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Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2006 Mar 18
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00003112. Textlock |textlock|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000032
33{Vi does not have any of these commands}
34
35==============================================================================
361. Variables *variables*
37
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000039 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000040There are five types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000042Number A 32 bit signed number.
43 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
44
45String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
46 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
47
48Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
49 Example: function("strlen")
50
51List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
52 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000053
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000054Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
55 value. |Dictionary|
56 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
57
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000058The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
59are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000060
61Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
62the Number. Examples: >
63 Number 123 --> String "123"
64 Number 0 --> String "0"
65 Number -1 --> String "-1"
66
67Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
68to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
69the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
70 String "456" --> Number 456
71 String "6bar" --> Number 6
72 String "foo" --> Number 0
73 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
74 String "0100" --> Number 64
75 String "-8" --> Number -8
76 String "+8" --> Number 0
77
78To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
79 :echo "0100" + 0
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +000080< 64 ~
81
82To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different
83base, use |str2nr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000084
85For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
86
87Note that in the command >
88 :if "foo"
89"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
90use strlen(): >
91 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000092< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
93List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000094
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000095 *E706*
96You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
97to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000098equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000099 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000100 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000101 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000102
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000103
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001041.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000105 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000106A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000107in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
108around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000109
110 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
111 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000112< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000113A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:" or "b:". You cannot
114have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000115
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000116A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
117Dictionary entry. Example: >
118 :function dict.init() dict
119 : let self.val = 0
120 :endfunction
121
122The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
123function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
124
125A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
126 :call Fn()
127 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000128
129The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000130 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000131
132You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
133arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000134 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000135
136
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001371.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000138 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000139A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
140can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
141position in the sequence.
142
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143
144List creation ~
145 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000146A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000147Examples: >
148 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
149 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000150
151An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000152nested List: >
153 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000154
155An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
156
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000157
158List index ~
159 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000160An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000161after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
162 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000163 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000164
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000165When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000166 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000167<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000168A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
169the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000170 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
171
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000172To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000173is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000174 :echo get(mylist, idx)
175 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
176
177
178List concatenation ~
179
180Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
181 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000182 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000183
184To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
185it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
186
187
188Sublist ~
189
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000190A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
191separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000192 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000193
194Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
195similar to -1. The difference is that there is no error if the items are not
196available. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000197 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
198 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
199 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000200
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000201The second index can be just before the first index. In that case the result
202is an empty list. If the second index is lower, this results in an error. >
203 :echo mylist[2:1] " result: []
204 :echo mylist[2:0] " error!
205
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000206NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
207using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
208mylist[s : e].
209
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000210
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000211List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000212 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000213When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
214variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
215change "bb": >
216 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
217 :let bb = aa
218 :call add(aa, 4)
219 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000220< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000221
222Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
223works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000224a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000225 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
226 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000227 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000228 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
229 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000230< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000231 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000232< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000233
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000234To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000235copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000236
237The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000238List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000239the same value. >
240 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
241 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
242 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000243< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000244 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000245< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000246
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000247Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
248same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000249exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
250different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
251variables. Example: >
252 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000253< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000254 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000255< 0
256
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000257Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
258can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a string: >
259
260 :let a = 5
261 :let b = "5"
262 echo a == b
263< 1 >
264 echo [a] == [b]
265< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000266
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000267
268List unpack ~
269
270To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
271square brackets, like list items: >
272 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
273
274When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
275this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
276and a variable name: >
277 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
278
279This works like: >
280 :let var1 = mylist[0]
281 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000282 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000283
284Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
285empty list then.
286
287
288List modification ~
289 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000290To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000291 :let list[4] = "four"
292 :let listlist[0][3] = item
293
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000294To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000295modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000296 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
297
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000298Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
299examples: >
300 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
301 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
302 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000303 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000304 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
305 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000306 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000307 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000308 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000309 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000310
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000311Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000312 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
313 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
314
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000315
316For loop ~
317
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000318The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
319to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000320 :for item in mylist
321 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000322 :endfor
323
324This works like: >
325 :let index = 0
326 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000327 : let item = mylist[index]
328 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000329 : let index = index + 1
330 :endwhile
331
332Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000333results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000334the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000335
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000336If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000337function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000338
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000339Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
340requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
341 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
342 : call Doit(lnum, col)
343 :endfor
344
345This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
346must remain the same to avoid an error.
347
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000348It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000349 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
350 : call Doit(i, j)
351 : if !empty(rest)
352 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
353 : endif
354 :endfor
355
356
357List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000358 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000359Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000360 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000361 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000362 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
363 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
364 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000365 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
366 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000367 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
368 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000369 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
370 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000371 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
372 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000373
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000374Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
375example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
376 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
377
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000378
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003791.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000380 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000381A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000382entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
383ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000384
385
386Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000387 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000388A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000389braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
390only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000391 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
392 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000393< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000394A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
395String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000396entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
397Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000398
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000399A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000400nested Dictionary: >
401 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
402
403An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
404
405
406Accessing entries ~
407
408The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
409 :let val = mydict["one"]
410 :let mydict["four"] = 4
411
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000412You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000413
414For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
415form can be used |expr-entry|: >
416 :let val = mydict.one
417 :let mydict.four = 4
418
419Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
420key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000421 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000422
423
424Dictionary to List conversion ~
425
426You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
427turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
428
429Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
430 :for key in keys(mydict)
431 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
432 :endfor
433
434The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
435 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
436
437To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
438 :for v in values(mydict)
439 : echo "value: " . v
440 :endfor
441
442If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000443a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000444 :for entry in items(mydict)
445 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
446 :endfor
447
448
449Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000450 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000451Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
452Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
453Dictionary: >
454 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
455 :let adict = onedict
456 :let adict['a'] = 11
457 :echo onedict['a']
458 11
459
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000460Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
461more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000462
463
464Dictionary modification ~
465 *dict-modification*
466To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
467use |:let| this way: >
468 :let dict[4] = "four"
469 :let dict['one'] = item
470
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000471Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
472Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
473 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
474 :unlet dict.aaa
475 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000476
477Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000478 :call extend(adict, bdict)
479This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
480in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000481Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
482expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
483adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000484
485Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +0000486 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000487This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000488
489
490Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000491 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000492When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
493special way with a dictionary. Example: >
494 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000495 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000496 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000497 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
498 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000499
500This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
501Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
502the function was invoked from.
503
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000504It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
505Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
506
507 *numbered-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000508To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
509assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000510 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
511 :function mydict.len() dict
512 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000513 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000514 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000515
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000516The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
517that references this function. The function can only be used through a
518|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
519remaining that refers to it.
520
521It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000522
523
524Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000525 *E715*
526Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000527 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
528 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
529 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
530 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
531 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
532 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
533 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
534 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000535
536
5371.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000538 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000539If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
540function.
541
542When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
543start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
544stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
545
546When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
547start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
548stored in the session file |session-file|.
549
550variable name can be stored where ~
551my_var_6 not
552My_Var_6 session file
553MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
554
555
556It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
557|curly-braces-names|.
558
559==============================================================================
5602. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
561
562Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
563
564|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
565
566|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
567
568|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
569
570|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
571 expr5 != expr5 not equal
572 expr5 > expr5 greater than
573 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
574 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
575 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
576 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
577 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
578
579 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
580 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
581 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
582 matching case
583
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000584 expr5 is expr5 same |List| instance
585 expr5 isnot expr5 different |List| instance
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000586
587|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000588 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
589 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
590
591|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
592 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
593 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
594
595|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
596 - expr7 unary minus
597 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000598
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000599
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000600|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a |List|
601 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a |List|
602 expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary|
603 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with |Funcref| variable
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000604
605|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000606 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000607 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000608 [expr1, ...] |List|
609 {expr1: expr1, ...} |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000610 &option option value
611 (expr1) nested expression
612 variable internal variable
613 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
614 $VAR environment variable
615 @r contents of register 'r'
616 function(expr1, ...) function call
617 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
618
619
620".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
621Example: >
622 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
623
624All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
625
626
627expr1 *expr1* *E109*
628-----
629
630expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
631
632The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
633non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
634otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
635Example: >
636 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
637
638Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
639other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
640Example: >
641 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
642
643To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
644 :echo lnum == 1
645 :\ ? "top"
646 :\ : lnum == 1000
647 :\ ? "last"
648 :\ : lnum
649
650
651expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
652---------------
653
654 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
655The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
656are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
657
658 input output ~
659n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
660zero zero zero zero
661zero non-zero non-zero zero
662non-zero zero non-zero zero
663non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
664
665The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
666
667 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
668
669Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
670
671 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
672
673Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
674arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
675
676 let a = 1
677 echo a || b
678
679This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
680so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
681
682 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
683
684This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
685only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
686
687
688expr4 *expr4*
689-----
690
691expr5 {cmp} expr5
692
693Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
694if it evaluates to true.
695
696 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
697 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
698 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
699 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
700 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
701 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000702 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000703 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
704equal == ==# ==?
705not equal != !=# !=?
706greater than > ># >?
707greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
708smaller than < <# <?
709smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
710regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
711regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000712same instance is
713different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000714
715Examples:
716"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
717"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
718"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
719
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000720 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000721A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
722"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
723Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000724
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000725 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000726A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
727equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000728recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
729
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000730 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000731A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
732equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000733
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000734When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| this checks if the expressions are
735referring to the same |List| instance. A copy of a |List| is different from
736the original |List|. When using "is" without a |List| it is equivalent to
737using "equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000738different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
739is false.
740
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000741When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
742and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
743because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
744
745When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
746results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
747necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
748
749When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
750'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
751
752When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
753'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
754
755The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
756argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
757This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
758matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
759portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
760single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
761Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
762(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
763can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
764 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
765 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
766
767
768expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
769---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000770expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000771expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
772expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000773
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +0000774For |Lists| only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000775result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000776
777expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
778expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
779expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000780
781For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
782
783Note the difference between "+" and ".":
784 "123" + "456" = 579
785 "123" . "456" = "123456"
786
787When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
788When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
789
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000790None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000791
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000792
793expr7 *expr7*
794-----
795! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
796- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
797+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
798
799For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
800For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
801For '+' the number is unchanged.
802
803A String will be converted to a Number first.
804
805These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
806 !-1 == 0
807 !!8 == 1
808 --9 == 9
809
810
811expr8 *expr8*
812-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000813expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000814
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000815If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
816expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000817Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000818
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000819Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
820text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
821cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000822 :let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1]
823
824If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000825String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
826compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
827
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000828If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000829for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
830error. Example: >
831 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
832
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000833Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
834|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
835error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000836
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000837
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000838expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000839
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000840If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
841from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000842expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
843encodings.
844
845If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
846string minus one is used.
847
848A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
849the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
850
851If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
852expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
853
854Examples: >
855 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
856 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
857 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
858 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
859
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000860If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
861the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
862just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000863 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
864 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
865 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
866
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000867Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
868error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000869
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000870
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000871expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000872
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000873If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
874name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
875expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000876
877The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
878but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
879
880There must not be white space before or after the dot.
881
882Examples: >
883 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
884 :echo dict.one
885 :echo dict .2
886
887Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
888always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
889
890
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000891expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000892
893When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
894
895
896
897 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000898number
899------
900number number constant *expr-number*
901
902Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
903
904
905string *expr-string* *E114*
906------
907"string" string constant *expr-quote*
908
909Note that double quotes are used.
910
911A string constant accepts these special characters:
912\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
913\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
914\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
915\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
916\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
917\X.. same as \x..
918\X. same as \x.
919\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
920 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
921\U.... same as \u....
922\b backspace <BS>
923\e escape <Esc>
924\f formfeed <FF>
925\n newline <NL>
926\r return <CR>
927\t tab <Tab>
928\\ backslash
929\" double quote
930\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
931
932Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
933
934
935literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
936---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000937'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000938
939Note that single quotes are used.
940
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000941This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000942meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000943
944Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
945to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
946 if a =~ "\\s*"
947 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000948
949
950option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
951------
952&option option value, local value if possible
953&g:option global option value
954&l:option local option value
955
956Examples: >
957 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
958 if &insertmode
959
960Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
961and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
962anyway.
963
964
965register *expr-register*
966--------
967@r contents of register 'r'
968
969The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
970Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +0000971register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
972registers.
973
974When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
975evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000976
977
978nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
979-------
980(expr1) nested expression
981
982
983environment variable *expr-env*
984--------------------
985$VAR environment variable
986
987The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
988result is an empty string.
989 *expr-env-expand*
990Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
991expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
992are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
993the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
994fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
995does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
996 :echo $version
997 :echo expand("$version")
998The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
999variable (if your shell supports it).
1000
1001
1002internal variable *expr-variable*
1003-----------------
1004variable internal variable
1005See below |internal-variables|.
1006
1007
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001008function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001009-------------
1010function(expr1, ...) function call
1011See below |functions|.
1012
1013
1014==============================================================================
10153. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1016 *E461*
1017An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1018cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1019|curly-braces-names|.
1020
1021An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001022An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1023|:unlet|.
1024Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1025been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001026
1027There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1028specified by what is prepended:
1029
1030 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1031|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1032|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
1033|global-variable| g: Global.
1034|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1035|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1036|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1037|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1038
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001039The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1040delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001041 :for k in keys(s:)
1042 : unlet s:[k]
1043 :endfor
1044<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001045 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1046A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1047Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1048This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1049|:bdelete|.
1050
1051One local buffer variable is predefined:
1052 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1053b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1054 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1055 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1056 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1057 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1058 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1059 : call My_Update()
1060 :endif
1061<
1062 *window-variable* *w:var*
1063A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1064is deleted when the window is closed.
1065
1066 *global-variable* *g:var*
1067Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1068access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1069place if you like.
1070
1071 *local-variable* *l:var*
1072Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1073But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1074
1075 *script-variable* *s:var*
1076In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1077accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1078
1079They can be used in:
1080- commands executed while the script is sourced
1081- functions defined in the script
1082- autocommands defined in the script
1083- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1084 defined in the script (recursively)
1085- user defined commands defined in the script
1086Thus not in:
1087- other scripts sourced from this one
1088- mappings
1089- etc.
1090
1091script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1092Take this example:
1093
1094 let s:counter = 0
1095 function MyCounter()
1096 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1097 echo s:counter
1098 endfunction
1099 command Tick call MyCounter()
1100
1101You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1102that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1103"Tick" was defined is used.
1104
1105Another example that does the same: >
1106
1107 let s:counter = 0
1108 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1109
1110When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001111script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001112defined.
1113
1114The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1115function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1116
1117 let s:counter = 0
1118 function StartCounting(incr)
1119 if a:incr
1120 function MyCounter()
1121 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1122 endfunction
1123 else
1124 function MyCounter()
1125 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1126 endfunction
1127 endif
1128 endfunction
1129
1130This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1131when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1132called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1133
1134When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1135They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1136maintain a counter: >
1137
1138 if !exists("s:counter")
1139 let s:counter = 1
1140 echo "script executed for the first time"
1141 else
1142 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1143 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1144 endif
1145
1146Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1147variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1148
1149
1150Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1151
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001152 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1153v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1154 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1155 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1156
1157 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1158v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1159 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1160
1161 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1162v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1163 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1164
1165 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001166v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1167 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1168 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1169 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001170 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1171 highlighted text is used.
1172 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1173
1174 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1175v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1176 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1177
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001178 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1179v:charconvert_from
1180 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1181 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1182
1183 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1184v:charconvert_to
1185 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1186 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1187
1188 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1189v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1190 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1191 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1192 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1193 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1194 possible to append this variable directly after the
1195 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1196 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1197 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1198 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1199 in 'printexpr'.
1200
1201 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1202v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1203 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1204 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1205 can be used.
1206
1207 *v:count* *count-variable*
1208v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1209 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1210 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1211< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1212 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001213 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001214 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1215
1216 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1217v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1218 used.
1219
1220 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1221v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1222 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1223 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1224 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1225 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1226 command.
1227 See |multi-lang|.
1228
1229 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1230v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1231 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1232 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1233 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1234 Example: >
1235 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1236<
1237 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1238v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1239 Example: >
1240 :let v:errmsg = ""
1241 :silent! next
1242 :if v:errmsg != ""
1243 : ... handle error
1244< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1245
1246 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1247v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1248 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1249 Example: >
1250 :try
1251 : throw "oops"
1252 :catch /.*/
1253 : echo "caught" v:exception
1254 :endtry
1255< Output: "caught oops".
1256
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001257 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1258v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1259 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1260 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1261 deleted file no longer exists
1262 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1263 changed and buffer is modified
1264 changed file contents has changed
1265 mode mode of file changed
1266 time only file timestamp changed
1267
1268 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1269v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1270 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1271 do with the affected buffer:
1272 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1273 the file was deleted).
1274 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1275 was no autocommand. Except that when
1276 only the timestamp changed nothing
1277 will happen.
1278 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1279 everything that needs to be done.
1280 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1281 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1282
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001283 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001284v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001285 option used for ~
1286 'charconvert' file to be converted
1287 'diffexpr' original file
1288 'patchexpr' original file
1289 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001290 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001291
1292 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1293v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1294 evaluating:
1295 option used for ~
1296 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1297 'diffexpr' output of diff
1298 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1299 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1300 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1301 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1302 file and different from v:fname_in.
1303
1304 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1305v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1306 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1307
1308 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1309v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1310 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1311
1312 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1313v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1314 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001315 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001316
1317 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1318v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001319 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001320
1321 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1322v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001323 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001324
1325 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1326v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001327 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001328
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001329 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1330v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1331 events. Values:
1332 i Insert mode
1333 r Replace mode
1334 v Virtual Replace mode
1335
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001336 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001337v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001338 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1339 Read-only.
1340
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001341 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1342v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1343 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1344 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1345 The value is system dependent.
1346 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1347 command.
1348 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1349 in a different language than what is used for character
1350 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1351
1352 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1353v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1354 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1355 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1356 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1357 command. See |multi-lang|.
1358
1359 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001360v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
Bram Moolenaar5c8837f2006-02-25 21:52:33 +00001361 expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel'. Only valid
1362 while one of these expressions is being evaluated. Read-only
1363 when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001364
1365 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1366v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1367 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1368 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1369 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1370< Read-only.
1371
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001372 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1373v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1374 See |profiling|.
1375
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001376 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1377v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1378 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1379 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1380 Read-only.
1381
1382 *v:register* *register-variable*
1383v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1384 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1385
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001386 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1387v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1388 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1389 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1390 typed command.
1391 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1392 hit-enter prompt.
1393
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001394 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1395v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1396 Read-only.
1397
1398 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1399v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1400 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1401 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1402 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1403 executed. Read-only.
1404 Example: >
1405 :!mv foo bar
1406 :if v:shell_error
1407 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1408 :endif
1409< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1410
1411 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1412v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1413
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001414 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1415v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1416 the swap file found. Read-only.
1417
1418 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1419v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1420 for handling an existing swap file:
1421 'o' Open read-only
1422 'e' Edit anyway
1423 'r' Recover
1424 'd' Delete swapfile
1425 'q' Quit
1426 'a' Abort
1427 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
1428 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1429 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1430
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001431 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001432v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001433 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
1434 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
1435 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001436 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001437
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001438 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1439v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1440 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1441 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1442 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1443 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1444 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1445 terminal.
1446 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1447 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1448 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1449 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1450 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1451
1452 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1453v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1454 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1455 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1456 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1457
1458 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1459v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1460 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1461 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1462 Example: >
1463 :try
1464 : throw "oops"
1465 :catch /.*/
1466 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1467 :endtry
1468< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1469
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001470 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001471v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
1472 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001473 |filter()|. Read-only.
1474
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001475 *v:version* *version-variable*
1476v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1477 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1478 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1479 compatibility.
1480 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1481 if has("patch123")
1482< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1483 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1484 completely different.
1485
1486 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1487v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1488
1489==============================================================================
14904. Builtin Functions *functions*
1491
1492See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1493
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001494(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001495
1496USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1497
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001498add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001499append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001500append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001501argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001502argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001503argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
1504browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1505 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001506browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001507bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001508buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1509bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001510bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1511bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1512bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1513byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001514byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001515call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1516 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001517changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001518char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001519cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001520col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00001521complete({startcol}, {matches}) String set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001522complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
1523complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001524confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1525 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001526copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001527count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1528 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001529cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1530 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001531cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {coladd}])
1532 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {coladd}
1533cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001534deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001535delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1536did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001537diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1538diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001539empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001540escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001541eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001542eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001543executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1544exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
1545expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
1546filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001547filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1548 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001549finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
1550 String Find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001551findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001552 String Find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001553filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
1554fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001555foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1556foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001557foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001558foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001559foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001560function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001561get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001562get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001563getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1564 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001565getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1566getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001567getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
1568getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1569getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001570getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001571getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001572getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1573getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001574getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001575getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001576getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001577getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1578getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001579getloclist({nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001580getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001581getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001582getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001583getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001584getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1585getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1586getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in window {nr}
1587glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1588globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1589has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001590has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001591hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1592 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001593histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1594histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1595histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1596histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1597hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1598hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1599hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001600iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1601indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001602index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1603 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001604input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1605 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001606inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001607inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1608inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001609inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001610insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001611isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001612islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001613items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001614join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001615keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001616len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1617libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001618libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1619line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1620line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001621lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001622localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001623map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001624maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1625 String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1626mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1627 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001628match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001629 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001630matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001631 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001632matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1633 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001634matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1635 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001636max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1637min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001638mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1639 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001640mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001641nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1642nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
1643prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00001644printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001645pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001646range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1647 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001648readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1649 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001650remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1651 String send expression
1652remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1653remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1654 Number check for reply string
1655remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1656remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1657 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001658remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001659remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001660rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1661repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1662resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001663reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001664search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001665searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
1666 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001667searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001668 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001669searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001670 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001671searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001672 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001673server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1674 Number send reply string
1675serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1676setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1677setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1678setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001679setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1680 Number modify location list using {list}
1681setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001682setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001683setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001684simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001685sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001686soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001687spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001688spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1689 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001690split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001691 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001692str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert string to number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001693strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001694stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1695 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001696string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001697strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1698strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1699 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001700strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1701 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001702strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001703submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001704substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1705 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001706synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001707synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1708 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1709synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001710system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001711tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1712tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1713tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1714 Number number of current window in tab page
1715taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00001716tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001717tempname() String name for a temporary file
1718tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1719toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001720tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1721 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001722type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001723values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001724virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1725visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1726winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1727wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1728winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1729winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001730winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001731winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00001732winrestview({dict}) None restore view of current window
1733winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001734winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001735writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1736 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001737
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001738add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001739 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
1740 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001741 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1742 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001743< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001744 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001745 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001746
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001747
1748append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001749 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
1750 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001751 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1752 the current buffer.
1753 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001754 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1755 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001756 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001757 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001758<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001759 *argc()*
1760argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1761 current window. See |arglist|.
1762
1763 *argidx()*
1764argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1765 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1766
1767 *argv()*
1768argv({nr}) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
1769 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1770 Example: >
1771 :let i = 0
1772 :while i < argc()
1773 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1774 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1775 : let i = i + 1
1776 :endwhile
1777<
1778 *browse()*
1779browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1780 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1781 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1782 The input fields are:
1783 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1784 {title} title for the requester
1785 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1786 {default} default file name
1787 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1788 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1789
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001790 *browsedir()*
1791browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1792 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1793 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1794 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1795 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1796 to be used.
1797 The input fields are:
1798 {title} title for the requester
1799 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1800 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1801 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1802
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001803bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1804 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1805 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001806 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001807 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001808 exactly. The name can be:
1809 - Relative to the current directory.
1810 - A full path.
1811 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1812 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001813 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1814 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1815 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1816 long name to be able to find them.
1817 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1818 file name.
1819 *buffer_exists()*
1820 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1821
1822buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1823 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1824 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001825 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001826
1827bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1828 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1829 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001830 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001831
1832bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1833 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1834 ":ls" command.
1835 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1836 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1837 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1838 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1839 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1840 match an empty string is returned.
1841 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1842 alternate buffer.
1843 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1844 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1845 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1846 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1847 buffers are searched for.
1848 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1849 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1850 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1851< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1852 string is returned. >
1853 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1854 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1855 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1856 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1857< *buffer_name()*
1858 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1859
1860 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001861bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
1862 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001863 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001864 above.
1865 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
1866 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
1867 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001868 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1869 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1870< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1871 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1872 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1873 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1874 *buffer_number()*
1875 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1876 *last_buffer_nr()*
1877 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1878
1879bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1880 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1881 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1882 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1883 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1884
1885 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1886
1887< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1888 |:wincmd|.
1889
1890
1891byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1892 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1893 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1894 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1895 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1896 one.
1897 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1898 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1899 feature}
1900
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001901byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1902 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1903 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1904 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1905 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1906 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1907 Example : >
1908 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1909< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1910 same: >
1911 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1912 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1913< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1914 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1915 is returned.
1916
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001917call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001918 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001919 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001920 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001921 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1922 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001923 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1924 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001925
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001926changenr() *changenr()*
1927 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
1928 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
1929 with the |:undo| command.
1930 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
1931 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
1932 one less than the number of the undone change.
1933
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001934char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1935 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1936 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1937 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1938< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00001939 char2nr("?") returns 225
1940 char2nr("?"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001941< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001942
1943cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1944 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1945 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1946 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1947 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1948 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1949 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00001950 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001951
1952 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001953col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001954 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1955 . the cursor position
1956 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1957 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1958 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1959 returned)
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001960 To get the line number use |col()|. To get both use
1961 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001962 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1963 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1964 Examples: >
1965 col(".") column of cursor
1966 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1967 col("'t") column of mark t
1968 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1969< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
1970 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1971 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1972 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
1973 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
1974 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
1975 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
1976 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
1977<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001978
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00001979complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
1980 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
1981 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
1982 with an expression argument |:map-<expr>| or CTRL-R =
1983 |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O.
1984 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
1985 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
1986 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
1987 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
1988 match.
1989 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
1990 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
1991 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
1992 inserting anything that would completion to stop.
1993 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
1994 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
1995 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
1996 Example: >
1997 inoremap <expr> <F5> ListMonths()
1998
1999 func! ListMonths()
2000 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2001 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2002 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2003 return ''
2004 endfunc
2005< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2006 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2007
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002008complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2009 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2010 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2011 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2012 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2013 the list.
2014
2015complete_check() *complete_check()*
2016 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2017 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2018 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2019 zero otherwise.
2020 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2021 'completefunc' option.
2022
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002023 *confirm()*
2024confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2025 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2026 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2027 choice this is 1.
2028 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2029 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
2030 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2031 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2032 used (and translated).
2033 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2034 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
2035 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2036 by '\n', e.g. >
2037 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2038< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2039 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2040 not need to be the first letter: >
2041 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2042< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2043 the default shortcut key.
2044 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2045 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2046 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2047 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
2048 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
2049 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
2050 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
2051 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
2052 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2053 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2054 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2055
2056 An example: >
2057 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2058 :if choice == 0
2059 : echo "make up your mind!"
2060 :elseif choice == 3
2061 : echo "tasteful"
2062 :else
2063 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2064 :endif
2065< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2066 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
2067 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
2068 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2069 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2070 the horizontal layout is always used.
2071
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002072 *copy()*
2073copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2074 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002075 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2076 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002077 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002078 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002079 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002080
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002081count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002082 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002083 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002084 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002085 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002086 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2087
2088
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002089 *cscope_connection()*
2090cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2091 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2092 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2093 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2094 if there are no cscope connections;
2095 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2096
2097 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2098 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2099
2100 {num} Description of existence check
2101 ----- ------------------------------
2102 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2103 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2104 {dbpath}.
2105 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2106 {dbpath}.
2107 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2108 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2109 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2110 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2111
2112 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2113
2114 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2115
2116 # pid database name prepend path
2117 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2118<
2119 Invocation Return Val ~
2120 ---------- ---------- >
2121 cscope_connection() 1
2122 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2123 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2124 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2125 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2126 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2127 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2128 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2129<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002130cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2131cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002132 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002133 The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002134 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002135 with two or three items {lnum}, {col} and {off}. This is like
2136 the return value of |getpos()|, but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002137 Does not change the jumplist.
2138 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2139 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2140 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002141 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002142 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2143 line.
2144 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002145 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2146 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
2147 position within a Tab or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002148
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002149
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002150deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002151 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2152 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002153 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2154 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
2155 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002156 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002157 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2158 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2159 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2160 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2161 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2162 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002163 *E724*
2164 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002165 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2166 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002167 Also see |copy()|.
2168
2169delete({fname}) *delete()*
2170 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002171 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2172 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002173 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002174
2175 *did_filetype()*
2176did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2177 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2178 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2179 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2180 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2181 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2182 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2183 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2184 file.
2185
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002186diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2187 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2188 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2189 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2190 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2191 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2192 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2193 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2194
2195diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2196 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2197 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2198 diff change zero is returned.
2199 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2200 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2201 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2202 line.
2203 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2204 syntax information about the highlighting.
2205
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002206empty({expr}) *empty()*
2207 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002208 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
2209 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2210 For a long |List| this is much faster then comparing the
2211 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002212
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002213escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2214 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2215 backslash. Example: >
2216 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2217< results in: >
2218 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002219
2220< *eval()*
2221eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2222 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2223 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002224 Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002225
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002226eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2227 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2228 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2229 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2230 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2231
2232executable({expr}) *executable()*
2233 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2234 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002235 arguments.
2236 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2237 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2238 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2239 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2240 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2241 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2242 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2243 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2244 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2245 extension.
2246 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2247 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002248 The result is a Number:
2249 1 exists
2250 0 does not exist
2251 -1 not implemented on this system
2252
2253 *exists()*
2254exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2255 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2256 which contains one of these:
2257 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2258 not if it really works)
2259 +option-name Vim option that works.
2260 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2261 done by comparing with an empty
2262 string)
2263 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2264 or user defined function (see
2265 |user-functions|).
2266 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002267 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002268 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2269 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
2270 that this may cause functions to be
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002271 invoked cause an error message for an
2272 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002273 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2274 command or command modifier |:command|.
2275 Returns:
2276 1 for match with start of a command
2277 2 full match with a command
2278 3 matches several user commands
2279 To check for a supported command
2280 always check the return value to be 2.
2281 #event autocommand defined for this event
2282 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2283 pattern (the pattern is taken
2284 literally and compared to the
2285 autocommand patterns character by
2286 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002287 #group autocommand group exists
2288 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2289 event.
2290 #group#event#pattern
2291 autocommand defined for this group,
2292 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002293 ##event autocommand for this event is
2294 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002295 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2296
2297 Examples: >
2298 exists("&shortname")
2299 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2300 exists("*strftime")
2301 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2302 exists("bufcount")
2303 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002304 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002305 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002306 exists("#filetypeindent")
2307 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2308 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002309 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002310< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2311 name.
2312 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2313 variable itself! For example: >
2314 exists(bufcount)
2315< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
2316 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
2317 exists.
2318
2319expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2320 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2321 The result is a String.
2322
2323 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2324 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2325 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2326
2327 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2328 for a non-existing file is not included.
2329
2330 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2331 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2332 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2333
2334 % current file name
2335 # alternate file name
2336 #n alternate file name n
2337 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2338 <afile> autocmd file name
2339 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2340 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2341 <sfile> sourced script file name
2342 <cword> word under the cursor
2343 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2344 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2345 message |server2client()|
2346 Modifiers:
2347 :p expand to full path
2348 :h head (last path component removed)
2349 :t tail (last path component only)
2350 :r root (one extension removed)
2351 :e extension only
2352
2353 Example: >
2354 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2355< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2356 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2357 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2358< Use this: >
2359 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2360< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2361 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2362 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2363 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2364 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2365<
2366 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2367 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2368 to modify normal file names.
2369
2370 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2371 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2372 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2373 '/' added.
2374
2375 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2376 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2377 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2378 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002379 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2380 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2381 files in the current directory and below: >
2382 :echo expand("**/README")
2383<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002384 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2385 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2386 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2387 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2388 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2389 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2390 "$FOOBAR".
2391
2392 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2393 getting the raw output of an external command.
2394
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002395extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002396 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
2397 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002398
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002399 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002400 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2401 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2402 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2403 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002404 Examples: >
2405 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2406 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002407< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2408 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002409 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002410<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002411 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002412 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2413 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2414 used to decide what to do:
2415 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2416 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00002417 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002418 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2419
2420 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2421 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2422 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2423 Returns {expr1}.
2424
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002425
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002426filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2427 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2428 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2429 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2430 expression, which is used as a String.
2431 *file_readable()*
2432 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2433
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002434
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002435filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002436 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002437 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002438 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002439 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002440 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002441 Examples: >
2442 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2443< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2444 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2445< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2446 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002447< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002448
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002449 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2450 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2451 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2452
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002453 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2454 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002455 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002456
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002457< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002458 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2459 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002460
2461
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002462finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
2463 Find directory {name} in {path}.
2464 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2465 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
2466 {name} in {path}.
2467 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
2468 When the found directory is below the current directory a
2469 relative path is returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
2470 Example: >
2471 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2472< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2473 the file "tags.vim".
2474 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2475
2476findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2477 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
2478
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002479filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2480 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2481 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2482 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2483 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2484
2485fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2486 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2487 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2488 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2489 Example: >
2490 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2491< results in: >
2492 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2493< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2494 |expand()| first then.
2495
2496foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2497 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2498 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2499 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2500
2501foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2502 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2503 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2504 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2505
2506foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2507 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2508 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2509 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2510 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2511 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2512 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2513 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2514 previous line is usually available.
2515
2516 *foldtext()*
2517foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2518 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2519 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2520 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2521 The returned string looks like this: >
2522 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2523< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2524 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2525 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2526 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2527 options is removed.
2528 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2529
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002530foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2531 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2532 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2533 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2534 returned.
2535 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2536 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2537 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2538 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2539
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002540 *foreground()*
2541foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2542 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2543 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2544 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2545 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2546 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2547 Win32 console version}
2548
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002549
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002550function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002551 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002552 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2553
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002554
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002555garbagecollect() *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002556 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002557 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2558 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2559 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2560 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2561 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002562 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
2563 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
2564 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002565
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002566get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002567 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002568 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2569 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002570get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002571 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002572 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2573 {default} is omitted.
2574
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002575 *getbufline()*
2576getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002577 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2578 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
2579 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002580
2581 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2582
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002583 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2584 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002585
2586 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002587 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002588
2589 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2590 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002591 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002592 returned.
2593
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002594 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002595 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002596
2597 Example: >
2598 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002599
2600getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2601 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2602 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2603 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002604 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2605 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2606 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002607 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2608 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2609 returned, there is no error message.
2610 Examples: >
2611 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2612 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2613<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002614getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2615 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2616 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2617 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2618 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2619 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2620 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2621 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2622 not consumed. If a normal character is
2623 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2624 non-zero value is returned.
2625 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2626 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2627 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2628 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2629 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2630 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2631 user that a character has to be typed.
2632 There is no mapping for the character.
2633 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2634 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2635 sequence. Examples: >
2636 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2637 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2638< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2639 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2640 :function FindChar()
2641 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2642 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2643 : normal l
2644 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2645 : break
2646 : endif
2647 : endwhile
2648 :endfunction
2649
2650getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2651 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2652 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2653 These values are added together:
2654 2 shift
2655 4 control
2656 8 alt (meta)
2657 16 mouse double click
2658 32 mouse triple click
2659 64 mouse quadruple click
2660 128 Macintosh only: command
2661 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2662 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2663 with no modifier.
2664
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002665getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2666 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2667 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2668 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2669 Example: >
2670 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002671< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002672
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002673getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002674 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2675 byte count. The first column is 1.
2676 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2677 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002678 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2679
2680getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
2681 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
2682 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00002683 : normal Ex command
2684 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
2685 / forward search command
2686 ? backward search command
2687 @ |input()| command
2688 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002689 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2690 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
2691 otherwise.
2692 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002693
2694 *getcwd()*
2695getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2696 working directory.
2697
2698getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2699 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2700 given file {fname}.
2701 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2702 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2703
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002704getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2705 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2706 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2707 |hl-Normal|.
2708 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2709 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2710 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2711 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
2712 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not you your vimrc or
2713 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2714 for a valid name does not work.
2715 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2716 function just after the GUI has started.
2717
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002718getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2719 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2720 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2721 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2722 empty string is returned.
2723 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2724 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2725 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2726 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2727 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2728 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2729< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2730 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002731
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002732getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2733 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2734 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2735 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2736 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2737 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2738
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002739getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2740 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2741 file of the given file {fname}.
2742 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2743 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2744 results:
2745 Normal file "file"
2746 Directory "dir"
2747 Symbolic link "link"
2748 Block device "bdev"
2749 Character device "cdev"
2750 Socket "socket"
2751 FIFO "fifo"
2752 All other "other"
2753 Example: >
2754 getftype("/home")
2755< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2756 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2757 "file" are returned.
2758
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002759 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002760getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2761 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2762 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002763 getline(1)
2764< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2765 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2766 To get the line under the cursor: >
2767 getline(".")
2768< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2769 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2770
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002771 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
2772 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002773 including line {end}.
2774 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2775 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002776 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002777 Example: >
2778 :let start = line('.')
2779 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2780 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2781
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00002782getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
2783 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
2784 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
2785 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002786 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
2787 returned. Otherwise, same as getqflist().
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002788
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002789getqflist() *getqflist()*
2790 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2791 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2792 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2793 bufname() to get the name
2794 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2795 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002796 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2797 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002798 nr error number
2799 text description of the error
2800 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2801 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2802
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002803 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
2804 returned.
2805
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002806 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2807 do something with them: >
2808 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2809 :for d in getqflist()
2810 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2811 :endfor
2812
2813
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002814getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002815 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002816 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002817 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2818< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002819 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002820 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2821 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2822 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002823 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2824
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002825
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002826getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2827 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2828 The value will be one of:
2829 "v" for |characterwise| text
2830 "V" for |linewise| text
2831 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2832 0 for an empty or unknown register
2833 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2834 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2835
2836 *getwinposx()*
2837getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2838 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2839 -1 if the information is not available.
2840
2841 *getwinposy()*
2842getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2843 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2844 information is not available.
2845
2846getwinvar({nr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2847 The result is the value of option or local window variable
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00002848 {varname} in window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current
2849 window is used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002850 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
2851 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
2852 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002853 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2854 Examples: >
2855 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2856 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2857<
2858 *glob()*
2859glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2860 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2861 characters.
2862 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2863 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2864
2865 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2866 any external command. Example: >
2867 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2868 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2869< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2870 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2871
2872 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2873 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2874
2875globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2876 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2877 the results. Example: >
2878 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2879< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2880 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2881 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2882 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2883 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2884 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2885 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2886 error message.
2887 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2888 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2889
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002890 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
2891 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
2892 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
2893 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
2894<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002895 *has()*
2896has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2897 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2898 string. See |feature-list| below.
2899 Also see |exists()|.
2900
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002901
2902has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002903 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
2904 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002905
2906
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00002907hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002908 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2909 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2910 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2911 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00002912 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
2913 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002914 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2915 buffer are checked for a match.
2916 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2917 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2918 n Normal mode
2919 v Visual mode
2920 o Operator-pending mode
2921 i Insert mode
2922 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2923 c Command-line mode
2924 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2925
2926 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2927 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2928 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2929 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2930 :endif
2931< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
2932 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
2933
2934histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
2935 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
2936 one of: *hist-names*
2937 "cmd" or ":" command line history
2938 "search" or "/" search pattern history
2939 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
2940 "input" or "@" input line history
2941 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
2942 shifted to become the newest entry.
2943 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
2944 otherwise 0 is returned.
2945
2946 Example: >
2947 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
2948 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
2949< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2950
2951histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002952 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002953 for the possible values of {history}.
2954
2955 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
2956 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
2957 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
2958 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
2959 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
2960 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
2961 if it exists.
2962
2963 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
2964 otherwise 0 is returned.
2965
2966 Examples:
2967 Clear expression register history: >
2968 :call histdel("expr")
2969<
2970 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
2971 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
2972<
2973 The following three are equivalent: >
2974 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
2975 :call histdel("search", -1)
2976 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
2977<
2978 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
2979 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
2980 :call histdel("search", -1)
2981 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
2982
2983histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
2984 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
2985 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
2986 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
2987 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
2988 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
2989
2990 Examples:
2991 Redo the second last search from history. >
2992 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
2993
2994< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
2995 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
2996 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
2997<
2998histnr({history}) *histnr()*
2999 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
3000 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
3001 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
3002
3003 Example: >
3004 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
3005<
3006hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
3007 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
3008 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
3009 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
3010 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
3011 item.
3012 *highlight_exists()*
3013 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
3014
3015 *hlID()*
3016hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
3017 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
3018 zero is returned.
3019 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
3020 group. For example, to get the background color of the
3021 "Comment" group: >
3022 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
3023< *highlightID()*
3024 Obsolete name: highlightID().
3025
3026hostname() *hostname()*
3027 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003028 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003029 256 characters long are truncated.
3030
3031iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
3032 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
3033 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
3034 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
3035 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
3036 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
3037 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
3038 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
3039 can be done.
3040 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
3041 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
3042 UTF-8 and use: >
3043 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
3044< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
3045 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
3046 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
3047 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
3048
3049 *indent()*
3050indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
3051 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
3052 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
3053 |getline()|.
3054 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
3055
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003056
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003057index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003058 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003059 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003060 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
3061 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003062 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
3063 case must match.
3064 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
3065 Example: >
3066 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003067 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003068
3069
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003070input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003071 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
3072 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
3073 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003074 prompt to start a new line.
3075 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3076 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
3077 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
3078 for lines typed for input().
3079 Example: >
3080 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3081 : echo "Cheers!"
3082 :endif
3083<
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003084 If the optional {text} is present and not empty, this is used
3085 for the default reply, as if the user typed this. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003086 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3087
3088< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3089 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
3090 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
3091 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
3092 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
3093 more information. Example: >
3094 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3095<
3096 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3097 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003098 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3099 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3100 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3101 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3102 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3103 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3104 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3105
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003106 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003107 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3108 :function GetFoo()
3109 : call inputsave()
3110 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3111 : call inputrestore()
3112 :endfunction
3113
3114inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
3115 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
3116 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
3117 Example: >
3118 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3119 :if n != ""
3120 : let &sw = n
3121 :endif
3122< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3123 omitted an empty string is returned.
3124 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3125 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003126 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003127
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003128inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
3129 {textlist} must be a list of strings. This list is displayed,
3130 one string per line. The user will be prompted to enter a
3131 number, which is returned.
3132 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
3133 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
3134 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3135 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3136 is returned.
3137 Make sure {textlist} has less then 'lines' entries, otherwise
3138 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
3139 the start of the string. Example: >
3140 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3141 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3142
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003143inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
3144 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
3145 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3146 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3147 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3148
3149inputsave() *inputsave()*
3150 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3151 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3152 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3153 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3154 many inputrestore() calls.
3155 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3156
3157inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3158 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3159 two exceptions:
3160 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3161 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3162 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3163 |history| stack.
3164 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3165 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003166 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003167
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003168insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003169 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003170 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
3171 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
3172 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3173 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003174 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003175 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3176 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3177 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003178< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003179 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003180 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003181
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003182isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3183 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3184 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3185 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3186 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3187
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003188islocked({expr}) *islocked()*
3189 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3190 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003191 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3192 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003193 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3194 :lockvar 1 alist
3195 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3196 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3197
3198< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
3199 message. Use |exists()| to check for existance.
3200
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003201items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003202 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3203 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3204 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3205 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003206
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003207
3208join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3209 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3210 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3211 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3212 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3213 add it there too: >
3214 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003215< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003216 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3217 The opposite function is |split()|.
3218
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003219keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003220 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003221 arbitrary order.
3222
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003223 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003224len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3225 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3226 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003227 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003228 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003229 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3230 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003231 Otherwise an error is given.
3232
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003233 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3234libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3235 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3236 with single argument {argument}.
3237 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3238 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3239 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3240 limited.
3241 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3242 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3243 to Vim.
3244 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3245 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3246 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3247 null-terminated string.
3248 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3249
3250 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3251 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3252 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3253 very probably crash.
3254
3255 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3256 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3257 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3258 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3259 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3260 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3261 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3262 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3263 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3264 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3265
3266 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
3267 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
3268 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3269 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3270 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3271 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3272 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3273 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3274 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3275 feature is present}
3276 Examples: >
3277 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
3278 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
3279<
3280 *libcallnr()*
3281libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3282 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3283 int instead of a string.
3284 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3285 feature is present}
3286 Example (not very useful...): >
3287 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3288 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3289<
3290 *line()*
3291line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3292 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3293 . the cursor position
3294 $ the last line in the current buffer
3295 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3296 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003297 w0 first line visible in current window
3298 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003299 Note that a mark in another file can be used.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003300 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
3301 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003302 Examples: >
3303 line(".") line number of the cursor
3304 line("'t") line number of mark t
3305 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3306< *last-position-jump*
3307 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3308 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3309 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003310
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003311line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3312 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3313 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3314 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3315 line returns 1.
3316 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3317 below the last line: >
3318 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3319< This is the file size plus one.
3320 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3321 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3322 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3323
3324lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3325 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3326 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3327 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3328 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3329 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3330 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3331
3332localtime() *localtime()*
3333 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3334 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3335
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003336
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003337map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003338 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003339 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3340 {string}.
3341 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003342 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003343 Example: >
3344 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003345< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003346
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003347 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003348 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003349 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3350 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003351
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003352 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3353 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003354 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003355
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003356< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003357 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3358 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003359
3360
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003361maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *maparg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003362 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3363 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003364 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003365 "n" Normal
3366 "v" Visual
3367 "o" Operator-pending
3368 "i" Insert
3369 "c" Cmd-line
3370 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3371 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003372 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003373 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3374 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003375 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3376 command. The returned String has special characters
3377 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3378 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3379 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00003380 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
3381 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
3382 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
3383
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003384
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003385mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003386 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3387 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3388 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003389 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3390 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003391 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3392 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3393
3394 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3395 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3396 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3397 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3398 mapcheck("b") no no no
3399
3400 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3401 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3402 mapping for {name} exactly.
3403 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3404 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3405 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3406 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3407 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3408 then the global mappings.
3409 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3410 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3411 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3412 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3413 :endif
3414< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3415 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3416
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003417match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003418 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
3419 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003420 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003421 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3422 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3423 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003424 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003425 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3426 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003427 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003428 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003429< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003430 *strpbrk()*
3431 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3432 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3433< *strcasestr()*
3434 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3435 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3436 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3437<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003438 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003439 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003440 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003441 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003442 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3443< result is again "4". >
3444 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3445< result is again "4". >
3446 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3447< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003448 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003449 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
3450 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
3451 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
3452 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003453 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3454 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003455 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
3456 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003457
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003458 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003459 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003460 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
3461 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
3462< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003463 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
3464 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003465
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003466 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3467 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3468 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3469 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3470
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003471matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003472 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3473 the match. Example: >
3474 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3475< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003476 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3477 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3478 do it with matchend(): >
3479 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3480 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3481< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3482
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003483 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3484 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3485< results in "7". >
3486 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3487< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003488 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003489
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003490matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003491 Same as match(), but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003492 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3493 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
3494 in |:substitute|.
3495 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3496
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003497matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003498 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3499 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3500< results in "ing".
3501 When there is no match "" is returned.
3502 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3503 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3504< results in "ing". >
3505 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3506< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003507 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003508 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003509
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003510 *max()*
3511max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3512 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3513 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003514 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003515
3516 *min()*
3517min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3518 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3519 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003520 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003521
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003522 *mkdir()* *E749*
3523mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3524 Create directory {name}.
3525 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3526 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3527 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3528 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3529 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3530 for others.
3531 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3532 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3533 :if exists("*mkdir")
3534<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003535 *mode()*
3536mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3537 n Normal
3538 v Visual by character
3539 V Visual by line
3540 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3541 s Select by character
3542 S Select by line
3543 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3544 i Insert
3545 R Replace
3546 c Command-line
3547 r Hit-enter prompt
3548 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3549 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3550
3551nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3552 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3553 that is not blank. Example: >
3554 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3555< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3556 below it, zero is returned.
3557 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3558
3559nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3560 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3561 value {expr}. Examples: >
3562 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3563 nr2char(32) returns " "
3564< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3565 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3566< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3567 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3568 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003569 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003570
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003571 *getpos()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003572getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
3573 see |line()|.
3574 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
3575 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
3576 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
3577 is the buffer number of the mark.
3578 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
3579 column is 1.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003580 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
3581 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
3582 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
3583 character.
3584 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
3585 let save_cursor = getpos(".")
3586 MoveTheCursorAround
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003587 call setpos(save_cursor)
3588< Also see |setpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003589
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003590prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3591 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3592 that is not blank. Example: >
3593 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3594< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3595 above it, zero is returned.
3596 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3597
3598
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003599printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
3600 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
3601 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003602 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003603< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003604 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003605
3606 Often used items are:
3607 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003608 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
3609 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003610 %c single byte
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003611 %d decimal number
3612 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
3613 %x hex number
3614 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
3615 %X hex number using upper case letters
3616 %o octal number
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003617 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003618
3619 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
3620 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
3621 the result.
3622
3623 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003624 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003625
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003626 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003627
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003628 flags
3629 Zero or more of the following flags:
3630
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003631 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
3632 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
3633 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
3634 of the number is increased to force the first
3635 character of the output string to a zero (except
3636 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
3637 precision of zero).
3638 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
3639 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
3640 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003641
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003642 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
3643 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
3644 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
3645 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
3646 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003647
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003648 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
3649 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
3650 The converted value is padded on the right with
3651 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
3652 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003653
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003654 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
3655 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003656
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003657 + A sign must always be placed before a number
3658 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
3659 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003660
3661 field-width
3662 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003663 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
3664 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
3665 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
3666 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003667
3668 .precision
3669 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
3670 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
3671 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
3672 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
3673 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003674 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003675
3676 type
3677 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
3678 be applied, see below.
3679
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003680 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
3681 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
3682 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
3683 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
3684 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
3685 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003686 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003687< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003688 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003689
3690 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003691
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003692 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
3693 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
3694 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
3695 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003696 conversions.
3697 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
3698 digits that must appear; if the converted value
3699 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
3700 zeros.
3701 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
3702 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
3703 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
3704 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
3705
3706 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
3707 resulting character is written.
3708
3709 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
3710 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
3711 specified are used.
3712
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003713 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
3714 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003715
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003716 Each argument can be Number or String and is converted
3717 automatically to fit the conversion specifier. Any other
3718 argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003719
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00003720 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003721 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
3722 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003723 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003724
3725
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003726pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
3727 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
3728 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00003729 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
3730 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003731
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003732 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003733range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003734 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003735 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3736 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3737 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3738 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3739 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003740 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
3741 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
3742 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003743 Examples: >
3744 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
3745 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3746 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
3747 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003748 range(0) " []
3749 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003750<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003751 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003752readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003753 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
3754 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003755 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3756 NL appears somewhere).
3757 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3758 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3759 added.
3760 - No CR characters are removed.
3761 Otherwise:
3762 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3763 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3764 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003765 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
3766 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
3767 lines of a file: >
3768 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
3769 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
3770 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003771< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
3772 are returned, or as many as there are.
3773 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003774 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
3775 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
3776 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003777 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3778 the result is an empty list.
3779 Also see |writefile()|.
3780
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003781 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3782remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3783 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3784 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003785 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
3786 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
3787 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003788 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3789 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3790 remote_read() is stored there.
3791 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3792 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3793 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3794 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3795 and the result will be the empty string.
3796 Examples: >
3797 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3798 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3799<
3800
3801remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3802 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3803 This works like: >
3804 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3805< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3806 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3807 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00003808 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
3809 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003810 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3811 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3812 Win32 console version}
3813
3814
3815remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3816 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3817 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3818 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3819 name of a variable.
3820 Returns zero if none are available.
3821 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3822 See also |clientserver|.
3823 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3824 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3825 Examples: >
3826 :let repl = ""
3827 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3828
3829remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3830 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3831 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3832 See also |clientserver|.
3833 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3834 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3835 Example: >
3836 :echo remote_read(id)
3837<
3838 *remote_send()* *E241*
3839remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003840 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3841 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3842 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003843 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
3844 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
3845 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003846 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3847 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3848 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3849 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3850 up the display.
3851 Examples: >
3852 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3853 \ remote_read(serverid)
3854
3855 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3856 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3857 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3858 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003859<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003860remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003861 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003862 return it.
3863 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3864 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3865 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3866 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3867 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003868 Example: >
3869 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003870 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003871remove({dict}, {key})
3872 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3873 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3874< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3875
3876 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003877
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003878rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3879 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3880 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3881 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3882 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
3883 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3884
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003885repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
3886 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
3887 result. Example: >
3888 :let seperator = repeat('-', 80)
3889< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003890 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003891 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003892 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
3893< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003894
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003895
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003896resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
3897 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
3898 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
3899 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
3900 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
3901 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
3902 stopped after 100 iterations.
3903 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
3904 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
3905 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
3906 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
3907 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
3908
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003909 *reverse()*
3910reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
3911 {list}.
3912 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3913 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
3914
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003915search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003916 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003917 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003918
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003919 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
3920 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00003921 'c' accept a match at the cursor position
3922 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003923 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00003924 'p' return number of matching sub-pattern (see below)
3925 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003926 'w' wrap around the end of the file
3927 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
3928 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
3929
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003930 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
3931 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
3932 flag.
3933
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003934 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
3935 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
3936 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
3937 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
3938 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
3939< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
3940 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
3941
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003942 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
3943 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003944 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
3945 *search()-sub-match*
3946 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
3947 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
3948 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003949 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003950
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00003951 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
3952 flag is used.
3953
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003954 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
3955 :let n = 1
3956 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
3957 : exe "argument " . n
3958 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
3959 : " first search to find match at start of file
3960 : normal G$
3961 : let flags = "w"
3962 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
3963 : s/foo/bar/g
3964 : let flags = "W"
3965 : endwhile
3966 : update " write the file if modified
3967 : let n = n + 1
3968 :endwhile
3969<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00003970 Example for using some flags: >
3971 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
3972< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
3973 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
3974 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
3975 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
3976 line:
3977 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
3978 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
3979 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
3980 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
3981 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
3982
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00003983
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00003984searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
3985 Search for the declaration of {name}.
3986
3987 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
3988 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
3989 first match in the function.
3990
3991 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
3992 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
3993 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
3994
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00003995 Moves the cursor to the found match.
3996 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
3997 Example: >
3998 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
3999 echo getline('.')
4000 endif
4001<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004002 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004003searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004004 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
4005 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
4006 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004007 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
4008 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
4009 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
4010 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
4011 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
4012 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004013
4014 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
4015 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
4016 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
4017 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
4018 typical use is: >
4019 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
4020< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
4021
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004022 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
4023 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004024 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
4025 outer pair
4026 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004027 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004028
4029 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
4030 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
4031 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
4032 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
4033 or a string.
4034 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
4035 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
4036 and -1 returned.
4037
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004038 For {stopline} see |search()|.
4039
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004040 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
4041 patterns are used like it's on.
4042
4043 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
4044 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
4045 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
4046 if 1
4047 if 2
4048 endif 2
4049 endif 1
4050< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
4051 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
4052 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
4053 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
4054 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
4055 "endif 2".
4056 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
4057 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
4058 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
4059 the matching start.
4060
4061 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
4062
4063 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
4064 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
4065
4066< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
4067 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
4068 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
4069 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
4070 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
4071 match.
4072 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
4073
4074 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
4075
4076< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
4077 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
4078 highlighting recognized as strings: >
4079
4080 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
4081 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
4082<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004083 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004084searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004085 Same as searchpair(), but returns a |List| with the line and
4086 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4087 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004088 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4089 returns [0, 0].
4090>
4091 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
4092<
4093 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
4094
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004095searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *searchpos()*
4096 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004097 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4098 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
4099 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4100 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004101 Example: >
4102 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
4103
4104< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
4105 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
4106 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
4107< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
4108 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
4109
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004110server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
4111 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
4112 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
4113 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4114 Note:
4115 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004116 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004117 before calling any commands that waits for input.
4118 See also |clientserver|.
4119 Example: >
4120 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
4121<
4122serverlist() *serverlist()*
4123 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
4124 When there are no servers or the information is not available
4125 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
4126 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4127 Example: >
4128 :echo serverlist()
4129<
4130setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
4131 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
4132 {val}.
4133 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
4134 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
4135 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
4136 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
4137 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
4138 Examples: >
4139 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
4140 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
4141< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4142
4143setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
4144 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
4145 {pos}. The first position is 1.
4146 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
4147 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004148 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
4149 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
4150 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
4151 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
4152 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004153 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
4154 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
4155 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
4156 line.
4157
4158setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004159 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
4160 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004161 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
4162 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004163 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
4164 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004165 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004166< When {line} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004167 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
4168 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
4169< This is equivalent to: >
4170 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
4171 : call setline(n, l)
4172 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004173< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
4174
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004175setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
4176 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
4177 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004178 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
4179 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004180 Otherwise, same as setqflist().
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004181
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004182 *setpos()*
4183setpos({expr}, {list})
4184 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
4185 . the cursor
4186 'x mark x
4187
4188 {list} must be a |List| with four numbers:
4189 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4190
4191 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
4192 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
4193 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
4194 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
4195 number.
4196
4197 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4198 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark.
4199
4200 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
4201 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
4202 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
4203 character.
4204
4205 Also see |getpos()|
4206
4207
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004208setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004209 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
4210 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
4211 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
4212 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004213
4214 filename name of a file
4215 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004216 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004217 col column number
4218 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
4219 when zero: "col" is byte index
4220 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004221 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004222 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004223
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004224 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
4225 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
4226 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004227 If the "filename" entry is not present or neither the "lnum"
4228 or "pattern" entries are present, then the item will not be
4229 handled as an error line.
4230 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
4231 be used.
4232
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004233 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
4234 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
4235 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
4236 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
4237 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
4238 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
4239
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004240 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
4241
4242 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
4243 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
4244 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
4245
4246
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004247 *setreg()*
4248setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
4249 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
4250 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
4251 then the value is appended.
4252 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
4253 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
4254 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
4255 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
4256 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
4257 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
4258 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
4259 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
4260
4261 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
4262 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
4263 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
4264 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4265
4266 Examples: >
4267 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
4268 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
4269 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
4270
4271< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
4272 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004273 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004274 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
4275 ....
4276 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
4277
4278< You can also change the type of a register by appending
4279 nothing: >
4280 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
4281
4282setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
4283 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004284 {val}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004285 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
4286 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
4287 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
4288 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
4289 Examples: >
4290 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
4291 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
4292< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4293
4294simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
4295 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
4296 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
4297 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
4298 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
4299 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
4300 not removed either.
4301 Example: >
4302 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
4303< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
4304 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
4305 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
4306 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
4307 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
4308
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004309
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004310sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004311 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
4312 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4313 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
4314< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004315 Numbers sort after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004316 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004317 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004318 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
4319 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004320 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
4321 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
4322 sorts before the second one. Example: >
4323 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
4324 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
4325 endfunc
4326 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004327<
4328
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004329 *soundfold()*
4330soundfold({word})
4331 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
4332 language in 'spellang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004333 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
4334 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004335 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
4336 the method can be quite slow.
4337
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004338 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004339spellbadword([{sentence}])
4340 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
4341 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
4342 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
4343 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
4344
4345 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
4346 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
4347 result is an empty string.
4348
4349 The return value is a list with two items:
4350 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
4351 - The type of the spelling error:
4352 "bad" spelling mistake
4353 "rare" rare word
4354 "local" word only valid in another region
4355 "caps" word should start with Capital
4356 Example: >
4357 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
4358< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
4359
4360 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
4361 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
4362 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004363
4364 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004365spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004366 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004367 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
4368 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
4369
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004370 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
4371 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
4372 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
4373
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004374 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
4375 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00004376 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
4377 replace a line.
4378
4379 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004380 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
4381 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004382
4383 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004384 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
4385 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004386
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004387
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004388split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004389 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
4390 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
4391 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004392 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004393 removing the matched characters.
4394 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
4395 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00004396 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
4397 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004398 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004399 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004400< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004401 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00004402< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
4403 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
4404< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004405 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
4406 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
4407< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004408
4409
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004410str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
4411 Convert string {expr} to a number.
4412 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 8, 10 or 16.
4413 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
4414 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
4415 with the default String to Number conversion.
4416 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
4417 different base the result will be zero.
4418 Text after the number is silently ignored.
4419
4420
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004421strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
4422 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
4423 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
4424 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
4425 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
4426 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
4427 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
4428 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
4429 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
4430 Examples: >
4431 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
4432 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
4433 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
4434 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
4435 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
4436 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004437< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4438 :if exists("*strftime")
4439
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004440stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
4441 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4442 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004443 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
4444 This can be used to find a second match: >
4445 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
4446 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
4447< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004448 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004449 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004450 See also |strridx()|.
4451 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004452 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
4453 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
4454 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004455< *strstr()* *strchr()*
4456 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
4457 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
4458
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004459 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004460string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
4461 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
4462 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004463 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004464 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004465 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004466 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004467 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004468 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004469 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004470
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004471 *strlen()*
4472strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004473 {expr} in bytes.
4474 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
4475 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004476
4477 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004478<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004479 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
4480 For other types an error is given.
4481 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004482
4483strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
4484 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004485 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004486 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
4487 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
4488 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
4489 end of the {src}. >
4490 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
4491 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
4492 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
4493 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
4494< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
4495 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
4496 strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3)
4497<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004498strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
4499 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4500 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
4501 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
4502 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
4503 match: >
4504 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
4505 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
4506< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004507 For pattern searches use |match()|.
4508 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004509 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004510 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004511 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004512< *strrchr()*
4513 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
4514 function strrchr().
4515
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004516strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
4517 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
4518 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
4519 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
4520 echo strtrans(@a)
4521< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
4522 starting a new line.
4523
4524submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
4525 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
4526 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
4527 the whole matched text is returned.
4528 Example: >
4529 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
4530< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
4531 A line break is included as a newline character.
4532
4533substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
4534 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
4535 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
4536 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
4537 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
4538 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
4539 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
4540 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
4541 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
4542 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
4543 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
4544 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
4545 unmodified.
4546 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
4547 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
4548 Example: >
4549 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
4550< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
4551 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
4552< results in "TESTING".
4553
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004554synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004555 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004556 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004557 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
4558 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004559
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004560 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004561 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
4562
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004563 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
4564 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
4565 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
4566 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
4567 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
4568 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
4569 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
4570
4571 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
4572 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
4573<
4574synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
4575 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
4576 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
4577 about a syntax item.
4578 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
4579 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
4580 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
4581 used (GUI, cterm or term).
4582 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
4583 {what} result
4584 "name" the name of the syntax item
4585 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
4586 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
4587 term: empty string)
4588 "bg" background color (like "fg")
4589 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
4590 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
4591 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
4592 "bold" "1" if bold
4593 "italic" "1" if italic
4594 "reverse" "1" if reverse
4595 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
4596 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004597 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004598
4599 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
4600 cursor): >
4601 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
4602<
4603synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
4604 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
4605 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
4606 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
4607 ":highlight link" are followed.
4608
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004609system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
4610 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
4611 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
4612 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
4613 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004614 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004615 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
4616 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
4617 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004618 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
4619 The result is a String. Example: >
4620
4621 :let files = system("ls")
4622
4623< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
4624 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
4625 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
4626 The command executed is constructed using several options:
4627 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
4628 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
4629 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
4630 concatenated commands.
4631
4632 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
4633 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00004634
4635 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
4636 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
4637 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004638 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
4639 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
4640
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004641
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004642tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004643 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004644 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
4645 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
4646 omitted the current tab page is used.
4647 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
4648 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
4649 tablist = []
4650 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
4651 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
4652 endfor
4653< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
4654
4655
4656tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004657 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4658 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
4659 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
4660 page is returned (the tab page count).
4661 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
4662
4663
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004664tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
4665 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {arg}.
4666 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
4667 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
4668 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
4669 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
4670 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
4671 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
4672 Useful examples: >
4673 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
4674 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
4675< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
4676
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004677taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
4678 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00004679 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
4680 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004681 name Name of the tag.
4682 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004683 defined.
4684 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
4685 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004686 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004687 entry depends on the language specific
4688 kind values generated by the ctags
4689 tool.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004690 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004691 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004692 The "kind" entry is only available when using Exuberant ctags
4693 generated tags file. More entries may be present, depending
4694 on the content of the tags file: access, implementation,
4695 inherits and signature. Refer to the ctags documentation for
4696 information about these fields. For C code the fields
4697 "struct", "class" and "enum" may appear, they give the name of
4698 the entity the tag is contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004699
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004700 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
4701 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004702
4703 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
4704
4705 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
4706 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
4707 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
4708
4709 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
4710 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
4711 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
4712
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00004713 *tagfiles()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004714tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
4715 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00004716
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004717
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004718tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
4719 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
4720 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
4721 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
4722 :let tmpfile = tempname()
4723 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
4724< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
4725 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
4726 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
4727 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
4728 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
4729 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
4730
4731tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
4732 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
4733 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
4734 the string).
4735
4736toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
4737 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
4738 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
4739 the string).
4740
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00004741tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
4742 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
4743 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
4744 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
4745 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
4746 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
4747 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
4748
4749 Examples: >
4750 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
4751< returns "Hello THere" >
4752 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
4753< returns "{blob}"
4754
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004755 *type()*
4756type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004757 Number: 0
4758 String: 1
4759 Funcref: 2
4760 List: 3
4761 Dictionary: 4
4762 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004763 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
4764 :if type(myvar) == type("")
4765 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
4766 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004767 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004768
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004769values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004770 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
4771 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004772
4773
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004774virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
4775 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
4776 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
4777 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
4778 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
4779 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
4780 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
4781 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004782 For the use of {expr} see |col()|. Additionally you can use
Bram Moolenaar5c8837f2006-02-25 21:52:33 +00004783 [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line and column number. When
4784 "lnum" or "col" is out of range then virtcol() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004785 When 'virtualedit' is used it can be [lnum, col, off], where
4786 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
4787 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
4788 character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004789 For the byte position use |col()|.
4790 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
4791 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
4792 The accepted positions are:
4793 . the cursor position
4794 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
4795 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
4796 plus one)
4797 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
4798 returned)
4799 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
4800 Examples: >
4801 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
4802 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
4803 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
4804< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
4805
4806visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
4807 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
4808 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
4809 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
4810 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
4811 block-wise Visual mode respectively.
4812 Example: >
4813 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
4814< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
4815 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
4816 Visual mode that was used.
4817
4818 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
4819 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
4820 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
4821 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
4822
4823 *winbufnr()*
4824winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004825 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004826 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
4827 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4828 Example: >
4829 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
4830<
4831 *wincol()*
4832wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
4833 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
4834 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
4835
4836winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
4837 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
4838 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
4839 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4840 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
4841 Examples: >
4842 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
4843<
4844 *winline()*
4845winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
4846 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
4847 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004848 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
4849 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004850
4851 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004852winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4853 window. The top window has number 1.
4854 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004855 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004856 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
4857 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
4858 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
4859 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
4860 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004861
4862 *winrestcmd()*
4863winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
4864 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004865 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
4866 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004867 Example: >
4868 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
4869 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
4870 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004871<
4872 *winrestview()*
4873winrestview({dict})
4874 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
4875 the view of the current window.
4876 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
4877 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
4878
4879 *winsaveview()*
4880winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
4881 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
4882 restore the view.
4883 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
4884 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
4885 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
4886 option to temporarily switch of folding, so that folds are not
4887 opened when moving around.
4888 The return value includes:
4889 lnum cursor line number
4890 col cursor column
4891 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
4892 curswant column for vertical movement
4893 topline first line in the window
4894 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
4895 leftcol first column displayed
4896 skipcol columns skipped
4897 Note that no option values are saved.
4898
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004899
4900winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
4901 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
4902 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
4903 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4904 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
4905 Examples: >
4906 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
4907 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
4908 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
4909 :endif
4910<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004911 *writefile()*
4912writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004913 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004914 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
4915 Number.
4916 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
4917 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
4918 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
4919 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
4920 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
4921 to writefile().
4922 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
4923 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
4924 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
4925 fails.
4926 Also see |readfile()|.
4927 To copy a file byte for byte: >
4928 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
4929 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
4930<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004931
4932 *feature-list*
4933There are three types of features:
49341. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
4935 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
4936 :if has("cindent")
49372. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
4938 Example: >
4939 :if has("gui_running")
4940< *has-patch*
49413. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
4942 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
4943 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
4944 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
4945
4946all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
4947amiga Amiga version of Vim.
4948arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
4949arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00004950autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004951balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00004952balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004953beos BeOS version of Vim.
4954browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
4955 work.
4956builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
4957byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
4958cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
4959clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
4960clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
4961cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
4962cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
4963cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
4964comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
4965cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
4966cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
4967compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
4968debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
4969dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
4970dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
4971diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
4972digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
4973dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
4974dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
4975dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
4976ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
4977emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
4978eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
4979 true, of course!
4980ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
4981extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
4982 |'hlsearch'|
4983farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
4984file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004985filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
4986 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004987find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
4988 |+find_in_path|.
4989fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
4990 Windows this is not present).
4991folding Compiled with |folding| support.
4992footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
4993fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
4994gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
4995gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
4996gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004997gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
4998gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00004999gui_kde Compiled with KDE GUI |KVim|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005000gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
5001gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
5002gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
5003gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
5004gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
5005gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
5006hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
5007iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
5008insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
5009 Insert mode.
5010jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
5011keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
5012langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
5013libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
5014linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
5015 support.
5016lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
5017listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
5018 and the argument list |arglist|.
5019localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
5020mac Macintosh version of Vim.
5021macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
5022menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
5023mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
5024modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
5025mouse Compiled with support mouse.
5026mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
5027mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
5028mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
5029mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
5030mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
5031mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
5032multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
5033multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
5034multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00005035mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005036netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00005037netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005038ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
5039os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
5040osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
5041path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
5042perl Compiled with Perl interface.
5043postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
5044printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005045profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005046python Compiled with Python interface.
5047qnx QNX version of Vim.
5048quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
5049rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
5050ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
5051scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
5052showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
5053signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
5054smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00005055sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005056statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
5057 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
5058sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00005059spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
5060syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005061syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
5062 current buffer.
5063system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
5064tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
5065 |tag-binary-search|.
5066tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
5067 |tag-old-static|.
5068tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
5069 files |tag-any-white|.
5070tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
5071terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
5072termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
5073textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
5074tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
5075 or terminfo file.
5076title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
5077toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
5078unix Unix version of Vim.
5079user_commands User-defined commands.
5080viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
5081vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
5082vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
5083virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
5084visual Compiled with Visual mode.
5085visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
5086 |blockwise-operators|.
5087vms VMS version of Vim.
5088vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
5089wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
5090wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
5091windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
5092winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
5093win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
5094win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
5095win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
5096win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
5097win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
5098writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
5099xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
5100xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
5101xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
5102xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
5103xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
5104xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
5105 xterm screen.
5106x11 Compiled with X11 support.
5107
5108 *string-match*
5109Matching a pattern in a String
5110
5111A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
5112the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
5113everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
5114like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
5115line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
5116with ".". Example: >
5117 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
5118 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
5119 aa
5120 xx
5121 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
5122 a
5123 x
5124
5125Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
5126"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
5127"\n".
5128
5129==============================================================================
51305. Defining functions *user-functions*
5131
5132New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
5133functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
5134commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
5135
5136The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
5137builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
5138avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
5139the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
5140
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005141It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
5142|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005143
5144 *local-function*
5145A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
5146can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
5147and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
5148function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
5149instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
5150
5151 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
5152:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
5153
5154:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005155 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5156 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005157 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005158
5159:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
5160 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
5161 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005162<
5163 *:function-verbose*
5164When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
5165last defined. Example: >
5166
5167 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
5168 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
5169 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
5170<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00005171See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005172
5173 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005174:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005175 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
5176 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
5177 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005178
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005179 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5180 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005181 :function dict.init(arg)
5182< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
5183 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
5184 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
5185 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
5186 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
5187 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005188 *E127* *E122*
5189 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
5190 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
5191 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
5192 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005193
5194 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
5195
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005196 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
5197 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
5198 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
5199 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
5200 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
5201 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
5202 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005203
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005204 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
5205 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005206
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005207 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005208 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005209 local variable "self" will then be set to the
5210 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005211
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00005212 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
5213 will not be changed by the function.
5214
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005215 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
5216:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
5217 by its own, without other commands.
5218
5219 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
5220:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005221 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5222 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005223 :delfunc dict.init
5224< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
5225 function is deleted if there are no more references to
5226 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005227 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
5228:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
5229 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
5230 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
5231 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
5232 the number 0 is returned.
5233 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
5234 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
5235
5236 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
5237 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
5238 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
5239 are executed first. This process applies to all
5240 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
5241 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
5242
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005243 *function-argument* *a:var*
5244An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
5245be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
5246 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
5247Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
5248arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
5249may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
5250as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005251can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
5252that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005253 *E742*
5254The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005255However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can changes their contents.
5256Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
5257it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
5258|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005259
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005260When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
5261to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
5262may be larger.
5263
5264It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
5265still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
5266until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
5267inside a function body.
5268
5269 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005270Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
5271will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
5272accessed with "g:".
5273
5274Example: >
5275 :function Table(title, ...)
5276 : echohl Title
5277 : echo a:title
5278 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005279 : echo a:0 . " items:"
5280 : for s in a:000
5281 : echon ' ' . s
5282 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005283 :endfunction
5284
5285This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005286 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
5287 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005288
5289To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
5290 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
5291 : if a:n2 == 0
5292 : return "fail"
5293 : endif
5294 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
5295 : return "ok"
5296 :endfunction
5297
5298This function can then be called with: >
5299 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
5300 :if success == "ok"
5301 : echo div
5302 :endif
5303
5304An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
5305with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
5306 :function Foo()
5307 : execute Bar()
5308 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
5309 :endfunction
5310
5311 :function Bar()
5312 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
5313 :endfunction
5314
5315The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
5316the caller to set the names.
5317
5318 *:cal* *:call* *E107*
5319:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
5320 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
5321 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
5322 used.
5323 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
5324 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
5325 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
5326 function.
5327 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
5328 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
5329 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
5330 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
5331 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
5332 this works:
5333 *function-range-example* >
5334 :function Mynumber(arg)
5335 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
5336 :endfunction
5337 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
5338<
5339 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
5340 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
5341 the range.
5342
5343 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
5344
5345 :function Cont() range
5346 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
5347 :endfunction
5348 :4,8call Cont()
5349<
5350 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
5351 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
5352
5353 *E132*
5354The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
5355option.
5356
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005357
5358AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005359 *autoload-functions*
5360When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005361only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
5362the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
5363
5364
5365Using an autocommand ~
5366
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005367This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
5368
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005369The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
5370You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
5371That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
5372again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
5373
5374Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
5375function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005376
5377 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
5378
5379The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
5380"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
5381
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005382
5383Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005384 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005385This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
5386
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005387Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
5388exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
5389like this: >
5390
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005391 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005392
5393When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
5394"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
5395"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
5396then define the function like this: >
5397
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005398 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005399 echo "Done!"
5400 endfunction
5401
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00005402The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005403exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
5404called.
5405
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005406It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
5407a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005408
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005409 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005410
5411Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
5412
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005413This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
5414
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005415 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005416
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00005417However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
5418for an unknown variable.
5419
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005420When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
5421be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
5422
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005423 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
5424 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005425
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00005426Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
5427defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
5428function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005429And you will get an error message every time.
5430
5431Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
5432other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
5433Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005434
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005435==============================================================================
54366. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
5437
5438Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
5439This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
5440{} like this: >
5441 my_{adjective}_variable
5442
5443When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
5444that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
5445name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
5446"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
5447"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
5448
5449One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
5450value. For example, the statement >
5451 echo my_{&background}_message
5452
5453would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
5454on the current value of 'background'.
5455
5456You can use multiple brace pairs: >
5457 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
5458..or even nest them: >
5459 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
5460where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
5461
5462However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005463variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005464 :let foo='a + b'
5465 :echo c{foo}d
5466.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
5467
5468 *curly-braces-function-names*
5469You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
5470Example: >
5471 :let func_end='whizz'
5472 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
5473
5474This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
5475
5476==============================================================================
54777. Commands *expression-commands*
5478
5479:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
5480 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
5481 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
5482 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
5483 is created.
5484
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005485:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
5486 Set a list item to the result of the expression
5487 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
5488 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
5489 the index can be repeated.
5490 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
5491
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005492 *E711* *E719*
5493:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005494 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
5495 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005496 correct number of items.
5497 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
5498 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
5499 When the selected range of items is partly past the
5500 end of the list, items will be added.
5501
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005502 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005503:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
5504:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
5505:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
5506 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
5507 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
5508
5509
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005510:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
5511 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
5512 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005513:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
5514 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
5515 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
5516 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005517
5518:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
5519 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
5520 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
5521 must be the name of a writable register (see
5522 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
5523 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
5524 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
5525 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
5526 characterwise.
5527 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
5528 :let @/ = ""
5529< This is different from searching for an empty string,
5530 that would match everywhere.
5531
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005532:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
5533 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
5534 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
5535
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005536:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
5537 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005538 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
5539 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005540 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
5541 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00005542 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005543 Example: >
5544 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005545
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005546:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
5547 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
5548 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
5549
5550:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
5551:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
5552 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
5553 {expr1}.
5554
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005555:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005556:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5557:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
5558:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005559 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
5560 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
5561
5562:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005563:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5564:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
5565:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005566 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
5567 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
5568
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005569:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005570 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005571 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
5572 {name2}, etc.
5573 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005574 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005575 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
5576 command as mentioned above.
5577 Example: >
5578 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005579< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
5580 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
5581 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
5582 :let x = [0, 1]
5583 :let i = 0
5584 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
5585 :echo x
5586< The result is [0, 2].
5587
5588:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
5589:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
5590:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
5591 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005592 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005593
5594:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005595 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005596 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
5597 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
5598 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005599 Example: >
5600 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
5601<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005602:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
5603:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
5604:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
5605 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005606 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005607 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005608:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005609 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
5610 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00005611 g: global variables
5612 b: local buffer variables
5613 w: local window variables
5614 s: script-local variables
5615 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005616 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005617
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005618:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
5619 variable is indicated before the value:
5620 <nothing> String
5621 # Number
5622 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005623
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005624
5625:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
5626 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
5627 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005628 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005629 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
5630 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005631 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005632 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
5633 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005634< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005635 :unlet dict['two']
5636 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005637
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005638:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
5639 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
5640 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
5641 A locked variable can be deleted: >
5642 :lockvar v
5643 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
5644 :unlet v
5645< *E741*
5646 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
5647 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
5648
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005649 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
5650 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
5651 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005652 cannot add or remove items, but can
5653 still change their values.
5654 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005655 the items. If an item is a |List| or
5656 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005657 items, but can still change the
5658 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005659 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
5660 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
5661 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
5662 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
5663 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005664 *E743*
5665 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
5666 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
5667 loops.
5668
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005669 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
5670 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
5671 locked when used through the other variable. Example:
5672 >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005673 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
5674 :let cl = l
5675 :lockvar l
5676 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
5677< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
5678 See |deepcopy()|.
5679
5680
5681:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
5682 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
5683 opposite of |:lockvar|.
5684
5685
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005686:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
5687:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5688 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5689
5690 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
5691 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
5692 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
5693 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
5694 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
5695 part was not executed either.
5696
5697 You can use this to remain compatible with older
5698 versions: >
5699 :if version >= 500
5700 : version-5-specific-commands
5701 :endif
5702< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
5703 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
5704 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
5705 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
5706 avoid problems: >
5707 :if version >= 600
5708 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
5709 :endif
5710<
5711 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
5712 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
5713
5714 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
5715:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5716 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
5717 executed.
5718
5719 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
5720:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
5721 is no extra ":endif".
5722
5723:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005724 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005725:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
5726 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5727 When an error is detected from a command inside the
5728 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005729 Example: >
5730 :let lnum = 1
5731 :while lnum <= line("$")
5732 :call FixLine(lnum)
5733 :let lnum = lnum + 1
5734 :endwhile
5735<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005736 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005737 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005738
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005739:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005740:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
5741 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005742 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005743 value of each item.
5744 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005745 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00005746 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
5747 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005748 :for item in copy(mylist)
5749< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
5750 next item in the list, before executing the commands
5751 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
5752 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
5753 it will not be found. Thus the following example
5754 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
5755 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005756 :call remove(mylist, 0)
5757 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005758< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
5759 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
5760 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005761 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
5762 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
5763 to allow multiple item types.
5764
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005765:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
5766:endfo[r]
5767 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
5768 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
5769 {var2}, etc. Example: >
5770 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
5771 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
5772 :endfor
5773<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005774 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005775:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
5776 to the start of the loop.
5777 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5778 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5779 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5780 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5781 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5782 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005783
5784 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005785:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
5786 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
5787 ":endfor".
5788 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5789 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5790 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5791 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5792 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5793 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005794
5795:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
5796:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
5797 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
5798 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
5799 or autocommand invocations.
5800
5801 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
5802 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
5803 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
5804 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
5805 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
5806 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
5807 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
5808 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
5809 Example: >
5810 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
5811 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
5812<
5813 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
5814 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
5815 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
5816 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
5817 processing is not terminated.
5818
5819 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
5820 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
5821 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
5822 other errors are converted to a value of the form
5823 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
5824 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
5825 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
5826 the error number.
5827 Examples: >
5828 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
5829 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
5830<
5831 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
5832:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
5833 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
5834 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
5835 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
5836 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
5837 commands are skipped.
5838 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
5839 Examples: >
5840 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
5841 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
5842 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
5843 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
5844 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
5845 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
5846 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
5847 :catch " same as /.*/
5848<
5849 Another character can be used instead of / around the
5850 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
5851 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
5852 {pattern}.
5853 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
5854 an error message because it may vary in different
5855 locales.
5856
5857 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
5858:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
5859 are executed whenever the part between the matching
5860 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
5861 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
5862 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
5863 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
5864
5865 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
5866:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
5867 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
5868 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
5869 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
5870 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
5871 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
5872 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
5873 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
5874 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
5875 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
5876 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
5877 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
5878 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
5879 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
5880 is terminated.
5881 Example: >
5882 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
5883<
5884
5885 *:ec* *:echo*
5886:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
5887 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
5888 Also see |:comment|.
5889 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
5890 cursor to the first column.
5891 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5892 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5893 Example: >
5894 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
5895< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
5896 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
5897 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
5898 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
5899 command. Example: >
5900 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
5901<
5902 *:echon*
5903:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
5904 |:comment|.
5905 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5906 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5907 Example: >
5908 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
5909<
5910 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
5911 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
5912 command: >
5913 :!echo % --> filename
5914< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
5915 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
5916< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
5917 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
5918 :echo % --> nothing
5919< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
5920 :echo "%" --> %
5921< This just echoes the '%' character. >
5922 :echo expand("%") --> filename
5923< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
5924
5925 *:echoh* *:echohl*
5926:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
5927 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
5928 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
5929 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
5930< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
5931 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
5932
5933 *:echom* *:echomsg*
5934:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
5935 message in the |message-history|.
5936 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5937 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
5938 displayed, not interpreted.
5939 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5940 Example: >
5941 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
5942<
5943 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
5944:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
5945 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
5946 script or function the line number will be added.
5947 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5948 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
5949 the message is raised as an error exception instead
5950 (see |try-echoerr|).
5951 Example: >
5952 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
5953< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
5954 And to get a beep: >
5955 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
5956<
5957 *:exe* *:execute*
5958:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
5959 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
5960 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
5961 used as the processed command, command line editing
5962 keys are not recognized.
5963 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5964 Examples: >
5965 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
5966 :execute "normal " count . "w"
5967<
5968 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
5969 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
5970 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
5971
5972< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
5973 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
5974 command: >
5975 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
5976< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
5977
5978 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005979 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
5980 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005981 :execute 'while i > 5'
5982 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
5983<
5984 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
5985 completely in the executed string: >
5986 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
5987<
5988
5989 *:comment*
5990 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
5991 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
5992 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
5993 comment. Example: >
5994 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
5995
5996==============================================================================
59978. Exception handling *exception-handling*
5998
5999The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
6000explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
6001
6002Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
6003|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
6004exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
6005
6006
6007TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
6008
6009Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
6010use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
6011a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
6012 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
6013|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
6014a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
6015be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
6016which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
6017clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
6018
6019 :try
6020 : ...
6021 : ... TRY BLOCK
6022 : ...
6023 :catch /{pattern}/
6024 : ...
6025 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6026 : ...
6027 :catch /{pattern}/
6028 : ...
6029 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6030 : ...
6031 :finally
6032 : ...
6033 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
6034 : ...
6035 :endtry
6036
6037The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
6038appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
6039from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
6040 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
6041is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
6042script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
6043 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
6044lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
6045patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
6046after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
6047executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
6048":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
6049(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
6050continues in the following line as usual.
6051 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
6052":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
6053that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
6054finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
6055the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
6056the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
6057see |try-nesting|.
6058 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
6059remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
6060not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
6061try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
6062a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
6063execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
6064exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6065 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
6066thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
6067clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
6068catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
6069following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
6070clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6071
6072The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
6073a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
6074try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
6075from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
6076sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
6077":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
6078":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
6079from the finally clause.
6080 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
6081try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
6082clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
6083":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
6084clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
6085":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
6086this pending exception or command is discarded.
6087
6088For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
6089
6090
6091NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
6092
6093Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
6094conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
6095clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
6096catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
6097of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
6098checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
6099try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
6100otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
6101nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
6102one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
6103the inner try conditional.
6104
6105When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
6106finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
6107An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
6108thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
6109implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
6110as usual.
6111
6112For examples see |throw-catch|.
6113
6114
6115EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
6116
6117Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
6118'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
6119script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
6120finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
6121a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
6122(see |debug-scripts|).
6123
6124
6125THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
6126
6127You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
6128and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
6129 :throw 4711
6130 :throw "string"
6131< *throw-expression*
6132You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
6133first, and the result is thrown: >
6134 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
6135 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
6136
6137An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
6138command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
6139The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
6140 Example: >
6141
6142 :function! Foo(arg)
6143 : try
6144 : throw a:arg
6145 : catch /foo/
6146 : endtry
6147 : return 1
6148 :endfunction
6149 :
6150 :function! Bar()
6151 : echo "in Bar"
6152 : return 4710
6153 :endfunction
6154 :
6155 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
6156
6157This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
6158executed. >
6159 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
6160however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
6161
6162Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
6163abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
6164exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
6165 Example: >
6166
6167 :if Foo("arrgh")
6168 : echo "then"
6169 :else
6170 : echo "else"
6171 :endif
6172
6173Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
6174
6175 *catch-order*
6176Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
6177commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
6178command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
6179gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
6180 Example: >
6181
6182 :function! Foo(value)
6183 : try
6184 : throw a:value
6185 : catch /^\d\+$/
6186 : echo "Number thrown"
6187 : catch /.*/
6188 : echo "String thrown"
6189 : endtry
6190 :endfunction
6191 :
6192 :call Foo(0x1267)
6193 :call Foo('string')
6194
6195The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
6196An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
6197specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
6198specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
6199
6200 : catch /.*/
6201 : echo "String thrown"
6202 : catch /^\d\+$/
6203 : echo "Number thrown"
6204
6205The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
6206never taken.
6207
6208 *throw-variables*
6209If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
6210in the variable |v:exception|: >
6211
6212 : catch /^\d\+$/
6213 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
6214
6215You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
6216|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
6217exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
6218 Example: >
6219
6220 :function! Caught()
6221 : if v:exception != ""
6222 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
6223 : else
6224 : echo 'Nothing caught'
6225 : endif
6226 :endfunction
6227 :
6228 :function! Foo()
6229 : try
6230 : try
6231 : try
6232 : throw 4711
6233 : finally
6234 : call Caught()
6235 : endtry
6236 : catch /.*/
6237 : call Caught()
6238 : throw "oops"
6239 : endtry
6240 : catch /.*/
6241 : call Caught()
6242 : finally
6243 : call Caught()
6244 : endtry
6245 :endfunction
6246 :
6247 :call Foo()
6248
6249This displays >
6250
6251 Nothing caught
6252 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
6253 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
6254 Nothing caught
6255
6256A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
6257number in the script or function where it has been used: >
6258
6259 :function! LineNumber()
6260 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
6261 :endfunction
6262 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
6263<
6264 *try-nested*
6265An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
6266a surrounding try conditional: >
6267
6268 :try
6269 : try
6270 : throw "foo"
6271 : catch /foobar/
6272 : echo "foobar"
6273 : finally
6274 : echo "inner finally"
6275 : endtry
6276 :catch /foo/
6277 : echo "foo"
6278 :endtry
6279
6280The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
6281clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
6282conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
6283
6284 *throw-from-catch*
6285You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
6286catch clause: >
6287
6288 :function! Foo()
6289 : throw "foo"
6290 :endfunction
6291 :
6292 :function! Bar()
6293 : try
6294 : call Foo()
6295 : catch /foo/
6296 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
6297 : throw "bar"
6298 : endtry
6299 :endfunction
6300 :
6301 :try
6302 : call Bar()
6303 :catch /.*/
6304 : echo "Caught" v:exception
6305 :endtry
6306
6307This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
6308
6309 *rethrow*
6310There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
6311"v:exception" instead: >
6312
6313 :function! Bar()
6314 : try
6315 : call Foo()
6316 : catch /.*/
6317 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
6318 : throw v:exception
6319 : endtry
6320 :endfunction
6321< *try-echoerr*
6322Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
6323exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
6324Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
6325denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
6326the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
6327
6328 :try
6329 : try
6330 : asdf
6331 : catch /.*/
6332 : echoerr v:exception
6333 : endtry
6334 :catch /.*/
6335 : echo v:exception
6336 :endtry
6337
6338This code displays
6339
6340 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
6341
6342
6343CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
6344
6345Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
6346user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
6347an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
6348a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
6349catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
6350a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
6351normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
6352(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
6353to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
6354clause has been executed.)
6355Example: >
6356
6357 :try
6358 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
6359 : set ts=17
6360 :
6361 : " Do the hard work here.
6362 :
6363 :finally
6364 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
6365 : unlet s:saved_ts
6366 :endtry
6367
6368This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
6369changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
6370that function or script part.
6371
6372 *break-finally*
6373Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
6374a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
6375 Example: >
6376
6377 :let first = 1
6378 :while 1
6379 : try
6380 : if first
6381 : echo "first"
6382 : let first = 0
6383 : continue
6384 : else
6385 : throw "second"
6386 : endif
6387 : catch /.*/
6388 : echo v:exception
6389 : break
6390 : finally
6391 : echo "cleanup"
6392 : endtry
6393 : echo "still in while"
6394 :endwhile
6395 :echo "end"
6396
6397This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
6398
6399 :function! Foo()
6400 : try
6401 : return 4711
6402 : finally
6403 : echo "cleanup\n"
6404 : endtry
6405 : echo "Foo still active"
6406 :endfunction
6407 :
6408 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
6409
6410This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
6411extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
6412return value.)
6413
6414 *except-from-finally*
6415Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
6416a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
6417cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
6418exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
6419 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
6420working correctly: >
6421
6422 :try
6423 : try
6424 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
6425 : while 1
6426 : endwhile
6427 : finally
6428 : unlet novar
6429 : endtry
6430 :catch /novar/
6431 :endtry
6432 :echo "Script still running"
6433 :sleep 1
6434
6435If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
6436think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
6437|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
6438
6439
6440CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
6441
6442If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
6443watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
6444presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
6445exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
6446the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
6447the error exception is.
6448 Error exceptions have the following format: >
6449
6450 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
6451or >
6452 Vim:{errmsg}
6453
6454{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
6455the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
6456when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
6457a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
6458a space.
6459
6460Examples:
6461
6462The command >
6463 :unlet novar
6464normally produces the error message >
6465 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6466which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6467 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
6468
6469The command >
6470 :dwim
6471normally produces the error message >
6472 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6473which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6474 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6475
6476You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
6477 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
6478or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
6479 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
6480
6481Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
6482 :function nofunc
6483and >
6484 :delfunction nofunc
6485both produce the error message >
6486 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6487which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6488 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6489or >
6490 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6491respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
6492command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
6493 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
6494
6495Some commands like >
6496 :let x = novar
6497produce multiple error messages, here: >
6498 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6499 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6500Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
6501one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
6502 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
6503
6504You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
6505 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
6506
6507You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
6508 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
6509
6510You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
6511 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
6512<
6513 *catch-text*
6514NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
6515 :catch /No such variable/
6516only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
6517a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
6518cite the message text in a comment: >
6519 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
6520
6521
6522IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
6523
6524You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
6525
6526 :try
6527 : write
6528 :catch
6529 :endtry
6530
6531But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
6532catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
6533be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
6534
6535 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
6536
6537There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
6538writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
6539then hide the error from the user.
6540 It is much better to use >
6541
6542 :try
6543 : write
6544 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6545 :endtry
6546
6547which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
6548intentionally.
6549
6550For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
6551even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
6552command: >
6553 :silent! nunmap k
6554This works also when a try conditional is active.
6555
6556
6557CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
6558
6559When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
6560the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
6561script is not terminated, then.
6562 Example: >
6563
6564 :function! TASK1()
6565 : sleep 10
6566 :endfunction
6567
6568 :function! TASK2()
6569 : sleep 20
6570 :endfunction
6571
6572 :while 1
6573 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
6574 : try
6575 : if command == ""
6576 : continue
6577 : elseif command == "END"
6578 : break
6579 : elseif command == "TASK1"
6580 : call TASK1()
6581 : elseif command == "TASK2"
6582 : call TASK2()
6583 : else
6584 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
6585 : continue
6586 : endif
6587 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6588 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
6589 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
6590 : endtry
6591 :endwhile
6592
6593You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
6594a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
6595
6596For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
6597your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
6598command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
6599
6600
6601CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
6602
6603The commands >
6604
6605 :catch /.*/
6606 :catch //
6607 :catch
6608
6609catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
6610explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
6611a script in order to catch unexpected things.
6612 Example: >
6613
6614 :try
6615 :
6616 : " do the hard work here
6617 :
6618 :catch /MyException/
6619 :
6620 : " handle known problem
6621 :
6622 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6623 : echo "Script interrupted"
6624 :catch /.*/
6625 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
6626 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
6627 :endtry
6628 :" end of script
6629
6630Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
6631strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
6632specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
6633 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
6634by pressing CTRL-C: >
6635
6636 :while 1
6637 : try
6638 : sleep 1
6639 : catch
6640 : endtry
6641 :endwhile
6642
6643
6644EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
6645
6646Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
6647
6648 :autocmd User x try
6649 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
6650 :autocmd User x catch
6651 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
6652 :autocmd User x endtry
6653 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
6654 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
6655 :
6656 :try
6657 : doautocmd User x
6658 :catch
6659 : echo v:exception
6660 :endtry
6661
6662This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
6663
6664 *except-autocmd-Pre*
6665For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
6666command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
6667of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
6668abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
6669 Example: >
6670
6671 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
6672 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
6673 :
6674 :try
6675 : write
6676 :catch
6677 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
6678 :endtry
6679
6680Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
6681you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
6682autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
6683script displays: >
6684
6685 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
6686<
6687 *except-autocmd-Post*
6688For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
6689command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
6690an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
6691is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
6692 Example: >
6693
6694 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
6695 :
6696 :try
6697 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6698 :catch
6699 : echo v:exception
6700 :endtry
6701
6702This just displays: >
6703
6704 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
6705
6706If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
6707fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
6708 Example: >
6709
6710 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
6711 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
6712 :
6713 :try
6714 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6715 :catch
6716 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6717 :endtry
6718<
6719You can also use ":silent!": >
6720
6721 :let x = "ok"
6722 :let v:errmsg = ""
6723 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
6724 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
6725 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
6726 :try
6727 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6728 :catch
6729 :endtry
6730 :echo x
6731
6732This displays "after fail".
6733
6734If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
6735autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
6736
6737 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
6738 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
6739 :
6740 :try
6741 : write
6742 :catch
6743 : echo v:exception
6744 :endtry
6745<
6746 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
6747For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
6748autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
6749of the command.
6750 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
6751had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
6752some way. >
6753
6754 :if !exists("cnt")
6755 : let cnt = 0
6756 :
6757 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
6758 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
6759 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
6760 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6761 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6762 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
6763 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
6764 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6765 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6766 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
6767 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6768 :endif
6769 :
6770 :try
6771 : write
6772 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
6773 : if &modified
6774 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
6775 : else
6776 : echo "Error after writing"
6777 : endif
6778 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6779 : echo "Error on writing"
6780 :endtry
6781
6782When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
6783first >
6784 File successfully written!
6785then >
6786 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
6787then >
6788 Error after writing
6789etc.
6790
6791 *except-autocmd-ill*
6792You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
6793The following code is ill-formed: >
6794
6795 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
6796 :
6797 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
6798 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
6799 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
6800 :
6801 :write
6802
6803
6804EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
6805
6806Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
6807pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
6808similar things in Vim.
6809 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
6810class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
6811string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
6812 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
6813it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
6814for an error when writing "myfile".
6815 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
6816base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
6817parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
6818 Example: >
6819
6820 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
6821 : if a:a < 0
6822 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
6823 : endif
6824 :endfunction
6825 :
6826 :function! Add(a, b)
6827 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
6828 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
6829 : let c = a:a + a:b
6830 : if c < 0
6831 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
6832 : endif
6833 : return c
6834 :endfunction
6835 :
6836 :function! Div(a, b)
6837 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
6838 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
6839 : if (a:b == 0)
6840 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
6841 : endif
6842 : return a:a / a:b
6843 :endfunction
6844 :
6845 :function! Write(file)
6846 : try
6847 : execute "write" a:file
6848 : catch /^Vim(write):/
6849 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
6850 : endtry
6851 :endfunction
6852 :
6853 :try
6854 :
6855 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
6856 :
6857 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
6858 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6859 : echo "Range error in" function
6860 :
6861 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
6862 : echo "Math error"
6863 :
6864 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
6865 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
6866 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6867 : if file !~ '^/'
6868 : let file = dir . "/" . file
6869 : endif
6870 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
6871 :
6872 :catch /^EXCEPT/
6873 : echo "Unspecified error"
6874 :
6875 :endtry
6876
6877The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
6878a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
6879exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
6880 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
6881failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
6882
6883
6884PECULIARITIES
6885 *except-compat*
6886The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
6887exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
6888and/or a catch clause.
6889
6890In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
6891continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
6892after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
6893functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
6894or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
6895(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
6896
6897This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
6898immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
6899conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
6900be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
6901termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
6902catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
6903by specifying a finally clause.)
6904
6905When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
6906behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
6907scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
6908
6909However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
6910commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
6911conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
6912script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
6913error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
6914messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
6915|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
6916not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
6917where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
6918error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
6919scripts.
6920
6921 *except-syntax-err*
6922Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
6923the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
6924clauses, however, is executed.
6925 Example: >
6926
6927 :try
6928 : try
6929 : throw 4711
6930 : catch /\(/
6931 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
6932 : catch
6933 : echo "inner catch-all"
6934 : finally
6935 : echo "inner finally"
6936 : endtry
6937 :catch
6938 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
6939 : finally
6940 : echo "outer finally"
6941 :endtry
6942
6943This displays: >
6944 inner finally
6945 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
6946 outer finally
6947The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
6948
6949 *except-single-line*
6950The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
6951a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
6952"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
6953 Example: >
6954 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
6955raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
6956argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
6957error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
6958displayed.
6959
6960 *except-several-errors*
6961When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
6962usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
6963 Example: >
6964 echo novar
6965causes >
6966 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6967 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6968The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6969 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
6970< *except-syntax-error*
6971But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
6972the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
6973 Example: >
6974 unlet novar #
6975causes >
6976 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6977 E488: Trailing characters
6978The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6979 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
6980This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
6981not intended by the user. Example: >
6982 try
6983 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
6984 catch /.*/
6985 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
6986 endtry
6987This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
6988a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
6989
6990==============================================================================
69919. Examples *eval-examples*
6992
6993Printing in Hex ~
6994>
6995 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
6996 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
6997 : let n = a:nr
6998 : let r = ""
6999 : while n
7000 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
7001 : let n = n / 16
7002 : endwhile
7003 : return r
7004 :endfunc
7005
7006 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
7007 :" character Hex string.
7008 :func String2Hex(str)
7009 : let out = ''
7010 : let ix = 0
7011 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
7012 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
7013 : let ix = ix + 1
7014 : endwhile
7015 : return out
7016 :endfunc
7017
7018Example of its use: >
7019 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
7020result: "20" >
7021 :echo String2Hex("32")
7022result: "3332"
7023
7024
7025Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
7026
7027Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
7028":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
7029platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
7030function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
7031with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
7032>
7033 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
7034 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
7035 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
7036 : return -1
7037 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
7038 : return 1
7039 : else
7040 : return 0
7041 : endif
7042 :endfunction
7043
7044 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
7045 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
7046 : if (a:start >= a:end)
7047 : return
7048 : endif
7049 : let partition = a:start - 1
7050 : let middle = partition
7051 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
7052 : let i = a:start
7053 : while (i <= a:end)
7054 : let str = getline(i)
7055 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
7056 : if (result <= 0)
7057 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
7058 : let partition = partition + 1
7059 : if (result == 0)
7060 : let middle = partition
7061 : endif
7062 : if (i != partition)
7063 : let str2 = getline(partition)
7064 : call setline(i, str2)
7065 : call setline(partition, str)
7066 : endif
7067 : endif
7068 : let i = i + 1
7069 : endwhile
7070
7071 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
7072 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
7073 : " the end of the partition.
7074 : if (middle != partition)
7075 : let str = getline(middle)
7076 : let str2 = getline(partition)
7077 : call setline(middle, str2)
7078 : call setline(partition, str)
7079 : endif
7080 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
7081 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
7082 :endfunc
7083
7084 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
7085 :" function that will compare two lines.
7086 :func! Sort(cmp) range
7087 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
7088 :endfunc
7089
7090 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
7091 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
7092<
7093 *sscanf*
7094There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
7095line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
7096how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
7097"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
7098 :" Set up the match bit
7099 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
7100 :"get the part matching the whole expression
7101 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
7102 :"get each item out of the match
7103 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
7104 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
7105 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
7106
7107The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
7108"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
7109
7110==============================================================================
711110. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
7112
7113When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
7114evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
7115to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
7116recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
7117and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
7118only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
7119recognized.
7120
7121Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
7122missing: >
7123
7124 :if 1
7125 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
7126 :else
7127 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
7128 :endif
7129
7130==============================================================================
713111. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
7132
7133The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
7134options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
7135these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
7136these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00007137a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007138The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007139
7140These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
7141 - changing the buffer text
7142 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
7143 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
7144 - executing a shell command
7145 - reading or writing a file
7146 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00007147 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007148This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
7149
7150 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00007151:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007152 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
7153 'foldexpr'.
7154
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007155 *sandbox-option*
7156A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaard1f56e62006-02-22 21:25:37 +00007157have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risc. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007158restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
7159location. Insecure in this context are:
7160- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directlry
7161- while executing in the sandbox
7162- value coming from a modeline
7163
7164Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
7165option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
7166
7167==============================================================================
716812. Textlock *textlock*
7169
7170In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
7171to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
7172is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
7173actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
7174happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
7175
7176This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
7177 - changing the buffer text
7178 - jumping to another buffer or window
7179 - editing another file
7180 - closing a window or quitting Vim
7181 - etc.
7182
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007183
7184 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: