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Bram Moolenaar009d84a2016-01-28 14:12:00 +01001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.4. Last change: 2016 Jan 28
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00003112. Textlock |textlock|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000032
33{Vi does not have any of these commands}
34
35==============================================================================
361. Variables *variables*
37
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000039 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000040There are six types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +020042Number A 32 or 64 bit signed number. |expr-number| *Number*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000043 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
44
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000045Float A floating point number. |floating-point-format| *Float*
46 {only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
47 Examples: 123.456 1.15e-6 -1.1e3
48
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000049String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000050 |expr-string| Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000051
52Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
53 Example: function("strlen")
54
55List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
56 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000057
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000058Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
59 value. |Dictionary|
60 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
61
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000062The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
63are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000064
65Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
Bram Moolenaar24ea3ba2010-09-19 19:01:21 +020066the Number. Examples:
67 Number 123 --> String "123" ~
68 Number 0 --> String "0" ~
69 Number -1 --> String "-1" ~
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +020070 *octal*
Bram Moolenaarfa735342016-01-03 22:14:44 +010071Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits to
72a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9", Octal "017", and Binary "0b10" numbers are
73recognized. If the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero.
74Examples:
Bram Moolenaar24ea3ba2010-09-19 19:01:21 +020075 String "456" --> Number 456 ~
76 String "6bar" --> Number 6 ~
77 String "foo" --> Number 0 ~
78 String "0xf1" --> Number 241 ~
79 String "0100" --> Number 64 ~
Bram Moolenaarfa735342016-01-03 22:14:44 +010080 String "0b101" --> Number 5 ~
Bram Moolenaar24ea3ba2010-09-19 19:01:21 +020081 String "-8" --> Number -8 ~
82 String "+8" --> Number 0 ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000083
84To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
85 :echo "0100" + 0
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +000086< 64 ~
87
88To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different
89base, use |str2nr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000090
91For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
92
93Note that in the command >
94 :if "foo"
95"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
Bram Moolenaar3a0d8092012-10-21 03:02:54 +020096use empty(): >
97 :if !empty("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000098< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
99List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000100
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000101 *E805* *E806* *E808*
102When mixing Number and Float the Number is converted to Float. Otherwise
103there is no automatic conversion of Float. You can use str2float() for String
104to Float, printf() for Float to String and float2nr() for Float to Number.
105
Bram Moolenaar13d5aee2016-01-21 23:36:05 +0100106 *E891* *E892* *E893* *E894*
107When expecting a Float a Number can also be used, but nothing else.
108
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000109 *E706* *sticky-type-checking*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000110You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
111to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000112equivalent though, as well are Float and Number. Consider this sequence of
113commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000114 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000115 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000116 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error! l is still a Number
117 :let l = 4.4 " changes type from Number to Float
118 :let l = "string" " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000119
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000120
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001211.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000122 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000123A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000124in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
125around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000126
127 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
128 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000129< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000130A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:", "t:" or "b:". You
Bram Moolenaar7cba6c02013-09-05 22:13:31 +0200131can use "g:" but the following name must still start with a capital. You
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000132cannot have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000133
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000134A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
135Dictionary entry. Example: >
136 :function dict.init() dict
137 : let self.val = 0
138 :endfunction
139
140The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
141function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
142
143A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
144 :call Fn()
145 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000146
147The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000148 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000149
150You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
151arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000152 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000153
154
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001551.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7e38ea22014-04-05 22:55:53 +0200156 *list* *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000157A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000158can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000159position in the sequence.
160
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000161
162List creation ~
163 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000164A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000165Examples: >
166 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
167 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000168
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000169An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000170List of Lists: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000171 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000172
173An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
174
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000175
176List index ~
177 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000178An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000179after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
180 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000181 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000182
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000183When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000184 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000185<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000186A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
187the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000188 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
189
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000190To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000191is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000192 :echo get(mylist, idx)
193 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
194
195
196List concatenation ~
197
198Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
199 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000200 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000201
202To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
203it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
204
205
206Sublist ~
207
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000208A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
209separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000210 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000211
212Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000213similar to -1. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000214 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
215 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
216 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000217
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000218If the first index is beyond the last item of the List or the second item is
219before the first item, the result is an empty list. There is no error
220message.
221
222If the second index is equal to or greater than the length of the list the
223length minus one is used: >
Bram Moolenaar9e54a0e2006-04-14 20:42:25 +0000224 :let mylist = [0, 1, 2, 3]
225 :echo mylist[2:8] " result: [2, 3]
226
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000227NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000228using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000229mylist[s : e].
230
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000231
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000232List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000233 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000234When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
235variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
236change "bb": >
237 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
238 :let bb = aa
239 :call add(aa, 4)
240 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000241< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000242
243Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
244works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000245a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000246 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
247 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000248 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000249 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
250 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000251< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000252 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000253< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000254
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000255To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000256copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000257
258The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000259List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000260the same value. >
261 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
262 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
263 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000264< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000265 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000266< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000267
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000268Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
269same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000270exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
271different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
272variables. Example: >
273 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000274< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000275 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000276< 0
277
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000278Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000279can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000280
281 :let a = 5
282 :let b = "5"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000283 :echo a == b
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000284< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000285 :echo [a] == [b]
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000286< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000287
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000288
289List unpack ~
290
291To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
292square brackets, like list items: >
293 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
294
295When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
296this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
297and a variable name: >
298 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
299
300This works like: >
301 :let var1 = mylist[0]
302 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000303 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000304
305Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
306empty list then.
307
308
309List modification ~
310 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000311To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000312 :let list[4] = "four"
313 :let listlist[0][3] = item
314
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000315To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000316modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000317 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
318
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000319Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
320examples: >
321 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
322 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
323 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000324 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000325 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
326 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000327 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000328 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000329 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000330 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000331
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000332Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000333 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
334 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
Bram Moolenaar327aa022014-03-25 18:24:23 +0100335 :call uniq(sort(list)) " sort and remove duplicates
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000336
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000337
338For loop ~
339
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000340The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
341to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000342 :for item in mylist
343 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000344 :endfor
345
346This works like: >
347 :let index = 0
348 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000349 : let item = mylist[index]
350 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000351 : let index = index + 1
352 :endwhile
353
354Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000355results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000356the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000357
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000358If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000359function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000360
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000361Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000362requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
363 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
364 : call Doit(lnum, col)
365 :endfor
366
367This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
368must remain the same to avoid an error.
369
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000370It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000371 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
372 : call Doit(i, j)
373 : if !empty(rest)
374 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
375 : endif
376 :endfor
377
378
379List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000380 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000382 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000383 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000384 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
385 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
386 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000387 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
388 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000389 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
390 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000391 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
392 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000393 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
394 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000395
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000396Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
397example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
398 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
399
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000400
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004011.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar7e38ea22014-04-05 22:55:53 +0200402 *dict* *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000403A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000404entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
405ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000406
407
408Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000409 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000410A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000411braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
412only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000413 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
414 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000415< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000416A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
417String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000418entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000419Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000420
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000421A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000422nested Dictionary: >
423 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
424
425An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
426
427
428Accessing entries ~
429
430The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
431 :let val = mydict["one"]
432 :let mydict["four"] = 4
433
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000434You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000435
436For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
437form can be used |expr-entry|: >
438 :let val = mydict.one
439 :let mydict.four = 4
440
441Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
442key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000443 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000444
445
446Dictionary to List conversion ~
447
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000448You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000449turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
450
451Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
452 :for key in keys(mydict)
453 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
454 :endfor
455
456The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
457 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
458
459To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
460 :for v in values(mydict)
461 : echo "value: " . v
462 :endfor
463
464If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000465a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000466 :for [key, value] in items(mydict)
467 : echo key . ': ' . value
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000468 :endfor
469
470
471Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000472 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000473Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
474Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
475Dictionary: >
476 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
477 :let adict = onedict
478 :let adict['a'] = 11
479 :echo onedict['a']
480 11
481
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000482Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
483more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000484
485
486Dictionary modification ~
487 *dict-modification*
488To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
489use |:let| this way: >
490 :let dict[4] = "four"
491 :let dict['one'] = item
492
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000493Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
494Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
495 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
496 :unlet dict.aaa
497 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000498
499Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000500 :call extend(adict, bdict)
501This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
502in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000503Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
504expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
505adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000506
507Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000508 :call filter(dict, 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000509This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000510
511
512Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar26402cb2013-02-20 21:26:00 +0100513 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725* *E862*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000514When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000515special way with a dictionary. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000516 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000517 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000518 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000519 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
520 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000521
522This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
523Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
524the function was invoked from.
525
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000526It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
527Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
528
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000529 *numbered-function* *anonymous-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000530To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
531assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000532 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
Bram Moolenaar5a5f4592015-04-13 12:43:06 +0200533 :function mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000534 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000535 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000536 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000537
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000538The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000539that references this function. The function can only be used through a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000540|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
541remaining that refers to it.
542
543It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000544
Bram Moolenaar1affd722010-08-04 17:49:30 +0200545If you get an error for a numbered function, you can find out what it is with
546a trick. Assuming the function is 42, the command is: >
547 :function {42}
548
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000549
550Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000551 *E715*
552Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000553 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
554 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
555 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
556 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
557 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
558 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
559 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
560 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000561
562
5631.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000564 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000565If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
566function.
567
568When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
569start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
570stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
571
572When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
573start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
574stored in the session file |session-file|.
575
576variable name can be stored where ~
577my_var_6 not
578My_Var_6 session file
579MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
580
581
582It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
583|curly-braces-names|.
584
585==============================================================================
5862. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
587
588Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
589
590|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
591
592|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
593
594|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
595
596|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
597 expr5 != expr5 not equal
598 expr5 > expr5 greater than
599 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
600 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
601 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
602 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
603 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
604
605 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
606 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
607 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
608 matching case
609
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000610 expr5 is expr5 same |List| instance
611 expr5 isnot expr5 different |List| instance
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000612
613|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000614 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
615 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
616
617|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
618 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
619 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
620
621|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
622 - expr7 unary minus
623 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000624
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000625|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a |List|
626 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a |List|
627 expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary|
628 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with |Funcref| variable
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000629
630|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000631 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000632 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000633 [expr1, ...] |List|
634 {expr1: expr1, ...} |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000635 &option option value
636 (expr1) nested expression
637 variable internal variable
638 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
639 $VAR environment variable
640 @r contents of register 'r'
641 function(expr1, ...) function call
642 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
643
644
645".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
646Example: >
647 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
648
649All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
650
651
652expr1 *expr1* *E109*
653-----
654
655expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
656
657The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
658non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
659otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
660Example: >
661 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
662
663Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
664other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
665Example: >
666 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
667
668To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
669 :echo lnum == 1
670 :\ ? "top"
671 :\ : lnum == 1000
672 :\ ? "last"
673 :\ : lnum
674
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000675You should always put a space before the ':', otherwise it can be mistaken for
676use in a variable such as "a:1".
677
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000678
679expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
680---------------
681
682 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
683The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
684are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
685
686 input output ~
687n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
688zero zero zero zero
689zero non-zero non-zero zero
690non-zero zero non-zero zero
691non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
692
693The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
694
695 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
696
697Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
698
699 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
700
701Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
702arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
703
704 let a = 1
705 echo a || b
706
707This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
708so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
709
710 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
711
712This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
713only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
714
715
716expr4 *expr4*
717-----
718
719expr5 {cmp} expr5
720
721Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
722if it evaluates to true.
723
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000724 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000725 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
726 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
727 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
728 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
729 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +0200730 *expr-is* *expr-isnot* *expr-is#* *expr-isnot#*
731 *expr-is?* *expr-isnot?*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000732 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
733equal == ==# ==?
734not equal != !=# !=?
735greater than > ># >?
736greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
737smaller than < <# <?
738smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
739regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
740regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +0200741same instance is is# is?
742different instance isnot isnot# isnot?
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000743
744Examples:
745"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
746"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
747"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
748
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000749 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000750A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
751"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
752Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000753
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000754 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000755A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
756equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000757recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
758
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000759 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000760A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
761equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000762
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +0200763When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| or a |Dictionary| this checks if the
764expressions are referring to the same |List| or |Dictionary| instance. A copy
765of a |List| is different from the original |List|. When using "is" without
766a |List| or a |Dictionary| it is equivalent to using "equal", using "isnot"
767equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a different type means the
768values are different: "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'" is false and "0 is []" is
Bram Moolenaard09acef2012-09-21 14:54:30 +0200769false and not an error. "is#"/"isnot#" and "is?"/"isnot?" can be used to match
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +0200770and ignore case.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000771
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000772When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000773and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000774because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
775
776When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
777results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
778necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
779
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000780When using the operators with a trailing '#', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000781'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp(): case matters.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000782
783When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000784'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp(): case is ignored.
785
786'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000787
788The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
789argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
790This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
791matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
792portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
793single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
794Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
795(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
796can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
797 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
798 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
799
800
801expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
802---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000803expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000804expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
805expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000806
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +0000807For |Lists| only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000808result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000809
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +0100810expr7 * expr7 .. Number multiplication *expr-star*
811expr7 / expr7 .. Number division *expr-/*
812expr7 % expr7 .. Number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000813
814For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +0100815For bitwise operators see |and()|, |or()| and |xor()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000816
817Note the difference between "+" and ".":
818 "123" + "456" = 579
819 "123" . "456" = "123456"
820
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000821Since '.' has the same precedence as '+' and '-', you need to read: >
822 1 . 90 + 90.0
823As: >
824 (1 . 90) + 90.0
825That works, since the String "190" is automatically converted to the Number
826190, which can be added to the Float 90.0. However: >
827 1 . 90 * 90.0
828Should be read as: >
829 1 . (90 * 90.0)
830Since '.' has lower precedence than '*'. This does NOT work, since this
831attempts to concatenate a Float and a String.
832
833When dividing a Number by zero the result depends on the value:
834 0 / 0 = -0x80000000 (like NaN for Float)
835 >0 / 0 = 0x7fffffff (like positive infinity)
836 <0 / 0 = -0x7fffffff (like negative infinity)
837 (before Vim 7.2 it was always 0x7fffffff)
838
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000839When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
840
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000841None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000842
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000843. and % do not work for Float. *E804*
844
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000845
846expr7 *expr7*
847-----
848! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
849- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
850+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
851
852For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
853For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
854For '+' the number is unchanged.
855
856A String will be converted to a Number first.
857
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000858These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000859 !-1 == 0
860 !!8 == 1
861 --9 == 9
862
863
864expr8 *expr8*
865-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000866expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000867
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000868If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
869expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100870Number. This doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings, see |byteidx()| for
871an alternative.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000872
Bram Moolenaar256972a2015-12-29 19:10:25 +0100873Index zero gives the first byte. This is like it works in C. Careful:
874text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the byte under the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000875cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000876 :let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000877
878If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaar85084ef2016-01-17 22:26:33 +0100879String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backward
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000880compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
881
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000882If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000883for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000884error. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000885 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
886
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000887Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
888|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
889error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000890
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000891
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000892expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000893
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000894If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
895from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100896expr1b are used as a Number. This doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings, see
897|byteidx()| for computing the indexes.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000898
899If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
900string minus one is used.
901
902A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
903the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
904
905If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
906expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
907
908Examples: >
909 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
910 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
911 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
912 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100913<
914 *sublist* *slice*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000915If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000916the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000917just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000918 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
919 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
920 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
921
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000922Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
923error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000924
Bram Moolenaarda440d22016-01-16 21:27:23 +0100925Watch out for confusion between a namespace and a variable followed by a colon
926for a sublist: >
927 mylist[n:] " uses variable n
928 mylist[s:] " uses namespace s:, error!
929
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000930
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000931expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000932
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000933If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
934name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
935expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000936
937The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
938but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
939
940There must not be white space before or after the dot.
941
942Examples: >
943 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
944 :echo dict.one
945 :echo dict .2
946
947Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
948always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
949
950
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000951expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000952
953When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
954
955
956
957 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000958number
959------
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +0100960number number constant *expr-number*
961 *hex-number* *octal-number*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000962
963Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
964
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000965 *floating-point-format*
966Floating point numbers can be written in two forms:
967
968 [-+]{N}.{M}
Bram Moolenaar8a94d872015-01-25 13:02:57 +0100969 [-+]{N}.{M}[eE][-+]{exp}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000970
971{N} and {M} are numbers. Both {N} and {M} must be present and can only
972contain digits.
973[-+] means there is an optional plus or minus sign.
974{exp} is the exponent, power of 10.
975Only a decimal point is accepted, not a comma. No matter what the current
976locale is.
977{only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
978
979Examples:
980 123.456
981 +0.0001
982 55.0
983 -0.123
984 1.234e03
985 1.0E-6
986 -3.1416e+88
987
988These are INVALID:
989 3. empty {M}
990 1e40 missing .{M}
991
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +0000992 *float-pi* *float-e*
993A few useful values to copy&paste: >
994 :let pi = 3.14159265359
995 :let e = 2.71828182846
996
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000997Rationale:
998Before floating point was introduced, the text "123.456" was interpreted as
999the two numbers "123" and "456", both converted to a string and concatenated,
1000resulting in the string "123456". Since this was considered pointless, and we
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00001001could not find it intentionally being used in Vim scripts, this backwards
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001002incompatibility was accepted in favor of being able to use the normal notation
1003for floating point numbers.
1004
1005 *floating-point-precision*
1006The precision and range of floating points numbers depends on what "double"
1007means in the library Vim was compiled with. There is no way to change this at
1008runtime.
1009
1010The default for displaying a |Float| is to use 6 decimal places, like using
1011printf("%g", f). You can select something else when using the |printf()|
1012function. Example: >
1013 :echo printf('%.15e', atan(1))
1014< 7.853981633974483e-01
1015
1016
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001017
Bram Moolenaar979243b2015-06-26 19:35:49 +02001018string *string* *String* *expr-string* *E114*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001019------
1020"string" string constant *expr-quote*
1021
1022Note that double quotes are used.
1023
1024A string constant accepts these special characters:
1025\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
1026\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
1027\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
1028\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
1029\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
1030\X.. same as \x..
1031\X. same as \x.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001032\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001033 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
Bram Moolenaar541f92d2015-06-19 13:27:23 +02001034\U.... same as \u but allows up to 8 hex numbers.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001035\b backspace <BS>
1036\e escape <Esc>
1037\f formfeed <FF>
1038\n newline <NL>
1039\r return <CR>
1040\t tab <Tab>
1041\\ backslash
1042\" double quote
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02001043\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W. This is for use
1044 in mappings, the 0x80 byte is escaped. Don't use <Char-xxxx> to get a
1045 utf-8 character, use \uxxxx as mentioned above.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001046
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001047Note that "\xff" is stored as the byte 255, which may be invalid in some
1048encodings. Use "\u00ff" to store character 255 according to the current value
1049of 'encoding'.
1050
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001051Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
1052
1053
1054literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
1055---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001056'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001057
1058Note that single quotes are used.
1059
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001060This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001061meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001062
1063Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001064to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001065 if a =~ "\\s*"
1066 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001067
1068
1069option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
1070------
1071&option option value, local value if possible
1072&g:option global option value
1073&l:option local option value
1074
1075Examples: >
1076 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
1077 if &insertmode
1078
1079Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
1080and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
1081anyway.
1082
1083
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001084register *expr-register* *@r*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001085--------
1086@r contents of register 'r'
1087
1088The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
1089Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001090register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00001091registers.
1092
1093When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
1094evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001095
1096
1097nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
1098-------
1099(expr1) nested expression
1100
1101
1102environment variable *expr-env*
1103--------------------
1104$VAR environment variable
1105
1106The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
1107result is an empty string.
1108 *expr-env-expand*
1109Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
1110expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
1111are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
1112the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
1113fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
1114does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar34401cc2014-08-29 15:12:19 +02001115 :echo $shell
1116 :echo expand("$shell")
1117The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $shell
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001118variable (if your shell supports it).
1119
1120
1121internal variable *expr-variable*
1122-----------------
1123variable internal variable
1124See below |internal-variables|.
1125
1126
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001127function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001128-------------
1129function(expr1, ...) function call
1130See below |functions|.
1131
1132
1133==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +020011343. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E461*
1135
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001136An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1137cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1138|curly-braces-names|.
1139
1140An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001141An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1142|:unlet|.
1143Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1144been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001145
1146There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1147specified by what is prepended:
1148
1149 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1150|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1151|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001152|tabpage-variable| t: Local to the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001153|global-variable| g: Global.
1154|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1155|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1156|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
Bram Moolenaar75b81562014-04-06 14:09:13 +02001157|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001158
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001159The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1160delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001161 :for k in keys(s:)
1162 : unlet s:[k]
1163 :endfor
1164<
Bram Moolenaar531da592013-05-06 05:58:55 +02001165 *buffer-variable* *b:var* *b:*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001166A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1167Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1168This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1169|:bdelete|.
1170
1171One local buffer variable is predefined:
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +02001172 *b:changedtick* *changetick*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001173b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1174 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1175 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1176 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1177 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001178 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1179 : call My_Update()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001180 :endif
1181<
Bram Moolenaar531da592013-05-06 05:58:55 +02001182 *window-variable* *w:var* *w:*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001183A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1184is deleted when the window is closed.
1185
Bram Moolenaarad3b3662013-05-17 18:14:19 +02001186 *tabpage-variable* *t:var* *t:*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001187A variable name that is preceded with "t:" is local to the current tab page,
1188It is deleted when the tab page is closed. {not available when compiled
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001189without the |+windows| feature}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001190
Bram Moolenaar531da592013-05-06 05:58:55 +02001191 *global-variable* *g:var* *g:*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001192Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001193access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001194place if you like.
1195
Bram Moolenaar531da592013-05-06 05:58:55 +02001196 *local-variable* *l:var* *l:*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001197Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001198But you can also prepend "l:" if you like. However, without prepending "l:"
1199you may run into reserved variable names. For example "count". By itself it
1200refers to "v:count". Using "l:count" you can have a local variable with the
1201same name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001202
1203 *script-variable* *s:var*
1204In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1205accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1206
1207They can be used in:
1208- commands executed while the script is sourced
1209- functions defined in the script
1210- autocommands defined in the script
1211- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1212 defined in the script (recursively)
1213- user defined commands defined in the script
1214Thus not in:
1215- other scripts sourced from this one
1216- mappings
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001217- menus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001218- etc.
1219
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001220Script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1221Take this example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001222
1223 let s:counter = 0
1224 function MyCounter()
1225 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1226 echo s:counter
1227 endfunction
1228 command Tick call MyCounter()
1229
1230You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1231that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1232"Tick" was defined is used.
1233
1234Another example that does the same: >
1235
1236 let s:counter = 0
1237 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1238
1239When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001240script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001241defined.
1242
1243The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1244function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1245
1246 let s:counter = 0
1247 function StartCounting(incr)
1248 if a:incr
1249 function MyCounter()
1250 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1251 endfunction
1252 else
1253 function MyCounter()
1254 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1255 endfunction
1256 endif
1257 endfunction
1258
1259This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1260when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1261called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1262
1263When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1264They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1265maintain a counter: >
1266
1267 if !exists("s:counter")
1268 let s:counter = 1
1269 echo "script executed for the first time"
1270 else
1271 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1272 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1273 endif
1274
1275Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1276variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1277
1278
Bram Moolenaar531da592013-05-06 05:58:55 +02001279Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var* *v:*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001280
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001281 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1282v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1283 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1284 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1285
1286 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1287v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1288 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1289
1290 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1291v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1292 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1293
1294 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001295v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1296 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1297 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1298 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001299 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1300 highlighted text is used.
1301 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1302
1303 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1304v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
Bram Moolenaar00654022011-02-25 14:42:19 +01001305 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option. The first
1306 window has number zero (unlike most other places where a
1307 window gets a number).
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001308
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001309 *v:char* *char-variable*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001310v:char Argument for evaluating 'formatexpr' and used for the typed
Bram Moolenaar945e2db2010-06-05 17:43:32 +02001311 character when using <expr> in an abbreviation |:map-<expr>|.
Bram Moolenaare6ae6222013-05-21 21:01:10 +02001312 It is also used by the |InsertCharPre| and |InsertEnter| events.
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001313
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001314 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1315v:charconvert_from
1316 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1317 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1318
1319 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1320v:charconvert_to
1321 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1322 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1323
1324 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1325v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1326 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1327 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1328 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1329 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1330 possible to append this variable directly after the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001331 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001332 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1333 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1334 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1335 in 'printexpr'.
1336
1337 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1338v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1339 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1340 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1341 can be used.
1342
Bram Moolenaar42a45122015-07-10 17:56:23 +02001343 *v:completed_item* *completed_item-variable*
1344v:completed_item
1345 |Dictionary| containing the |complete-items| for the most
1346 recently completed word after |CompleteDone|. The
1347 |Dictionary| is empty if the completion failed.
1348
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001349 *v:count* *count-variable*
1350v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001351 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001352 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1353< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1354 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001355 When there are two counts, as in "3d2w", they are multiplied,
1356 just like what happens in the command, "d6w" for the example.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001357 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001358 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1359
1360 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1361v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1362 used.
1363
1364 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1365v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1366 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1367 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1368 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1369 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1370 command.
1371 See |multi-lang|.
1372
1373 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001374v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001375 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1376 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1377 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1378 Example: >
1379 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +02001380< Note: if another deadly signal is caught when v:dying is one,
1381 VimLeave autocommands will not be executed.
1382
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001383 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1384v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1385 Example: >
1386 :let v:errmsg = ""
1387 :silent! next
1388 :if v:errmsg != ""
1389 : ... handle error
1390< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1391
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01001392 *v:errors* *errors-variable*
Bram Moolenaar683fa182015-11-30 21:38:24 +01001393v:errors Errors found by assert functions, such as |assert_true()|.
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01001394 This is a list of strings.
1395 The assert functions append an item when an assert fails.
1396 To remove old results make it empty: >
1397 :let v:errors = []
1398< If v:errors is set to anything but a list it is made an empty
1399 list by the assert function.
1400
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001401 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1402v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1403 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1404 Example: >
1405 :try
1406 : throw "oops"
1407 :catch /.*/
1408 : echo "caught" v:exception
1409 :endtry
1410< Output: "caught oops".
1411
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01001412 *v:false* *false-variable*
1413v:false A Number with value zero. Used to put "false" in JSON. See
1414 |jsonencode()|.
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01001415 When used as a string this evaluates to "false". >
1416 echo v:false
1417< false ~
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01001418
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001419 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1420v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1421 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1422 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1423 deleted file no longer exists
1424 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1425 changed and buffer is modified
1426 changed file contents has changed
1427 mode mode of file changed
1428 time only file timestamp changed
1429
1430 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1431v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1432 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1433 do with the affected buffer:
1434 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1435 the file was deleted).
1436 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1437 was no autocommand. Except that when
1438 only the timestamp changed nothing
1439 will happen.
1440 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1441 everything that needs to be done.
1442 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1443 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1444
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001445 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001446v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001447 option used for ~
1448 'charconvert' file to be converted
1449 'diffexpr' original file
1450 'patchexpr' original file
1451 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001452 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001453
1454 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1455v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1456 evaluating:
1457 option used for ~
1458 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1459 'diffexpr' output of diff
1460 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1461 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001462 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001463 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1464 file and different from v:fname_in.
1465
1466 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1467v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1468 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1469
1470 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1471v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1472 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1473
1474 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1475v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1476 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001477 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001478
1479 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1480v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001481 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001482
1483 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1484v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001485 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001486
1487 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1488v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001489 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001490
Bram Moolenaar817a8802013-11-09 01:44:43 +01001491 *v:hlsearch* *hlsearch-variable*
Bram Moolenaar76440e22014-11-27 19:14:49 +01001492v:hlsearch Variable that indicates whether search highlighting is on.
1493 Setting it makes sense only if 'hlsearch' is enabled which
1494 requires |+extra_search|. Setting this variable to zero acts
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01001495 like the |:nohlsearch| command, setting it to one acts like >
Bram Moolenaar817a8802013-11-09 01:44:43 +01001496 let &hlsearch = &hlsearch
Bram Moolenaar86ae7202015-07-10 19:31:35 +02001497< Note that the value is restored when returning from a
1498 function. |function-search-undo|.
1499
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001500 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1501v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1502 events. Values:
1503 i Insert mode
1504 r Replace mode
1505 v Virtual Replace mode
1506
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001507 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001508v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001509 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1510 Read-only.
1511
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001512 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1513v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1514 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1515 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1516 The value is system dependent.
1517 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1518 command.
1519 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1520 in a different language than what is used for character
1521 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1522
1523 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1524v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1525 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1526 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1527 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1528 command. See |multi-lang|.
1529
1530 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar368373e2010-07-19 20:46:22 +02001531v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr|, 'formatexpr' and
1532 'indentexpr' expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel'
1533 and 'guitabtooltip'. Only valid while one of these
1534 expressions is being evaluated. Read-only when in the
1535 |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001536
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00001537 *v:mouse_win* *mouse_win-variable*
1538v:mouse_win Window number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1539 First window has number 1, like with |winnr()|. The value is
1540 zero when there was no mouse button click.
1541
1542 *v:mouse_lnum* *mouse_lnum-variable*
1543v:mouse_lnum Line number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1544 This is the text line number, not the screen line number. The
1545 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1546
1547 *v:mouse_col* *mouse_col-variable*
1548v:mouse_col Column number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1549 This is the screen column number, like with |virtcol()|. The
1550 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1551
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01001552 *v:none* *none-variable*
1553v:none An empty String. Used to put an empty item in JSON. See
1554 |jsonencode()|.
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01001555 When used as a number this evaluates to zero.
1556 When used as a string this evaluates to "none". >
1557 echo v:none
1558< none ~
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01001559
1560 *v:null* *null-variable*
1561v:null An empty String. Used to put "null" in JSON. See
1562 |jsonencode()|.
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01001563 When used as a number this evaluates to zero.
1564 When used as a string this evaluates to "null". >
1565 echo v:null
1566< null ~
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01001567
Bram Moolenaard812df62008-11-09 12:46:09 +00001568 *v:oldfiles* *oldfiles-variable*
1569v:oldfiles List of file names that is loaded from the |viminfo| file on
1570 startup. These are the files that Vim remembers marks for.
1571 The length of the List is limited by the ' argument of the
1572 'viminfo' option (default is 100).
Bram Moolenaar8d043172014-01-23 14:24:41 +01001573 When the |viminfo| file is not used the List is empty.
Bram Moolenaard812df62008-11-09 12:46:09 +00001574 Also see |:oldfiles| and |c_#<|.
1575 The List can be modified, but this has no effect on what is
1576 stored in the |viminfo| file later. If you use values other
1577 than String this will cause trouble.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001578 {only when compiled with the |+viminfo| feature}
Bram Moolenaard812df62008-11-09 12:46:09 +00001579
Bram Moolenaar53744302015-07-17 17:38:22 +02001580 *v:option_new*
1581v:option_new New value of the option. Valid while executing an |OptionSet|
1582 autocommand.
1583 *v:option_old*
1584v:option_old Old value of the option. Valid while executing an |OptionSet|
1585 autocommand.
1586 *v:option_type*
1587v:option_type Scope of the set command. Valid while executing an
1588 |OptionSet| autocommand. Can be either "global" or "local"
Bram Moolenaar8af1fbf2008-01-05 12:35:21 +00001589 *v:operator* *operator-variable*
1590v:operator The last operator given in Normal mode. This is a single
1591 character except for commands starting with <g> or <z>,
1592 in which case it is two characters. Best used alongside
1593 |v:prevcount| and |v:register|. Useful if you want to cancel
1594 Operator-pending mode and then use the operator, e.g.: >
1595 :omap O <Esc>:call MyMotion(v:operator)<CR>
1596< The value remains set until another operator is entered, thus
1597 don't expect it to be empty.
1598 v:operator is not set for |:delete|, |:yank| or other Ex
1599 commands.
1600 Read-only.
1601
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001602 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1603v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1604 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
Bram Moolenaar8af1fbf2008-01-05 12:35:21 +00001605 you want to cancel Visual or Operator-pending mode and then
1606 use the count, e.g.: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001607 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1608< Read-only.
1609
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001610 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001611v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001612 See |profiling|.
1613
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001614 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1615v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
Bram Moolenaard38b0552012-04-25 19:07:41 +02001616 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for |view|,
1617 |evim| etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001618 Read-only.
1619
Bram Moolenaara1706c92014-04-01 19:55:49 +02001620 *v:progpath* *progpath-variable*
1621v:progpath Contains the command with which Vim was invoked, including the
1622 path. Useful if you want to message a Vim server using a
1623 |--remote-expr|.
Bram Moolenaarc7f02552014-04-01 21:00:59 +02001624 To get the full path use: >
1625 echo exepath(v:progpath)
1626< NOTE: This does not work when the command is a relative path
1627 and the current directory has changed.
Bram Moolenaara1706c92014-04-01 19:55:49 +02001628 Read-only.
1629
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001630 *v:register* *register-variable*
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01001631v:register The name of the register in effect for the current normal mode
Bram Moolenaard38b0552012-04-25 19:07:41 +02001632 command (regardless of whether that command actually used a
1633 register). Or for the currently executing normal mode mapping
1634 (use this in custom commands that take a register).
1635 If none is supplied it is the default register '"', unless
1636 'clipboard' contains "unnamed" or "unnamedplus", then it is
1637 '*' or '+'.
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01001638 Also see |getreg()| and |setreg()|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001639
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001640 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1641v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1642 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1643 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1644 typed command.
1645 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1646 hit-enter prompt.
1647
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001648 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1649v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1650 Read-only.
1651
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001652
1653v:searchforward *v:searchforward* *searchforward-variable*
1654 Search direction: 1 after a forward search, 0 after a
1655 backward search. It is reset to forward when directly setting
1656 the last search pattern, see |quote/|.
1657 Note that the value is restored when returning from a
1658 function. |function-search-undo|.
1659 Read-write.
1660
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001661 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1662v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1663 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1664 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1665 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1666 executed. Read-only.
1667 Example: >
1668 :!mv foo bar
1669 :if v:shell_error
1670 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1671 :endif
1672< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1673
1674 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1675v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1676
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001677 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1678v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1679 the swap file found. Read-only.
1680
1681 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1682v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1683 for handling an existing swap file:
1684 'o' Open read-only
1685 'e' Edit anyway
1686 'r' Recover
1687 'd' Delete swapfile
1688 'q' Quit
1689 'a' Abort
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001690 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001691 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1692 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1693
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001694 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001695v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001696 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001697 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001698 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001699 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001700
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001701 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1702v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001703 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001704 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1705 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1706 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1707 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1708 terminal.
1709 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1710 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1711 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1712 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1713 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1714
1715 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1716v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1717 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1718 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1719 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1720
1721 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1722v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001723 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001724 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1725 Example: >
1726 :try
1727 : throw "oops"
1728 :catch /.*/
1729 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1730 :endtry
1731< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1732
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01001733 *v:true* *true-variable*
1734v:true A Number with value one. Used to put "true" in JSON. See
1735 |jsonencode()|.
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01001736 When used as a string this evaluates to "true". >
1737 echo v:true
1738< true ~
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001739 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001740v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001741 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001742 |filter()|. Read-only.
1743
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001744 *v:version* *version-variable*
1745v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1746 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1747 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1748 compatibility.
1749 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
Bram Moolenaar6716d9a2014-04-02 12:12:08 +02001750 if has("patch-7.4.123")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001751< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1752 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1753 completely different.
1754
1755 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1756v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1757
Bram Moolenaar727c8762010-10-20 19:17:48 +02001758 *v:windowid* *windowid-variable*
1759v:windowid When any X11 based GUI is running or when running in a
1760 terminal and Vim connects to the X server (|-X|) this will be
Bram Moolenaar264e9fd2010-10-27 12:33:17 +02001761 set to the window ID.
1762 When an MS-Windows GUI is running this will be set to the
1763 window handle.
1764 Otherwise the value is zero.
1765 Note: for windows inside Vim use |winnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar727c8762010-10-20 19:17:48 +02001766
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001767==============================================================================
17684. Builtin Functions *functions*
1769
1770See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1771
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001772(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001773
1774USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1775
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001776abs( {expr}) Float or Number absolute value of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001777acos( {expr}) Float arc cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001778add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaaracb4f222016-01-10 15:59:26 +01001779alloc_fail( {id}, {countdown}, {repeat})
1780 none make memory allocation fail
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01001781and( {expr}, {expr}) Number bitwise AND
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001782append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001783append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001784argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001785argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar683fa182015-11-30 21:38:24 +01001786arglistid( [{winnr} [, {tabnr}]])
Bram Moolenaar2d1fe052014-05-28 18:22:57 +02001787 Number argument list id
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001788argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001789argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01001790assert_equal( {exp}, {act} [, {msg}]) none assert {exp} equals {act}
1791assert_exception({error} [, {msg}]) none assert {error} is in v:exception
Bram Moolenaara260b872016-01-15 20:48:22 +01001792assert_fails( {cmd} [, {error}]) none assert {cmd} fails
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01001793assert_false( {actual} [, {msg}]) none assert {actual} is false
1794assert_true( {actual} [, {msg}]) none assert {actual} is true
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001795asin( {expr}) Float arc sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001796atan( {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001797atan2( {expr}, {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001798browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1799 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001800browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001801bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001802buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1803bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001804bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaar12969c02015-09-08 23:36:10 +02001805bufnr( {expr} [, {create}]) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001806bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1807byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001808byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar0ffbbf92013-11-02 23:29:26 +01001809byteidxcomp( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001810call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1811 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001812ceil( {expr}) Float round {expr} up
1813changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01001814char2nr( {expr}[, {utf8}]) Number ASCII/UTF8 value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001815cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001816clearmatches() none clear all matches
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001817col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001818complete( {startcol}, {matches}) none set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001819complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001820complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001821confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1822 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001823copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001824cos( {expr}) Float cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001825cosh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a991dd2014-10-02 01:41:41 +02001826count( {list}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]])
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001827 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001828cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1829 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar2f3b5102014-11-19 18:54:17 +01001830cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {off}])
1831 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {off}
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001832cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaar92dff182014-02-11 19:15:50 +01001833deepcopy( {expr} [, {noref}]) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaarda440d22016-01-16 21:27:23 +01001834delete( {fname} [, {flags}]) Number delete the file or directory {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001835did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001836diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1837diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001838empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001839escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001840eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001841eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001842executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaarc7f02552014-04-01 21:00:59 +02001843exepath( {expr}) String full path of the command {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001844exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001845extend( {expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001846 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001847exp( {expr}) Float exponential of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar146e9c32012-03-07 19:18:23 +01001848expand( {expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list}]])
1849 any expand special keywords in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001850feedkeys( {string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001851filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001852filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001853filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1854 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001855finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001856 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001857findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001858 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001859float2nr( {expr}) Number convert Float {expr} to a Number
1860floor( {expr}) Float round {expr} down
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001861fmod( {expr1}, {expr2}) Float remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00001862fnameescape( {fname}) String escape special characters in {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001863fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001864foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1865foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001866foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001867foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001868foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001869foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001870function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01001871garbagecollect( [{atexit}]) none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001872get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001873get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001874getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1875 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01001876getbufvar( {expr}, {varname} [, {def}])
1877 any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001878getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1879getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaarfc39ecf2015-08-11 20:34:49 +02001880getcharsearch() Dict last character search
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001881getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1882getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarfb539272014-08-22 19:21:47 +02001883getcmdtype() String return current command-line type
1884getcmdwintype() String return current command-line window type
Bram Moolenaar6f6c0f82014-05-28 20:31:42 +02001885getcurpos() List position of the cursor
Bram Moolenaarc9703302016-01-17 21:49:33 +01001886getcwd( [{winnr} [, {tabnr}]]) String get the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar6f6c0f82014-05-28 20:31:42 +02001887getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001888getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1889getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001890getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001891getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001892getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1893getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001894getloclist( {nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001895getmatches() List list of current matches
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00001896getpid() Number process ID of Vim
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001897getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001898getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaarb7cb42b2014-04-02 19:55:10 +02001899getreg( [{regname} [, 1 [, {list}]]])
1900 String or List contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001901getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01001902gettabvar( {nr}, {varname} [, {def}])
1903 any variable {varname} in tab {nr} or {def}
1904gettabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {name} [, {def}])
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001905 any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001906getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1907getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01001908getwinvar( {nr}, {varname} [, {def}])
1909 any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaard8b77f72015-03-05 21:21:19 +01001910glob( {expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list} [, {alllinks}]]])
Bram Moolenaar146e9c32012-03-07 19:18:23 +01001911 any expand file wildcards in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5837f1f2015-03-21 18:06:14 +01001912glob2regpat( {expr}) String convert a glob pat into a search pat
Bram Moolenaard8b77f72015-03-05 21:21:19 +01001913globpath( {path}, {expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list} [, {alllinks}]]])
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00001914 String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001915has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001916has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaarc9703302016-01-17 21:49:33 +01001917haslocaldir( [{winnr} [, {tabnr}]])
1918 Number TRUE if the window executed |:lcd|
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001919hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1920 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001921histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1922histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1923histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1924histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1925hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1926hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1927hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001928iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1929indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001930index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1931 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001932input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1933 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001934inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001935inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001936inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1937inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001938inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001939insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01001940invert( {expr}) Number bitwise invert
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001941isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001942islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001943items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001944join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01001945jsondecode( {string}) any decode JSON
1946jsonencode( {expr}) String encode JSON
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001947keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001948len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1949libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001950libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1951line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1952line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001953lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001954localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001955log( {expr}) Float natural logarithm (base e) of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001956log10( {expr}) Float logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10
Bram Moolenaard38b0552012-04-25 19:07:41 +02001957luaeval( {expr}[, {expr}]) any evaluate |Lua| expression
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001958map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02001959maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr} [, {dict}]]])
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01001960 String or Dict
1961 rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001962mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1963 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001964match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001965 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001966matchadd( {group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
1967 Number highlight {pattern} with {group}
Bram Moolenaarb3414592014-06-17 17:48:32 +02001968matchaddpos( {group}, {list}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
1969 Number highlight positions with {group}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001970matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001971matchdelete( {id}) Number delete match identified by {id}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001972matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001973 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001974matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1975 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001976matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1977 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001978max( {list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1979min( {list}) Number minimum value of items in {list}
1980mkdir( {name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001981 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001982mode( [expr]) String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01001983mzeval( {expr}) any evaluate |MzScheme| expression
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001984nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01001985nr2char( {expr}[, {utf8}]) String single char with ASCII/UTF8 value {expr}
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01001986or( {expr}, {expr}) Number bitwise OR
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001987pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaare9b892e2016-01-17 21:15:58 +01001988perleval( {expr}) any evaluate |Perl| expression
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001989pow( {x}, {y}) Float {x} to the power of {y}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001990prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001991printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
1992pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02001993pyeval( {expr}) any evaluate |Python| expression
1994py3eval( {expr}) any evaluate |python3| expression
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001995range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1996 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001997readfile( {fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001998 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00001999reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
2000reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002001remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
2002 String send expression
2003remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
2004remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
2005 Number check for reply string
2006remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
2007remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
2008 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002009remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002010remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002011rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
2012repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
2013resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002014reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002015round( {expr}) Float round off {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9a773482013-06-11 18:40:13 +02002016screenattr( {row}, {col}) Number attribute at screen position
2017screenchar( {row}, {col}) Number character at screen position
Bram Moolenaar9750bb12012-12-05 16:10:42 +01002018screencol() Number current cursor column
2019screenrow() Number current cursor row
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00002020search( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
2021 Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002022searchdecl( {name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002023 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00002024searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002025 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00002026searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00002027 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00002028searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00002029 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002030server2client( {clientid}, {string})
2031 Number send reply string
2032serverlist() String get a list of available servers
2033setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaardbd24b52015-08-11 14:26:19 +02002034setcharsearch( {dict}) Dict set character search from {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002035setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
2036setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00002037setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
2038 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00002039setmatches( {list}) Number restore a list of matches
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002040setpos( {expr}, {list}) Number set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00002041setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002042setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02002043settabvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in tab page {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00002044settabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window
2045 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002046setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaaraf9aeb92013-02-13 17:35:04 +01002047sha256( {string}) String SHA256 checksum of {string}
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00002048shellescape( {string} [, {special}])
2049 String escape {string} for use as shell
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00002050 command argument
Bram Moolenaar2d17fa32012-10-21 00:45:18 +02002051shiftwidth() Number effective value of 'shiftwidth'
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002052simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002053sin( {expr}) Float sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002054sinh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f894962011-06-19 02:55:37 +02002055sort( {list} [, {func} [, {dict}]])
2056 List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00002057soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00002058spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00002059spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
2060 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002061split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002062 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01002063sqrt( {expr}) Float square root of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002064str2float( {expr}) Float convert String to Float
2065str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert String to Number
Bram Moolenaar641e48c2015-06-25 16:09:26 +02002066strchars( {expr} [, {skipcc}]) Number character length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02002067strdisplaywidth( {expr} [, {col}]) Number display length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002068strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00002069stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
2070 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002071string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002072strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
2073strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
2074 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002075strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
2076 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002077strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02002078strwidth( {expr}) Number display cell length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaar41571762014-04-02 19:00:58 +02002079submatch( {nr}[, {list}]) String or List
2080 specific match in ":s" or substitute()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002081substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
2082 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002083synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002084synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
2085 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
2086synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaar483c5d82010-10-20 18:45:33 +02002087synconcealed( {lnum}, {col}) List info about concealing
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002088synstack( {lnum}, {col}) List stack of syntax IDs at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00002089system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaar39c29ed2014-04-05 19:44:40 +02002090systemlist( {expr} [, {input}]) List output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00002091tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
2092tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
2093tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
2094 Number number of current window in tab page
2095taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002096tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002097tempname() String name for a temporary file
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002098tan( {expr}) Float tangent of {expr}
2099tanh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002100tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
2101toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00002102tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
2103 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01002104trunc( {expr}) Float truncate Float {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002105type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02002106undofile( {name}) String undo file name for {name}
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002107undotree() List undo file tree
Bram Moolenaar327aa022014-03-25 18:24:23 +01002108uniq( {list} [, {func} [, {dict}]])
2109 List remove adjacent duplicates from a list
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002110values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002111virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
2112visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
Bram Moolenaar8738fc12013-02-20 17:59:11 +01002113wildmenumode() Number whether 'wildmenu' mode is active
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002114winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
2115wincol() Number window column of the cursor
2116winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
2117winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00002118winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002119winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002120winrestview( {dict}) none restore view of current window
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00002121winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002122winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaared767a22016-01-03 22:49:16 +01002123wordcount() Dict get byte/char/word statistics
Bram Moolenaar6b2e9382014-11-05 18:06:01 +01002124writefile( {list}, {fname} [, {flags}])
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002125 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01002126xor( {expr}, {expr}) Number bitwise XOR
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002127
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002128abs({expr}) *abs()*
2129 Return the absolute value of {expr}. When {expr} evaluates to
2130 a |Float| abs() returns a |Float|. When {expr} can be
2131 converted to a |Number| abs() returns a |Number|. Otherwise
2132 abs() gives an error message and returns -1.
2133 Examples: >
2134 echo abs(1.456)
2135< 1.456 >
2136 echo abs(-5.456)
2137< 5.456 >
2138 echo abs(-4)
2139< 4
2140 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2141
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002142
2143acos({expr}) *acos()*
2144 Return the arc cosine of {expr} measured in radians, as a
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002145 |Float| in the range of [0, pi].
2146 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002147 [-1, 1].
2148 Examples: >
2149 :echo acos(0)
2150< 1.570796 >
2151 :echo acos(-0.5)
2152< 2.094395
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002153 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002154
2155
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002156add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002157 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
2158 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002159 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
2160 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002161< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002162 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002163 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002164
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002165
Bram Moolenaar75bdf6a2016-01-07 21:25:08 +01002166alloc_fail({id}, {countdown}, {repeat}) *alloc_fail()*
2167 This is for testing: If the memory allocation with {id} is
2168 called, then decrement {countdown}, and when it reaches zero
2169 let memory allocation fail {repeat} times. When {repeat} is
2170 smaller than one it fails one time.
2171
2172
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01002173and({expr}, {expr}) *and()*
2174 Bitwise AND on the two arguments. The arguments are converted
2175 to a number. A List, Dict or Float argument causes an error.
2176 Example: >
2177 :let flag = and(bits, 0x80)
2178
2179
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002180append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002181 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
2182 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002183 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
2184 the current buffer.
2185 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002186 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002187 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002188 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002189 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002190<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002191 *argc()*
2192argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
2193 current window. See |arglist|.
2194
2195 *argidx()*
2196argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
2197 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
2198
Bram Moolenaar2d1fe052014-05-28 18:22:57 +02002199 *arglistid()*
2200arglistid([{winnr}, [ {tabnr} ]])
2201 Return the argument list ID. This is a number which
2202 identifies the argument list being used. Zero is used for the
Bram Moolenaarfb539272014-08-22 19:21:47 +02002203 global argument list. See |arglist|.
2204 Return -1 if the arguments are invalid.
Bram Moolenaar2d1fe052014-05-28 18:22:57 +02002205
2206 Without arguments use the current window.
2207 With {winnr} only use this window in the current tab page.
2208 With {winnr} and {tabnr} use the window in the specified tab
2209 page.
2210
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002211 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00002212argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002213 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
2214 Example: >
2215 :let i = 0
2216 :while i < argc()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002217 : let f = escape(fnameescape(argv(i)), '.')
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002218 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
2219 : let i = i + 1
2220 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00002221< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
2222 returned.
2223
Bram Moolenaar683fa182015-11-30 21:38:24 +01002224 *assert_equal()*
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01002225assert_equal({expected}, {actual} [, {msg}])
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002226 When {expected} and {actual} are not equal an error message is
2227 added to |v:errors|.
2228 There is no automatic conversion, the String "4" is different
2229 from the Number 4. And the number 4 is different from the
2230 Float 4.0. The value of 'ignorecase' is not used here, case
2231 always matters.
Bram Moolenaar683fa182015-11-30 21:38:24 +01002232 When {msg} is omitted an error in the form "Expected
2233 {expected} but got {actual}" is produced.
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002234 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar683fa182015-11-30 21:38:24 +01002235 assert_equal('foo', 'bar')
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002236< Will result in a string to be added to |v:errors|:
2237 test.vim line 12: Expected 'foo' but got 'bar' ~
2238
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01002239assert_exception({error} [, {msg}]) *assert_exception()*
2240 When v:exception does not contain the string {error} an error
2241 message is added to |v:errors|.
2242 This can be used to assert that a command throws an exception.
2243 Using the error number, followed by a colon, avoids problems
2244 with translations: >
2245 try
2246 commandthatfails
2247 call assert_false(1, 'command should have failed')
2248 catch
2249 call assert_exception('E492:')
2250 endtry
2251
Bram Moolenaara260b872016-01-15 20:48:22 +01002252assert_fails({cmd} [, {error}]) *assert_fails()*
2253 Run {cmd} and add an error message to |v:errors| if it does
2254 NOT produce an error.
2255 When {error} is given it must match |v:errmsg|.
2256
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01002257assert_false({actual} [, {msg}]) *assert_false()*
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002258 When {actual} is not false an error message is added to
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01002259 |v:errors|, like with |assert_equal()|.
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002260 A value is false when it is zero. When "{actual}" is not a
2261 number the assert fails.
Bram Moolenaar683fa182015-11-30 21:38:24 +01002262 When {msg} is omitted an error in the form "Expected False but
2263 got {actual}" is produced.
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002264
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01002265assert_true({actual} [, {msg}]) *assert_true()*
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002266 When {actual} is not true an error message is added to
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01002267 |v:errors|, like with |assert_equal()|.
2268 A value is true when it is a non-zero number. When {actual}
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002269 is not a number the assert fails.
Bram Moolenaar683fa182015-11-30 21:38:24 +01002270 When {msg} is omitted an error in the form "Expected True but
2271 got {actual}" is produced.
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002272
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002273asin({expr}) *asin()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002274 Return the arc sine of {expr} measured in radians, as a |Float|
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002275 in the range of [-pi/2, pi/2].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002276 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002277 [-1, 1].
2278 Examples: >
2279 :echo asin(0.8)
2280< 0.927295 >
2281 :echo asin(-0.5)
2282< -0.523599
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002283 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002284
2285
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002286atan({expr}) *atan()*
2287 Return the principal value of the arc tangent of {expr}, in
2288 the range [-pi/2, +pi/2] radians, as a |Float|.
2289 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2290 Examples: >
2291 :echo atan(100)
2292< 1.560797 >
2293 :echo atan(-4.01)
2294< -1.326405
2295 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2296
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002297
2298atan2({expr1}, {expr2}) *atan2()*
2299 Return the arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}, measured in
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002300 radians, as a |Float| in the range [-pi, pi].
2301 {expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002302 Examples: >
2303 :echo atan2(-1, 1)
2304< -0.785398 >
2305 :echo atan2(1, -1)
2306< 2.356194
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002307 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002308
2309
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002310 *browse()*
2311browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
2312 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
2313 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2314 The input fields are:
2315 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
2316 {title} title for the requester
2317 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2318 {default} default file name
2319 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2320 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2321
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002322 *browsedir()*
2323browsedir({title}, {initdir})
2324 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
2325 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2326 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
2327 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
2328 to be used.
2329 The input fields are:
2330 {title} title for the requester
2331 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2332 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2333 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2334
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002335bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
2336 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2337 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002338 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002339 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002340 exactly. The name can be:
2341 - Relative to the current directory.
2342 - A full path.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002343 - The name of a buffer with 'buftype' set to "nofile".
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002344 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002345 Unlisted buffers will be found.
2346 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
2347 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
2348 long name to be able to find them.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002349 bufexists() may report a buffer exists, but to use the name
2350 with a |:buffer| command you may need to use |expand()|. Esp
2351 for MS-Windows 8.3 names in the form "c:\DOCUME~1"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002352 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
2353 file name.
2354 *buffer_exists()*
2355 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
2356
2357buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
2358 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2359 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002360 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002361
2362bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
2363 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2364 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002365 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002366
2367bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
2368 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
2369 ":ls" command.
2370 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
2371 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
2372 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002373 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002374 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
2375 match an empty string is returned.
2376 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
2377 alternate buffer.
2378 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002379 or middle of the buffer name is accepted. If you only want a
2380 full match then put "^" at the start and "$" at the end of the
2381 pattern.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002382 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
2383 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
2384 buffers are searched for.
2385 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
2386 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
2387 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
2388< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
2389 string is returned. >
2390 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
2391 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
2392 bufname("%") name of current buffer
2393 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
2394< *buffer_name()*
2395 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
2396
2397 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002398bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
2399 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002400 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002401 above.
2402 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
2403 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
2404 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002405 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
2406 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
2407< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
2408 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
2409 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
2410 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
2411 *buffer_number()*
2412 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
2413 *last_buffer_nr()*
2414 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
2415
2416bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
2417 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
2418 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002419 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002420 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
2421
2422 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
2423
2424< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
2425 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002426 Only deals with the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002427
2428
2429byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
2430 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
2431 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
2432 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
2433 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
2434 one.
2435 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
2436 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
2437 feature}
2438
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00002439byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
2440 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
2441 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
2442 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
2443 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
Bram Moolenaar0ffbbf92013-11-02 23:29:26 +01002444 Composing characters are not counted separately, their byte
2445 length is added to the preceding base character. See
2446 |byteidxcomp()| below for counting composing characters
2447 separately.
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00002448 Example : >
2449 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
2450< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
2451 same: >
2452 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
2453 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
2454< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
2455 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
Bram Moolenaar0ffbbf92013-11-02 23:29:26 +01002456 in bytes is returned.
2457
2458byteidxcomp({expr}, {nr}) *byteidxcomp()*
2459 Like byteidx(), except that a composing character is counted
2460 as a separate character. Example: >
2461 let s = 'e' . nr2char(0x301)
2462 echo byteidx(s, 1)
2463 echo byteidxcomp(s, 1)
2464 echo byteidxcomp(s, 2)
2465< The first and third echo result in 3 ('e' plus composing
2466 character is 3 bytes), the second echo results in 1 ('e' is
2467 one byte).
2468 Only works different from byteidx() when 'encoding' is set to
2469 a Unicode encoding.
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00002470
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002471call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002472 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002473 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002474 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002475 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
2476 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002477 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
2478 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002479
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002480ceil({expr}) *ceil()*
2481 Return the smallest integral value greater than or equal to
2482 {expr} as a |Float| (round up).
2483 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2484 Examples: >
2485 echo ceil(1.456)
2486< 2.0 >
2487 echo ceil(-5.456)
2488< -5.0 >
2489 echo ceil(4.0)
2490< 4.0
2491 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2492
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00002493changenr() *changenr()*
2494 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
2495 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
2496 with the |:undo| command.
2497 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
2498 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
2499 one less than the number of the undone change.
2500
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01002501char2nr({expr}[, {utf8}]) *char2nr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002502 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
2503 char2nr(" ") returns 32
2504 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01002505< When {utf8} is omitted or zero, the current 'encoding' is used.
2506 Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002507 char2nr("á") returns 225
2508 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01002509< With {utf8} set to 1, always treat as utf-8 characters.
2510 A combining character is a separate character.
Bram Moolenaar97293012011-07-18 19:40:27 +02002511 |nr2char()| does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002512
2513cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
2514 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
2515 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
2516 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
2517 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
2518 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
2519 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00002520 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002521
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00002522clearmatches() *clearmatches()*
2523 Clears all matches previously defined by |matchadd()| and the
2524 |:match| commands.
2525
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002526 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00002527col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002528 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2529 . the cursor position
2530 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
Bram Moolenaar1aeaf8c2012-05-18 13:46:39 +02002531 number of bytes in the cursor line plus one)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002532 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2533 returned)
Bram Moolenaare3faf442014-12-14 01:27:49 +01002534 v In Visual mode: the start of the Visual area (the
2535 cursor is the end). When not in Visual mode
2536 returns the cursor position. Differs from |'<| in
2537 that it's updated right away.
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002538 Additionally {expr} can be [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line
2539 and column number. Most useful when the column is "$", to get
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002540 the last column of a specific line. When "lnum" or "col" is
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002541 out of range then col() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002542 To get the line number use |line()|. To get both use
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002543 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002544 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
2545 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2546 Examples: >
2547 col(".") column of cursor
2548 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
2549 col("'t") column of mark t
2550 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002551< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002552 For an uppercase mark the column may actually be in another
2553 buffer.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002554 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
2555 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
2556 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
2557 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
2558 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
2559 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
2560 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
2561<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002562
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002563complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
2564 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2565 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002566 with CTRL-R = |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O or
2567 with an expression mapping.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002568 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2569 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2570 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2571 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2572 match.
2573 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2574 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2575 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002576 inserting anything that would cause completion to stop.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002577 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2578 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2579 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2580 Example: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002581 inoremap <F5> <C-R>=ListMonths()<CR>
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002582
2583 func! ListMonths()
2584 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2585 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2586 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2587 return ''
2588 endfunc
2589< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2590 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2591
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002592complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2593 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2594 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2595 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2596 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2597 the list.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002598 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002599 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002600
2601complete_check() *complete_check()*
2602 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2603 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2604 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2605 zero otherwise.
2606 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2607 'completefunc' option.
2608
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002609 *confirm()*
2610confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2611 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2612 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2613 choice this is 1.
2614 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2615 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002616
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002617 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2618 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2619 used (and translated).
2620 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2621 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002622
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002623 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2624 by '\n', e.g. >
2625 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2626< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2627 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2628 not need to be the first letter: >
2629 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2630< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2631 the default shortcut key.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002632
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002633 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2634 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2635 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2636 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002637
2638 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
2639 is only used for the icon of the GTK, Mac, Motif and Win32
2640 GUI. It can be one of these values: "Error", "Question",
2641 "Info", "Warning" or "Generic". Only the first character is
2642 relevant. When {type} is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2643
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002644 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2645 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2646
2647 An example: >
2648 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2649 :if choice == 0
2650 : echo "make up your mind!"
2651 :elseif choice == 3
2652 : echo "tasteful"
2653 :else
2654 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2655 :endif
2656< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2657 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002658 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002659 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2660 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2661 the horizontal layout is always used.
2662
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002663 *copy()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002664copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002665 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002666 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2667 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002668 copy, and vice versa. But the items are identical, thus
2669 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002670 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002671
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002672cos({expr}) *cos()*
2673 Return the cosine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
2674 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2675 Examples: >
2676 :echo cos(100)
2677< 0.862319 >
2678 :echo cos(-4.01)
2679< -0.646043
2680 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2681
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002682
2683cosh({expr}) *cosh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002684 Return the hyperbolic cosine of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002685 [1, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002686 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002687 Examples: >
2688 :echo cosh(0.5)
2689< 1.127626 >
2690 :echo cosh(-0.5)
2691< -1.127626
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002692 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002693
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002694
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002695count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002696 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002697 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002698 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002699 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002700 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2701
2702
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002703 *cscope_connection()*
2704cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2705 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2706 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2707 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2708 if there are no cscope connections;
2709 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2710
2711 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2712 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2713
2714 {num} Description of existence check
2715 ----- ------------------------------
2716 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2717 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2718 {dbpath}.
2719 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2720 {dbpath}.
2721 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2722 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2723 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2724 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2725
2726 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2727
2728 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2729
2730 # pid database name prepend path
2731 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2732<
2733 Invocation Return Val ~
2734 ---------- ---------- >
2735 cscope_connection() 1
2736 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2737 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2738 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2739 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2740 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2741 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2742 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2743<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002744cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2745cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002746 Positions the cursor at the column (byte count) {col} in the
2747 line {lnum}. The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar493c1782014-05-28 14:34:46 +02002748
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002749 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar493c1782014-05-28 14:34:46 +02002750 with two, three or four item:
2751 [{lnum}, {col}, {off}]
2752 [{lnum}, {col}, {off}, {curswant}]
Bram Moolenaar946e27a2014-06-25 18:50:27 +02002753 This is like the return value of |getpos()| or |getcurpos()|,
Bram Moolenaar6f6c0f82014-05-28 20:31:42 +02002754 but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar493c1782014-05-28 14:34:46 +02002755
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002756 Does not change the jumplist.
2757 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2758 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2759 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002760 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002761 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2762 line.
2763 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar6f6c0f82014-05-28 20:31:42 +02002764 If {curswant} is given it is used to set the preferred column
Bram Moolenaar34401cc2014-08-29 15:12:19 +02002765 for vertical movement. Otherwise {col} is used.
Bram Moolenaar2f3b5102014-11-19 18:54:17 +01002766
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002767 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2768 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00002769 position within a <Tab> or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar798b30b2009-04-22 10:56:16 +00002770 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002771
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002772
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002773deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002774 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002775 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002776 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2777 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002778 copy, and vice versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002779 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002780 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2781 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2782 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2783 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2784 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2785 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002786 *E724*
2787 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002788 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2789 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002790 Also see |copy()|.
2791
Bram Moolenaarda440d22016-01-16 21:27:23 +01002792delete({fname} [, {flags}]) *delete()*
2793 Without {flags} or with {flags} empty: Deletes the file by the
Bram Moolenaar43a34f92016-01-17 15:56:34 +01002794 name {fname}. This also works when {fname} is a symbolic link.
Bram Moolenaarda440d22016-01-16 21:27:23 +01002795
2796 When {flags} is "d": Deletes the directory by the name
Bram Moolenaar43a34f92016-01-17 15:56:34 +01002797 {fname}. This fails when directory {fname} is not empty.
Bram Moolenaarda440d22016-01-16 21:27:23 +01002798
2799 When {flags} is "rf": Deletes the directory by the name
Bram Moolenaar43a34f92016-01-17 15:56:34 +01002800 {fname} and everything in it, recursively. BE CAREFUL!
2801 A symbolic link itself is deleted, not what it points to.
Bram Moolenaarda440d22016-01-16 21:27:23 +01002802
2803 The result is a Number, which is 0 if the delete operation was
2804 successful and -1 when the deletion failed or partly failed.
2805
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002806 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarac7bd632013-03-19 11:35:58 +01002807 To delete a line from the buffer use |:delete|. Use |:exe|
2808 when the line number is in a variable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002809
2810 *did_filetype()*
2811did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2812 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2813 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2814 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2815 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2816 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2817 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2818 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2819 file.
2820
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002821diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2822 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2823 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2824 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2825 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2826 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2827 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2828 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2829
2830diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2831 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2832 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2833 diff change zero is returned.
2834 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2835 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2836 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2837 line.
2838 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2839 syntax information about the highlighting.
2840
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002841empty({expr}) *empty()*
2842 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002843 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002844 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
Bram Moolenaar009d84a2016-01-28 14:12:00 +01002845 |v:false|, |v:none| and |v:null| are empty, |v:true| is not.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002846 For a long |List| this is much faster than comparing the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002847 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002848
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002849escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2850 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2851 backslash. Example: >
2852 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2853< results in: >
2854 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002855< Also see |shellescape()|.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002856
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002857 *eval()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002858eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2859 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002860 This works for Numbers, Floats, Strings and composites of
2861 them. Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing
2862 functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002863
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002864eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2865 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2866 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2867 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2868 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2869
2870executable({expr}) *executable()*
2871 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2872 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002873 arguments.
2874 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2875 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2876 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2877 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002878 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2879 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002880 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002881 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002882 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2883 extension.
2884 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2885 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002886 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2887 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2888 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002889 The result is a Number:
2890 1 exists
2891 0 does not exist
2892 -1 not implemented on this system
2893
Bram Moolenaarc7f02552014-04-01 21:00:59 +02002894exepath({expr}) *exepath()*
2895 If {expr} is an executable and is either an absolute path, a
2896 relative path or found in $PATH, return the full path.
2897 Note that the current directory is used when {expr} starts
2898 with "./", which may be a problem for Vim: >
2899 echo exepath(v:progpath)
Bram Moolenaar7e38ea22014-04-05 22:55:53 +02002900< If {expr} cannot be found in $PATH or is not executable then
Bram Moolenaarc7f02552014-04-01 21:00:59 +02002901 an empty string is returned.
2902
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002903 *exists()*
2904exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2905 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2906 which contains one of these:
2907 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2908 not if it really works)
2909 +option-name Vim option that works.
2910 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2911 done by comparing with an empty
2912 string)
2913 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2914 or user defined function (see
Bram Moolenaarbcb98982014-05-01 14:08:19 +02002915 |user-functions|). Also works for a
2916 variable that is a Funcref.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002917 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002918 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002919 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2920 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00002921 that evaluating an index may cause an
2922 error message for an invalid
2923 expression. E.g.: >
2924 :let l = [1, 2, 3]
2925 :echo exists("l[5]")
2926< 0 >
2927 :echo exists("l[xx]")
2928< E121: Undefined variable: xx
2929 0
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002930 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2931 command or command modifier |:command|.
2932 Returns:
2933 1 for match with start of a command
2934 2 full match with a command
2935 3 matches several user commands
2936 To check for a supported command
2937 always check the return value to be 2.
Bram Moolenaar14716812006-05-04 21:54:08 +00002938 :2match The |:2match| command.
2939 :3match The |:3match| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002940 #event autocommand defined for this event
2941 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2942 pattern (the pattern is taken
2943 literally and compared to the
2944 autocommand patterns character by
2945 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002946 #group autocommand group exists
2947 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2948 event.
2949 #group#event#pattern
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002950 autocommand defined for this group,
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002951 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002952 ##event autocommand for this event is
2953 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002954 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2955
2956 Examples: >
2957 exists("&shortname")
2958 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2959 exists("*strftime")
2960 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2961 exists("bufcount")
2962 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002963 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002964 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002965 exists("#filetypeindent")
2966 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2967 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002968 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002969< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2970 name.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002971 There must be no extra characters after the name, although in
2972 a few cases this is ignored. That may become more strict in
2973 the future, thus don't count on it!
2974 Working example: >
2975 exists(":make")
2976< NOT working example: >
2977 exists(":make install")
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00002978
2979< Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2980 variable itself. For example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002981 exists(bufcount)
2982< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00002983 but gets the value of "bufcount", and checks if that exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002984
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002985exp({expr}) *exp()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002986 Return the exponential of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002987 [0, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002988 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002989 Examples: >
2990 :echo exp(2)
2991< 7.389056 >
2992 :echo exp(-1)
2993< 0.367879
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002994 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002995
2996
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +01002997expand({expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list}]]) *expand()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002998 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +01002999 'wildignorecase' applies.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003000
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +01003001 If {list} is given and it is non-zero, a List will be returned.
3002 Otherwise the result is a String and when there are several
3003 matches, they are separated by <NL> characters. [Note: in
3004 version 5.0 a space was used, which caused problems when a
3005 file name contains a space]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003006
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003007 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02003008 for a non-existing file is not included, unless {expr} does
3009 not start with '%', '#' or '<', see below.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003010
3011 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
3012 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
3013 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
3014
3015 % current file name
3016 # alternate file name
3017 #n alternate file name n
3018 <cfile> file name under the cursor
3019 <afile> autocmd file name
3020 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
3021 <amatch> autocmd matched name
Bram Moolenaara6878372014-03-22 21:02:50 +01003022 <sfile> sourced script file or function name
Bram Moolenaar81af9252010-12-10 20:35:50 +01003023 <slnum> sourced script file line number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003024 <cword> word under the cursor
3025 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
3026 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
3027 message |server2client()|
3028 Modifiers:
3029 :p expand to full path
3030 :h head (last path component removed)
3031 :t tail (last path component only)
3032 :r root (one extension removed)
3033 :e extension only
3034
3035 Example: >
3036 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
3037< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
3038 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
3039 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
3040< Use this: >
3041 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
3042< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
3043 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
3044 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
3045 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
3046 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
3047<
3048 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
3049 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
3050 to modify normal file names.
3051
3052 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
3053 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
3054 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
3055 '/' added.
3056
3057 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
3058 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
3059 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
Bram Moolenaar146e9c32012-03-07 19:18:23 +01003060 {nosuf} argument is given and it is non-zero.
3061 Names for non-existing files are included. The "**" item can
3062 be used to search in a directory tree. For example, to find
3063 all "README" files in the current directory and below: >
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003064 :echo expand("**/README")
3065<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003066 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
3067 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
Bram Moolenaar34401cc2014-08-29 15:12:19 +02003068 slow, because a shell may be used to do the expansion. See
3069 |expr-env-expand|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003070 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003071 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003072 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
3073 "$FOOBAR".
3074
3075 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
3076 getting the raw output of an external command.
3077
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003078extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003079 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
3080 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003081
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003082 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003083 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
3084 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
3085 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
3086 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003087 Examples: >
3088 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
3089 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaardc9cf9c2008-08-08 10:36:31 +00003090< When {expr1} is the same List as {expr2} then the number of
3091 items copied is equal to the original length of the List.
3092 E.g., when {expr3} is 1 you get N new copies of the first item
3093 (where N is the original length of the List).
3094 Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003095 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003096 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003097<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003098 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003099 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
3100 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
3101 used to decide what to do:
3102 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
3103 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003104 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003105 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
3106
3107 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
3108 make a copy of {expr1} first.
3109 {expr2} remains unchanged.
Bram Moolenaarf2571c62015-06-09 19:44:55 +02003110 When {expr1} is locked and {expr2} is not empty the operation
3111 fails.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003112 Returns {expr1}.
3113
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003114
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00003115feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) *feedkeys()*
3116 Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
Bram Moolenaar0a988df2015-01-27 15:19:24 +01003117 come from a mapping or were typed by the user.
3118 By default the string is added to the end of the typeahead
3119 buffer, thus if a mapping is still being executed the
3120 characters come after them. Use the 'i' flag to insert before
3121 other characters, they will be executed next, before any
3122 characters from a mapping.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00003123 The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
3124 {string}.
3125 To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
3126 and "\..." notation |expr-quote|. For example,
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00003127 feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the <Enter> key. But
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00003128 feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
3129 If {mode} is absent, keys are remapped.
3130 {mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003131 'm' Remap keys. This is default.
3132 'n' Do not remap keys.
3133 't' Handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
3134 if coming from a mapping. This matters for undo,
3135 opening folds, etc.
Bram Moolenaar0a988df2015-01-27 15:19:24 +01003136 'i' Insert the string instead of appending (see above).
Bram Moolenaar25281632016-01-21 23:32:32 +01003137 'x' Execute commands until typeahead is empty. This is
3138 similar to using ":normal!". You can call feedkeys()
3139 several times without 'x' and then one time with 'x'
3140 (possibly with an empty {string}) to execute all the
3141 typeahead.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00003142 Return value is always 0.
3143
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003144filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
3145 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
3146 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
3147 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
3148 expression, which is used as a String.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003149 If you don't care about the file being readable you can use
3150 |glob()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003151 *file_readable()*
3152 Obsolete name: file_readable().
3153
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003154
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003155filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
3156 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
3157 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003158 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If {file} is a
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003159 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
3160
3161
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003162filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003163 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003164 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003165 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003166 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003167 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003168 Examples: >
3169 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
3170< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
3171 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
3172< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
3173 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003174< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003175
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003176 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
3177 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
3178 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
3179
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003180 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3181 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00003182 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003183
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003184< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003185 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3186 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003187
3188
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003189finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar5b6b1ca2007-03-27 08:19:43 +00003190 Find directory {name} in {path}. Supports both downwards and
3191 upwards recursive directory searches. See |file-searching|
3192 for the syntax of {path}.
3193 Returns the path of the first found match. When the found
3194 directory is below the current directory a relative path is
3195 returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003196 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
3197 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00003198 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00003199 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003200 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02003201 {only available when compiled with the |+file_in_path|
3202 feature}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003203
3204findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
3205 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00003206 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
3207 Example: >
3208 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003209< Searches from the directory of the current file upwards until
3210 it finds the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003211
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003212float2nr({expr}) *float2nr()*
3213 Convert {expr} to a Number by omitting the part after the
3214 decimal point.
3215 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a Number.
3216 When the value of {expr} is out of range for a |Number| the
3217 result is truncated to 0x7fffffff or -0x7fffffff. NaN results
3218 in -0x80000000.
3219 Examples: >
3220 echo float2nr(3.95)
3221< 3 >
3222 echo float2nr(-23.45)
3223< -23 >
3224 echo float2nr(1.0e100)
3225< 2147483647 >
3226 echo float2nr(-1.0e150)
3227< -2147483647 >
3228 echo float2nr(1.0e-100)
3229< 0
3230 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
3231
3232
3233floor({expr}) *floor()*
3234 Return the largest integral value less than or equal to
3235 {expr} as a |Float| (round down).
3236 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
3237 Examples: >
3238 echo floor(1.856)
3239< 1.0 >
3240 echo floor(-5.456)
3241< -6.0 >
3242 echo floor(4.0)
3243< 4.0
3244 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
3245
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003246
3247fmod({expr1}, {expr2}) *fmod()*
3248 Return the remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}, even if the
3249 division is not representable. Returns {expr1} - i * {expr2}
3250 for some integer i such that if {expr2} is non-zero, the
3251 result has the same sign as {expr1} and magnitude less than
3252 the magnitude of {expr2}. If {expr2} is zero, the value
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02003253 returned is zero. The value returned is a |Float|.
3254 {expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003255 Examples: >
3256 :echo fmod(12.33, 1.22)
3257< 0.13 >
3258 :echo fmod(-12.33, 1.22)
3259< -0.13
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02003260 {only available when compiled with |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003261
3262
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00003263fnameescape({string}) *fnameescape()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003264 Escape {string} for use as file name command argument. All
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00003265 characters that have a special meaning, such as '%' and '|'
3266 are escaped with a backslash.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003267 For most systems the characters escaped are
3268 " \t\n*?[{`$\\%#'\"|!<". For systems where a backslash
3269 appears in a filename, it depends on the value of 'isfname'.
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00003270 A leading '+' and '>' is also escaped (special after |:edit|
3271 and |:write|). And a "-" by itself (special after |:cd|).
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00003272 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00003273 :let fname = '+some str%nge|name'
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00003274 :exe "edit " . fnameescape(fname)
3275< results in executing: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00003276 edit \+some\ str\%nge\|name
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00003277
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003278fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
3279 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
3280 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
3281 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
3282 Example: >
3283 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
3284< results in: >
3285 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003286< Note: Environment variables don't work in {fname}, use
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003287 |expand()| first then.
3288
3289foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
3290 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
3291 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
3292 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
3293
3294foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
3295 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
3296 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
3297 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
3298
3299foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
3300 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003301 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003302 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
3303 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
3304 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
3305 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
3306 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
3307 previous line is usually available.
3308
3309 *foldtext()*
3310foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
3311 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
3312 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
3313 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
3314 The returned string looks like this: >
3315 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003316< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003317 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
3318 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
3319 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
3320 options is removed.
3321 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
3322
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00003323foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
3324 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
3325 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
3326 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
3327 returned.
3328 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
3329 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
3330 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
3331 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
3332
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003333 *foreground()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003334foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003335 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
3336 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
3337 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
3338 |remote_foreground()| instead.
3339 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3340 Win32 console version}
3341
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003342
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003343function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003344 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003345 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
3346
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003347
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01003348garbagecollect([{atexit}]) *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003349 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00003350 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
3351 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
3352 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
3353 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
3354 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003355 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
3356 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
3357 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01003358 When the optional {atexit} argument is one, garbage
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00003359 collection will also be done when exiting Vim, if it wasn't
3360 done before. This is useful when checking for memory leaks.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00003361
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003362get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003363 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003364 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
3365 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003366get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003367 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003368 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
3369 {default} is omitted.
3370
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003371 *getbufline()*
3372getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003373 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
3374 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
3375 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003376
3377 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3378
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00003379 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
3380 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003381
3382 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003383 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003384
3385 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
3386 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003387 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003388 returned.
3389
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00003390 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003391 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003392
3393 Example: >
3394 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003395
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003396getbufvar({expr}, {varname} [, {def}]) *getbufvar()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003397 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
3398 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
3399 must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003400 When {varname} is empty returns a dictionary with all the
3401 buffer-local variables.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00003402 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
3403 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
3404 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003405 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003406 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist {def} or an empty
3407 string is returned, there is no error message.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003408 Examples: >
3409 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
3410 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
3411<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003412getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003413 Get a single character from the user or input stream.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003414 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
3415 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003416 Return zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003417 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003418 not consumed. Return zero if no character available.
3419
Bram Moolenaardfb18412013-12-11 18:53:29 +01003420 Without [expr] and when [expr] is 0 a whole character or
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003421 special key is returned. If it is an 8-bit character, the
3422 result is a number. Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
3423 Otherwise a String is returned with the encoded character.
3424 For a special key it's a sequence of bytes starting with 0x80
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003425 (decimal: 128). This is the same value as the string
3426 "\<Key>", e.g., "\<Left>". The returned value is also a
3427 String when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used that is
3428 not included in the character.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003429
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +02003430 When [expr] is 0 and Esc is typed, there will be a short delay
3431 while Vim waits to see if this is the start of an escape
3432 sequence.
3433
Bram Moolenaardfb18412013-12-11 18:53:29 +01003434 When [expr] is 1 only the first byte is returned. For a
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003435 one-byte character it is the character itself as a number.
3436 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003437
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01003438 Use getcharmod() to obtain any additional modifiers.
3439
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003440 When the user clicks a mouse button, the mouse event will be
3441 returned. The position can then be found in |v:mouse_col|,
3442 |v:mouse_lnum| and |v:mouse_win|. This example positions the
3443 mouse as it would normally happen: >
3444 let c = getchar()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003445 if c == "\<LeftMouse>" && v:mouse_win > 0
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003446 exe v:mouse_win . "wincmd w"
3447 exe v:mouse_lnum
3448 exe "normal " . v:mouse_col . "|"
3449 endif
3450<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003451 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
3452 user that a character has to be typed.
3453 There is no mapping for the character.
3454 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
3455 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
3456 sequence. Examples: >
3457 getchar() == "\<Del>"
3458 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
3459< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
3460 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
3461 :function FindChar()
3462 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
3463 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
3464 : normal l
3465 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
3466 : break
3467 : endif
3468 : endwhile
3469 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaared32d942014-12-06 23:33:00 +01003470<
Bram Moolenaar2b8388b2015-02-28 13:11:45 +01003471 You may also receive synthetic characters, such as
Bram Moolenaared32d942014-12-06 23:33:00 +01003472 |<CursorHold>|. Often you will want to ignore this and get
3473 another character: >
3474 :function GetKey()
3475 : let c = getchar()
3476 : while c == "\<CursorHold>"
3477 : let c = getchar()
3478 : endwhile
3479 : return c
3480 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003481
3482getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
3483 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
3484 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
3485 These values are added together:
3486 2 shift
3487 4 control
3488 8 alt (meta)
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01003489 16 meta (when it's different from ALT)
3490 32 mouse double click
3491 64 mouse triple click
3492 96 mouse quadruple click (== 32 + 64)
3493 128 command (Macintosh only)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003494 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003495 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003496 without a modifier.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003497
Bram Moolenaardbd24b52015-08-11 14:26:19 +02003498getcharsearch() *getcharsearch()*
3499 Return the current character search information as a {dict}
3500 with the following entries:
3501
3502 char character previously used for a character
3503 search (|t|, |f|, |T|, or |F|); empty string
3504 if no character search has been performed
3505 forward direction of character search; 1 for forward,
3506 0 for backward
3507 until type of character search; 1 for a |t| or |T|
3508 character search, 0 for an |f| or |F|
3509 character search
3510
3511 This can be useful to always have |;| and |,| search
3512 forward/backward regardless of the direction of the previous
3513 character search: >
3514 :nnoremap <expr> ; getcharsearch().forward ? ';' : ','
3515 :nnoremap <expr> , getcharsearch().forward ? ',' : ';'
3516< Also see |setcharsearch()|.
3517
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003518getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
3519 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
3520 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
3521 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
3522 Example: >
3523 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003524< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003525
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003526getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003527 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
3528 byte count. The first column is 1.
3529 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
Bram Moolenaar5b435d62012-04-05 17:33:26 +02003530 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=| or an expression mapping.
3531 Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003532 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
3533
3534getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
3535 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
3536 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003537 : normal Ex command
3538 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
3539 / forward search command
3540 ? backward search command
3541 @ |input()| command
3542 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaar6e932462014-09-09 18:48:09 +02003543 = |i_CTRL-R_=|
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003544 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
Bram Moolenaar5b435d62012-04-05 17:33:26 +02003545 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=| or an expression mapping.
3546 Returns an empty string otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003547 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003548
Bram Moolenaarfb539272014-08-22 19:21:47 +02003549getcmdwintype() *getcmdwintype()*
3550 Return the current |command-line-window| type. Possible return
3551 values are the same as |getcmdtype()|. Returns an empty string
3552 when not in the command-line window.
3553
Bram Moolenaar6f6c0f82014-05-28 20:31:42 +02003554 *getcurpos()*
3555getcurpos() Get the position of the cursor. This is like getpos('.'), but
3556 includes an extra item in the list:
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +01003557 [bufnum, lnum, col, off, curswant] ~
Bram Moolenaar6f6c0f82014-05-28 20:31:42 +02003558 The "curswant" number is the preferred column when moving the
3559 cursor vertically.
3560 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
3561 let save_cursor = getcurpos()
3562 MoveTheCursorAround
3563 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaarfb539272014-08-22 19:21:47 +02003564<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003565 *getcwd()*
Bram Moolenaarc9703302016-01-17 21:49:33 +01003566getcwd([{winnr} [, {tabnr}]])
3567 The result is a String, which is the name of the current
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003568 working directory.
Bram Moolenaarc9703302016-01-17 21:49:33 +01003569 Without arguments, for the current window.
3570
3571 With {winnr} return the local current directory of this window
3572 in the current tab page.
3573 With {winnr} and {tabnr} return the local current directory of
3574 the window in the specified tab page.
3575 Return an empty string if the arguments are invalid.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003576
3577getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
3578 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
3579 given file {fname}.
3580 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
3581 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard827ada2007-06-19 15:19:55 +00003582 If the size of {fname} is too big to fit in a Number then -2
3583 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003584
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003585getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
3586 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
3587 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
3588 |hl-Normal|.
3589 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
3590 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
3591 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
3592 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00003593 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003594 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
3595 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003596 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
3597 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003598
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003599getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
3600 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
3601 permissions of the given file {fname}.
3602 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
3603 empty string is returned.
3604 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
3605 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
3606 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
3607 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
Bram Moolenaar9b451252012-08-15 17:43:31 +02003608 is replaced with the string "-". Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003609 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
Bram Moolenaar9b451252012-08-15 17:43:31 +02003610 :echo getfperm(expand("~/.vimrc"))
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003611< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
3612 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003613
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003614getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
3615 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
3616 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
3617 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
3618 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
3619 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
3620
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003621getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
3622 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
3623 file of the given file {fname}.
3624 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
3625 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
3626 results:
3627 Normal file "file"
3628 Directory "dir"
3629 Symbolic link "link"
3630 Block device "bdev"
3631 Character device "cdev"
3632 Socket "socket"
3633 FIFO "fifo"
3634 All other "other"
3635 Example: >
3636 getftype("/home")
3637< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
3638 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
Bram Moolenaar13d5aee2016-01-21 23:36:05 +01003639 "file" are returned. On MS-Windows a symbolic link to a
3640 directory returns "dir" instead of "link".
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003641
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003642 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003643getline({lnum} [, {end}])
3644 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
3645 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003646 getline(1)
3647< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
3648 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
3649 To get the line under the cursor: >
3650 getline(".")
3651< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
3652 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
3653
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003654 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
3655 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003656 including line {end}.
3657 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
3658 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003659 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003660 Example: >
3661 :let start = line('.')
3662 :let end = search("^$") - 1
3663 :let lines = getline(start, end)
3664
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003665< To get lines from another buffer see |getbufline()|
3666
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00003667getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
3668 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
3669 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
3670 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003671 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003672 returned. Otherwise, same as |getqflist()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003673
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003674getmatches() *getmatches()*
3675 Returns a |List| with all matches previously defined by
3676 |matchadd()| and the |:match| commands. |getmatches()| is
3677 useful in combination with |setmatches()|, as |setmatches()|
3678 can restore a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|.
3679 Example: >
3680 :echo getmatches()
3681< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3682 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3683 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3684 :let m = getmatches()
3685 :call clearmatches()
3686 :echo getmatches()
3687< [] >
3688 :call setmatches(m)
3689 :echo getmatches()
3690< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3691 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3692 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3693 :unlet m
3694<
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +02003695 *getpid()*
3696getpid() Return a Number which is the process ID of the Vim process.
3697 On Unix and MS-Windows this is a unique number, until Vim
3698 exits. On MS-DOS it's always zero.
3699
3700 *getpos()*
3701getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
3702 see |line()|. For getting the cursor position see
3703 |getcurpos()|.
3704 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
3705 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
3706 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
3707 is the buffer number of the mark.
3708 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
3709 column is 1.
3710 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
3711 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
3712 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
3713 character.
3714 Note that for '< and '> Visual mode matters: when it is "V"
3715 (visual line mode) the column of '< is zero and the column of
3716 '> is a large number.
3717 This can be used to save and restore the position of a mark: >
3718 let save_a_mark = getpos("'a")
3719 ...
Bram Moolenaared32d942014-12-06 23:33:00 +01003720 call setpos("'a", save_a_mark)
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +02003721< Also see |getcurpos()| and |setpos()|.
3722
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003723
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003724getqflist() *getqflist()*
3725 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
3726 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
3727 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
3728 bufname() to get the name
3729 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
3730 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003731 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
3732 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003733 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003734 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003735 text description of the error
3736 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
3737 valid non-zero: recognized error message
3738
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003739 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003740 returned. Quickfix list entries with non-existing buffer
3741 number are returned with "bufnr" set to zero.
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003742
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003743 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
3744 do something with them: >
3745 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
3746 :for d in getqflist()
3747 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
3748 :endfor
3749
3750
Bram Moolenaarb7cb42b2014-04-02 19:55:10 +02003751getreg([{regname} [, 1 [, {list}]]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003752 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003753 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003754 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
3755< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003756 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003757 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
3758 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
3759 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaarb7cb42b2014-04-02 19:55:10 +02003760 If {list} is present and non-zero result type is changed to
3761 |List|. Each list item is one text line. Use it if you care
3762 about zero bytes possibly present inside register: without
3763 third argument both NLs and zero bytes are represented as NLs
3764 (see |NL-used-for-Nul|).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003765 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3766
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003767
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003768getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
3769 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
3770 The value will be one of:
3771 "v" for |characterwise| text
3772 "V" for |linewise| text
3773 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
Bram Moolenaar32b92012014-01-14 12:33:36 +01003774 "" for an empty or unknown register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003775 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
3776 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3777
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003778gettabvar({tabnr}, {varname} [, {def}]) *gettabvar()*
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02003779 Get the value of a tab-local variable {varname} in tab page
3780 {tabnr}. |t:var|
3781 Tabs are numbered starting with one.
Bram Moolenaar0e2ea1b2014-09-09 16:13:08 +02003782 When {varname} is empty a dictionary with all tab-local
3783 variables is returned.
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02003784 Note that the name without "t:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003785 When the tab or variable doesn't exist {def} or an empty
3786 string is returned, there is no error message.
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02003787
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003788gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname} [, {def}]) *gettabwinvar()*
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003789 Get the value of window-local variable {varname} in window
3790 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
3791 When {varname} starts with "&" get the value of a window-local
3792 option.
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003793 When {varname} is empty a dictionary with all window-local
3794 variables is returned.
3795 Note that {varname} must be the name without "w:".
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003796 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
3797 use |getwinvar()|.
3798 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
3799 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
3800 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
3801 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003802 When the tab, window or variable doesn't exist {def} or an
3803 empty string is returned, there is no error message.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003804 Examples: >
3805 :let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
3806 :echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00003807<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003808 *getwinposx()*
3809getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
3810 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
3811 -1 if the information is not available.
3812
3813 *getwinposy()*
3814getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003815 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003816 information is not available.
3817
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003818getwinvar({winnr}, {varname} [, {def}]) *getwinvar()*
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003819 Like |gettabwinvar()| for the current tabpage.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003820 Examples: >
3821 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
3822 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
3823<
Bram Moolenaard8b77f72015-03-05 21:21:19 +01003824glob({expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list} [, {alllinks}]]]) *glob()*
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003825 Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. See |wildcards| for the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003826 use of special characters.
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +01003827
3828 Unless the optional {nosuf} argument is given and is non-zero,
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003829 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3830 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3831 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar81af9252010-12-10 20:35:50 +01003832 'wildignorecase' always applies.
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +01003833
3834 When {list} is present and it is non-zero the result is a List
3835 with all matching files. The advantage of using a List is,
3836 you also get filenames containing newlines correctly.
3837 Otherwise the result is a String and when there are several
3838 matches, they are separated by <NL> characters.
3839
3840 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty String or List.
Bram Moolenaard8b77f72015-03-05 21:21:19 +01003841
Bram Moolenaar61d35bd2012-03-28 20:51:51 +02003842 A name for a non-existing file is not included. A symbolic
3843 link is only included if it points to an existing file.
Bram Moolenaard8b77f72015-03-05 21:21:19 +01003844 However, when the {alllinks} argument is present and it is
3845 non-zero then all symbolic links are included.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003846
3847 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
3848 any external command. Example: >
3849 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
3850 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
3851< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003852 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003853
3854 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
3855 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
3856
Bram Moolenaar5837f1f2015-03-21 18:06:14 +01003857glob2regpat({expr}) *glob2regpat()*
3858 Convert a file pattern, as used by glob(), into a search
3859 pattern. The result can be used to match with a string that
3860 is a file name. E.g. >
3861 if filename =~ glob2regpat('Make*.mak')
3862< This is equivalent to: >
3863 if filename =~ '^Make.*\.mak$'
3864<
Bram Moolenaard8b77f72015-03-05 21:21:19 +01003865 *globpath()*
3866globpath({path}, {expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list} [, {allinks}]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003867 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
3868 the results. Example: >
3869 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
Bram Moolenaar1b1063a2014-05-07 18:35:30 +02003870<
3871 {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003872 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003873 |glob()|. A path separator is inserted when needed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003874 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
3875 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
3876 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
3877 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
3878 error message.
Bram Moolenaar1b1063a2014-05-07 18:35:30 +02003879
3880 Unless the optional {nosuf} argument is given and is non-zero,
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003881 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3882 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3883 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003884
Bram Moolenaar1b1063a2014-05-07 18:35:30 +02003885 When {list} is present and it is non-zero the result is a List
3886 with all matching files. The advantage of using a List is, you
3887 also get filenames containing newlines correctly. Otherwise
3888 the result is a String and when there are several matches,
3889 they are separated by <NL> characters. Example: >
3890 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim", 0, 1)
3891<
Bram Moolenaard8b77f72015-03-05 21:21:19 +01003892 {allinks} is used as with |glob()|.
3893
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003894 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
3895 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
3896 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
3897 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003898< Upwards search and limiting the depth of "**" is not
3899 supported, thus using 'path' will not always work properly.
3900
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003901 *has()*
3902has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
3903 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
3904 string. See |feature-list| below.
3905 Also see |exists()|.
3906
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003907
3908has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003909 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
3910 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003911
Bram Moolenaarc9703302016-01-17 21:49:33 +01003912haslocaldir([{winnr} [, {tabnr}]]) *haslocaldir()*
3913 The result is a Number, which is 1 when the window has set a
3914 local path via |:lcd|, and 0 otherwise.
3915
3916 Without arguments use the current window.
3917 With {winnr} use this window in the current tab page.
3918 With {winnr} and {tabnr} use the window in the specified tab
3919 page.
3920 Return 0 if the arguments are invalid.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003921
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003922hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003923 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
3924 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
3925 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
3926 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003927 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00003928 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
3929 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003930 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
3931 buffer are checked for a match.
3932 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
3933 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
3934 n Normal mode
3935 v Visual mode
3936 o Operator-pending mode
3937 i Insert mode
3938 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
3939 c Command-line mode
3940 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
3941
3942 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003943 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003944 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
3945 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
3946 :endif
3947< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
3948 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
3949
3950histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
3951 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
3952 one of: *hist-names*
3953 "cmd" or ":" command line history
3954 "search" or "/" search pattern history
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003955 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003956 "input" or "@" input line history
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02003957 "debug" or ">" debug command history
3958 The {history} string does not need to be the whole name, one
3959 character is sufficient.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003960 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
3961 shifted to become the newest entry.
3962 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
3963 otherwise 0 is returned.
3964
3965 Example: >
3966 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
3967 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
3968< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3969
3970histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003971 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003972 for the possible values of {history}.
3973
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003974 If the parameter {item} evaluates to a String, it is used as a
3975 regular expression. All entries matching that expression will
3976 be removed from the history (if there are any).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003977 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003978 If {item} evaluates to a Number, it will be interpreted as
3979 an index, see |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will
3980 be removed if it exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003981
3982 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
3983 otherwise 0 is returned.
3984
3985 Examples:
3986 Clear expression register history: >
3987 :call histdel("expr")
3988<
3989 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
3990 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
3991<
3992 The following three are equivalent: >
3993 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
3994 :call histdel("search", -1)
3995 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
3996<
3997 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
3998 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
3999 :call histdel("search", -1)
4000 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
4001
4002histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
4003 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
4004 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
4005 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
4006 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
4007 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
4008
4009 Examples:
4010 Redo the second last search from history. >
4011 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
4012
4013< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
4014 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
4015 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
4016<
4017histnr({history}) *histnr()*
4018 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
4019 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
4020 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
4021
4022 Example: >
4023 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
4024<
4025hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
4026 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
4027 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
4028 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
4029 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
4030 item.
4031 *highlight_exists()*
4032 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
4033
4034 *hlID()*
4035hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
4036 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
4037 zero is returned.
4038 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004039 group. For example, to get the background color of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004040 "Comment" group: >
4041 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
4042< *highlightID()*
4043 Obsolete name: highlightID().
4044
4045hostname() *hostname()*
4046 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004047 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004048 256 characters long are truncated.
4049
4050iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
4051 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
4052 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004053 When the conversion completely fails an empty string is
4054 returned. When some characters could not be converted they
4055 are replaced with "?".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004056 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
4057 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
4058 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
4059 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
4060 can be done.
4061 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
4062 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
4063 UTF-8 and use: >
4064 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
4065< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
4066 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
4067 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02004068 {only available when compiled with the |+multi_byte| feature}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004069
4070 *indent()*
4071indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
4072 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
4073 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
4074 |getline()|.
4075 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
4076
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004077
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004078index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004079 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004080 value equal to {expr}. There is no automatic conversion, so
4081 the String "4" is different from the Number 4. And the number
4082 4 is different from the Float 4.0. The value of 'ignorecase'
4083 is not used here, case always matters.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004084 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
4085 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004086 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
4087 case must match.
4088 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
4089 Example: >
4090 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004091 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004092
4093
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004094input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004095 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004096 the command-line. The {prompt} argument is either a prompt
4097 string, or a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used
4098 in the prompt to start a new line.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004099 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
4100 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004101 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004102 for lines typed for input().
4103 Example: >
4104 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
4105 : echo "Cheers!"
4106 :endif
4107<
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004108 If the optional {text} argument is present and not empty, this
4109 is used for the default reply, as if the user typed this.
4110 Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004111 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
4112
4113< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
4114 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004115 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004116 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004117 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004118 more information. Example: >
4119 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
4120<
4121 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
4122 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004123 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
4124 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
4125 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
4126 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
4127 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
4128 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
4129 |:execute| or |:normal|.
4130
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004131 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004132 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
4133 :function GetFoo()
4134 : call inputsave()
4135 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
4136 : call inputrestore()
4137 :endfunction
4138
4139inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004140 Like |input()|, but when the GUI is running and text dialogs
4141 are supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004142 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2d17fa32012-10-21 00:45:18 +02004143 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", shiftwidth())
4144 :if n != ""
4145 : let &sw = n
4146 :endif
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004147< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
4148 omitted an empty string is returned.
4149 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
4150 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004151 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004152
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00004153inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004154 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
4155 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
4156 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00004157 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004158 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00004159 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
4160 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
4161 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004162 Make sure {textlist} has less than 'lines' entries, otherwise
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004163 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004164 the start of the string. And put a prompt in the first item.
4165 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00004166 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
4167 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
4168
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004169inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004170 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous |inputsave()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004171 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
4172 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
4173 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
4174
4175inputsave() *inputsave()*
4176 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
4177 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
4178 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
4179 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
4180 many inputrestore() calls.
4181 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
4182
4183inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
4184 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
4185 two exceptions:
4186 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
4187 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
4188 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
4189 |history| stack.
4190 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
4191 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004192 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004193
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004194insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004195 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004196 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004197 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004198 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
4199 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004200 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004201 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
4202 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
4203 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004204< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004205 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004206 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004207
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01004208invert({expr}) *invert()*
4209 Bitwise invert. The argument is converted to a number. A
4210 List, Dict or Float argument causes an error. Example: >
4211 :let bits = invert(bits)
4212
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004213isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
4214 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
4215 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
4216 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
4217 is any expression, which is used as a String.
4218
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004219islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004220 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
4221 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004222 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
4223 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004224 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
4225 :lockvar 1 alist
4226 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
4227 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
4228
4229< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004230 message. Use |exists()| to check for existence.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004231
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004232items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004233 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
4234 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
4235 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
4236 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004237
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004238
4239join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
4240 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
4241 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
4242 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
4243 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
4244 add it there too: >
4245 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004246< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004247 converted into a string like with |string()|.
4248 The opposite function is |split()|.
4249
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01004250jsondecode({string}) *jsondecode()*
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01004251 This parses a JSON formatted string and returns the equivalent
4252 in Vim values. See |jsonencode()| for the relation between
4253 JSON and Vim values.
4254 The decoding is permissive:
4255 - A trailing comma in an array and object is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar009d84a2016-01-28 14:12:00 +01004256 - An empty item in an array, two commas with nothing or white
4257 space in between, results in v:none.
4258 - When an object member name is not a string it is converted
4259 to a string. E.g. the number 123 is used as the string
4260 "123".
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01004261 - More floating point numbers are recognized, e.g. "1." for
4262 "1.0".
Bram Moolenaar009d84a2016-01-28 14:12:00 +01004263 The result must be a valid Vim type:
4264 - An empty object member name is not allowed.
4265 - Duplicate object member names are not allowed.
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01004266
4267jsonencode({expr}) *jsonencode()*
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01004268 Encode {expr} as JSON and return this as a string.
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01004269 The encoding is specified in:
Bram Moolenaar009d84a2016-01-28 14:12:00 +01004270 https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7159.html
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01004271 Vim values are converted as follows:
4272 Number decimal number
4273 Float floating point number
4274 String in double quotes (possibly null)
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01004275 Funcref not possible, error
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01004276 List as an array (possibly null); when
4277 used recursively: []
4278 Dict as an object (possibly null); when
4279 used recursively: {}
4280 v:false "false"
4281 v:true "true"
4282 v:none nothing
4283 v:null "null"
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01004284 Note that using v:none is permitted, although the JSON
4285 standard does not allow empty items. This can be useful for
4286 omitting items in an array:
4287 [0,,,,,5] ~
4288 This is much more efficient than:
4289 [0,null,null,null,null,5] ~
4290 But a strict JSON parser will not accept it.
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01004291
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004292keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004293 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004294 arbitrary order.
4295
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004296 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004297len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
4298 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
4299 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004300 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004301 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004302 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
4303 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004304 Otherwise an error is given.
4305
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004306 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
4307libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
4308 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
4309 with single argument {argument}.
4310 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
4311 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
4312 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
4313 limited.
4314 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
4315 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
4316 to Vim.
4317 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
4318 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
4319 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
4320 null-terminated string.
4321 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
4322
4323 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
4324 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
4325 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
4326 very probably crash.
4327
4328 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
4329 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
4330 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
4331 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
4332 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
4333 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
4334 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
4335 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
4336 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
4337 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
4338
4339 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004340 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004341 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
4342 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
4343 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
4344 the DLL is not in the usual places.
4345 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
4346 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004347 {only in Win32 and some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004348 feature is present}
4349 Examples: >
4350 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004351<
4352 *libcallnr()*
4353libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004354 Just like |libcall()|, but used for a function that returns an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004355 int instead of a string.
4356 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
4357 feature is present}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004358 Examples: >
4359 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004360 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
4361 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
4362<
4363 *line()*
4364line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
4365 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
4366 . the cursor position
4367 $ the last line in the current buffer
4368 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
4369 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00004370 w0 first line visible in current window
4371 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar9ecd0232008-06-20 15:31:51 +00004372 v In Visual mode: the start of the Visual area (the
4373 cursor is the end). When not in Visual mode
4374 returns the cursor position. Differs from |'<| in
4375 that it's updated right away.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004376 Note that a mark in another file can be used. The line number
4377 then applies to another buffer.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004378 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
4379 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004380 Examples: >
4381 line(".") line number of the cursor
4382 line("'t") line number of mark t
4383 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
4384< *last-position-jump*
4385 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
4386 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004387 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 1 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal! g`\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00004388
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004389line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
4390 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
4391 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
4392 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
Bram Moolenaarb6b046b2011-12-30 13:11:27 +01004393 line returns 1. 'encoding' matters, 'fileencoding' is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004394 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
4395 below the last line: >
4396 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
Bram Moolenaarb6b046b2011-12-30 13:11:27 +01004397< This is the buffer size plus one. If 'fileencoding' is empty
4398 it is the file size plus one.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004399 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
4400 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
4401 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
4402
4403lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
4404 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
4405 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
4406 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
4407 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
4408 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
4409 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
4410
4411localtime() *localtime()*
4412 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
4413 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
4414
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004415
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02004416log({expr}) *log()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02004417 Return the natural logarithm (base e) of {expr} as a |Float|.
4418 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02004419 (0, inf].
4420 Examples: >
4421 :echo log(10)
4422< 2.302585 >
4423 :echo log(exp(5))
4424< 5.0
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02004425 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02004426
4427
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004428log10({expr}) *log10()*
4429 Return the logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10 as a |Float|.
4430 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4431 Examples: >
4432 :echo log10(1000)
4433< 3.0 >
4434 :echo log10(0.01)
4435< -2.0
4436 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4437
Bram Moolenaard38b0552012-04-25 19:07:41 +02004438luaeval({expr}[, {expr}]) *luaeval()*
4439 Evaluate Lua expression {expr} and return its result converted
4440 to Vim data structures. Second {expr} may hold additional
4441 argument accessible as _A inside first {expr}.
4442 Strings are returned as they are.
4443 Boolean objects are converted to numbers.
4444 Numbers are converted to |Float| values if vim was compiled
4445 with |+float| and to numbers otherwise.
4446 Dictionaries and lists obtained by vim.eval() are returned
4447 as-is.
4448 Other objects are returned as zero without any errors.
4449 See |lua-luaeval| for more details.
4450 {only available when compiled with the |+lua| feature}
4451
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004452map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004453 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004454 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
4455 {string}.
4456 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar627b1d32009-11-17 11:20:35 +00004457 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item
4458 and for a |List| |v:key| has the index of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004459 Example: >
4460 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004461< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004462
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004463 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004464 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004465 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
4466 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004467
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004468 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
4469 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02004470 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' v:val . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004471
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004472< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004473 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
4474 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004475
4476
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004477maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr} [, {dict}]]]) *maparg()*
4478 When {dict} is omitted or zero: Return the rhs of mapping
4479 {name} in mode {mode}. The returned String has special
4480 characters translated like in the output of the ":map" command
4481 listing.
4482
4483 When there is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is
4484 returned.
4485
4486 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
4487 command.
4488
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00004489 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004490 "n" Normal
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004491 "v" Visual (including Select)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004492 "o" Operator-pending
4493 "i" Insert
4494 "c" Cmd-line
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004495 "s" Select
4496 "x" Visual
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004497 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
4498 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00004499 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004500
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004501 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
4502 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004503
4504 When {dict} is there and it is non-zero return a dictionary
4505 containing all the information of the mapping with the
4506 following items:
4507 "lhs" The {lhs} of the mapping.
4508 "rhs" The {rhs} of the mapping as typed.
4509 "silent" 1 for a |:map-silent| mapping, else 0.
Bram Moolenaar05365702010-10-27 18:34:44 +02004510 "noremap" 1 if the {rhs} of the mapping is not remappable.
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004511 "expr" 1 for an expression mapping (|:map-<expr>|).
4512 "buffer" 1 for a buffer local mapping (|:map-local|).
4513 "mode" Modes for which the mapping is defined. In
4514 addition to the modes mentioned above, these
4515 characters will be used:
4516 " " Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
4517 "!" Insert and Commandline mode
Bram Moolenaar166af9b2010-11-16 20:34:40 +01004518 (|mapmode-ic|)
Bram Moolenaar05365702010-10-27 18:34:44 +02004519 "sid" The script local ID, used for <sid> mappings
4520 (|<SID>|).
Bram Moolenaardfb18412013-12-11 18:53:29 +01004521 "nowait" Do not wait for other, longer mappings.
4522 (|:map-<nowait>|).
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004523
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004524 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
4525 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00004526 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
4527 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
4528 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
4529
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004530
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004531mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004532 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
4533 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
4534 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004535 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
4536 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004537 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
4538 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
4539
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004540 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004541 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
4542 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
4543 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
4544 mapcheck("b") no no no
4545
4546 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
4547 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
4548 mapping for {name} exactly.
4549 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
4550 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
4551 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
4552 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
4553 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
4554 then the global mappings.
4555 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
4556 without being ambiguous. Example: >
4557 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
4558 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
4559 :endif
4560< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
4561 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
4562
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004563match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004564 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
4565 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004566 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004567 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004568 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
4569 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004570 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004571 If there is no match -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar20f90cf2011-05-19 12:22:51 +02004572 For getting submatches see |matchlist()|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004573 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004574 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004575 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004576< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004577 *strpbrk()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004578 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004579 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
4580< *strcasestr()*
4581 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
4582 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
4583 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
4584<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004585 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004586 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004587 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004588 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004589 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
4590< result is again "4". >
4591 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
4592< result is again "4". >
4593 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
4594< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004595 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004596 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
4597 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
4598 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
4599 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004600 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
4601 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00004602 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
4603 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004604
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004605 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00004606 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004607 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
4608 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
4609< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004610 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
4611 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004612
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004613 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
4614 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004615 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004616 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
4617
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004618 *matchadd()* *E798* *E799* *E801*
Bram Moolenaarf9132812015-07-21 19:19:13 +02004619matchadd({group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id} [, {dict}]]])
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004620 Defines a pattern to be highlighted in the current window (a
4621 "match"). It will be highlighted with {group}. Returns an
4622 identification number (ID), which can be used to delete the
4623 match using |matchdelete()|.
Bram Moolenaar8e69b4a2013-11-09 03:41:58 +01004624 Matching is case sensitive and magic, unless case sensitivity
4625 or magicness are explicitly overridden in {pattern}. The
4626 'magic', 'smartcase' and 'ignorecase' options are not used.
Bram Moolenaarf9132812015-07-21 19:19:13 +02004627 The "Conceal" value is special, it causes the match to be
4628 concealed.
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004629
4630 The optional {priority} argument assigns a priority to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004631 match. A match with a high priority will have its
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004632 highlighting overrule that of a match with a lower priority.
4633 A priority is specified as an integer (negative numbers are no
4634 exception). If the {priority} argument is not specified, the
4635 default priority is 10. The priority of 'hlsearch' is zero,
4636 hence all matches with a priority greater than zero will
4637 overrule it. Syntax highlighting (see 'syntax') is a separate
4638 mechanism, and regardless of the chosen priority a match will
4639 always overrule syntax highlighting.
4640
4641 The optional {id} argument allows the request for a specific
4642 match ID. If a specified ID is already taken, an error
4643 message will appear and the match will not be added. An ID
4644 is specified as a positive integer (zero excluded). IDs 1, 2
4645 and 3 are reserved for |:match|, |:2match| and |:3match|,
Bram Moolenaar6561d522015-07-21 15:48:27 +02004646 respectively. If the {id} argument is not specified or -1,
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004647 |matchadd()| automatically chooses a free ID.
4648
Bram Moolenaar85084ef2016-01-17 22:26:33 +01004649 The optional {dict} argument allows for further custom
4650 values. Currently this is used to specify a match specific
Bram Moolenaar6561d522015-07-21 15:48:27 +02004651 conceal character that will be shown for |hl-Conceal|
4652 highlighted matches. The dict can have the following members:
4653
4654 conceal Special character to show instead of the
4655 match (only for |hl-Conceal| highlighed
4656 matches, see |:syn-cchar|)
4657
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004658 The number of matches is not limited, as it is the case with
4659 the |:match| commands.
4660
4661 Example: >
4662 :highlight MyGroup ctermbg=green guibg=green
4663 :let m = matchadd("MyGroup", "TODO")
4664< Deletion of the pattern: >
4665 :call matchdelete(m)
4666
4667< A list of matches defined by |matchadd()| and |:match| are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004668 available from |getmatches()|. All matches can be deleted in
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004669 one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004670
Bram Moolenaar6561d522015-07-21 15:48:27 +02004671matchaddpos({group}, {pos}[, {priority}[, {id}[, {dict}]]]) *matchaddpos()*
Bram Moolenaarb3414592014-06-17 17:48:32 +02004672 Same as |matchadd()|, but requires a list of positions {pos}
4673 instead of a pattern. This command is faster than |matchadd()|
4674 because it does not require to handle regular expressions and
4675 sets buffer line boundaries to redraw screen. It is supposed
4676 to be used when fast match additions and deletions are
4677 required, for example to highlight matching parentheses.
4678
4679 The list {pos} can contain one of these items:
Bram Moolenaarb6da44a2014-06-25 18:15:22 +02004680 - A number. This whole line will be highlighted. The first
Bram Moolenaarb3414592014-06-17 17:48:32 +02004681 line has number 1.
4682 - A list with one number, e.g., [23]. The whole line with this
4683 number will be highlighted.
4684 - A list with two numbers, e.g., [23, 11]. The first number is
Bram Moolenaarb6da44a2014-06-25 18:15:22 +02004685 the line number, the second one is the column number (first
4686 column is 1, the value must correspond to the byte index as
4687 |col()| would return). The character at this position will
4688 be highlighted.
Bram Moolenaarb3414592014-06-17 17:48:32 +02004689 - A list with three numbers, e.g., [23, 11, 3]. As above, but
Bram Moolenaarb6da44a2014-06-25 18:15:22 +02004690 the third number gives the length of the highlight in bytes.
Bram Moolenaarb3414592014-06-17 17:48:32 +02004691
4692 The maximum number of positions is 8.
4693
4694 Example: >
4695 :highlight MyGroup ctermbg=green guibg=green
4696 :let m = matchaddpos("MyGroup", [[23, 24], 34])
4697< Deletion of the pattern: >
4698 :call matchdelete(m)
4699
4700< Matches added by |matchaddpos()| are returned by
4701 |getmatches()| with an entry "pos1", "pos2", etc., with the
4702 value a list like the {pos} item.
4703 These matches cannot be set via |setmatches()|, however they
4704 can still be deleted by |clearmatches()|.
4705
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004706matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004707 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004708 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
4709 Return a |List| with two elements:
4710 The name of the highlight group used
4711 The pattern used.
4712 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
4713 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004714 This is useful to save and restore a |:match|.
4715 Highlighting matches using the |:match| commands are limited
4716 to three matches. |matchadd()| does not have this limitation.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004717
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004718matchdelete({id}) *matchdelete()* *E802* *E803*
4719 Deletes a match with ID {id} previously defined by |matchadd()|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004720 or one of the |:match| commands. Returns 0 if successful,
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004721 otherwise -1. See example for |matchadd()|. All matches can
4722 be deleted in one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004723
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004724matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004725 Same as |match()|, but return the index of first character
4726 after the match. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004727 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
4728< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004729 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
4730 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
4731 do it with matchend(): >
4732 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
4733 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
4734< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
4735
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004736 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for |match()|. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004737 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
4738< results in "7". >
4739 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
4740< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004741 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004742
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004743matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004744 Same as |match()|, but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004745 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
4746 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00004747 in |:substitute|. When an optional submatch didn't match an
4748 empty string is used. Example: >
4749 echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
4750< Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004751 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
4752
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004753matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004754 Same as |match()|, but return the matched string. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004755 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
4756< results in "ing".
4757 When there is no match "" is returned.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004758 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for |match()|. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004759 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
4760< results in "ing". >
4761 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
4762< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004763 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004764 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004765
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004766 *max()*
4767max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
4768 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4769 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004770 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004771
4772 *min()*
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00004773min({list}) Return the minimum value of all items in {list}.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004774 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4775 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004776 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004777
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004778 *mkdir()* *E739*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004779mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
4780 Create directory {name}.
4781 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
4782 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
4783 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
4784 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004785 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
Bram Moolenaared39e1d2008-08-09 17:55:22 +00004786 for others. This is only used for the last part of {name}.
4787 Thus if you create /tmp/foo/bar then /tmp/foo will be created
4788 with 0755.
4789 Example: >
4790 :call mkdir($HOME . "/tmp/foo/bar", "p", 0700)
4791< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004792 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4793 :if exists("*mkdir")
4794<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004795 *mode()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004796mode([expr]) Return a string that indicates the current mode.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004797 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
4798 a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then the full mode is
4799 returned, otherwise only the first letter is returned. Note
4800 that " " and "0" are also non-empty strings.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004801
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004802 n Normal
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004803 no Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004804 v Visual by character
4805 V Visual by line
4806 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
4807 s Select by character
4808 S Select by line
4809 CTRL-S Select blockwise
4810 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004811 R Replace |R|
4812 Rv Virtual Replace |gR|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004813 c Command-line
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004814 cv Vim Ex mode |gQ|
4815 ce Normal Ex mode |Q|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004816 r Hit-enter prompt
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004817 rm The -- more -- prompt
4818 r? A |:confirm| query of some sort
4819 ! Shell or external command is executing
4820 This is useful in the 'statusline' option or when used
4821 with |remote_expr()| In most other places it always returns
4822 "c" or "n".
4823 Also see |visualmode()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004824
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01004825mzeval({expr}) *mzeval()*
4826 Evaluate MzScheme expression {expr} and return its result
Bram Moolenaard38b0552012-04-25 19:07:41 +02004827 converted to Vim data structures.
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01004828 Numbers and strings are returned as they are.
4829 Pairs (including lists and improper lists) and vectors are
4830 returned as Vim |Lists|.
4831 Hash tables are represented as Vim |Dictionary| type with keys
4832 converted to strings.
4833 All other types are converted to string with display function.
4834 Examples: >
4835 :mz (define l (list 1 2 3))
4836 :mz (define h (make-hash)) (hash-set! h "list" l)
4837 :echo mzeval("l")
4838 :echo mzeval("h")
4839<
4840 {only available when compiled with the |+mzscheme| feature}
4841
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004842nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
4843 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
4844 that is not blank. Example: >
4845 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
4846< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4847 below it, zero is returned.
4848 See also |prevnonblank()|.
4849
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01004850nr2char({expr}[, {utf8}]) *nr2char()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004851 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
4852 value {expr}. Examples: >
4853 nr2char(64) returns "@"
4854 nr2char(32) returns " "
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01004855< When {utf8} is omitted or zero, the current 'encoding' is used.
4856 Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004857 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01004858< With {utf8} set to 1, always return utf-8 characters.
4859 Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004860 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
4861 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004862 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004863
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01004864or({expr}, {expr}) *or()*
4865 Bitwise OR on the two arguments. The arguments are converted
4866 to a number. A List, Dict or Float argument causes an error.
4867 Example: >
4868 :let bits = or(bits, 0x80)
4869
4870
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004871pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
4872 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
4873 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
4874 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
4875 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
4876 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
4877< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
4878 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
4879
Bram Moolenaare9b892e2016-01-17 21:15:58 +01004880perleval({expr}) *perleval()*
4881 Evaluate Perl expression {expr} in scalar context and return
4882 its result converted to Vim data structures. If value can't be
Bram Moolenaar85084ef2016-01-17 22:26:33 +01004883 converted, it is returned as a string Perl representation.
4884 Note: If you want an array or hash, {expr} must return a
4885 reference to it.
Bram Moolenaare9b892e2016-01-17 21:15:58 +01004886 Example: >
4887 :echo perleval('[1 .. 4]')
4888< [1, 2, 3, 4]
4889 {only available when compiled with the |+perl| feature}
4890
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004891pow({x}, {y}) *pow()*
4892 Return the power of {x} to the exponent {y} as a |Float|.
4893 {x} and {y} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4894 Examples: >
4895 :echo pow(3, 3)
4896< 27.0 >
4897 :echo pow(2, 16)
4898< 65536.0 >
4899 :echo pow(32, 0.20)
4900< 2.0
4901 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4902
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004903prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
4904 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
4905 that is not blank. Example: >
4906 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
4907< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4908 above it, zero is returned.
4909 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
4910
4911
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004912printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
4913 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
4914 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004915 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004916< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004917 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004918
4919 Often used items are:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004920 %s string
Bram Moolenaar3ab72c52012-11-14 18:10:56 +01004921 %6S string right-aligned in 6 display cells
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004922 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004923 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
4924 %c single byte
4925 %d decimal number
4926 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
4927 %x hex number
4928 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
4929 %X hex number using upper case letters
4930 %o octal number
4931 %f floating point number in the form 123.456
4932 %e floating point number in the form 1.234e3
4933 %E floating point number in the form 1.234E3
4934 %g floating point number, as %f or %e depending on value
4935 %G floating point number, as %f or %E depending on value
4936 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004937
4938 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
4939 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
4940 the result.
4941
4942 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004943 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004944
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004945 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004946
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004947 flags
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004948 Zero or more of the following flags:
4949
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004950 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
4951 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
4952 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
4953 of the number is increased to force the first
4954 character of the output string to a zero (except
4955 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
4956 precision of zero).
4957 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
4958 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
4959 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004960
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004961 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
4962 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
4963 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
4964 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
4965 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004966
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004967 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
4968 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
4969 The converted value is padded on the right with
4970 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
4971 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004972
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004973 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
4974 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004975
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004976 + A sign must always be placed before a number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004977 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004978 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004979
4980 field-width
4981 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004982 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
4983 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
4984 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
4985 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004986
4987 .precision
4988 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
4989 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
4990 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
4991 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
4992 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004993 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004994 For floating point it is the number of digits after
4995 the decimal point.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004996
4997 type
4998 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
4999 be applied, see below.
5000
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005001 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
5002 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005003 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005004 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
5005 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
5006 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005007 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005008< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005009 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005010
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005011 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005012
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005013 *printf-d* *printf-o* *printf-x* *printf-X*
5014 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005015 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
5016 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
5017 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005018 conversions.
5019 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
5020 digits that must appear; if the converted value
5021 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
5022 zeros.
5023 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
5024 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
5025 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
5026 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
5027
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005028 *printf-c*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005029 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
5030 resulting character is written.
5031
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005032 *printf-s*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005033 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
5034 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
5035 specified are used.
Bram Moolenaar0122c402015-02-03 19:13:34 +01005036 *printf-S*
Bram Moolenaar3ab72c52012-11-14 18:10:56 +01005037 S The text of the String argument is used. If a
5038 precision is specified, no more display cells than the
5039 number specified are used. Without the |+multi_byte|
5040 feature works just like 's'.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005041
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005042 *printf-f* *E807*
5043 f The Float argument is converted into a string of the
5044 form 123.456. The precision specifies the number of
5045 digits after the decimal point. When the precision is
5046 zero the decimal point is omitted. When the precision
5047 is not specified 6 is used. A really big number
5048 (out of range or dividing by zero) results in "inf".
5049 "0.0 / 0.0" results in "nan".
5050 Example: >
5051 echo printf("%.2f", 12.115)
5052< 12.12
5053 Note that roundoff depends on the system libraries.
5054 Use |round()| when in doubt.
5055
5056 *printf-e* *printf-E*
5057 e E The Float argument is converted into a string of the
5058 form 1.234e+03 or 1.234E+03 when using 'E'. The
5059 precision specifies the number of digits after the
5060 decimal point, like with 'f'.
5061
5062 *printf-g* *printf-G*
5063 g G The Float argument is converted like with 'f' if the
5064 value is between 0.001 (inclusive) and 10000000.0
5065 (exclusive). Otherwise 'e' is used for 'g' and 'E'
5066 for 'G'. When no precision is specified superfluous
5067 zeroes and '+' signs are removed, except for the zero
5068 immediately after the decimal point. Thus 10000000.0
5069 results in 1.0e7.
5070
5071 *printf-%*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005072 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
5073 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005074
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005075 When a Number argument is expected a String argument is also
5076 accepted and automatically converted.
5077 When a Float or String argument is expected a Number argument
5078 is also accepted and automatically converted.
5079 Any other argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005080
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00005081 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005082 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
5083 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005084 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005085
5086
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00005087pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
5088 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
5089 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005090 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
5091 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005092
Bram Moolenaare6ae6222013-05-21 21:01:10 +02005093 *E860*
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02005094py3eval({expr}) *py3eval()*
5095 Evaluate Python expression {expr} and return its result
5096 converted to Vim data structures.
5097 Numbers and strings are returned as they are (strings are
Bram Moolenaar2b8388b2015-02-28 13:11:45 +01005098 copied though, Unicode strings are additionally converted to
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02005099 'encoding').
5100 Lists are represented as Vim |List| type.
5101 Dictionaries are represented as Vim |Dictionary| type with
5102 keys converted to strings.
5103 {only available when compiled with the |+python3| feature}
5104
5105 *E858* *E859*
5106pyeval({expr}) *pyeval()*
5107 Evaluate Python expression {expr} and return its result
5108 converted to Vim data structures.
5109 Numbers and strings are returned as they are (strings are
5110 copied though).
5111 Lists are represented as Vim |List| type.
Bram Moolenaard09acef2012-09-21 14:54:30 +02005112 Dictionaries are represented as Vim |Dictionary| type,
5113 non-string keys result in error.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02005114 {only available when compiled with the |+python| feature}
5115
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005116 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005117range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005118 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005119 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
5120 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
5121 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
5122 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
5123 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00005124 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
5125 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
5126 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005127 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005128 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005129 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
5130 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005131 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00005132 range(0) " []
5133 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005134<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005135 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005136readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005137 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
5138 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005139 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
5140 NL appears somewhere).
Bram Moolenaar06583f12010-08-07 20:30:49 +02005141 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar86ae7202015-07-10 19:31:35 +02005142 When {binary} contains "b" binary mode is used:
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005143 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
5144 added.
5145 - No CR characters are removed.
5146 Otherwise:
5147 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
5148 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
Bram Moolenaar06583f12010-08-07 20:30:49 +02005149 - When 'encoding' is Unicode any UTF-8 byte order mark is
5150 removed from the text.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005151 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
5152 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
5153 lines of a file: >
5154 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
5155 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
5156 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005157< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
5158 are returned, or as many as there are.
5159 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005160 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
5161 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
5162 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005163 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
5164 the result is an empty list.
5165 Also see |writefile()|.
5166
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005167reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
5168 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
5169 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
5170 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
5171 Without an argument it returns the current time.
5172 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
5173 specified in the argument.
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00005174 With two arguments it returns the time passed between {start}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005175 and {end}.
5176 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
5177 reltime().
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005178 {only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005179
5180reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
5181 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
5182 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
5183 microseconds. Example: >
5184 let start = reltime()
5185 call MyFunction()
5186 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
5187< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
5188 The accuracy depends on the system.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005189 Leading spaces are used to make the string align nicely. You
5190 can use split() to remove it. >
5191 echo split(reltimestr(reltime(start)))[0]
5192< Also see |profiling|.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005193 {only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005194
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005195 *remote_expr()* *E449*
5196remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005197 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005198 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00005199 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
5200 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
5201 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005202 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
5203 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
5204 remote_read() is stored there.
5205 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
5206 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5207 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
5208 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
5209 and the result will be the empty string.
5210 Examples: >
5211 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
5212 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
5213<
5214
5215remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
5216 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
5217 This works like: >
5218 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
5219< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
5220 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
5221 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00005222 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
5223 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005224 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5225 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
5226 Win32 console version}
5227
5228
5229remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
5230 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
5231 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005232 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005233 name of a variable.
5234 Returns zero if none are available.
5235 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
5236 See also |clientserver|.
5237 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5238 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
5239 Examples: >
5240 :let repl = ""
5241 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
5242
5243remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
5244 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
5245 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
5246 See also |clientserver|.
5247 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5248 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
5249 Example: >
5250 :echo remote_read(id)
5251<
5252 *remote_send()* *E241*
5253remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005254 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00005255 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
5256 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00005257 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
5258 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
5259 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005260 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
5261 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5262 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
5263 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
5264 up the display.
5265 Examples: >
5266 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
5267 \ remote_read(serverid)
5268
5269 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
5270 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
5271 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
5272 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005273<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005274remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005275 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005276 return the item.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005277 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005278 return a List with these items. When {idx} points to the same
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005279 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
5280 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
5281 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005282 Example: >
5283 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005284 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005285remove({dict}, {key})
5286 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
5287 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
5288< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
5289
5290 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005291
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005292rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
5293 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
5294 should also work to move files across file systems. The
5295 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
5296 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
Bram Moolenaar798b30b2009-04-22 10:56:16 +00005297 NOTE: If {to} exists it is overwritten without warning.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005298 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5299
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00005300repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
5301 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
5302 result. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00005303 :let separator = repeat('-', 80)
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00005304< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005305 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005306 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005307 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
5308< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00005309
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005310
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005311resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
5312 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
5313 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
5314 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
5315 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
5316 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
5317 stopped after 100 iterations.
5318 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
5319 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
5320 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
5321 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
5322 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
5323
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005324 *reverse()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005325reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005326 {list}.
5327 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
5328 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
5329
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005330round({expr}) *round()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005331 Round off {expr} to the nearest integral value and return it
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005332 as a |Float|. If {expr} lies halfway between two integral
5333 values, then use the larger one (away from zero).
5334 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5335 Examples: >
5336 echo round(0.456)
5337< 0.0 >
5338 echo round(4.5)
5339< 5.0 >
5340 echo round(-4.5)
5341< -5.0
5342 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaar34feacb2012-12-05 19:01:43 +01005343
Bram Moolenaar9a773482013-06-11 18:40:13 +02005344screenattr(row, col) *screenattr()*
5345 Like screenchar(), but return the attribute. This is a rather
5346 arbitrary number that can only be used to compare to the
5347 attribute at other positions.
5348
5349screenchar(row, col) *screenchar()*
5350 The result is a Number, which is the character at position
5351 [row, col] on the screen. This works for every possible
5352 screen position, also status lines, window separators and the
5353 command line. The top left position is row one, column one
5354 The character excludes composing characters. For double-byte
5355 encodings it may only be the first byte.
5356 This is mainly to be used for testing.
5357 Returns -1 when row or col is out of range.
5358
Bram Moolenaar34feacb2012-12-05 19:01:43 +01005359screencol() *screencol()*
5360 The result is a Number, which is the current screen column of
5361 the cursor. The leftmost column has number 1.
5362 This function is mainly used for testing.
5363
5364 Note: Always returns the current screen column, thus if used
5365 in a command (e.g. ":echo screencol()") it will return the
5366 column inside the command line, which is 1 when the command is
5367 executed. To get the cursor position in the file use one of
5368 the following mappings: >
5369 nnoremap <expr> GG ":echom ".screencol()."\n"
5370 nnoremap <silent> GG :echom screencol()<CR>
5371<
5372screenrow() *screenrow()*
5373 The result is a Number, which is the current screen row of the
5374 cursor. The top line has number one.
5375 This function is mainly used for testing.
5376
5377 Note: Same restrictions as with |screencol()|.
5378
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00005379search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005380 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00005381 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005382
Bram Moolenaar2df58b42012-11-28 18:21:11 +01005383 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
Bram Moolenaarb8ff1fb2012-02-04 21:59:01 +01005384 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
5385 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaarb8ff1fb2012-02-04 21:59:01 +01005386
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005387 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaarad4d8a12015-12-28 19:20:36 +01005388 'b' search Backward instead of forward
5389 'c' accept a match at the Cursor position
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005390 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005391 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaarad4d8a12015-12-28 19:20:36 +01005392 'p' return number of matching sub-Pattern (see below)
5393 's' Set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
5394 'w' Wrap around the end of the file
5395 'W' don't Wrap around the end of the file
5396 'z' start searching at the cursor column instead of zero
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005397 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
5398
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00005399 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
5400 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
5401 flag.
5402
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005403 'ignorecase', 'smartcase' and 'magic' are used.
Bram Moolenaarad4d8a12015-12-28 19:20:36 +01005404
Bram Moolenaar85084ef2016-01-17 22:26:33 +01005405 When the 'z' flag is not given, searching always starts in
Bram Moolenaarad4d8a12015-12-28 19:20:36 +01005406 column zero and then matches before the cursor are skipped.
5407 When the 'c' flag is present in 'cpo' the next search starts
5408 after the match. Without the 'c' flag the next search starts
5409 one column further.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005410
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005411 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
5412 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
5413 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
5414 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
5415 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
5416< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
5417 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00005418 A zero value is equal to not giving the argument.
5419
5420 When the {timeout} argument is given the search stops when
Bram Moolenaar1aeaf8c2012-05-18 13:46:39 +02005421 more than this many milliseconds have passed. Thus when
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00005422 {timeout} is 500 the search stops after half a second.
5423 The value must not be negative. A zero value is like not
5424 giving the argument.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005425 {only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005426
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00005427 *search()-sub-match*
5428 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
5429 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
5430 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005431 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005432
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005433 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
5434 flag is used.
5435
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005436 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
5437 :let n = 1
5438 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
5439 : exe "argument " . n
5440 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
5441 : " first search to find match at start of file
5442 : normal G$
5443 : let flags = "w"
5444 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005445 : s/foo/bar/g
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005446 : let flags = "W"
5447 : endwhile
5448 : update " write the file if modified
5449 : let n = n + 1
5450 :endwhile
5451<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005452 Example for using some flags: >
5453 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
5454< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
5455 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
5456 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
5457 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
5458 line:
5459 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
5460 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
5461 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
5462 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
5463 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
5464
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005465
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00005466searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
5467 Search for the declaration of {name}.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005468
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00005469 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
5470 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
5471 first match in the function.
5472
5473 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
5474 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
5475 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
5476
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005477 Moves the cursor to the found match.
5478 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
5479 Example: >
5480 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
5481 echo getline('.')
5482 endif
5483<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005484 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00005485searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
5486 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005487 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
5488 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
5489 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005490 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
5491 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
5492 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
5493 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
5494 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
5495 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005496
5497 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
5498 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
5499 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
5500 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
5501 typical use is: >
5502 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
5503< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
5504
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005505 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
5506 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005507 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005508 outer pair. Implies the 'W' flag.
5509 'm' Return number of matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005510 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005511 Note: it's nearly always a good idea to use the 'W' flag, to
5512 avoid wrapping around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005513
5514 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
5515 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
5516 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
5517 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
5518 or a string.
5519 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
5520 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
5521 and -1 returned.
5522
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00005523 For {stopline} and {timeout} see |search()|.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005524
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005525 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
5526 patterns are used like it's on.
5527
5528 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
5529 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
5530 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
5531 if 1
5532 if 2
5533 endif 2
5534 endif 1
5535< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
5536 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
5537 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005538 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005539 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
5540 "endif 2".
5541 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
5542 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
5543 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
5544 the matching start.
5545
5546 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
5547
5548 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
5549 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
5550
5551< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
5552 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
5553 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
5554 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
5555 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
5556 match.
5557 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
5558
5559 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
5560
5561< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
5562 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
5563 highlighting recognized as strings: >
5564
5565 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
5566 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
5567<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00005568 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00005569searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
5570 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005571 Same as |searchpair()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005572 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
5573 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00005574 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005575 returns [0, 0]. >
5576
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00005577 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
5578<
5579 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
5580
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00005581searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *searchpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005582 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005583 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
5584 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
5585 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
5586 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00005587 Example: >
5588 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
5589
5590< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
5591 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
5592 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
5593< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
5594 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
5595
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005596server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
5597 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
5598 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
5599 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
5600 Note:
5601 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005602 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005603 before calling any commands that waits for input.
5604 See also |clientserver|.
5605 Example: >
5606 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
5607<
5608serverlist() *serverlist()*
5609 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
5610 When there are no servers or the information is not available
5611 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
5612 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
5613 Example: >
5614 :echo serverlist()
5615<
5616setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
5617 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
5618 {val}.
5619 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
5620 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
5621 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
5622 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
5623 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
5624 Examples: >
5625 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
5626 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
5627< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5628
Bram Moolenaar12969c02015-09-08 23:36:10 +02005629setcharsearch({dict}) *setcharsearch()*
Bram Moolenaardbd24b52015-08-11 14:26:19 +02005630 Set the current character search information to {dict},
5631 which contains one or more of the following entries:
5632
5633 char character which will be used for a subsequent
5634 |,| or |;| command; an empty string clears the
5635 character search
5636 forward direction of character search; 1 for forward,
5637 0 for backward
5638 until type of character search; 1 for a |t| or |T|
5639 character search, 0 for an |f| or |F|
5640 character search
5641
5642 This can be useful to save/restore a user's character search
5643 from a script: >
5644 :let prevsearch = getcharsearch()
5645 :" Perform a command which clobbers user's search
5646 :call setcharsearch(prevsearch)
5647< Also see |getcharsearch()|.
5648
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005649setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
5650 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005651 {pos}. The first position is 1.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005652 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
5653 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005654 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
5655 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
5656 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
5657 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
5658 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005659 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
5660 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
5661 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
5662 line.
5663
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005664setline({lnum}, {text}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaarb8ff1fb2012-02-04 21:59:01 +01005665 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {text}. To insert
5666 lines use |append()|.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005667 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005668 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {text} will be
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005669 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005670 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
5671 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005672 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005673< When {text} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005674 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
5675 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
5676< This is equivalent to: >
Bram Moolenaar53bfca22012-04-13 23:04:47 +02005677 :for [n, l] in [[5, 'aaa'], [6, 'bbb'], [7, 'ccc']]
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005678 : call setline(n, l)
5679 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005680< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
5681
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00005682setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
5683 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
5684 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005685 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
5686 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00005687 Otherwise, same as |setqflist()|.
5688 Also see |location-list|.
5689
5690setmatches({list}) *setmatches()*
5691 Restores a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|. Returns 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005692 if successful, otherwise -1. All current matches are cleared
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00005693 before the list is restored. See example for |getmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005694
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005695 *setpos()*
5696setpos({expr}, {list})
5697 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
5698 . the cursor
5699 'x mark x
5700
Bram Moolenaar493c1782014-05-28 14:34:46 +02005701 {list} must be a |List| with four or five numbers:
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005702 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
Bram Moolenaar493c1782014-05-28 14:34:46 +02005703 [bufnum, lnum, col, off, curswant]
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005704
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005705 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005706 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005707 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
5708 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
5709 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005710 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005711
5712 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005713 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark. If "col" is
5714 smaller than 1 then 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005715
5716 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
5717 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005718 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005719 character.
5720
Bram Moolenaar493c1782014-05-28 14:34:46 +02005721 The "curswant" number is only used when setting the cursor
5722 position. It sets the preferred column for when moving the
5723 cursor vertically. When the "curswant" number is missing the
5724 preferred column is not set. When it is present and setting a
5725 mark position it is not used.
5726
Bram Moolenaardfb18412013-12-11 18:53:29 +01005727 Note that for '< and '> changing the line number may result in
5728 the marks to be effectively be swapped, so that '< is always
5729 before '>.
5730
Bram Moolenaar08250432008-02-13 11:42:46 +00005731 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
5732 An error message is given if {expr} is invalid.
5733
Bram Moolenaar6f6c0f82014-05-28 20:31:42 +02005734 Also see |getpos()| and |getcurpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005735
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005736 This does not restore the preferred column for moving
Bram Moolenaar493c1782014-05-28 14:34:46 +02005737 vertically; if you set the cursor position with this, |j| and
5738 |k| motions will jump to previous columns! Use |cursor()| to
5739 also set the preferred column. Also see the "curswant" key in
5740 |winrestview()|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005741
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005742
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00005743setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00005744 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
5745 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
5746 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
5747 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005748
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005749 bufnr buffer number; must be the number of a valid
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005750 buffer
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005751 filename name of a file; only used when "bufnr" is not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005752 present or it is invalid.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005753 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005754 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005755 col column number
5756 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005757 when zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005758 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005759 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005760 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005761
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005762 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
5763 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
5764 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005765 If the "filename" and "bufnr" entries are not present or
5766 neither the "lnum" or "pattern" entries are present, then the
5767 item will not be handled as an error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005768 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
5769 be used.
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02005770 If you supply an empty {list}, the quickfix list will be
5771 cleared.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005772 Note that the list is not exactly the same as what
5773 |getqflist()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005774
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00005775 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
5776 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
5777 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
5778 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
5779 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
5780 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
5781
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005782 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
5783
5784 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
5785 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
5786 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
5787
5788
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005789 *setreg()*
5790setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
5791 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
Bram Moolenaar5a50c222014-04-02 22:17:10 +02005792 {value} may be any value returned by |getreg()|, including
5793 a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005794 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
5795 then the value is appended.
Bram Moolenaarc6485bc2010-07-28 17:02:55 +02005796 {options} can also contain a register type specification:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005797 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
5798 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
5799 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
5800 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
5801 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
5802 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005803 in the longest line (counting a <Tab> as 1 character).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005804
5805 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
Bram Moolenaar5a50c222014-04-02 22:17:10 +02005806 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL> for
5807 string {value} and linewise mode for list {value}. Blockwise
5808 mode is never selected automatically.
5809 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
5810
5811 *E883*
Bram Moolenaar34401cc2014-08-29 15:12:19 +02005812 Note: you may not use |List| containing more than one item to
Bram Moolenaar5a50c222014-04-02 22:17:10 +02005813 set search and expression registers. Lists containing no
5814 items act like empty strings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005815
5816 Examples: >
5817 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
5818 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
5819 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
5820
5821< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
Bram Moolenaar5a50c222014-04-02 22:17:10 +02005822 register (note: you may not reliably restore register value
5823 without using the third argument to |getreg()| as without it
5824 newlines are represented as newlines AND Nul bytes are
5825 represented as newlines as well, see |NL-used-for-Nul|). >
5826 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1, 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005827 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
5828 ....
5829 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
5830
5831< You can also change the type of a register by appending
5832 nothing: >
5833 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
5834
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02005835settabvar({tabnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabvar()*
5836 Set tab-local variable {varname} to {val} in tab page {tabnr}.
5837 |t:var|
5838 Note that the variable name without "t:" must be used.
5839 Tabs are numbered starting with one.
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02005840 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5841
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00005842settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabwinvar()*
5843 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
5844 {val}.
5845 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
5846 use |setwinvar()|.
5847 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005848 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
5849 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
5850 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
5851 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00005852 Examples: >
5853 :call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
5854 :call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
5855< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5856
5857setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
5858 Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005859 Examples: >
5860 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
5861 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005862
Bram Moolenaaraf9aeb92013-02-13 17:35:04 +01005863sha256({string}) *sha256()*
Bram Moolenaar2b8388b2015-02-28 13:11:45 +01005864 Returns a String with 64 hex characters, which is the SHA256
Bram Moolenaaraf9aeb92013-02-13 17:35:04 +01005865 checksum of {string}.
5866 {only available when compiled with the |+cryptv| feature}
5867
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005868shellescape({string} [, {special}]) *shellescape()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005869 Escape {string} for use as a shell command argument.
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005870 On MS-Windows and MS-DOS, when 'shellslash' is not set, it
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005871 will enclose {string} in double quotes and double all double
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005872 quotes within {string}.
5873 For other systems, it will enclose {string} in single quotes
5874 and replace all "'" with "'\''".
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005875 When the {special} argument is present and it's a non-zero
5876 Number or a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then special
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005877 items such as "!", "%", "#" and "<cword>" will be preceded by
5878 a backslash. This backslash will be removed again by the |:!|
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005879 command.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005880 The "!" character will be escaped (again with a |non-zero-arg|
5881 {special}) when 'shell' contains "csh" in the tail. That is
5882 because for csh and tcsh "!" is used for history replacement
5883 even when inside single quotes.
5884 The <NL> character is also escaped. With a |non-zero-arg|
5885 {special} and 'shell' containing "csh" in the tail it's
5886 escaped a second time.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005887 Example of use with a |:!| command: >
5888 :exe '!dir ' . shellescape(expand('<cfile>'), 1)
5889< This results in a directory listing for the file under the
5890 cursor. Example of use with |system()|: >
5891 :call system("chmod +w -- " . shellescape(expand("%")))
Bram Moolenaar26df0922014-02-23 23:39:13 +01005892< See also |::S|.
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005893
5894
Bram Moolenaar2d17fa32012-10-21 00:45:18 +02005895shiftwidth() *shiftwidth()*
5896 Returns the effective value of 'shiftwidth'. This is the
5897 'shiftwidth' value unless it is zero, in which case it is the
Bram Moolenaar009d84a2016-01-28 14:12:00 +01005898 'tabstop' value. This function was introduced with patch
5899 7.3.694 in 2012, everybody should have it by now.
Bram Moolenaar2d17fa32012-10-21 00:45:18 +02005900
5901
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005902simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
5903 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
5904 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
5905 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
5906 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
5907 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
5908 not removed either.
5909 Example: >
5910 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
5911< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
5912 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
5913 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
5914 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
5915 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
5916
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005917
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005918sin({expr}) *sin()*
5919 Return the sine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
5920 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5921 Examples: >
5922 :echo sin(100)
5923< -0.506366 >
5924 :echo sin(-4.01)
5925< 0.763301
5926 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5927
5928
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005929sinh({expr}) *sinh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005930 Return the hyperbolic sine of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005931 [-inf, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005932 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005933 Examples: >
5934 :echo sinh(0.5)
5935< 0.521095 >
5936 :echo sinh(-0.9)
5937< -1.026517
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005938 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005939
5940
Bram Moolenaar5f894962011-06-19 02:55:37 +02005941sort({list} [, {func} [, {dict}]]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaar327aa022014-03-25 18:24:23 +01005942 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}.
5943
5944 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005945 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +02005946
Bram Moolenaar946e27a2014-06-25 18:50:27 +02005947< When {func} is omitted, is empty or zero, then sort() uses the
5948 string representation of each item to sort on. Numbers sort
5949 after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers. For sorting text in the
5950 current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaar327aa022014-03-25 18:24:23 +01005951
Bram Moolenaar34401cc2014-08-29 15:12:19 +02005952 When {func} is given and it is '1' or 'i' then case is
Bram Moolenaar946e27a2014-06-25 18:50:27 +02005953 ignored.
5954
5955 When {func} is given and it is 'n' then all items will be
5956 sorted numerical (Implementation detail: This uses the
5957 strtod() function to parse numbers, Strings, Lists, Dicts and
5958 Funcrefs will be considered as being 0).
5959
Bram Moolenaarb00da1d2015-12-03 16:33:12 +01005960 When {func} is given and it is 'N' then all items will be
5961 sorted numerical. This is like 'n' but a string containing
5962 digits will be used as the number they represent.
5963
Bram Moolenaar13d5aee2016-01-21 23:36:05 +01005964 When {func} is given and it is 'f' then all items will be
5965 sorted numerical. All values must be a Number or a Float.
5966
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005967 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
5968 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005969 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 or
5970 bigger if the first one sorts after the second one, -1 or
5971 smaller if the first one sorts before the second one.
Bram Moolenaar327aa022014-03-25 18:24:23 +01005972
5973 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
5974 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
5975
Bram Moolenaar8bb1c3e2014-07-04 16:43:17 +02005976 The sort is stable, items which compare equal (as number or as
5977 string) will keep their relative position. E.g., when sorting
Bram Moolenaardb6ea062014-07-10 22:01:47 +02005978 on numbers, text strings will sort next to each other, in the
Bram Moolenaar8bb1c3e2014-07-04 16:43:17 +02005979 same order as they were originally.
5980
Bram Moolenaar327aa022014-03-25 18:24:23 +01005981 Also see |uniq()|.
5982
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005983 Example: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005984 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
5985 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
5986 endfunc
5987 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005988< A shorter compare version for this specific simple case, which
5989 ignores overflow: >
5990 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
5991 return a:i1 - a:i2
5992 endfunc
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005993<
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00005994 *soundfold()*
5995soundfold({word})
5996 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005997 language in 'spelllang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00005998 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
5999 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00006000 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
6001 the method can be quite slow.
6002
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00006003 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00006004spellbadword([{sentence}])
6005 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
6006 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
6007 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
6008 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
6009
6010 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
6011 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
6012 result is an empty string.
6013
6014 The return value is a list with two items:
6015 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
6016 - The type of the spelling error:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006017 "bad" spelling mistake
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00006018 "rare" rare word
6019 "local" word only valid in another region
6020 "caps" word should start with Capital
6021 Example: >
6022 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
6023< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
6024
6025 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
6026 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
6027 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00006028
6029 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00006030spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006031 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00006032 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
6033 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
6034
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00006035 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
6036 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
6037 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
6038
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00006039 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
6040 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00006041 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
6042 replace a line.
6043
6044 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00006045 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
6046 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00006047
6048 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00006049 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
6050 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00006051
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00006052
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00006053split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006054 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
6055 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
6056 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00006057 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar97d62492012-11-15 21:28:22 +01006058 removing the matched characters. 'ignorecase' is not used
6059 here, add \c to ignore case. |/\c|
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00006060 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
6061 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00006062 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
6063 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00006064 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00006065 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00006066< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00006067 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar12969c02015-09-08 23:36:10 +02006068< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs' at
6069 the end of the pattern: >
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00006070 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
6071< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00006072 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
6073 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
6074< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00006075
6076
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006077sqrt({expr}) *sqrt()*
6078 Return the non-negative square root of Float {expr} as a
6079 |Float|.
6080 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|. When {expr}
6081 is negative the result is NaN (Not a Number).
6082 Examples: >
6083 :echo sqrt(100)
6084< 10.0 >
6085 :echo sqrt(-4.01)
6086< nan
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00006087 "nan" may be different, it depends on system libraries.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006088 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
6089
6090
6091str2float( {expr}) *str2float()*
6092 Convert String {expr} to a Float. This mostly works the same
6093 as when using a floating point number in an expression, see
6094 |floating-point-format|. But it's a bit more permissive.
6095 E.g., "1e40" is accepted, while in an expression you need to
6096 write "1.0e40".
6097 Text after the number is silently ignored.
6098 The decimal point is always '.', no matter what the locale is
6099 set to. A comma ends the number: "12,345.67" is converted to
6100 12.0. You can strip out thousands separators with
6101 |substitute()|: >
6102 let f = str2float(substitute(text, ',', '', 'g'))
6103< {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
6104
6105
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00006106str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
6107 Convert string {expr} to a number.
Bram Moolenaarfa735342016-01-03 22:14:44 +01006108 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 2, 8, 10 or 16.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00006109 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
6110 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
6111 with the default String to Number conversion.
6112 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
Bram Moolenaarfa735342016-01-03 22:14:44 +01006113 different base the result will be zero. Similarly, when
6114 {base} is 8 a leading "0" is ignored, and when {base} is 2 a
6115 leading "0b" or "0B" is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00006116 Text after the number is silently ignored.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006117
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00006118
Bram Moolenaar979243b2015-06-26 19:35:49 +02006119strchars({expr} [, {skipcc}]) *strchars()*
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02006120 The result is a Number, which is the number of characters
Bram Moolenaar979243b2015-06-26 19:35:49 +02006121 in String {expr}.
6122 When {skipcc} is omitted or zero, composing characters are
6123 counted separately.
6124 When {skipcc} set to 1, Composing characters are ignored.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02006125 Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strwidth()|.
6126
Bram Moolenaar86ae7202015-07-10 19:31:35 +02006127
6128 {skipcc} is only available after 7.4.755. For backward
6129 compatibility, you can define a wrapper function: >
6130 if has("patch-7.4.755")
6131 function s:strchars(str, skipcc)
6132 return strchars(a:str, a:skipcc)
6133 endfunction
6134 else
6135 function s:strchars(str, skipcc)
6136 if a:skipcc
6137 return strlen(substitute(a:str, ".", "x", "g"))
6138 else
6139 return strchars(a:str)
6140 endif
6141 endfunction
6142 endif
6143<
6144
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02006145strdisplaywidth({expr}[, {col}]) *strdisplaywidth()*
6146 The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
Bram Moolenaar979243b2015-06-26 19:35:49 +02006147 String {expr} occupies on the screen when it starts at {col}.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02006148 When {col} is omitted zero is used. Otherwise it is the
6149 screen column where to start. This matters for Tab
6150 characters.
Bram Moolenaar4d32c2d2010-07-18 22:10:01 +02006151 The option settings of the current window are used. This
6152 matters for anything that's displayed differently, such as
6153 'tabstop' and 'display'.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02006154 When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
6155 Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
6156 Also see |strlen()|, |strwidth()| and |strchars()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02006157
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006158strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
6159 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
6160 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
6161 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
6162 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
6163 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
6164 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
6165 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
6166 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
6167 Examples: >
6168 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
6169 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
6170 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
6171 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
6172 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
6173 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00006174< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
6175 :if exists("*strftime")
6176
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006177stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
6178 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
6179 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006180 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
6181 This can be used to find a second match: >
Bram Moolenaar81af9252010-12-10 20:35:50 +01006182 :let colon1 = stridx(line, ":")
6183 :let colon2 = stridx(line, ":", colon1 + 1)
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006184< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006185 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006186 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006187 See also |strridx()|.
6188 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006189 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
6190 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
6191 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006192< *strstr()* *strchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006193 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
6194 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
6195
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00006196 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00006197string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006198 Float, String or a composition of them, then the result can be
6199 parsed back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00006200 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006201 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00006202 Number 123
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006203 Float 123.123456 or 1.123456e8
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006204 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00006205 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00006206 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006207 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006208 Also see |strtrans()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00006209
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006210 *strlen()*
6211strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00006212 {expr} in bytes.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00006213 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
6214 For other types an error is given.
Bram Moolenaar641e48c2015-06-25 16:09:26 +02006215 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters use
6216 |strchars()|.
6217 Also see |len()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strwidth()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006218
6219strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
6220 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00006221 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006222 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
6223 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
6224 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
6225 end of the {src}. >
6226 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
6227 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
6228 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006229 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006230< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
6231 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00006232 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006233<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006234strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
6235 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
6236 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
6237 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
6238 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
6239 match: >
6240 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
6241 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
6242< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006243 For pattern searches use |match()|.
6244 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00006245 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00006246 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006247 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006248< *strrchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006249 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
6250 function strrchr().
6251
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006252strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
6253 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
6254 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
6255 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
6256 echo strtrans(@a)
6257< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
6258 starting a new line.
6259
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02006260strwidth({expr}) *strwidth()*
6261 The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
6262 String {expr} occupies. A Tab character is counted as one
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02006263 cell, alternatively use |strdisplaywidth()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02006264 When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
6265 Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02006266 Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strchars()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02006267
Bram Moolenaar41571762014-04-02 19:00:58 +02006268submatch({nr}[, {list}]) *submatch()*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02006269 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command or
6270 substitute() function.
6271 Returns the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr}
6272 is 0 the whole matched text is returned.
Bram Moolenaar41571762014-04-02 19:00:58 +02006273 Note that a NL in the string can stand for a line break of a
6274 multi-line match or a NUL character in the text.
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02006275 Also see |sub-replace-expression|.
Bram Moolenaar41571762014-04-02 19:00:58 +02006276
6277 If {list} is present and non-zero then submatch() returns
6278 a list of strings, similar to |getline()| with two arguments.
6279 NL characters in the text represent NUL characters in the
6280 text.
6281 Only returns more than one item for |:substitute|, inside
6282 |substitute()| this list will always contain one or zero
6283 items, since there are no real line breaks.
6284
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006285 Example: >
6286 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
6287< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
6288 A line break is included as a newline character.
6289
6290substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
6291 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02006292 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}.
6293 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
6294 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
6295
6296 This works like the ":substitute" command (without any flags).
6297 But the matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic'
6298 option is set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts
Bram Moolenaar2df58b42012-11-28 18:21:11 +01006299 portable). 'ignorecase' is still relevant, use |/\c| or |/\C|
6300 if you want to ignore or match case and ignore 'ignorecase'.
6301 'smartcase' is not used. See |string-match| for how {pat} is
6302 used.
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02006303
6304 A "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006305 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006306 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006307 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02006308
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006309 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
6310 unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02006311
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006312 Example: >
6313 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
6314< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
6315 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
6316< results in "TESTING".
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02006317
6318 When {sub} starts with "\=", the remainder is interpreted as
6319 an expression. See |sub-replace-expression|. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar20f90cf2011-05-19 12:22:51 +02006320 :echo substitute(s, '%\(\x\x\)',
6321 \ '\=nr2char("0x" . submatch(1))', 'g')
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006322
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00006323synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006324 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00006325 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006326 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
6327 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00006328
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00006329 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00006330 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
Bram Moolenaarca635012015-09-25 20:34:21 +02006331 Note that when the position is after the last character,
6332 that's where the cursor can be in Insert mode, synID() returns
6333 zero.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00006334
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006335 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006336 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006337 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
6338 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
6339 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
6340 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
6341 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
6342
6343 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
6344 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
6345<
Bram Moolenaar7510fe72010-07-25 12:46:44 +02006346
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006347synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
6348 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
6349 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
6350 about a syntax item.
6351 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006352 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006353 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
6354 used (GUI, cterm or term).
6355 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
6356 {what} result
6357 "name" the name of the syntax item
6358 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
6359 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
6360 term: empty string)
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00006361 "bg" background color (as with "fg")
Bram Moolenaar12682fd2010-03-10 13:43:49 +01006362 "font" font name (only available in the GUI)
6363 |highlight-font|
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00006364 "sp" special color (as with "fg") |highlight-guisp|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006365 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
6366 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
6367 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00006368 "sp#" like "fg#" for "sp"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006369 "bold" "1" if bold
6370 "italic" "1" if italic
6371 "reverse" "1" if reverse
6372 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
Bram Moolenaar12682fd2010-03-10 13:43:49 +01006373 "standout" "1" if standout
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006374 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006375 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006376
6377 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
6378 cursor): >
6379 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
6380<
6381synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
6382 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
6383 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
6384 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
6385 ":highlight link" are followed.
6386
Bram Moolenaar483c5d82010-10-20 18:45:33 +02006387synconcealed({lnum}, {col}) *synconcealed()*
6388 The result is a List. The first item in the list is 0 if the
6389 character at the position {lnum} and {col} is not part of a
6390 concealable region, 1 if it is. The second item in the list is
6391 a string. If the first item is 1, the second item contains the
6392 text which will be displayed in place of the concealed text,
6393 depending on the current setting of 'conceallevel'. The third
6394 and final item in the list is a unique number representing the
6395 specific syntax region matched. This allows detection of the
6396 beginning of a new concealable region if there are two
6397 consecutive regions with the same replacement character.
6398 For an example use see $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/2html.vim .
6399
6400
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00006401synstack({lnum}, {col}) *synstack()*
6402 Return a |List|, which is the stack of syntax items at the
6403 position {lnum} and {col} in the current window. Each item in
6404 the List is an ID like what |synID()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00006405 The first item in the List is the outer region, following are
6406 items contained in that one. The last one is what |synID()|
6407 returns, unless not the whole item is highlighted or it is a
6408 transparent item.
6409 This function is useful for debugging a syntax file.
6410 Example that shows the syntax stack under the cursor: >
6411 for id in synstack(line("."), col("."))
6412 echo synIDattr(id, "name")
6413 endfor
Bram Moolenaar0bc380a2010-07-10 13:52:13 +02006414< When the position specified with {lnum} and {col} is invalid
6415 nothing is returned. The position just after the last
6416 character in a line and the first column in an empty line are
6417 valid positions.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00006418
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00006419system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
Bram Moolenaar39c29ed2014-04-05 19:44:40 +02006420 Get the output of the shell command {expr} as a string. See
6421 |systemlist()| to get the output as a List.
Bram Moolenaar57ebe6e2014-04-05 18:55:46 +02006422
6423 When {input} is given and is a string this string is written
6424 to a file and passed as stdin to the command. The string is
6425 written as-is, you need to take care of using the correct line
6426 separators yourself.
6427 If {input} is given and is a |List| it is written to the file
6428 in a way |writefile()| does with {binary} set to "b" (i.e.
6429 with a newline between each list item with newlines inside
6430 list items converted to NULs).
6431 Pipes are not used.
6432
Bram Moolenaar52a72462014-08-29 15:53:52 +02006433 When prepended by |:silent| the shell will not be set to
6434 cooked mode. This is meant to be used for commands that do
6435 not need the user to type. It avoids stray characters showing
6436 up on the screen which require |CTRL-L| to remove. >
6437 :silent let f = system('ls *.vim')
6438<
Bram Moolenaar26df0922014-02-23 23:39:13 +01006439 Note: Use |shellescape()| or |::S| with |expand()| or
6440 |fnamemodify()| to escape special characters in a command
6441 argument. Newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail.
6442 The characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also
6443 cause trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006444 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006445
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00006446 The result is a String. Example: >
6447 :let files = system("ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h')))
Bram Moolenaar26df0922014-02-23 23:39:13 +01006448 :let files = system('ls ' . expand('%:h:S'))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006449
6450< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
6451 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
6452 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
Bram Moolenaar9d98fe92013-08-03 18:35:36 +02006453 To avoid the string being truncated at a NUL, all NUL
6454 characters are replaced with SOH (0x01).
6455
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006456 The command executed is constructed using several options:
6457 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
6458 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
6459 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
6460 concatenated commands.
6461
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00006462 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
6463 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
6464
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006465 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
6466 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00006467
6468 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
6469 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
6470 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006471 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
6472 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
6473
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006474
Bram Moolenaar39c29ed2014-04-05 19:44:40 +02006475systemlist({expr} [, {input}]) *systemlist()*
6476 Same as |system()|, but returns a |List| with lines (parts of
6477 output separated by NL) with NULs transformed into NLs. Output
6478 is the same as |readfile()| will output with {binary} argument
6479 set to "b".
6480
6481 Returns an empty string on error, so be careful not to run
6482 into |E706|.
6483
6484
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00006485tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006486 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00006487 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
6488 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
6489 omitted the current tab page is used.
6490 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
6491 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
Bram Moolenaar61d35bd2012-03-28 20:51:51 +02006492 let buflist = []
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00006493 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
Bram Moolenaar61d35bd2012-03-28 20:51:51 +02006494 call extend(buflist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00006495 endfor
6496< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
6497
6498
6499tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00006500 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
6501 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
6502 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
6503 page is returned (the tab page count).
6504 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
6505
6506
Bram Moolenaar76f3b1a2014-03-27 22:30:07 +01006507tabpagewinnr({tabarg} [, {arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
Bram Moolenaard04f4402010-08-15 13:30:34 +02006508 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {tabarg}.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00006509 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
6510 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
6511 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
6512 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
6513 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
6514 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
6515 Useful examples: >
6516 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
6517 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
6518< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
6519
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00006520 *tagfiles()*
6521tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
6522 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
6523
6524
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006525taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
6526 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00006527 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
6528 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00006529 name Name of the tag.
6530 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006531 defined. It is either relative to the
6532 current directory or a full path.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006533 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
6534 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00006535 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006536 entry depends on the language specific
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006537 kind values. Only available when
6538 using a tags file generated by
6539 Exuberant ctags or hdrtag.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00006540 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006541 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006542 More entries may be present, depending on the content of the
6543 tags file: access, implementation, inherits and signature.
6544 Refer to the ctags documentation for information about these
6545 fields. For C code the fields "struct", "class" and "enum"
6546 may appear, they give the name of the entity the tag is
6547 contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00006548
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00006549 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
6550 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006551
6552 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
6553
6554 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
Bram Moolenaara3e6bc92013-01-30 14:18:00 +01006555 used in {expr}. This also make the function work faster.
6556 Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information about the tag
6557 search regular expression pattern.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006558
6559 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
6560 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
6561 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
6562
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006563tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
6564 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006565 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006566 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
6567 :let tmpfile = tempname()
6568 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006569< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory |tempfile|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006570 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
6571 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
6572
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02006573
6574tan({expr}) *tan()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02006575 Return the tangent of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02006576 in the range [-inf, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02006577 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02006578 Examples: >
6579 :echo tan(10)
6580< 0.648361 >
6581 :echo tan(-4.01)
6582< -1.181502
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02006583 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02006584
6585
6586tanh({expr}) *tanh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02006587 Return the hyperbolic tangent of {expr} as a |Float| in the
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02006588 range [-1, 1].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02006589 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02006590 Examples: >
6591 :echo tanh(0.5)
6592< 0.462117 >
6593 :echo tanh(-1)
6594< -0.761594
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02006595 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02006596
6597
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006598tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
6599 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
6600 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
6601 the string).
6602
6603toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
6604 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
6605 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
6606 the string).
6607
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00006608tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
6609 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
6610 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
6611 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
6612 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
6613 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
6614 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
6615
6616 Examples: >
6617 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
6618< returns "Hello THere" >
6619 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
6620< returns "{blob}"
6621
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006622trunc({expr}) *trunc()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00006623 Return the largest integral value with magnitude less than or
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006624 equal to {expr} as a |Float| (truncate towards zero).
6625 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
6626 Examples: >
6627 echo trunc(1.456)
6628< 1.0 >
6629 echo trunc(-5.456)
6630< -5.0 >
6631 echo trunc(4.0)
6632< 4.0
6633 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
6634
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006635 *type()*
6636type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00006637 Number: 0
6638 String: 1
6639 Funcref: 2
6640 List: 3
6641 Dictionary: 4
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006642 Float: 5
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01006643 Boolean: 6 (v:false and v:true)
6644 None 7 (v:null and v:none)
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00006645 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006646 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
6647 :if type(myvar) == type("")
6648 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
6649 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00006650 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006651 :if type(myvar) == type(0.0)
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01006652 :if type(myvar) == type(v:false)
6653 :if type(myvar) == type(v:none
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006654
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02006655undofile({name}) *undofile()*
6656 Return the name of the undo file that would be used for a file
6657 with name {name} when writing. This uses the 'undodir'
6658 option, finding directories that exist. It does not check if
Bram Moolenaar860cae12010-06-05 23:22:07 +02006659 the undo file exists.
Bram Moolenaar945e2db2010-06-05 17:43:32 +02006660 {name} is always expanded to the full path, since that is what
6661 is used internally.
Bram Moolenaar80716072012-05-01 21:14:34 +02006662 If {name} is empty undofile() returns an empty string, since a
6663 buffer without a file name will not write an undo file.
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02006664 Useful in combination with |:wundo| and |:rundo|.
6665 When compiled without the +persistent_undo option this always
6666 returns an empty string.
6667
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02006668undotree() *undotree()*
6669 Return the current state of the undo tree in a dictionary with
6670 the following items:
6671 "seq_last" The highest undo sequence number used.
6672 "seq_cur" The sequence number of the current position in
6673 the undo tree. This differs from "seq_last"
6674 when some changes were undone.
6675 "time_cur" Time last used for |:earlier| and related
6676 commands. Use |strftime()| to convert to
6677 something readable.
6678 "save_last" Number of the last file write. Zero when no
6679 write yet.
Bram Moolenaar730cde92010-06-27 05:18:54 +02006680 "save_cur" Number of the current position in the undo
6681 tree.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02006682 "synced" Non-zero when the last undo block was synced.
6683 This happens when waiting from input from the
6684 user. See |undo-blocks|.
6685 "entries" A list of dictionaries with information about
6686 undo blocks.
6687
6688 The first item in the "entries" list is the oldest undo item.
6689 Each List item is a Dictionary with these items:
6690 "seq" Undo sequence number. Same as what appears in
6691 |:undolist|.
6692 "time" Timestamp when the change happened. Use
6693 |strftime()| to convert to something readable.
6694 "newhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
6695 that was added. This marks the last change
6696 and where further changes will be added.
6697 "curhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
6698 that was undone. This marks the current
6699 position in the undo tree, the block that will
6700 be used by a redo command. When nothing was
6701 undone after the last change this item will
6702 not appear anywhere.
6703 "save" Only appears on the last block before a file
6704 write. The number is the write count. The
6705 first write has number 1, the last one the
6706 "save_last" mentioned above.
6707 "alt" Alternate entry. This is again a List of undo
6708 blocks. Each item may again have an "alt"
6709 item.
6710
Bram Moolenaar327aa022014-03-25 18:24:23 +01006711uniq({list} [, {func} [, {dict}]]) *uniq()* *E882*
6712 Remove second and succeeding copies of repeated adjacent
6713 {list} items in-place. Returns {list}. If you want a list
6714 to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
6715 :let newlist = uniq(copy(mylist))
6716< The default compare function uses the string representation of
6717 each item. For the use of {func} and {dict} see |sort()|.
6718
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006719values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006720 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006721 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006722
6723
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006724virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
6725 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
6726 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
6727 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
6728 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
6729 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
6730 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
Bram Moolenaar61d35bd2012-03-28 20:51:51 +02006731 set to 8, it returns 8. |conceal| is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00006732 For the byte position use |col()|.
6733 For the use of {expr} see |col()|.
6734 When 'virtualedit' is used {expr} can be [lnum, col, off], where
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00006735 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00006736 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar97293012011-07-18 19:40:27 +02006737 character. When "off" is omitted zero is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006738 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
6739 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
6740 The accepted positions are:
6741 . the cursor position
6742 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
6743 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
6744 plus one)
6745 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
6746 returned)
Bram Moolenaare3faf442014-12-14 01:27:49 +01006747 v In Visual mode: the start of the Visual area (the
6748 cursor is the end). When not in Visual mode
6749 returns the cursor position. Differs from |'<| in
6750 that it's updated right away.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006751 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
6752 Examples: >
6753 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
6754 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006755 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
6756< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006757 A more advanced example that echoes the maximum length of
6758 all lines: >
6759 echo max(map(range(1, line('$')), "virtcol([v:val, '$'])"))
6760
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006761
6762visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
6763 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006764 used in the current buffer. Initially it returns an empty
6765 string, but once Visual mode has been used, it returns "v",
6766 "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a single CTRL-V character) for
6767 character-wise, line-wise, or block-wise Visual mode
6768 respectively.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006769 Example: >
6770 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
6771< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
6772 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
6773 Visual mode that was used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006774 If Visual mode is active, use |mode()| to get the Visual mode
6775 (e.g., in a |:vmap|).
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00006776 *non-zero-arg*
6777 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
6778 a non-empty String, then the Visual mode will be cleared and
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006779 the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00006780 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared. A List,
6781 Dictionary or Float is not a Number or String, thus does not
6782 cause the mode to be cleared.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006783
Bram Moolenaar8738fc12013-02-20 17:59:11 +01006784wildmenumode() *wildmenumode()*
6785 Returns non-zero when the wildmenu is active and zero
6786 otherwise. See 'wildmenu' and 'wildmode'.
6787 This can be used in mappings to handle the 'wildcharm' option
6788 gracefully. (Makes only sense with |mapmode-c| mappings).
6789
6790 For example to make <c-j> work like <down> in wildmode, use: >
6791 :cnoremap <expr> <C-j> wildmenumode() ? "\<Down>\<Tab>" : "\<c-j>"
6792<
6793 (Note, this needs the 'wildcharm' option set appropriately).
6794
6795
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006796 *winbufnr()*
6797winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00006798 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006799 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
6800 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
6801 Example: >
6802 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
6803<
6804 *wincol()*
6805wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
6806 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
6807 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
6808
6809winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
6810 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
6811 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
6812 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
6813 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
6814 Examples: >
6815 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
6816<
6817 *winline()*
6818winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006819 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006820 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00006821 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
6822 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006823
6824 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00006825winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
6826 window. The top window has number 1.
6827 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar2df58b42012-11-28 18:21:11 +01006828 last window is returned (the window count). >
6829 let window_count = winnr('$')
6830< When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00006831 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006832 If there is no previous window or it is in another tab page 0
6833 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00006834 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
6835 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006836 Also see |tabpagewinnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006837
6838 *winrestcmd()*
6839winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
6840 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006841 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
6842 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006843 Example: >
6844 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
6845 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
6846 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006847<
6848 *winrestview()*
6849winrestview({dict})
6850 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
6851 the view of the current window.
Bram Moolenaar82c25852014-05-28 16:47:16 +02006852 Note: The {dict} does not have to contain all values, that are
6853 returned by |winsaveview()|. If values are missing, those
6854 settings won't be restored. So you can use: >
6855 :call winrestview({'curswant': 4})
6856<
6857 This will only set the curswant value (the column the cursor
6858 wants to move on vertical movements) of the cursor to column 5
6859 (yes, that is 5), while all other settings will remain the
6860 same. This is useful, if you set the cursor position manually.
6861
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006862 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
6863 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
6864
6865 *winsaveview()*
6866winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
6867 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
6868 restore the view.
6869 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
6870 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
6871 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00006872 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
Bram Moolenaar07d87792014-07-19 14:04:47 +02006873 not opened when moving around. This may have side effects.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006874 The return value includes:
6875 lnum cursor line number
Bram Moolenaar82c25852014-05-28 16:47:16 +02006876 col cursor column (Note: the first column
6877 zero, as opposed to what getpos()
6878 returns)
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006879 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
6880 curswant column for vertical movement
6881 topline first line in the window
6882 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
6883 leftcol first column displayed
6884 skipcol columns skipped
6885 Note that no option values are saved.
6886
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006887
6888winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
6889 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
6890 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
6891 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
6892 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
6893 Examples: >
6894 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
6895 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
6896 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
6897 :endif
6898<
Bram Moolenaared767a22016-01-03 22:49:16 +01006899wordcount() *wordcount()*
6900 The result is a dictionary of byte/chars/word statistics for
6901 the current buffer. This is the same info as provided by
6902 |g_CTRL-G|
6903 The return value includes:
6904 bytes Number of bytes in the buffer
6905 chars Number of chars in the buffer
6906 words Number of words in the buffer
6907 cursor_bytes Number of bytes before cursor position
6908 (not in Visual mode)
6909 cursor_chars Number of chars before cursor position
6910 (not in Visual mode)
6911 cursor_words Number of words before cursor position
6912 (not in Visual mode)
6913 visual_bytes Number of bytes visually selected
6914 (only in Visual mode)
6915 visual_chars Number of chars visually selected
6916 (only in Visual mode)
6917 visual_words Number of chars visually selected
6918 (only in Visual mode)
6919
6920
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006921 *writefile()*
Bram Moolenaar6b2e9382014-11-05 18:06:01 +01006922writefile({list}, {fname} [, {flags}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006923 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006924 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
6925 Number.
Bram Moolenaar6b2e9382014-11-05 18:06:01 +01006926 When {flags} contains "b" then binary mode is used: There will
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006927 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
6928 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
Bram Moolenaar6b2e9382014-11-05 18:06:01 +01006929
6930 When {flags} contains "a" then append mode is used, lines are
6931 append to the file: >
6932 :call writefile(["foo"], "event.log", "a")
6933 :call writefile(["bar"], "event.log", "a")
6934>
6935< All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006936 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
6937 to writefile().
6938 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
6939 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
6940 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
6941 fails.
6942 Also see |readfile()|.
6943 To copy a file byte for byte: >
6944 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
6945 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01006946
6947
6948xor({expr}, {expr}) *xor()*
6949 Bitwise XOR on the two arguments. The arguments are converted
6950 to a number. A List, Dict or Float argument causes an error.
6951 Example: >
6952 :let bits = xor(bits, 0x80)
Bram Moolenaar6ee8d892012-01-10 14:55:01 +01006953<
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01006954
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006955
6956 *feature-list*
Bram Moolenaar946e27a2014-06-25 18:50:27 +02006957There are four types of features:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000069581. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
6959 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
6960 :if has("cindent")
69612. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
6962 Example: >
6963 :if has("gui_running")
6964< *has-patch*
Bram Moolenaar7e38ea22014-04-05 22:55:53 +020069653. Included patches. The "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been
6966 included. Note that this form does not check the version of Vim, you need
6967 to inspect |v:version| for that.
6968 Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006969 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
Bram Moolenaar7e38ea22014-04-05 22:55:53 +02006970< Note that it's possible for patch 147 to be omitted even though 148 is
6971 included.
6972
69734. Beyond a certain version or at a certain version and including a specific
Bram Moolenaarbcb98982014-05-01 14:08:19 +02006974 patch. The "patch-7.4.237" feature means that the Vim version is 7.5 or
6975 later, or it is version 7.4 and patch 237 was included.
6976 Note that this only works for patch 7.4.237 and later, before that you
6977 need to use the example above that checks v:version. Example: >
6978 :if has("patch-7.4.248")
Bram Moolenaar7e38ea22014-04-05 22:55:53 +02006979< Note that it's possible for patch 147 to be omitted even though 148 is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006980 included.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006981
Bram Moolenaar7cba6c02013-09-05 22:13:31 +02006982acl Compiled with |ACL| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006983all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
6984amiga Amiga version of Vim.
6985arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
6986arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00006987autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006988balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00006989balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006990beos BeOS version of Vim.
6991browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
6992 work.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02006993browsefilter Compiled with support for |browsefilter|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006994builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
6995byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
6996cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
6997clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
6998clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
6999cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
7000cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
7001cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
7002comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007003compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007004cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
7005cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007006debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
7007dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
7008dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
7009diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
7010digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
Bram Moolenaarb5a7a8b2014-08-06 14:52:30 +02007011directx Compiled with support for Direct-X and 'renderoptions'.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007012dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007013dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007014dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007015ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
7016emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
7017eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
7018 true, of course!
7019ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
7020extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
7021 |'hlsearch'|
7022farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
7023file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007024filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
7025 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007026find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
7027 |+find_in_path|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007028float Compiled with support for |Float|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007029fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
7030 Windows this is not present).
7031folding Compiled with |folding| support.
7032footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
7033fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
7034gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
7035gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
7036gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007037gui_gnome Compiled with Gnome support (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007038gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
7039gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
7040gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
7041gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
7042gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007043gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007044gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
7045gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007046hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
7047iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
7048insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
7049 Insert mode.
7050jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
7051keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
7052langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
7053libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
Bram Moolenaar597a4222014-06-25 14:39:50 +02007054linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat', 'showbreak' and
7055 'breakindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007056lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
7057listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
7058 and the argument list |arglist|.
7059localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
Bram Moolenaar0ba04292010-07-14 23:23:17 +02007060lua Compiled with Lua interface |Lua|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007061mac Macintosh version of Vim.
7062macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
7063menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
7064mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
7065modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
7066mouse Compiled with support mouse.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007067mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
7068mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
7069mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
7070mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007071mouse_sysmouse Compiled with support for sysmouse (*BSD console mouse)
Bram Moolenaar9b451252012-08-15 17:43:31 +02007072mouse_sgr Compiled with support for sgr mouse.
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01007073mouse_urxvt Compiled with support for urxvt mouse.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007074mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007075mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
Bram Moolenaar42022d52008-12-09 09:57:49 +00007076multi_byte Compiled with support for 'encoding'
7077multi_byte_encoding 'encoding' is set to a multi-byte encoding.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007078multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
7079multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00007080mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaarb26e6322010-05-22 21:34:09 +02007081netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and connected.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007082netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007083ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
7084os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007085path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
7086perl Compiled with Perl interface.
Bram Moolenaar55debbe2010-05-23 23:34:36 +02007087persistent_undo Compiled with support for persistent undo history.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007088postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
7089printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00007090profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar446beb42011-05-10 17:18:44 +02007091python Compiled with Python 2.x interface. |has-python|
7092python3 Compiled with Python 3.x interface. |has-python|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007093qnx QNX version of Vim.
7094quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00007095reltime Compiled with |reltime()| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007096rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
7097ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
7098scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
7099showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
7100signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
7101smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00007102sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007103spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
Bram Moolenaaref94eec2009-11-11 13:22:11 +00007104startuptime Compiled with |--startuptime| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007105statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
7106 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
7107sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00007108syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007109syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
7110 current buffer.
7111system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
7112tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
7113 |tag-binary-search|.
7114tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
7115 |tag-old-static|.
7116tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
7117 files |tag-any-white|.
7118tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
7119terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
7120termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
7121textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
7122tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
7123 or terminfo file.
7124title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
7125toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
7126unix Unix version of Vim.
7127user_commands User-defined commands.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007128vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007129vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place. |startup|
7130viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007131virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
7132visual Compiled with Visual mode.
7133visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
7134 |blockwise-operators|.
7135vms VMS version of Vim.
7136vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
7137wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
7138wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007139win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01007140win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95 and later, 32 or
7141 64 bits)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007142win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007143win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007144win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007145winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
7146windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007147writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
7148xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
7149xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
Bram Moolenaar7cba6c02013-09-05 22:13:31 +02007150xpm Compiled with pixmap support.
7151xpm_w32 Compiled with pixmap support for Win32. (Only for
7152 backward compatibility. Use "xpm" instead.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007153xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
7154xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
7155xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
7156xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
7157 xterm screen.
7158x11 Compiled with X11 support.
7159
7160 *string-match*
7161Matching a pattern in a String
7162
7163A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
7164the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
7165everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
7166like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
7167line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
7168with ".". Example: >
7169 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
7170 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
7171 aa
7172 xx
7173 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
7174 a
7175 x
7176
7177Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
7178"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
7179"\n".
7180
7181==============================================================================
71825. Defining functions *user-functions*
7183
7184New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
7185functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
7186commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
7187
7188The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
7189builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
7190avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
7191the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
7192
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00007193It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
7194|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007195
7196 *local-function*
7197A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
7198can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
7199and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00007200function from a mapping defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007201instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
Bram Moolenaarbcb98982014-05-01 14:08:19 +02007202There are only script-local functions, no buffer-local or window-local
7203functions.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007204
7205 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
7206:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
7207
7208:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007209 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
7210 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007211 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00007212
7213:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
7214 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
7215 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00007216<
7217 *:function-verbose*
7218When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
7219last defined. Example: >
7220
7221 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
7222 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
7223 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
7224<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00007225See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00007226
Bram Moolenaarbcb98982014-05-01 14:08:19 +02007227 *E124* *E125* *E853* *E884*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00007228:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007229 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
7230 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
Bram Moolenaarbcb98982014-05-01 14:08:19 +02007231 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above). Note
7232 that using "b:" or "g:" is not allowed. (since patch
7233 7.4.260 E884 is given if the function name has a colon
7234 in the name, e.g. for "foo:bar()". Before that patch
7235 no error was given).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007236
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007237 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
7238 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007239 :function dict.init(arg)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007240< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007241 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007242 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007243 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
7244 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
7245 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007246 *E127* *E122*
7247 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
7248 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
7249 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
7250 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00007251
7252 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
7253
Bram Moolenaar8d043172014-01-23 14:24:41 +01007254 *:func-range* *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007255 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
7256 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
7257 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
7258 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
7259 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
7260 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar2df58b42012-11-28 18:21:11 +01007261 The cursor is still moved to the first line of the
7262 range, as is the case with all Ex commands.
Bram Moolenaar8d043172014-01-23 14:24:41 +01007263 *:func-abort*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007264 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
7265 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar8d043172014-01-23 14:24:41 +01007266 *:func-dict*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00007267 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007268 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00007269 local variable "self" will then be set to the
7270 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007271
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007272 *function-search-undo*
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00007273 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007274 will not be changed by the function. This also
7275 implies that the effect of |:nohlsearch| is undone
7276 when the function returns.
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00007277
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007278 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
7279:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
7280 by its own, without other commands.
7281
7282 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
7283:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007284 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
7285 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007286 :delfunc dict.init
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007287< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007288 function is deleted if there are no more references to
7289 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007290 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
7291:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
7292 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
7293 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
7294 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
7295 the number 0 is returned.
7296 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
7297 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
7298
7299 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
7300 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
7301 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
7302 are executed first. This process applies to all
7303 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
7304 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
7305
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00007306 *function-argument* *a:var*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007307An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00007308be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007309 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740* *...*
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00007310Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
7311arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
7312may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
7313as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007314can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
7315that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007316 *E742*
7317The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00007318However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can change their contents.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007319Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
7320it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
7321|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007322
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00007323When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
7324to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
7325may be larger.
7326
7327It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
7328still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
7329until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
7330inside a function body.
7331
7332 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007333Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
7334will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
7335accessed with "g:".
7336
7337Example: >
7338 :function Table(title, ...)
7339 : echohl Title
7340 : echo a:title
7341 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00007342 : echo a:0 . " items:"
7343 : for s in a:000
7344 : echon ' ' . s
7345 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007346 :endfunction
7347
7348This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00007349 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
7350 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007351
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007352To return more than one value, return a |List|: >
7353 :function Compute(n1, n2)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007354 : if a:n2 == 0
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007355 : return ["fail", 0]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007356 : endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007357 : return ["ok", a:n1 / a:n2]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007358 :endfunction
7359
7360This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007361 :let [success, div] = Compute(102, 6)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007362 :if success == "ok"
7363 : echo div
7364 :endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007365<
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00007366 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007367:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
7368 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
7369 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007370 used. The returned value is discarded.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007371 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
7372 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
7373 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
7374 function.
7375 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
7376 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
7377 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
7378 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007379 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007380 this works:
7381 *function-range-example* >
7382 :function Mynumber(arg)
7383 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
7384 :endfunction
7385 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
7386<
7387 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
7388 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
7389 the range.
7390
7391 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
7392
7393 :function Cont() range
7394 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
7395 :endfunction
7396 :4,8call Cont()
7397<
7398 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
7399 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
7400
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007401 When the function returns a composite value it can be further
7402 dereferenced, but the range will not be used then. Example: >
7403 :4,8call GetDict().method()
7404< Here GetDict() gets the range but method() does not.
7405
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007406 *E132*
7407The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
7408option.
7409
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007410
7411AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007412 *autoload-functions*
7413When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007414only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
7415the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
7416
7417
7418Using an autocommand ~
7419
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00007420This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
7421
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007422The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
7423You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007424That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007425again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
7426
7427Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
7428function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007429
7430 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
7431
7432The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
7433"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
7434
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007435
7436Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007437 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00007438This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
7439
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007440Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
7441exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
7442like this: >
7443
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00007444 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007445
7446When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
7447"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
7448"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
7449then define the function like this: >
7450
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00007451 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007452 echo "Done!"
7453 endfunction
7454
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00007455The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007456exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
7457called.
7458
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00007459It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
7460a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007461
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00007462 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007463
7464Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
7465
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007466This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
7467
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00007468 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007469
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00007470However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
7471for an unknown variable.
7472
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007473When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
7474be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
7475
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00007476 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
7477 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007478
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00007479Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
7480defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
7481function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007482And you will get an error message every time.
7483
7484Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007485other and vice versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007486Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007487
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00007488Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
7489|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
7490
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007491==============================================================================
74926. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
7493
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +01007494In most places where you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name"
7495variable. This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions
7496wrapped in braces {} like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007497 my_{adjective}_variable
7498
7499When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
7500that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
7501name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
7502"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
7503"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
7504
7505One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007506value. For example, the statement >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007507 echo my_{&background}_message
7508
7509would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
7510on the current value of 'background'.
7511
7512You can use multiple brace pairs: >
7513 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
7514..or even nest them: >
7515 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
7516where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
7517
7518However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00007519variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007520 :let foo='a + b'
7521 :echo c{foo}d
7522.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
7523
7524 *curly-braces-function-names*
7525You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
7526Example: >
7527 :let func_end='whizz'
7528 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
7529
7530This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
7531
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +01007532This does NOT work: >
7533 :let i = 3
7534 :let @{i} = '' " error
7535 :echo @{i} " error
7536
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007537==============================================================================
75387. Commands *expression-commands*
7539
7540:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
7541 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
7542 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
7543 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
7544 is created.
7545
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00007546:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
7547 Set a list item to the result of the expression
7548 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
7549 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
7550 the index can be repeated.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007551 This cannot be used to add an item to a |List|.
7552 This cannot be used to set a byte in a String. You
7553 can do that like this: >
7554 :let var = var[0:2] . 'X' . var[4:]
7555<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007556 *E711* *E719*
7557:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007558 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
7559 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00007560 correct number of items.
7561 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
7562 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
7563 When the selected range of items is partly past the
7564 end of the list, items will be added.
7565
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00007566 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007567:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
7568:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
7569:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
7570 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
7571 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
7572
7573
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007574:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
7575 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
7576 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007577:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
7578 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
7579 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
7580 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007581
7582:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
7583 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
7584 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
7585 must be the name of a writable register (see
7586 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
7587 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
7588 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
7589 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
7590 characterwise.
7591 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
7592 :let @/ = ""
7593< This is different from searching for an empty string,
7594 that would match everywhere.
7595
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007596:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007597 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007598 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
7599
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007600:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-&*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007601 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00007602 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
7603 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007604 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
7605 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00007606 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00007607 Example: >
7608 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007609
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007610:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
7611 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
7612 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
7613
7614:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
7615:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
7616 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
7617 {expr1}.
7618
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007619:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007620:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
7621:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
7622:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007623 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
7624 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
7625
7626:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007627:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
7628:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
7629:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007630 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
7631 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
7632
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00007633:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007634 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00007635 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
7636 {name2}, etc.
7637 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007638 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00007639 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
7640 command as mentioned above.
7641 Example: >
7642 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007643< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
7644 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
7645 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
7646 :let x = [0, 1]
7647 :let i = 0
7648 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
7649 :echo x
7650< The result is [0, 2].
7651
7652:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
7653:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
7654:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
7655 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007656 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00007657
7658:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007659 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007660 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
7661 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
7662 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00007663 Example: >
7664 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
7665<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007666:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
7667:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
7668:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
7669 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007670 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +02007671
7672 *E121*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007673:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00007674 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
7675 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00007676 g: global variables
7677 b: local buffer variables
7678 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00007679 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00007680 s: script-local variables
7681 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00007682 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007683
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00007684:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
7685 variable is indicated before the value:
7686 <nothing> String
7687 # Number
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00007688 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007689
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007690
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007691:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108* *E795*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007692 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
7693 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007694 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007695 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
7696 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007697 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00007698 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
7699 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007700< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00007701 :unlet dict['two']
7702 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00007703< This is especially useful to clean up used global
7704 variables and script-local variables (these are not
7705 deleted when the script ends). Function-local
7706 variables are automatically deleted when the function
7707 ends.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007708
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007709:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
7710 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
7711 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
7712 A locked variable can be deleted: >
7713 :lockvar v
7714 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
7715 :unlet v
7716< *E741*
7717 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
Bram Moolenaar8a94d872015-01-25 13:02:57 +01007718 error message: "E741: Value is locked: {name}"
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007719
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007720 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
7721 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
7722 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007723 cannot add or remove items, but can
7724 still change their values.
7725 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007726 the items. If an item is a |List| or
7727 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007728 items, but can still change the
7729 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007730 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
7731 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
7732 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
7733 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
7734 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007735 *E743*
7736 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
7737 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
7738 loops.
7739
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007740 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
7741 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00007742 locked when used through the other variable.
7743 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007744 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
7745 :let cl = l
7746 :lockvar l
7747 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
7748< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
7749 See |deepcopy()|.
7750
7751
7752:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
7753 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
7754 opposite of |:lockvar|.
7755
7756
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007757:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
7758:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
7759 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
7760
7761 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
7762 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
7763 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
Bram Moolenaar85084ef2016-01-17 22:26:33 +01007764 backward compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007765 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
7766 part was not executed either.
7767
7768 You can use this to remain compatible with older
7769 versions: >
7770 :if version >= 500
7771 : version-5-specific-commands
7772 :endif
7773< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
7774 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
7775 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
7776 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
7777 avoid problems: >
7778 :if version >= 600
7779 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
7780 :endif
7781<
7782 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
7783 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
7784
7785 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
7786:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
7787 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
7788 executed.
7789
7790 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
7791:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
7792 is no extra ":endif".
7793
7794:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007795 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007796:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
7797 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
7798 When an error is detected from a command inside the
7799 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007800 Example: >
7801 :let lnum = 1
7802 :while lnum <= line("$")
7803 :call FixLine(lnum)
7804 :let lnum = lnum + 1
7805 :endwhile
7806<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007807 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00007808 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007809
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007810:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007811:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
7812 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00007813 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00007814 value of each item.
7815 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007816 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00007817 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
7818 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00007819 :for item in copy(mylist)
7820< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
7821 next item in the list, before executing the commands
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007822 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00007823 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
7824 it will not be found. Thus the following example
7825 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01007826 for item in mylist
7827 call remove(mylist, 0)
7828 endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00007829< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
7830 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
7831 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007832 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
7833 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01007834 to allow multiple item types: >
7835 for item in ["foo", ["bar"]]
7836 echo item
7837 unlet item " E706 without this
7838 endfor
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007839
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007840:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
7841:endfo[r]
7842 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
7843 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
7844 {var2}, etc. Example: >
7845 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
7846 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
7847 :endfor
7848<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007849 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007850:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
7851 to the start of the loop.
7852 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
7853 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
7854 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
7855 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
7856 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
7857 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007858
7859 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007860:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
7861 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
7862 ":endfor".
7863 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
7864 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
7865 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
7866 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
7867 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
7868 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007869
7870:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
7871:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
7872 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
7873 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
7874 or autocommand invocations.
7875
7876 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
7877 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
7878 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
7879 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
7880 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
7881 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
7882 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
7883 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
7884 Example: >
7885 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
7886 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
7887<
7888 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
7889 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
7890 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
7891 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
7892 processing is not terminated.
7893
7894 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
7895 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
7896 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
7897 other errors are converted to a value of the form
7898 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
7899 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
7900 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
7901 the error number.
7902 Examples: >
7903 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
7904 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
7905<
7906 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01007907:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next |:catch|,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007908 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
7909 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
7910 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
7911 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
7912 commands are skipped.
7913 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
7914 Examples: >
7915 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
7916 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
7917 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
7918 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
7919 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
7920 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
7921 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
7922 :catch " same as /.*/
7923<
7924 Another character can be used instead of / around the
7925 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
7926 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
7927 {pattern}.
Bram Moolenaar7e38ea22014-04-05 22:55:53 +02007928 Information about the exception is available in
7929 |v:exception|. Also see |throw-variables|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007930 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
7931 an error message because it may vary in different
7932 locales.
7933
7934 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
7935:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
7936 are executed whenever the part between the matching
7937 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
7938 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
7939 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
7940 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
7941
7942 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
7943:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
7944 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
7945 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
7946 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
7947 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
7948 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
7949 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
7950 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
7951 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
7952 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
7953 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
7954 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
7955 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
7956 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
7957 is terminated.
7958 Example: >
7959 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
Bram Moolenaar662db672011-03-22 14:05:35 +01007960< Note that "catch" may need to be on a separate line
7961 for when an error causes the parsing to skip the whole
7962 line and not see the "|" that separates the commands.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007963
7964 *:ec* *:echo*
7965:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
7966 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
7967 Also see |:comment|.
7968 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
7969 cursor to the first column.
7970 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7971 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7972 Example: >
7973 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007974< *:echo-redraw*
7975 A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
7976 And since Vim mostly postpones redrawing until it's
7977 finished with a sequence of commands this happens
7978 quite often. To avoid that a command from before the
7979 ":echo" causes a redraw afterwards (redraws are often
7980 postponed until you type something), force a redraw
7981 with the |:redraw| command. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007982 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
7983<
7984 *:echon*
7985:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
7986 |:comment|.
7987 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7988 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7989 Example: >
7990 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
7991<
7992 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
7993 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
7994 command: >
7995 :!echo % --> filename
7996< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
7997 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
7998< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
7999 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
8000 :echo % --> nothing
8001< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
8002 :echo "%" --> %
8003< This just echoes the '%' character. >
8004 :echo expand("%") --> filename
8005< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
8006
8007 *:echoh* *:echohl*
8008:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
8009 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
8010 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
8011 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
8012< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
8013 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
8014
8015 *:echom* *:echomsg*
8016:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
8017 message in the |message-history|.
8018 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
8019 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
8020 displayed, not interpreted.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008021 The parsing works slightly different from |:echo|,
8022 more like |:execute|. All the expressions are first
8023 evaluated and concatenated before echoing anything.
8024 The expressions must evaluate to a Number or String, a
8025 Dictionary or List causes an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008026 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
8027 Example: >
8028 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008029< See |:echo-redraw| to avoid the message disappearing
8030 when the screen is redrawn.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008031 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
8032:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
8033 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
8034 script or function the line number will be added.
8035 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008036 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008037 the message is raised as an error exception instead
8038 (see |try-echoerr|).
8039 Example: >
8040 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
8041< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
8042 And to get a beep: >
8043 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
8044<
8045 *:exe* *:execute*
8046:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02008047 of {expr1} as an Ex command.
8048 Multiple arguments are concatenated, with a space in
8049 between. To avoid the extra space use the "."
8050 operator to concatenate strings into one argument.
8051 {expr1} is used as the processed command, command line
8052 editing keys are not recognized.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008053 Cannot be followed by a comment.
8054 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02008055 :execute "buffer" nextbuf
8056 :execute "normal" count . "w"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008057<
8058 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
8059 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
8060 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
8061
8062< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
8063 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
8064 command: >
8065 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
8066< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
8067
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008068 Be careful to correctly escape special characters in
8069 file names. The |fnameescape()| function can be used
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00008070 for Vim commands, |shellescape()| for |:!| commands.
8071 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008072 :execute "e " . fnameescape(filename)
Bram Moolenaar251835e2014-02-24 02:51:51 +01008073 :execute "!ls " . shellescape(filename, 1)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008074<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008075 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaar76f3b1a2014-03-27 22:30:07 +01008076 starting or ending "if", "while" and "for" does not
8077 always work, because when commands are skipped the
8078 ":execute" is not evaluated and Vim loses track of
8079 where blocks start and end. Also "break" and
8080 "continue" should not be inside ":execute".
8081 This example does not work, because the ":execute" is
8082 not evaluated and Vim does not see the "while", and
8083 gives an error for finding an ":endwhile": >
8084 :if 0
8085 : execute 'while i > 5'
8086 : echo "test"
8087 : endwhile
8088 :endif
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008089<
8090 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
8091 completely in the executed string: >
8092 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
8093<
8094
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01008095 *:exe-comment*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008096 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
8097 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
8098 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
8099 comment. Example: >
8100 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
8101
8102==============================================================================
81038. Exception handling *exception-handling*
8104
8105The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
8106explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
8107
8108Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
8109|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
8110exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
8111
8112
8113TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
8114
8115Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
8116use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
8117a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
8118 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
8119|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
8120a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
8121be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
8122which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
8123clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
8124
8125 :try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008126 : ...
8127 : ... TRY BLOCK
8128 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008129 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008130 : ...
8131 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
8132 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008133 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008134 : ...
8135 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
8136 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008137 :finally
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008138 : ...
8139 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
8140 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008141 :endtry
8142
8143The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
8144appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
8145from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
8146 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
8147is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
8148script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
8149 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
8150lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
8151patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
8152after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
8153executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
8154":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
8155(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
8156continues in the following line as usual.
8157 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
8158":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
8159that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
8160finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
8161the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
8162the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
8163see |try-nesting|.
8164 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008165remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008166not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
8167try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
8168a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
8169execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
8170exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
8171 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008172thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008173clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
8174catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
8175following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
8176clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
8177
8178The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
8179a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
8180try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
8181from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
8182sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
8183":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
8184":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
8185from the finally clause.
8186 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
8187try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
8188clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
8189":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
8190clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
8191":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
8192this pending exception or command is discarded.
8193
8194For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
8195
8196
8197NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
8198
8199Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
8200conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
8201clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
8202catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
8203of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
8204checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
8205try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008206otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008207nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
8208one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
8209the inner try conditional.
8210
8211When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
8212finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
8213An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
8214thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
8215implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
8216as usual.
8217
8218For examples see |throw-catch|.
8219
8220
8221EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
8222
8223Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
8224'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
8225script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
8226finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
8227a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
8228(see |debug-scripts|).
8229
8230
8231THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
8232
8233You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
8234and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
8235 :throw 4711
8236 :throw "string"
8237< *throw-expression*
8238You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
8239first, and the result is thrown: >
8240 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
8241 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
8242
8243An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
8244command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
8245The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
8246 Example: >
8247
8248 :function! Foo(arg)
8249 : try
8250 : throw a:arg
8251 : catch /foo/
8252 : endtry
8253 : return 1
8254 :endfunction
8255 :
8256 :function! Bar()
8257 : echo "in Bar"
8258 : return 4710
8259 :endfunction
8260 :
8261 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
8262
8263This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
8264executed. >
8265 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
8266however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
8267
8268Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008269abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008270exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
8271 Example: >
8272
8273 :if Foo("arrgh")
8274 : echo "then"
8275 :else
8276 : echo "else"
8277 :endif
8278
8279Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
8280
8281 *catch-order*
8282Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
8283commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
8284command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
8285gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
8286 Example: >
8287
8288 :function! Foo(value)
8289 : try
8290 : throw a:value
8291 : catch /^\d\+$/
8292 : echo "Number thrown"
8293 : catch /.*/
8294 : echo "String thrown"
8295 : endtry
8296 :endfunction
8297 :
8298 :call Foo(0x1267)
8299 :call Foo('string')
8300
8301The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
8302An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
8303specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
8304specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
8305
8306 : catch /.*/
8307 : echo "String thrown"
8308 : catch /^\d\+$/
8309 : echo "Number thrown"
8310
8311The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
8312never taken.
8313
8314 *throw-variables*
8315If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
8316in the variable |v:exception|: >
8317
8318 : catch /^\d\+$/
8319 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
8320
8321You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
8322|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
8323exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
8324 Example: >
8325
8326 :function! Caught()
8327 : if v:exception != ""
8328 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
8329 : else
8330 : echo 'Nothing caught'
8331 : endif
8332 :endfunction
8333 :
8334 :function! Foo()
8335 : try
8336 : try
8337 : try
8338 : throw 4711
8339 : finally
8340 : call Caught()
8341 : endtry
8342 : catch /.*/
8343 : call Caught()
8344 : throw "oops"
8345 : endtry
8346 : catch /.*/
8347 : call Caught()
8348 : finally
8349 : call Caught()
8350 : endtry
8351 :endfunction
8352 :
8353 :call Foo()
8354
8355This displays >
8356
8357 Nothing caught
8358 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
8359 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
8360 Nothing caught
8361
8362A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
8363number in the script or function where it has been used: >
8364
8365 :function! LineNumber()
8366 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
8367 :endfunction
8368 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
8369<
8370 *try-nested*
8371An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
8372a surrounding try conditional: >
8373
8374 :try
8375 : try
8376 : throw "foo"
8377 : catch /foobar/
8378 : echo "foobar"
8379 : finally
8380 : echo "inner finally"
8381 : endtry
8382 :catch /foo/
8383 : echo "foo"
8384 :endtry
8385
8386The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
8387clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
8388conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
8389
8390 *throw-from-catch*
8391You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
8392catch clause: >
8393
8394 :function! Foo()
8395 : throw "foo"
8396 :endfunction
8397 :
8398 :function! Bar()
8399 : try
8400 : call Foo()
8401 : catch /foo/
8402 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
8403 : throw "bar"
8404 : endtry
8405 :endfunction
8406 :
8407 :try
8408 : call Bar()
8409 :catch /.*/
8410 : echo "Caught" v:exception
8411 :endtry
8412
8413This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
8414
8415 *rethrow*
8416There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
8417"v:exception" instead: >
8418
8419 :function! Bar()
8420 : try
8421 : call Foo()
8422 : catch /.*/
8423 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
8424 : throw v:exception
8425 : endtry
8426 :endfunction
8427< *try-echoerr*
8428Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
8429exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
8430Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
8431denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
8432the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
8433
8434 :try
8435 : try
8436 : asdf
8437 : catch /.*/
8438 : echoerr v:exception
8439 : endtry
8440 :catch /.*/
8441 : echo v:exception
8442 :endtry
8443
8444This code displays
8445
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008446 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008447
8448
8449CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
8450
8451Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
8452user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008453an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008454a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
8455catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
8456a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
8457normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
8458(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008459to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008460clause has been executed.)
8461Example: >
8462
8463 :try
8464 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
8465 : set ts=17
8466 :
8467 : " Do the hard work here.
8468 :
8469 :finally
8470 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
8471 : unlet s:saved_ts
8472 :endtry
8473
8474This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
8475changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
8476that function or script part.
8477
8478 *break-finally*
8479Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
8480a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
8481 Example: >
8482
8483 :let first = 1
8484 :while 1
8485 : try
8486 : if first
8487 : echo "first"
8488 : let first = 0
8489 : continue
8490 : else
8491 : throw "second"
8492 : endif
8493 : catch /.*/
8494 : echo v:exception
8495 : break
8496 : finally
8497 : echo "cleanup"
8498 : endtry
8499 : echo "still in while"
8500 :endwhile
8501 :echo "end"
8502
8503This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
8504
8505 :function! Foo()
8506 : try
8507 : return 4711
8508 : finally
8509 : echo "cleanup\n"
8510 : endtry
8511 : echo "Foo still active"
8512 :endfunction
8513 :
8514 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
8515
8516This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008517extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008518return value.)
8519
8520 *except-from-finally*
8521Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
8522a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
8523cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
8524exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
8525 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
8526working correctly: >
8527
8528 :try
8529 : try
8530 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
8531 : while 1
8532 : endwhile
8533 : finally
8534 : unlet novar
8535 : endtry
8536 :catch /novar/
8537 :endtry
8538 :echo "Script still running"
8539 :sleep 1
8540
8541If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
8542think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
8543|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
8544
8545
8546CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
8547
8548If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
8549watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
8550presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
8551exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
8552the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
8553the error exception is.
8554 Error exceptions have the following format: >
8555
8556 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
8557or >
8558 Vim:{errmsg}
8559
8560{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008561the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008562when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
8563a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
8564a space.
8565
8566Examples:
8567
8568The command >
8569 :unlet novar
8570normally produces the error message >
8571 E108: No such variable: "novar"
8572which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
8573 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
8574
8575The command >
8576 :dwim
8577normally produces the error message >
8578 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
8579which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
8580 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
8581
8582You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
8583 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
8584or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
8585 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
8586
8587Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
8588 :function nofunc
8589and >
8590 :delfunction nofunc
8591both produce the error message >
8592 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
8593which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
8594 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
8595or >
8596 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
8597respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
8598command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
8599 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
8600
8601Some commands like >
8602 :let x = novar
8603produce multiple error messages, here: >
8604 E121: Undefined variable: novar
8605 E15: Invalid expression: novar
8606Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
8607one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
8608 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
8609
8610You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
8611 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
8612
8613You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
8614 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
8615
8616You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
8617 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
8618<
8619 *catch-text*
8620NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
8621 :catch /No such variable/
Bram Moolenaar2b8388b2015-02-28 13:11:45 +01008622only works in the English locale, but not when the user has selected
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008623a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
8624cite the message text in a comment: >
8625 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
8626
8627
8628IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
8629
8630You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
8631
8632 :try
8633 : write
8634 :catch
8635 :endtry
8636
8637But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
8638catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
8639be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
8640
8641 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
8642
8643There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
8644writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
8645then hide the error from the user.
8646 It is much better to use >
8647
8648 :try
8649 : write
8650 :catch /^Vim(write):/
8651 :endtry
8652
8653which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
8654intentionally.
8655
8656For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
8657even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
8658command: >
8659 :silent! nunmap k
8660This works also when a try conditional is active.
8661
8662
8663CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
8664
8665When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008666the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008667script is not terminated, then.
8668 Example: >
8669
8670 :function! TASK1()
8671 : sleep 10
8672 :endfunction
8673
8674 :function! TASK2()
8675 : sleep 20
8676 :endfunction
8677
8678 :while 1
8679 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
8680 : try
8681 : if command == ""
8682 : continue
8683 : elseif command == "END"
8684 : break
8685 : elseif command == "TASK1"
8686 : call TASK1()
8687 : elseif command == "TASK2"
8688 : call TASK2()
8689 : else
8690 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
8691 : continue
8692 : endif
8693 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
8694 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
8695 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
8696 : endtry
8697 :endwhile
8698
8699You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008700a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008701
8702For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
8703your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
8704command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
8705
8706
8707CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
8708
8709The commands >
8710
8711 :catch /.*/
8712 :catch //
8713 :catch
8714
8715catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
8716explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
8717a script in order to catch unexpected things.
8718 Example: >
8719
8720 :try
8721 :
8722 : " do the hard work here
8723 :
8724 :catch /MyException/
8725 :
8726 : " handle known problem
8727 :
8728 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
8729 : echo "Script interrupted"
8730 :catch /.*/
8731 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
8732 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
8733 :endtry
8734 :" end of script
8735
8736Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
8737strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
8738specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
8739 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
8740by pressing CTRL-C: >
8741
8742 :while 1
8743 : try
8744 : sleep 1
8745 : catch
8746 : endtry
8747 :endwhile
8748
8749
8750EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
8751
8752Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
8753
8754 :autocmd User x try
8755 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
8756 :autocmd User x catch
8757 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
8758 :autocmd User x endtry
8759 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
8760 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
8761 :
8762 :try
8763 : doautocmd User x
8764 :catch
8765 : echo v:exception
8766 :endtry
8767
8768This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
8769
8770 *except-autocmd-Pre*
8771For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
8772command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
8773of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
8774abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
8775 Example: >
8776
8777 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
8778 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
8779 :
8780 :try
8781 : write
8782 :catch
8783 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
8784 :endtry
8785
8786Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
8787you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
8788autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
8789script displays: >
8790
8791 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
8792<
8793 *except-autocmd-Post*
8794For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
8795command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
8796an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
8797is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
8798 Example: >
8799
8800 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
8801 :
8802 :try
8803 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
8804 :catch
8805 : echo v:exception
8806 :endtry
8807
8808This just displays: >
8809
8810 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
8811
8812If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
8813fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
8814 Example: >
8815
8816 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
8817 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
8818 :
8819 :try
8820 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
8821 :catch
8822 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
8823 :endtry
8824<
8825You can also use ":silent!": >
8826
8827 :let x = "ok"
8828 :let v:errmsg = ""
8829 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
8830 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
8831 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
8832 :try
8833 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
8834 :catch
8835 :endtry
8836 :echo x
8837
8838This displays "after fail".
8839
8840If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
8841autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
8842
8843 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
8844 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
8845 :
8846 :try
8847 : write
8848 :catch
8849 : echo v:exception
8850 :endtry
8851<
8852 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
8853For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
8854autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
8855of the command.
8856 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008857had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008858some way. >
8859
8860 :if !exists("cnt")
8861 : let cnt = 0
8862 :
8863 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
8864 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
8865 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
8866 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
8867 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
8868 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
8869 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
8870 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
8871 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
8872 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
8873 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
8874 :endif
8875 :
8876 :try
8877 : write
8878 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
8879 : if &modified
8880 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
8881 : else
8882 : echo "Error after writing"
8883 : endif
8884 :catch /^Vim(write):/
8885 : echo "Error on writing"
8886 :endtry
8887
8888When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
8889first >
8890 File successfully written!
8891then >
8892 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
8893then >
8894 Error after writing
8895etc.
8896
8897 *except-autocmd-ill*
8898You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
8899The following code is ill-formed: >
8900
8901 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
8902 :
8903 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
8904 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
8905 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
8906 :
8907 :write
8908
8909
8910EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
8911
8912Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
8913pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
8914similar things in Vim.
8915 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
8916class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
8917string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
8918 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
8919it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
8920for an error when writing "myfile".
8921 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
8922base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
8923parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
8924 Example: >
8925
8926 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
8927 : if a:a < 0
8928 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
8929 : endif
8930 :endfunction
8931 :
8932 :function! Add(a, b)
8933 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
8934 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
8935 : let c = a:a + a:b
8936 : if c < 0
8937 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
8938 : endif
8939 : return c
8940 :endfunction
8941 :
8942 :function! Div(a, b)
8943 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
8944 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
8945 : if (a:b == 0)
8946 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
8947 : endif
8948 : return a:a / a:b
8949 :endfunction
8950 :
8951 :function! Write(file)
8952 : try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008953 : execute "write" fnameescape(a:file)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008954 : catch /^Vim(write):/
8955 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
8956 : endtry
8957 :endfunction
8958 :
8959 :try
8960 :
8961 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
8962 :
8963 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
8964 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
8965 : echo "Range error in" function
8966 :
8967 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
8968 : echo "Math error"
8969 :
8970 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
8971 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
8972 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
8973 : if file !~ '^/'
8974 : let file = dir . "/" . file
8975 : endif
8976 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
8977 :
8978 :catch /^EXCEPT/
8979 : echo "Unspecified error"
8980 :
8981 :endtry
8982
8983The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
8984a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
8985exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
8986 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
8987failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
8988
8989
8990PECULIARITIES
8991 *except-compat*
8992The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
8993exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
8994and/or a catch clause.
8995
8996In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
8997continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
8998after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
8999functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
9000or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
9001(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
9002
9003This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
9004immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00009005conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
9006be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009007termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
9008catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
9009by specifying a finally clause.)
9010
9011When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
9012behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
9013scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
9014
9015However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
9016commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
9017conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
9018script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
9019error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
9020messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00009021|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
9022not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009023where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
9024error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
9025scripts.
9026
9027 *except-syntax-err*
9028Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
9029the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
9030clauses, however, is executed.
9031 Example: >
9032
9033 :try
9034 : try
9035 : throw 4711
9036 : catch /\(/
9037 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
9038 : catch
9039 : echo "inner catch-all"
9040 : finally
9041 : echo "inner finally"
9042 : endtry
9043 :catch
9044 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
9045 : finally
9046 : echo "outer finally"
9047 :endtry
9048
9049This displays: >
9050 inner finally
9051 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
9052 outer finally
9053The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
9054
9055 *except-single-line*
9056The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
9057a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
9058"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
9059 Example: >
9060 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
9061raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
9062argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
9063error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
9064displayed.
9065
9066 *except-several-errors*
9067When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
9068usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
9069 Example: >
9070 echo novar
9071causes >
9072 E121: Undefined variable: novar
9073 E15: Invalid expression: novar
9074The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
9075 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
9076< *except-syntax-error*
9077But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
9078the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
9079 Example: >
9080 unlet novar #
9081causes >
9082 E108: No such variable: "novar"
9083 E488: Trailing characters
9084The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
9085 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
9086This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
9087not intended by the user. Example: >
9088 try
9089 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
9090 catch /.*/
9091 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
9092 endtry
9093This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
9094a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
9095
9096==============================================================================
90979. Examples *eval-examples*
9098
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009099Printing in Binary ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009100>
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01009101 :" The function Nr2Bin() returns the binary string representation of a number.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009102 :func Nr2Bin(nr)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009103 : let n = a:nr
9104 : let r = ""
9105 : while n
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009106 : let r = '01'[n % 2] . r
9107 : let n = n / 2
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009108 : endwhile
9109 : return r
9110 :endfunc
9111
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009112 :" The function String2Bin() converts each character in a string to a
9113 :" binary string, separated with dashes.
9114 :func String2Bin(str)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009115 : let out = ''
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009116 : for ix in range(strlen(a:str))
9117 : let out = out . '-' . Nr2Bin(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
9118 : endfor
9119 : return out[1:]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009120 :endfunc
9121
9122Example of its use: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009123 :echo Nr2Bin(32)
9124result: "100000" >
9125 :echo String2Bin("32")
9126result: "110011-110010"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009127
9128
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009129Sorting lines ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009130
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009131This example sorts lines with a specific compare function. >
9132
9133 :func SortBuffer()
9134 : let lines = getline(1, '$')
9135 : call sort(lines, function("Strcmp"))
9136 : call setline(1, lines)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009137 :endfunction
9138
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009139As a one-liner: >
9140 :call setline(1, sort(getline(1, '$'), function("Strcmp")))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009141
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009142
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009143scanf() replacement ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009144 *sscanf*
9145There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
9146line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
9147how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
9148"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
9149 :" Set up the match bit
9150 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
9151 :"get the part matching the whole expression
9152 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
9153 :"get each item out of the match
9154 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
9155 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
9156 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
9157
9158The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
9159"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
9160
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009161
9162getting the scriptnames in a Dictionary ~
9163 *scriptnames-dictionary*
9164The |:scriptnames| command can be used to get a list of all script files that
9165have been sourced. There is no equivalent function or variable for this
9166(because it's rarely needed). In case you need to manipulate the list this
9167code can be used: >
9168 " Get the output of ":scriptnames" in the scriptnames_output variable.
9169 let scriptnames_output = ''
9170 redir => scriptnames_output
9171 silent scriptnames
9172 redir END
9173
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00009174 " Split the output into lines and parse each line. Add an entry to the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009175 " "scripts" dictionary.
9176 let scripts = {}
9177 for line in split(scriptnames_output, "\n")
9178 " Only do non-blank lines.
9179 if line =~ '\S'
9180 " Get the first number in the line.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00009181 let nr = matchstr(line, '\d\+')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009182 " Get the file name, remove the script number " 123: ".
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00009183 let name = substitute(line, '.\+:\s*', '', '')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009184 " Add an item to the Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00009185 let scripts[nr] = name
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009186 endif
9187 endfor
9188 unlet scriptnames_output
9189
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009190==============================================================================
919110. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
9192
9193When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
9194evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
9195to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
9196recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
9197and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
9198only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
9199recognized.
9200
9201Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
9202missing: >
9203
9204 :if 1
9205 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
9206 :else
9207 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
9208 :endif
9209
9210==============================================================================
921111. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
9212
Bram Moolenaar368373e2010-07-19 20:46:22 +02009213The 'foldexpr', 'formatexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and
9214'foldtext' options may be evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are
9215protected from these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some
9216safety for when these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when
9217the command from a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00009218The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009219
9220These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
9221 - changing the buffer text
9222 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
9223 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009224 - setting certain v: variables (see |v:var|) *E794*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009225 - executing a shell command
9226 - reading or writing a file
9227 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00009228 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00009229This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
9230
9231 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00009232:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00009233 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
9234 'foldexpr'.
9235
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00009236 *sandbox-option*
9237A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00009238have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00009239restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
9240location. Insecure in this context are:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00009241- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directory
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00009242- while executing in the sandbox
9243- value coming from a modeline
9244
9245Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
9246option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
9247
9248==============================================================================
924912. Textlock *textlock*
9250
9251In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
9252to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
9253is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00009254actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00009255happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
9256
9257This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
9258 - changing the buffer text
9259 - jumping to another buffer or window
9260 - editing another file
9261 - closing a window or quitting Vim
9262 - etc.
9263
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009264
9265 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: