 " Get the file name, remove the script number " 123: ".
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008220 let name = substitute(line, '.\+:\s*', '', '')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008221 " Add an item to the Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008222 let scripts[nr] = name
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008223 endif
8224 endfor
8225 unlet scriptnames_output
8226
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008227==============================================================================
822810. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
8229
8230When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
8231evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
8232to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
8233recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
8234and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
8235only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
8236recognized.
8237
8238Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
8239missing: >
8240
8241 :if 1
8242 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
8243 :else
8244 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
8245 :endif
8246
8247==============================================================================
824811. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
8249
Bram Moolenaar368373e2010-07-19 20:46:22 +02008250The 'foldexpr', 'formatexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and
8251'foldtext' options may be evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are
8252protected from these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some
8253safety for when these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when
8254the command from a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00008255The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008256
8257These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
8258 - changing the buffer text
8259 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
8260 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008261 - setting certain v: variables (see |v:var|) *E794*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008262 - executing a shell command
8263 - reading or writing a file
8264 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00008265 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00008266This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
8267
8268 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00008269:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00008270 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
8271 'foldexpr'.
8272
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008273 *sandbox-option*
8274A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00008275have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008276restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
8277location. Insecure in this context are:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00008278- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directory
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008279- while executing in the sandbox
8280- value coming from a modeline
8281
8282Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
8283option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
8284
8285==============================================================================
828612. Textlock *textlock*
8287
8288In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
8289to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
8290is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008291actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008292happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
8293
8294This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
8295 - changing the buffer text
8296 - jumping to another buffer or window
8297 - editing another file
8298 - closing a window or quitting Vim
8299 - etc.
8300
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008301
8302 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: