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Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2005 Feb 07
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
13|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
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 Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000031
32{Vi does not have any of these commands}
33
34==============================================================================
351. Variables *variables*
36
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000371.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000038 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000039There are four types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000040
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000041Number A 32 bit signed number.
42 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
43
44String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
45 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
46
47Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
48 Example: function("strlen")
49
50List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
51 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000052
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000053The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
54are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000055
56Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
57the Number. Examples: >
58 Number 123 --> String "123"
59 Number 0 --> String "0"
60 Number -1 --> String "-1"
61
62Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
63to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
64the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
65 String "456" --> Number 456
66 String "6bar" --> Number 6
67 String "foo" --> Number 0
68 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
69 String "0100" --> Number 64
70 String "-8" --> Number -8
71 String "+8" --> Number 0
72
73To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
74 :echo "0100" + 0
75
76For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
77
78Note that in the command >
79 :if "foo"
80"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
81use strlen(): >
82 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000083< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
84List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000085
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000086 *E706*
87You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
88to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000089equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000090 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000091 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000092 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000093
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000094
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000951.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000096 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000097A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000098in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
99around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000100
101 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
102 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000103< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000104A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:" or "b:". You cannot
105have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000106
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000107A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
108Dictionary entry. Example: >
109 :function dict.init() dict
110 : let self.val = 0
111 :endfunction
112
113The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
114function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
115
116A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
117 :call Fn()
118 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000119
120The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000121 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000122
123You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
124arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000125 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000126
127
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001281.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000129 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000130A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
131can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
132position in the sequence.
133
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000134
135List creation ~
136 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000137A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000138Examples: >
139 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
140 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000141
142An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143nested List: >
144 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000145
146An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
147
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000148
149List index ~
150 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000151An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000152after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
153 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000154 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000155
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000156When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000157 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000158<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000159A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
160the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000161 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
162
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000163To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000164is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000165 :echo get(mylist, idx)
166 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
167
168
169List concatenation ~
170
171Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
172 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000173 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000174
175To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
176it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
177
178
179Sublist ~
180
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000181A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
182separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000183 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000184
185Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
186similar to -1. The difference is that there is no error if the items are not
187available. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000188 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
189 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
190 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000191
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000192The second index can be just before the first index. In that case the result
193is an empty list. If the second index is lower, this results in an error. >
194 :echo mylist[2:1] " result: []
195 :echo mylist[2:0] " error!
196
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000197
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000198List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000199 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000200When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
201variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
202change "bb": >
203 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
204 :let bb = aa
205 :call add(aa, 4)
206 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000207< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000208
209Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
210works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000211a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
213 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000214 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000215 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
216 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000217< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000218 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000219< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000220
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000221To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000222copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000223
224The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000225List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000226the same value. >
227 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
228 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
229 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000230< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000231 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000232< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000233
234
235List unpack ~
236
237To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
238square brackets, like list items: >
239 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
240
241When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
242this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
243and a variable name: >
244 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
245
246This works like: >
247 :let var1 = mylist[0]
248 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000249 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000250
251Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
252empty list then.
253
254
255List modification ~
256 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000257To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000258 :let list[4] = "four"
259 :let listlist[0][3] = item
260
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000261To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000262modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000263 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
264
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000265Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
266examples: >
267 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
268 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
269 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000270 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000271 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
272 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000273 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000274 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000275 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000276 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000277
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000278Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000279 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
280 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
281
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000282
283For loop ~
284
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000285The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
286to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000287 :for item in mylist
288 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000289 :endfor
290
291This works like: >
292 :let index = 0
293 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000294 : let item = mylist[index]
295 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000296 : let index = index + 1
297 :endwhile
298
299Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000300results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000301the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000302
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000303If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000304function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000305
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000306Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
307requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
308 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
309 : call Doit(lnum, col)
310 :endfor
311
312This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
313must remain the same to avoid an error.
314
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000315It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000316 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
317 : call Doit(i, j)
318 : if !empty(rest)
319 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
320 : endif
321 :endfor
322
323
324List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000325 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000326Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000327 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000328 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000329 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
330 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
331 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000332 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
333 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000334 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
335 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000336 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
337 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000338 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
339 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000340
341
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003421.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000343 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000344A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000345entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
346ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000347
348
349Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000350 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000351A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000352braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
353only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000354 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
355 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000356< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000357A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
358String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000359entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
360Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000361
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000362A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000363nested Dictionary: >
364 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
365
366An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
367
368
369Accessing entries ~
370
371The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
372 :let val = mydict["one"]
373 :let mydict["four"] = 4
374
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000375You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000376
377For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
378form can be used |expr-entry|: >
379 :let val = mydict.one
380 :let mydict.four = 4
381
382Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
383key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000384 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000385
386
387Dictionary to List conversion ~
388
389You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
390turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
391
392Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
393 :for key in keys(mydict)
394 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
395 :endfor
396
397The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
398 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
399
400To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
401 :for v in values(mydict)
402 : echo "value: " . v
403 :endfor
404
405If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000406a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000407 :for entry in items(mydict)
408 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
409 :endfor
410
411
412Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000413 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000414Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
415Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
416Dictionary: >
417 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
418 :let adict = onedict
419 :let adict['a'] = 11
420 :echo onedict['a']
421 11
422
423For more info see |list-identity|.
424
425
426Dictionary modification ~
427 *dict-modification*
428To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
429use |:let| this way: >
430 :let dict[4] = "four"
431 :let dict['one'] = item
432
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000433Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
434Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
435 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
436 :unlet dict.aaa
437 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000438
439Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000440 :call extend(adict, bdict)
441This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
442in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000443Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
444expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
445adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000446
447Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000448 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
449This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000450
451
452Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000453 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000454When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
455special way with a dictionary. Example: >
456 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000457 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000458 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000459 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
460 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000461
462This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
463Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
464the function was invoked from.
465
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000466It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
467Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
468
469 *numbered-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000470To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
471assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000472 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
473 :function mydict.len() dict
474 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000475 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000476 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000477
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000478The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
479that references this function. The function can only be used through a
480|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
481remaining that refers to it.
482
483It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000484
485
486Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000487 *E715*
488Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000489 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
490 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
491 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
492 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
493 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
494 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
495 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
496 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000497
498
4991.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000500 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000501If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
502function.
503
504When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
505start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
506stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
507
508When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
509start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
510stored in the session file |session-file|.
511
512variable name can be stored where ~
513my_var_6 not
514My_Var_6 session file
515MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
516
517
518It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
519|curly-braces-names|.
520
521==============================================================================
5222. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
523
524Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
525
526|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
527
528|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
529
530|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
531
532|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
533 expr5 != expr5 not equal
534 expr5 > expr5 greater than
535 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
536 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
537 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
538 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
539 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
540
541 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
542 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
543 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
544 matching case
545
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000546 expr5 is expr5 same List instance
547 expr5 isnot expr5 different List instance
548
549|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000550 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
551 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
552
553|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
554 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
555 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
556
557|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
558 - expr7 unary minus
559 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000560
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000561
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000562|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a List
563 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a List
564 expr8.name entry in a Dictionary
565 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with Funcref variable
566
567|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000568 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000569 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000570 [expr1, ...] List
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000571 {expr1: expr1, ...} Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000572 &option option value
573 (expr1) nested expression
574 variable internal variable
575 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
576 $VAR environment variable
577 @r contents of register 'r'
578 function(expr1, ...) function call
579 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
580
581
582".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
583Example: >
584 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
585
586All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
587
588
589expr1 *expr1* *E109*
590-----
591
592expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
593
594The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
595non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
596otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
597Example: >
598 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
599
600Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
601other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
602Example: >
603 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
604
605To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
606 :echo lnum == 1
607 :\ ? "top"
608 :\ : lnum == 1000
609 :\ ? "last"
610 :\ : lnum
611
612
613expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
614---------------
615
616 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
617The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
618are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
619
620 input output ~
621n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
622zero zero zero zero
623zero non-zero non-zero zero
624non-zero zero non-zero zero
625non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
626
627The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
628
629 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
630
631Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
632
633 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
634
635Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
636arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
637
638 let a = 1
639 echo a || b
640
641This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
642so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
643
644 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
645
646This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
647only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
648
649
650expr4 *expr4*
651-----
652
653expr5 {cmp} expr5
654
655Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
656if it evaluates to true.
657
658 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
659 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
660 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
661 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
662 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
663 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000664 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000665 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
666equal == ==# ==?
667not equal != !=# !=?
668greater than > ># >?
669greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
670smaller than < <# <?
671smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
672regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
673regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000674same instance is
675different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000676
677Examples:
678"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
679"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
680"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
681
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000682 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000683A List can only be compared with a List and only "equal", "not equal" and "is"
684can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively. Ignoring
685case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
686
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000687 *E735* *E736*
688A Dictionary can only be compared with a Dictionary and only "equal", "not
689equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the Dictionary,
690recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
691
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000692 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000693A Funcref can only be compared with a Funcref and only "equal" and "not equal"
694can be used. Case is never ignored.
695
696When using "is" or "isnot" with a List this checks if the expressions are
697referring to the same List instance. A copy of a List is different from the
698original List. When using "is" without a List it is equivalent to using
699"equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
700different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
701is false.
702
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000703When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
704and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
705because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
706
707When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
708results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
709necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
710
711When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
712'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
713
714When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
715'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
716
717The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
718argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
719This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
720matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
721portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
722single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
723Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
724(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
725can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
726 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
727 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
728
729
730expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
731---------------
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000732expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or List concatenation *expr-+*
733expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
734expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000735
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000736For Lists only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The result
737is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
738
739expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
740expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
741expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000742
743For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
744
745Note the difference between "+" and ".":
746 "123" + "456" = 579
747 "123" . "456" = "123456"
748
749When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
750When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
751
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000752None of these work for Funcrefs.
753
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000754
755expr7 *expr7*
756-----
757! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
758- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
759+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
760
761For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
762For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
763For '+' the number is unchanged.
764
765A String will be converted to a Number first.
766
767These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
768 !-1 == 0
769 !!8 == 1
770 --9 == 9
771
772
773expr8 *expr8*
774-----
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000775expr8[expr1] item of String or List *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000776
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000777If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
778expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000779Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000780
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000781Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
782text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
783cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000784 :let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1]
785
786If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000787String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
788compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
789
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000790If expr8 is a List then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000791for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
792error. Example: >
793 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
794
795Generally, if a List index is equal to or higher than the length of the List,
796or more negative than the length of the List, this results in an error.
797
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000798
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000799expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000800
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000801If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
802from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000803expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
804encodings.
805
806If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
807string minus one is used.
808
809A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
810the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
811
812If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
813expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
814
815Examples: >
816 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
817 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
818 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
819 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
820
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000821If expr8 is a List this results in a new List with the items indicated by the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000822indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained just
823above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
824 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
825 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
826 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
827
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000828Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a Funcref results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000829
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000830
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000831expr8.name entry in a Dictionary *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000832
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000833If expr8 is a Dictionary and it is followed by a dot, then the following name
834will be used as a key in the Dictionary. This is just like: expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000835
836The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
837but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
838
839There must not be white space before or after the dot.
840
841Examples: >
842 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
843 :echo dict.one
844 :echo dict .2
845
846Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
847always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
848
849
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000850expr8(expr1, ...) Funcref function call
851
852When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
853
854
855
856 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000857number
858------
859number number constant *expr-number*
860
861Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
862
863
864string *expr-string* *E114*
865------
866"string" string constant *expr-quote*
867
868Note that double quotes are used.
869
870A string constant accepts these special characters:
871\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
872\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
873\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
874\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
875\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
876\X.. same as \x..
877\X. same as \x.
878\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
879 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
880\U.... same as \u....
881\b backspace <BS>
882\e escape <Esc>
883\f formfeed <FF>
884\n newline <NL>
885\r return <CR>
886\t tab <Tab>
887\\ backslash
888\" double quote
889\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
890
891Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
892
893
894literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
895---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000896'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000897
898Note that single quotes are used.
899
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000900This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000901meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000902
903Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
904to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
905 if a =~ "\\s*"
906 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000907
908
909option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
910------
911&option option value, local value if possible
912&g:option global option value
913&l:option local option value
914
915Examples: >
916 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
917 if &insertmode
918
919Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
920and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
921anyway.
922
923
924register *expr-register*
925--------
926@r contents of register 'r'
927
928The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
929Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
930register use @" or @@. The '=' register can not be used here. See
931|registers| for an explanation of the available registers.
932
933
934nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
935-------
936(expr1) nested expression
937
938
939environment variable *expr-env*
940--------------------
941$VAR environment variable
942
943The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
944result is an empty string.
945 *expr-env-expand*
946Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
947expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
948are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
949the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
950fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
951does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
952 :echo $version
953 :echo expand("$version")
954The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
955variable (if your shell supports it).
956
957
958internal variable *expr-variable*
959-----------------
960variable internal variable
961See below |internal-variables|.
962
963
964function call *expr-function* *E116* *E117* *E118* *E119* *E120*
965-------------
966function(expr1, ...) function call
967See below |functions|.
968
969
970==============================================================================
9713. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
972 *E461*
973An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
974cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
975|curly-braces-names|.
976
977An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000978An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
979|:unlet|.
980Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
981been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000982
983There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
984specified by what is prepended:
985
986 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
987|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
988|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
989|global-variable| g: Global.
990|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
991|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
992|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
993|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
994
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +0000995The scope name by itself can be used as a Dictionary. For example, to delete
996all script-local variables: >
997 :for k in keys(s:)
998 : unlet s:[k]
999 :endfor
1000<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001001 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1002A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1003Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1004This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1005|:bdelete|.
1006
1007One local buffer variable is predefined:
1008 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1009b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1010 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1011 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1012 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1013 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1014 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1015 : call My_Update()
1016 :endif
1017<
1018 *window-variable* *w:var*
1019A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1020is deleted when the window is closed.
1021
1022 *global-variable* *g:var*
1023Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1024access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1025place if you like.
1026
1027 *local-variable* *l:var*
1028Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1029But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1030
1031 *script-variable* *s:var*
1032In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1033accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1034
1035They can be used in:
1036- commands executed while the script is sourced
1037- functions defined in the script
1038- autocommands defined in the script
1039- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1040 defined in the script (recursively)
1041- user defined commands defined in the script
1042Thus not in:
1043- other scripts sourced from this one
1044- mappings
1045- etc.
1046
1047script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1048Take this example:
1049
1050 let s:counter = 0
1051 function MyCounter()
1052 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1053 echo s:counter
1054 endfunction
1055 command Tick call MyCounter()
1056
1057You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1058that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1059"Tick" was defined is used.
1060
1061Another example that does the same: >
1062
1063 let s:counter = 0
1064 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1065
1066When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001067script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001068defined.
1069
1070The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1071function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1072
1073 let s:counter = 0
1074 function StartCounting(incr)
1075 if a:incr
1076 function MyCounter()
1077 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1078 endfunction
1079 else
1080 function MyCounter()
1081 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1082 endfunction
1083 endif
1084 endfunction
1085
1086This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1087when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1088called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1089
1090When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1091They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1092maintain a counter: >
1093
1094 if !exists("s:counter")
1095 let s:counter = 1
1096 echo "script executed for the first time"
1097 else
1098 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1099 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1100 endif
1101
1102Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1103variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1104
1105
1106Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1107
1108 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1109v:charconvert_from
1110 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1111 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1112
1113 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1114v:charconvert_to
1115 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1116 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1117
1118 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1119v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1120 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1121 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1122 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1123 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1124 possible to append this variable directly after the
1125 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1126 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1127 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1128 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1129 in 'printexpr'.
1130
1131 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1132v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1133 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1134 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1135 can be used.
1136
1137 *v:count* *count-variable*
1138v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1139 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1140 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1141< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1142 get when typing ':' after a count.
1143 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1144
1145 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1146v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1147 used.
1148
1149 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1150v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1151 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1152 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1153 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1154 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1155 command.
1156 See |multi-lang|.
1157
1158 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1159v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1160 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1161 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1162 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1163 Example: >
1164 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1165<
1166 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1167v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1168 Example: >
1169 :let v:errmsg = ""
1170 :silent! next
1171 :if v:errmsg != ""
1172 : ... handle error
1173< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1174
1175 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1176v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1177 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1178 Example: >
1179 :try
1180 : throw "oops"
1181 :catch /.*/
1182 : echo "caught" v:exception
1183 :endtry
1184< Output: "caught oops".
1185
1186 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
1187v:fname_in The name of the input file. Only valid while evaluating:
1188 option used for ~
1189 'charconvert' file to be converted
1190 'diffexpr' original file
1191 'patchexpr' original file
1192 'printexpr' file to be printed
1193
1194 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1195v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1196 evaluating:
1197 option used for ~
1198 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1199 'diffexpr' output of diff
1200 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1201 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1202 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1203 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1204 file and different from v:fname_in.
1205
1206 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1207v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1208 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1209
1210 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1211v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1212 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1213
1214 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1215v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1216 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001217 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001218
1219 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1220v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001221 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001222
1223 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1224v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001225 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001226
1227 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1228v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001229 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001230
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001231 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1232v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1233 events. Values:
1234 i Insert mode
1235 r Replace mode
1236 v Virtual Replace mode
1237
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001238 *v:key* *key-variable*
1239v:key Key of the current item of a Dictionary. Only valid while
1240 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1241 Read-only.
1242
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001243 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1244v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1245 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1246 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1247 The value is system dependent.
1248 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1249 command.
1250 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1251 in a different language than what is used for character
1252 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1253
1254 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1255v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1256 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1257 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1258 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1259 command. See |multi-lang|.
1260
1261 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001262v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
1263 expressions. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1264 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001265
1266 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1267v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1268 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1269 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1270 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1271< Read-only.
1272
1273 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1274v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1275 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1276 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1277 Read-only.
1278
1279 *v:register* *register-variable*
1280v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1281 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1282
1283 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1284v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1285 Read-only.
1286
1287 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1288v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1289 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1290 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1291 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1292 executed. Read-only.
1293 Example: >
1294 :!mv foo bar
1295 :if v:shell_error
1296 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1297 :endif
1298< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1299
1300 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1301v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1302
1303 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1304v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1305 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1306 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1307 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1308 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1309 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1310 terminal.
1311 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1312 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1313 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1314 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1315 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1316
1317 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1318v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1319 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1320 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1321 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1322
1323 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1324v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1325 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1326 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1327 Example: >
1328 :try
1329 : throw "oops"
1330 :catch /.*/
1331 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1332 :endtry
1333< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1334
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001335 *v:val* *val-variable*
1336v:val Value of the current item of a List or Dictionary. Only valid
1337 while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
1338 |filter()|. Read-only.
1339
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001340 *v:version* *version-variable*
1341v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1342 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1343 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1344 compatibility.
1345 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1346 if has("patch123")
1347< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1348 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1349 completely different.
1350
1351 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1352v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1353
1354==============================================================================
13554. Builtin Functions *functions*
1356
1357See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1358
1359(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation)
1360
1361USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1362
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001363add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to List {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001364append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001365append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001366argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001367argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001368argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
1369browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1370 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001371browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001372bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001373buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1374bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001375bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1376bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1377bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1378byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001379byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001380call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1381 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001382char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001383cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001384col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
1385confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1386 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001387copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001388count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1389 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001390cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1391 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001392cursor( {lnum}, {col}) Number position cursor at {lnum}, {col}
1393deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001394delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1395did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001396diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1397diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001398empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001399escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001400eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001401eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001402executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1403exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
1404expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
1405filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001406filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1407 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001408finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
1409 String Find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001410findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001411 String Find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001412filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
1413fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001414foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1415foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001416foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001417foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001418foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001419function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001420get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001421get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001422getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1423getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001424getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
1425getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1426getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
1427getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001428getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1429getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001430getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001431getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001432getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001433getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1434getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001435getreg( [{regname}]) String contents of register
1436getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001437getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1438getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1439getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in window {nr}
1440glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1441globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1442has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001443has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001444hasmapto( {what} [, {mode}]) Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
1445histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1446histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1447histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1448histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1449hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1450hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1451hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001452iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1453indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001454index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1455 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001456input( {prompt} [, {text}]) String get input from the user
1457inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001458inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1459inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001460inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001461insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001462isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001463islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001464items( {dict}) List List of key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001465join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001466keys( {dict}) List List of keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001467len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1468libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001469libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1470line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1471line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001472lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001473localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001474map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001475maparg( {name}[, {mode}]) String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1476mapcheck( {name}[, {mode}]) String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001477match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001478 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001479matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001480 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001481matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1482 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001483matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1484 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001485max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1486min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001487mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001488nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1489nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
1490prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001491range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1492 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001493readfile({fname} [, {binary}]) List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001494remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1495 String send expression
1496remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1497remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1498 Number check for reply string
1499remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1500remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1501 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001502remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001503remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001504rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1505repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1506resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001507reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001508search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001509searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001510 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001511server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1512 Number send reply string
1513serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1514setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1515setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1516setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001517setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001518setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001519simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001520sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001521split( {expr} [, {pat}]) List make List from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001522strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001523stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1524 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001525string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001526strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1527strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1528 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001529strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1530 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001531strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001532submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001533substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1534 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001535synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001536synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1537 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1538synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001539system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001540tempname() String name for a temporary file
1541tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1542toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001543tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1544 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001545type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001546values( {dict}) List List of values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001547virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1548visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1549winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1550wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1551winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1552winline() Number window line of the cursor
1553winnr() Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001554winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001555winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001556writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1557 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001558
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001559add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
1560 Append the item {expr} to List {list}. Returns the resulting
1561 List. Examples: >
1562 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1563 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
1564< Note that when {expr} is a List it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001565 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001566 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001567
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001568
1569append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001570 When {expr} is a List: Append each item of the List as a text
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001571 line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001572 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1573 the current buffer.
1574 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001575 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1576 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001577 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001578 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001579<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001580 *argc()*
1581argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1582 current window. See |arglist|.
1583
1584 *argidx()*
1585argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1586 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1587
1588 *argv()*
1589argv({nr}) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
1590 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1591 Example: >
1592 :let i = 0
1593 :while i < argc()
1594 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1595 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1596 : let i = i + 1
1597 :endwhile
1598<
1599 *browse()*
1600browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1601 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1602 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1603 The input fields are:
1604 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1605 {title} title for the requester
1606 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1607 {default} default file name
1608 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1609 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1610
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001611 *browsedir()*
1612browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1613 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1614 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1615 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1616 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1617 to be used.
1618 The input fields are:
1619 {title} title for the requester
1620 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1621 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1622 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1623
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001624bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1625 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1626 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001627 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001628 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001629 exactly. The name can be:
1630 - Relative to the current directory.
1631 - A full path.
1632 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1633 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001634 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1635 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1636 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1637 long name to be able to find them.
1638 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1639 file name.
1640 *buffer_exists()*
1641 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1642
1643buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1644 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1645 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001646 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001647
1648bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1649 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1650 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001651 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001652
1653bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1654 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1655 ":ls" command.
1656 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1657 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1658 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1659 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1660 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1661 match an empty string is returned.
1662 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1663 alternate buffer.
1664 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1665 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1666 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1667 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1668 buffers are searched for.
1669 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1670 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1671 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1672< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1673 string is returned. >
1674 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1675 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1676 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1677 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1678< *buffer_name()*
1679 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1680
1681 *bufnr()*
1682bufnr({expr}) The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
1683 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
1684 above. If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
1685 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1686 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1687< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1688 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1689 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1690 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1691 *buffer_number()*
1692 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1693 *last_buffer_nr()*
1694 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1695
1696bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1697 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1698 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1699 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1700 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1701
1702 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1703
1704< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1705 |:wincmd|.
1706
1707
1708byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1709 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1710 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1711 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1712 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1713 one.
1714 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1715 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1716 feature}
1717
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001718byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1719 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1720 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1721 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1722 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1723 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1724 Example : >
1725 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1726< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1727 same: >
1728 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1729 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1730< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1731 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1732 is returned.
1733
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001734call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001735 Call function {func} with the items in List {arglist} as
1736 arguments.
1737 {func} can either be a Funcref or the name of a function.
1738 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1739 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001740 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1741 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001742
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001743char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1744 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1745 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1746 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1747< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
1748 char2nr("á") returns 225
1749 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
1750
1751cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1752 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1753 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1754 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1755 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1756 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1757 feature, -1 is returned.
1758
1759 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001760col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001761 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1762 . the cursor position
1763 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1764 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1765 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1766 returned)
1767 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1768 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1769 Examples: >
1770 col(".") column of cursor
1771 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1772 col("'t") column of mark t
1773 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1774< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
1775 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1776 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1777 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
1778 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
1779 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
1780 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
1781 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
1782<
1783 *confirm()*
1784confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1785 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
1786 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
1787 choice this is 1.
1788 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
1789 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
1790 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
1791 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
1792 used (and translated).
1793 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
1794 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
1795 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
1796 by '\n', e.g. >
1797 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
1798< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
1799 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
1800 not need to be the first letter: >
1801 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
1802< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
1803 the default shortcut key.
1804 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
1805 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
1806 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
1807 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
1808 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
1809 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
1810 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
1811 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
1812 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
1813 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
1814 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
1815
1816 An example: >
1817 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
1818 :if choice == 0
1819 : echo "make up your mind!"
1820 :elseif choice == 3
1821 : echo "tasteful"
1822 :else
1823 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
1824 :endif
1825< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
1826 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
1827 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
1828 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
1829 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
1830 the horizontal layout is always used.
1831
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001832 *copy()*
1833copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
1834 different from using {expr} directly.
1835 When {expr} is a List a shallow copy is created. This means
1836 that the original List can be changed without changing the
1837 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
1838 changing an item changes the contents of both Lists. Also see
1839 |deepcopy()|.
1840
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001841count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001842 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001843 in List or Dictionary {comp}.
1844 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
1845 {start} can only be used with a List.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001846 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
1847
1848
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001849 *cscope_connection()*
1850cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1851 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
1852 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
1853 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
1854 if there are no cscope connections;
1855 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
1856
1857 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
1858 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
1859
1860 {num} Description of existence check
1861 ----- ------------------------------
1862 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
1863 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
1864 {dbpath}.
1865 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
1866 {dbpath}.
1867 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
1868 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1869 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
1870 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1871
1872 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
1873
1874 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
1875
1876 # pid database name prepend path
1877 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
1878<
1879 Invocation Return Val ~
1880 ---------- ---------- >
1881 cscope_connection() 1
1882 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
1883 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
1884 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
1885 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
1886 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
1887 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
1888 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
1889<
1890cursor({lnum}, {col}) *cursor()*
1891 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
1892 Does not change the jumplist.
1893 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
1894 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
1895 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
1896 If {col} is greater than the number of characters in the line,
1897 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
1898 line.
1899 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
1900
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001901
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001902deepcopy({expr}) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001903 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
1904 different from using {expr} directly.
1905 When {expr} is a List a full copy is created. This means
1906 that the original List can be changed without changing the
1907 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a List, a copy for it
1908 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
1909 not change the contents of the original List.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00001910 *E724*
1911 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
1912 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy will
1913 fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001914 Also see |copy()|.
1915
1916delete({fname}) *delete()*
1917 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001918 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
1919 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001920 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001921
1922 *did_filetype()*
1923did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
1924 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
1925 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
1926 that detect the file type. |FileType|
1927 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
1928 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
1929 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
1930 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
1931 file.
1932
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001933diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
1934 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
1935 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
1936 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
1937 display but don't exist in the buffer.
1938 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
1939 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
1940 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
1941
1942diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
1943 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
1944 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
1945 diff change zero is returned.
1946 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
1947 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
1948 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
1949 line.
1950 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
1951 syntax information about the highlighting.
1952
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001953empty({expr}) *empty()*
1954 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001955 A List or Dictionary is empty when it does not have any items.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001956 A Number is empty when its value is zero.
1957 For a long List this is much faster then comparing the length
1958 with zero.
1959
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001960escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
1961 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
1962 backslash. Example: >
1963 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
1964< results in: >
1965 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001966
1967< *eval()*
1968eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
1969 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
1970 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
1971 Also works for Funcrefs that refer to existing functions.
1972
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001973eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
1974 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
1975 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
1976 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
1977 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
1978
1979executable({expr}) *executable()*
1980 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
1981 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00001982 arguments.
1983 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
1984 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
1985 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
1986 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
1987 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
1988 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
1989 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
1990 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
1991 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
1992 extension.
1993 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
1994 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001995 The result is a Number:
1996 1 exists
1997 0 does not exist
1998 -1 not implemented on this system
1999
2000 *exists()*
2001exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2002 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2003 which contains one of these:
2004 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2005 not if it really works)
2006 +option-name Vim option that works.
2007 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2008 done by comparing with an empty
2009 string)
2010 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2011 or user defined function (see
2012 |user-functions|).
2013 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002014 |internal-variables|). Also works
2015 for |curly-braces-names|, Dictionary
2016 entries, List items, etc. Beware that
2017 this may cause functions to be
2018 invoked cause an error message for an
2019 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002020 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2021 command or command modifier |:command|.
2022 Returns:
2023 1 for match with start of a command
2024 2 full match with a command
2025 3 matches several user commands
2026 To check for a supported command
2027 always check the return value to be 2.
2028 #event autocommand defined for this event
2029 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2030 pattern (the pattern is taken
2031 literally and compared to the
2032 autocommand patterns character by
2033 character)
2034 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2035
2036 Examples: >
2037 exists("&shortname")
2038 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2039 exists("*strftime")
2040 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2041 exists("bufcount")
2042 exists(":Make")
2043 exists("#CursorHold");
2044 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
2045< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2046 name.
2047 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2048 variable itself! For example: >
2049 exists(bufcount)
2050< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
2051 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
2052 exists.
2053
2054expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2055 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2056 The result is a String.
2057
2058 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2059 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2060 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2061
2062 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2063 for a non-existing file is not included.
2064
2065 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2066 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2067 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2068
2069 % current file name
2070 # alternate file name
2071 #n alternate file name n
2072 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2073 <afile> autocmd file name
2074 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2075 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2076 <sfile> sourced script file name
2077 <cword> word under the cursor
2078 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2079 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2080 message |server2client()|
2081 Modifiers:
2082 :p expand to full path
2083 :h head (last path component removed)
2084 :t tail (last path component only)
2085 :r root (one extension removed)
2086 :e extension only
2087
2088 Example: >
2089 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2090< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2091 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2092 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2093< Use this: >
2094 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2095< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2096 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2097 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2098 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2099 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2100<
2101 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2102 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2103 to modify normal file names.
2104
2105 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2106 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2107 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2108 '/' added.
2109
2110 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2111 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2112 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2113 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
2114 non-existing files are included.
2115
2116 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2117 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2118 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2119 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2120 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2121 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2122 "$FOOBAR".
2123
2124 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2125 getting the raw output of an external command.
2126
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002127extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
2128 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both Lists or both Dictionaries.
2129
2130 If they are Lists: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
2131 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2132 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2133 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2134 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002135 Examples: >
2136 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2137 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002138< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2139 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002140 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002141<
2142 If they are Dictionaries:
2143 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2144 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2145 used to decide what to do:
2146 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2147 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00002148 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002149 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2150
2151 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2152 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2153 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2154 Returns {expr1}.
2155
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002156
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002157filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2158 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2159 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2160 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2161 expression, which is used as a String.
2162 *file_readable()*
2163 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2164
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002165
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002166filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
2167 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
2168 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
2169 is zero remove the item from the List or Dictionary.
2170 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
2171 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
2172 Examples: >
2173 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2174< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2175 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2176< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2177 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002178< Removes all the items, thus clears the List or Dictionary.
2179
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002180 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2181 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2182 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2183
2184 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
2185 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002186 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), '& =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002187
2188< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002189
2190
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002191finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
2192 Find directory {name} in {path}.
2193 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2194 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
2195 {name} in {path}.
2196 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
2197 When the found directory is below the current directory a
2198 relative path is returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
2199 Example: >
2200 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2201< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2202 the file "tags.vim".
2203 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2204
2205findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2206 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
2207
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002208filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2209 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2210 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2211 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2212 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2213
2214fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2215 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2216 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2217 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2218 Example: >
2219 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2220< results in: >
2221 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2222< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2223 |expand()| first then.
2224
2225foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2226 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2227 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2228 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2229
2230foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2231 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2232 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2233 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2234
2235foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2236 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2237 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2238 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2239 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2240 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2241 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2242 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2243 previous line is usually available.
2244
2245 *foldtext()*
2246foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2247 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2248 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2249 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2250 The returned string looks like this: >
2251 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2252< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2253 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2254 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2255 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2256 options is removed.
2257 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2258
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002259foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2260 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2261 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2262 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2263 returned.
2264 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2265 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2266 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2267 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2268
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002269 *foreground()*
2270foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2271 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2272 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2273 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2274 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2275 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2276 Win32 console version}
2277
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002278
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002279function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002280 Return a Funcref variable that refers to function {name}.
2281 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2282
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002283
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002284get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002285 Get item {idx} from List {list}. When this item is not
2286 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2287 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002288get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
2289 Get item with key {key} from Dictionary {dict}. When this
2290 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2291 {default} is omitted.
2292
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002293
2294getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2295 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2296 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2297 must be used.
2298 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
2299 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
2300 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2301 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2302 returned, there is no error message.
2303 Examples: >
2304 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2305 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2306<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002307getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2308 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2309 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2310 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2311 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2312 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2313 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2314 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2315 not consumed. If a normal character is
2316 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2317 non-zero value is returned.
2318 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2319 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2320 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2321 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2322 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2323 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2324 user that a character has to be typed.
2325 There is no mapping for the character.
2326 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2327 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2328 sequence. Examples: >
2329 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2330 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2331< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2332 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2333 :function FindChar()
2334 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2335 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2336 : normal l
2337 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2338 : break
2339 : endif
2340 : endwhile
2341 :endfunction
2342
2343getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2344 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2345 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2346 These values are added together:
2347 2 shift
2348 4 control
2349 8 alt (meta)
2350 16 mouse double click
2351 32 mouse triple click
2352 64 mouse quadruple click
2353 128 Macintosh only: command
2354 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2355 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2356 with no modifier.
2357
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002358getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2359 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2360 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2361 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2362 Example: >
2363 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
2364< Also see |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
2365
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002366getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002367 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2368 byte count. The first column is 1.
2369 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2370 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
2371 Also see |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2372
2373 *getcwd()*
2374getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2375 working directory.
2376
2377getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2378 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2379 given file {fname}.
2380 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2381 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2382
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002383getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2384 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2385 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2386 |hl-Normal|.
2387 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2388 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2389 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2390 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
2391 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not you your vimrc or
2392 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2393 for a valid name does not work.
2394 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2395 function just after the GUI has started.
2396
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002397getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2398 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2399 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2400 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2401 empty string is returned.
2402 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2403 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2404 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2405 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2406 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2407 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2408< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2409 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
2410
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002411getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2412 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2413 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2414 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2415 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2416 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2417
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002418getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2419 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2420 file of the given file {fname}.
2421 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2422 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2423 results:
2424 Normal file "file"
2425 Directory "dir"
2426 Symbolic link "link"
2427 Block device "bdev"
2428 Character device "cdev"
2429 Socket "socket"
2430 FIFO "fifo"
2431 All other "other"
2432 Example: >
2433 getftype("/home")
2434< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2435 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2436 "file" are returned.
2437
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002438 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002439getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2440 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2441 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002442 getline(1)
2443< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2444 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2445 To get the line under the cursor: >
2446 getline(".")
2447< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2448 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2449
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002450 When {end} is given the result is a List where each item is a
2451 line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
2452 including line {end}.
2453 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2454 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
2455 When {end} is before {lnum} an error is given.
2456 Example: >
2457 :let start = line('.')
2458 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2459 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2460
2461
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002462getreg([{regname}]) *getreg()*
2463 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
2464 {regname}. Example: >
2465 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2466< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
2467 register. (For use in maps).
2468 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2469
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002470
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002471getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2472 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2473 The value will be one of:
2474 "v" for |characterwise| text
2475 "V" for |linewise| text
2476 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2477 0 for an empty or unknown register
2478 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2479 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2480
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002481
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002482 *getwinposx()*
2483getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2484 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2485 -1 if the information is not available.
2486
2487 *getwinposy()*
2488getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2489 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2490 information is not available.
2491
2492getwinvar({nr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2493 The result is the value of option or local window variable
2494 {varname} in window {nr}.
2495 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
2496 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
2497 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2498 Examples: >
2499 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2500 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2501<
2502 *glob()*
2503glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2504 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2505 characters.
2506 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2507 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2508
2509 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2510 any external command. Example: >
2511 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2512 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2513< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2514 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2515
2516 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2517 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2518
2519globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2520 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2521 the results. Example: >
2522 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2523< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2524 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2525 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2526 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2527 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2528 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2529 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2530 error message.
2531 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2532 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2533
2534 *has()*
2535has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2536 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2537 string. See |feature-list| below.
2538 Also see |exists()|.
2539
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002540
2541has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
2542 The result is a Number, which is 1 if Dictionary {dict} has an
2543 entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
2544
2545
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002546hasmapto({what} [, {mode}]) *hasmapto()*
2547 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2548 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2549 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2550 {mode}.
2551 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2552 buffer are checked for a match.
2553 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2554 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2555 n Normal mode
2556 v Visual mode
2557 o Operator-pending mode
2558 i Insert mode
2559 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2560 c Command-line mode
2561 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2562
2563 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2564 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2565 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2566 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2567 :endif
2568< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
2569 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
2570
2571histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
2572 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
2573 one of: *hist-names*
2574 "cmd" or ":" command line history
2575 "search" or "/" search pattern history
2576 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
2577 "input" or "@" input line history
2578 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
2579 shifted to become the newest entry.
2580 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
2581 otherwise 0 is returned.
2582
2583 Example: >
2584 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
2585 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
2586< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2587
2588histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
2589 Clear {history}, ie. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
2590 for the possible values of {history}.
2591
2592 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
2593 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
2594 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
2595 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
2596 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
2597 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
2598 if it exists.
2599
2600 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
2601 otherwise 0 is returned.
2602
2603 Examples:
2604 Clear expression register history: >
2605 :call histdel("expr")
2606<
2607 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
2608 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
2609<
2610 The following three are equivalent: >
2611 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
2612 :call histdel("search", -1)
2613 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
2614<
2615 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
2616 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
2617 :call histdel("search", -1)
2618 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
2619
2620histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
2621 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
2622 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
2623 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
2624 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
2625 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
2626
2627 Examples:
2628 Redo the second last search from history. >
2629 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
2630
2631< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
2632 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
2633 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
2634<
2635histnr({history}) *histnr()*
2636 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
2637 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
2638 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
2639
2640 Example: >
2641 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
2642<
2643hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
2644 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
2645 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
2646 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
2647 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
2648 item.
2649 *highlight_exists()*
2650 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
2651
2652 *hlID()*
2653hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
2654 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
2655 zero is returned.
2656 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
2657 group. For example, to get the background color of the
2658 "Comment" group: >
2659 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
2660< *highlightID()*
2661 Obsolete name: highlightID().
2662
2663hostname() *hostname()*
2664 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
2665 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
2666 256 characters long are truncated.
2667
2668iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
2669 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
2670 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
2671 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
2672 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
2673 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
2674 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
2675 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
2676 can be done.
2677 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
2678 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
2679 UTF-8 and use: >
2680 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
2681< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
2682 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
2683 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
2684 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
2685
2686 *indent()*
2687indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
2688 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
2689 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
2690 |getline()|.
2691 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
2692
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002693
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002694index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002695 Return the lowest index in List {list} where the item has a
2696 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002697 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
2698 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002699 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
2700 case must match.
2701 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
2702 Example: >
2703 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00002704 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002705
2706
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002707input({prompt} [, {text}]) *input()*
2708 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
2709 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
2710 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
2711 prompt to start a new line. The highlighting set with
2712 |:echohl| is used for the prompt. The input is entered just
2713 like a command-line, with the same editing commands and
2714 mappings. There is a separate history for lines typed for
2715 input().
2716 If the optional {text} is present, this is used for the
2717 default reply, as if the user typed this.
2718 NOTE: This must not be used in a startup file, for the
2719 versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
2720 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
2721 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
2722 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
2723 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
2724 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
2725 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
2726 |:execute| or |:normal|.
2727
2728 Example: >
2729 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
2730 : echo "Cheers!"
2731 :endif
2732< Example with default text: >
2733 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
2734< Example with a mapping: >
2735 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
2736 :function GetFoo()
2737 : call inputsave()
2738 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
2739 : call inputrestore()
2740 :endfunction
2741
2742inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
2743 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
2744 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
2745 Example: >
2746 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
2747 :if n != ""
2748 : let &sw = n
2749 :endif
2750< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
2751 omitted an empty string is returned.
2752 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
2753 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
2754
2755inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
2756 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
2757 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
2758 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
2759 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
2760
2761inputsave() *inputsave()*
2762 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
2763 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
2764 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
2765 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
2766 many inputrestore() calls.
2767 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
2768
2769inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
2770 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
2771 two exceptions:
2772 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
2773 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
2774 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
2775 |history| stack.
2776 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
2777 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
2778
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002779insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
2780 Insert {item} at the start of List {list}.
2781 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
2782 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
2783 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
2784 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
2785 Returns the resulting List. Examples: >
2786 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
2787 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
2788 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002789< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002790 Note that when {item} is a List it is inserted as a single
2791 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
2792
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002793isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
2794 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
2795 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
2796 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
2797 is any expression, which is used as a String.
2798
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00002799islocked({expr}) *islocked()*
2800 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
2801 name of a locked variable.
2802 {expr} must be the name of a variable, List item or Dictionary
2803 entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
2804 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
2805 :lockvar 1 alist
2806 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
2807 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
2808
2809< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
2810 message. Use |exists()| to check for existance.
2811
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002812items({dict}) *items()*
2813 Return a List with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
2814 List item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict} entry
2815 and the value of this entry. The List is in arbitrary order.
2816
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002817
2818join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
2819 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
2820 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
2821 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
2822 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
2823 add it there too: >
2824 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
2825< String items are used as-is. Lists and Dictionaries are
2826 converted into a string like with |string()|.
2827 The opposite function is |split()|.
2828
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002829keys({dict}) *keys()*
2830 Return a List with all the keys of {dict}. The List is in
2831 arbitrary order.
2832
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002833 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002834len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
2835 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
2836 used, as with |strlen()|.
2837 When {expr} is a List the number of items in the List is
2838 returned.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002839 When {expr} is a Dictionary the number of entries in the
2840 Dictionary is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002841 Otherwise an error is given.
2842
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002843 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
2844libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
2845 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
2846 with single argument {argument}.
2847 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
2848 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
2849 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
2850 limited.
2851 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
2852 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
2853 to Vim.
2854 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
2855 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
2856 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
2857 null-terminated string.
2858 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
2859
2860 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
2861 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
2862 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
2863 very probably crash.
2864
2865 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
2866 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
2867 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
2868 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
2869 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
2870 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
2871 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
2872 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
2873 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
2874 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
2875
2876 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
2877 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
2878 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
2879 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
2880 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
2881 the DLL is not in the usual places.
2882 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
2883 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
2884 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
2885 feature is present}
2886 Examples: >
2887 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
2888 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
2889<
2890 *libcallnr()*
2891libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
2892 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
2893 int instead of a string.
2894 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
2895 feature is present}
2896 Example (not very useful...): >
2897 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
2898 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
2899<
2900 *line()*
2901line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
2902 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2903 . the cursor position
2904 $ the last line in the current buffer
2905 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2906 returned)
2907 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2908 Examples: >
2909 line(".") line number of the cursor
2910 line("'t") line number of mark t
2911 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
2912< *last-position-jump*
2913 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
2914 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
2915 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002916
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002917line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
2918 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
2919 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
2920 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
2921 line returns 1.
2922 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
2923 below the last line: >
2924 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
2925< This is the file size plus one.
2926 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
2927 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
2928 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
2929
2930lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
2931 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
2932 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
2933 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
2934 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
2935 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
2936 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
2937
2938localtime() *localtime()*
2939 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
2940 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
2941
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002942
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002943map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
2944 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
2945 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
2946 {string}.
2947 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
2948 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
2949 Example: >
2950 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002951< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002952
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002953 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002954 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002955 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
2956 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002957
2958 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
2959 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002960 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002961
2962< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002963
2964
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002965maparg({name}[, {mode}]) *maparg()*
2966 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
2967 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
2968 These characters can be used for {mode}:
2969 "n" Normal
2970 "v" Visual
2971 "o" Operator-pending
2972 "i" Insert
2973 "c" Cmd-line
2974 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
2975 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
2976 When {mode} is omitted, the modes from "" are used.
2977 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
2978 command. The returned String has special characters
2979 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
2980 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
2981 then the global mappings.
2982
2983mapcheck({name}[, {mode}]) *mapcheck()*
2984 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
2985 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
2986 {name}.
2987 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
2988 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
2989
2990 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
2991 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
2992 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
2993 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
2994 mapcheck("b") no no no
2995
2996 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
2997 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
2998 mapping for {name} exactly.
2999 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3000 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3001 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3002 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3003 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3004 then the global mappings.
3005 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3006 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3007 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3008 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3009 :endif
3010< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3011 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3012
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003013match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003014 When {expr} is a List then this returns the index of the first
3015 item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a String,
3016 Lists and Dictionaries are used as echoed.
3017 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3018 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3019 {pat} matches.
3020 A match at the first character or List item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003021 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3022 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003023 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
3024 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 2
3025< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
3026
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003027 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003028 is found in a String the search for the next one starts on
3029 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003030 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003031< In a List the search continues in the next item.
3032
3033 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
3034 {start} in a String or item {start} in a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003035 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003036 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003037 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3038< result is again "4". >
3039 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3040< result is again "4". >
3041 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3042< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003043 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3044 the index is counted from the end.
3045 If {start} is out of range (> strlen({expr} for a String or
3046 > len({expr} for a List) -1 is returned.
3047
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003048 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3049 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3050 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3051 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3052
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003053matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003054 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3055 the match. Example: >
3056 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3057< results in "7".
3058 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3059 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3060< results in "7". >
3061 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3062< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003063 When {expr} is a List the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003064
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003065matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
3066 Same as match(), but return a List. The first item in the
3067 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3068 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
3069 in |:substitute|.
3070 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3071
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003072matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003073 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3074 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3075< results in "ing".
3076 When there is no match "" is returned.
3077 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3078 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3079< results in "ing". >
3080 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3081< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003082 When {expr} is a List then the matching item is returned.
3083 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003084
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003085 *max()*
3086max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3087 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3088 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3089 An empty List results in zero.
3090
3091 *min()*
3092min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3093 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3094 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3095 An empty List results in zero.
3096
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003097 *mode()*
3098mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3099 n Normal
3100 v Visual by character
3101 V Visual by line
3102 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3103 s Select by character
3104 S Select by line
3105 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3106 i Insert
3107 R Replace
3108 c Command-line
3109 r Hit-enter prompt
3110 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3111 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3112
3113nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3114 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3115 that is not blank. Example: >
3116 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3117< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3118 below it, zero is returned.
3119 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3120
3121nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3122 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3123 value {expr}. Examples: >
3124 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3125 nr2char(32) returns " "
3126< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3127 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3128< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3129 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3130 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003131 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003132
3133prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3134 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3135 that is not blank. Example: >
3136 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3137< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3138 above it, zero is returned.
3139 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3140
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003141 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003142range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
3143 Returns a List with Numbers:
3144 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3145 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3146 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3147 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3148 producing a value past {max}).
3149 Examples: >
3150 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
3151 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3152 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
3153 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
3154<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003155 *readfile()*
3156readfile({fname} [, {binary}])
3157 Read file {fname} and return a List, each line of the file as
3158 an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
3159 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3160 NL appears somewhere).
3161 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3162 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3163 added.
3164 - No CR characters are removed.
3165 Otherwise:
3166 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3167 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3168 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
3169 Note that the whole file is read into memory and there is no
3170 recognition of encoding. Read a file into a buffer if you
3171 need to.
3172 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3173 the result is an empty list.
3174 Also see |writefile()|.
3175
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003176 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3177remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3178 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3179 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
3180 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3181 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3182 remote_read() is stored there.
3183 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3184 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3185 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3186 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3187 and the result will be the empty string.
3188 Examples: >
3189 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3190 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3191<
3192
3193remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3194 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3195 This works like: >
3196 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3197< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3198 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3199 to bring itself to the foreground.
3200 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3201 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3202 Win32 console version}
3203
3204
3205remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3206 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3207 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3208 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3209 name of a variable.
3210 Returns zero if none are available.
3211 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3212 See also |clientserver|.
3213 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3214 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3215 Examples: >
3216 :let repl = ""
3217 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3218
3219remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3220 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3221 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3222 See also |clientserver|.
3223 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3224 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3225 Example: >
3226 :echo remote_read(id)
3227<
3228 *remote_send()* *E241*
3229remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003230 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3231 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3232 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003233 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3234 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3235 remote_read() is stored there.
3236 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3237 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3238 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3239 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3240 up the display.
3241 Examples: >
3242 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3243 \ remote_read(serverid)
3244
3245 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3246 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3247 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3248 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003249<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003250remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
3251 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from List {list} and
3252 return it.
3253 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3254 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3255 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3256 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3257 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003258 Example: >
3259 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003260 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003261remove({dict}, {key})
3262 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3263 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3264< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3265
3266 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003267
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003268rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3269 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3270 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3271 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3272 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
3273 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3274
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003275repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
3276 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
3277 result. Example: >
3278 :let seperator = repeat('-', 80)
3279< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003280 When {expr} is a List the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003281 {count} times. Example: >
3282 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
3283< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003284
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003285
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003286resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
3287 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
3288 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
3289 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
3290 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
3291 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
3292 stopped after 100 iterations.
3293 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
3294 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
3295 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
3296 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
3297 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
3298
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003299 *reverse()*
3300reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
3301 {list}.
3302 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3303 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
3304
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003305search({pattern} [, {flags}]) *search()*
3306 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003307 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003308 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
3309 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003310 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003311 'w' wrap around the end of the file
3312 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
3313 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
3314
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003315 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
3316 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
3317 flag is used).
3318 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
3319 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003320
3321 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
3322 :let n = 1
3323 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
3324 : exe "argument " . n
3325 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
3326 : " first search to find match at start of file
3327 : normal G$
3328 : let flags = "w"
3329 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
3330 : s/foo/bar/g
3331 : let flags = "W"
3332 : endwhile
3333 : update " write the file if modified
3334 : let n = n + 1
3335 :endwhile
3336<
3337 *searchpair()*
3338searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
3339 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
3340 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
3341 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
3342 The search starts at the cursor. If a match is found, the
3343 cursor is positioned at it and the line number is returned.
3344 If no match is found 0 or -1 is returned and the cursor
3345 doesn't move. No error message is given.
3346
3347 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
3348 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
3349 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
3350 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
3351 typical use is: >
3352 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
3353< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
3354
3355 {flags} are used like with |search()|. Additionally:
3356 'n' do Not move the cursor
3357 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
3358 outer pair
3359 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
3360 the match; will only be > 1 when 'r' is used.
3361
3362 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
3363 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
3364 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
3365 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
3366 or a string.
3367 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
3368 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
3369 and -1 returned.
3370
3371 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
3372 patterns are used like it's on.
3373
3374 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
3375 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
3376 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
3377 if 1
3378 if 2
3379 endif 2
3380 endif 1
3381< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
3382 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
3383 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
3384 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
3385 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
3386 "endif 2".
3387 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
3388 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
3389 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
3390 the matching start.
3391
3392 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
3393
3394 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
3395 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
3396
3397< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
3398 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
3399 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
3400 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
3401 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
3402 match.
3403 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
3404
3405 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
3406
3407< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
3408 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
3409 highlighting recognized as strings: >
3410
3411 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
3412 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
3413<
3414server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
3415 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
3416 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
3417 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3418 Note:
3419 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
3420 received. Ie. before returning from the received command and
3421 before calling any commands that waits for input.
3422 See also |clientserver|.
3423 Example: >
3424 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
3425<
3426serverlist() *serverlist()*
3427 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
3428 When there are no servers or the information is not available
3429 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
3430 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3431 Example: >
3432 :echo serverlist()
3433<
3434setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
3435 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
3436 {val}.
3437 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
3438 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
3439 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
3440 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3441 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
3442 Examples: >
3443 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
3444 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
3445< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3446
3447setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
3448 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
3449 {pos}. The first position is 1.
3450 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
3451 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003452 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
3453 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
3454 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
3455 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
3456 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003457 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
3458 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
3459 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
3460 line.
3461
3462setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
3463 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}. If this
3464 succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely because
3465 {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
3466 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
3467< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
3468
3469 *setreg()*
3470setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
3471 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
3472 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
3473 then the value is appended.
3474 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
3475 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
3476 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
3477 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
3478 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
3479 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
3480 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
3481 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
3482
3483 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
3484 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
3485 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
3486 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
3487
3488 Examples: >
3489 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
3490 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
3491 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
3492
3493< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
3494 register. >
3495 :let var_a = getreg('a')
3496 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
3497 ....
3498 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
3499
3500< You can also change the type of a register by appending
3501 nothing: >
3502 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
3503
3504setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
3505 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
3506 {val}.
3507 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
3508 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
3509 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
3510 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
3511 Examples: >
3512 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
3513 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
3514< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3515
3516simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
3517 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
3518 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
3519 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
3520 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
3521 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
3522 not removed either.
3523 Example: >
3524 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
3525< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
3526 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
3527 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
3528 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
3529 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
3530
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003531
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003532sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003533 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
3534 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3535 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
3536< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003537 Numbers sort after Strings, Lists after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003538 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
3539 When {func} is a Funcref or a function name, this function is
3540 called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
3541 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
3542 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
3543 sorts before the second one. Example: >
3544 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
3545 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
3546 endfunc
3547 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
3548
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003549split({expr} [, {pattern}]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003550 Make a List out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted each
3551 white-separated sequence of characters becomes an item.
3552 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
3553 removing the matched characters. Empty strings are omitted.
3554 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003555 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003556< Since empty strings are not added the "\+" isn't required but
3557 it makes the function work a bit faster.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003558 The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003559
3560
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003561strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
3562 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
3563 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
3564 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
3565 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
3566 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
3567 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
3568 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
3569 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
3570 Examples: >
3571 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
3572 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
3573 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
3574 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
3575 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
3576 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003577< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3578 :if exists("*strftime")
3579
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003580stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
3581 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
3582 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003583 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
3584 This can be used to find a second match: >
3585 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
3586 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
3587< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003588 For pattern searches use |match()|.
3589 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003590 See also |strridx()|.
3591 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003592 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
3593 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
3594 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
3595<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003596 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003597string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
3598 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
3599 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003600 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003601 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003602 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003603 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003604 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003605 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003606
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003607 *strlen()*
3608strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
3609 {expr} in bytes. If you want to count the number of
3610 multi-byte characters use something like this: >
3611
3612 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
3613
3614< Composing characters are not counted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003615 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
3616 For other types an error is given.
3617 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003618
3619strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
3620 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
3621 byte {start}, with the length {len}.
3622 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
3623 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
3624 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
3625 end of the {src}. >
3626 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
3627 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
3628 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
3629 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
3630< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
3631 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
3632 strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3)
3633<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003634strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
3635 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
3636 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
3637 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
3638 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
3639 match: >
3640 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
3641 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
3642< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003643 For pattern searches use |match()|.
3644 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003645 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003646 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
3647 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
3648<
3649strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
3650 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
3651 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
3652 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
3653 echo strtrans(@a)
3654< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
3655 starting a new line.
3656
3657submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
3658 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
3659 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
3660 the whole matched text is returned.
3661 Example: >
3662 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
3663< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
3664 A line break is included as a newline character.
3665
3666substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
3667 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
3668 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
3669 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
3670 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
3671 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
3672 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
3673 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
3674 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
3675 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
3676 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
3677 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
3678 unmodified.
3679 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
3680 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
3681 Example: >
3682 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
3683< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
3684 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
3685< results in "TESTING".
3686
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003687synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003688 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003689 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003690 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
3691 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00003692 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003693 line.
3694 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
3695 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
3696 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
3697 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
3698 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
3699 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
3700 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
3701
3702 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
3703 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
3704<
3705synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
3706 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
3707 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
3708 about a syntax item.
3709 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
3710 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
3711 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
3712 used (GUI, cterm or term).
3713 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
3714 {what} result
3715 "name" the name of the syntax item
3716 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
3717 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
3718 term: empty string)
3719 "bg" background color (like "fg")
3720 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
3721 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
3722 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
3723 "bold" "1" if bold
3724 "italic" "1" if italic
3725 "reverse" "1" if reverse
3726 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
3727 "underline" "1" if underlined
3728
3729 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
3730 cursor): >
3731 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
3732<
3733synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
3734 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
3735 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
3736 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
3737 ":highlight link" are followed.
3738
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00003739system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
3740 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
3741 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
3742 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
3743 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
3744 yourself.
3745 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
3746 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
3747 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003748 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
3749 The result is a String. Example: >
3750
3751 :let files = system("ls")
3752
3753< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
3754 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
3755 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
3756 The command executed is constructed using several options:
3757 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
3758 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
3759 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
3760 concatenated commands.
3761
3762 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
3763 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3764 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
3765 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
3766
3767tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
3768 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
3769 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
3770 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
3771 :let tmpfile = tempname()
3772 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
3773< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
3774 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
3775 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
3776 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
3777 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
3778 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
3779
3780tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
3781 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
3782 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
3783 the string).
3784
3785toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
3786 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
3787 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
3788 the string).
3789
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00003790tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
3791 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
3792 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
3793 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
3794 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
3795 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
3796 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
3797
3798 Examples: >
3799 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
3800< returns "Hello THere" >
3801 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
3802< returns "{blob}"
3803
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003804 *type()*
3805type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003806 Number: 0
3807 String: 1
3808 Funcref: 2
3809 List: 3
3810 Dictionary: 4
3811 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003812 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
3813 :if type(myvar) == type("")
3814 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
3815 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003816 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003817
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003818values({dict}) *values()*
3819 Return a List with all the values of {dict}. The List is in
3820 arbitrary order.
3821
3822
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003823virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
3824 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
3825 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
3826 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
3827 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
3828 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
3829 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
3830 set to 8, it returns 8.
3831 For the byte position use |col()|.
3832 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
3833 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
3834 The accepted positions are:
3835 . the cursor position
3836 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
3837 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
3838 plus one)
3839 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3840 returned)
3841 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
3842 Examples: >
3843 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
3844 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
3845 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
3846< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
3847
3848visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
3849 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
3850 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
3851 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
3852 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
3853 block-wise Visual mode respectively.
3854 Example: >
3855 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
3856< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
3857 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
3858 Visual mode that was used.
3859
3860 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
3861 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
3862 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
3863 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
3864
3865 *winbufnr()*
3866winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
3867 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
3868 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
3869 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
3870 Example: >
3871 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
3872<
3873 *wincol()*
3874wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
3875 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
3876 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
3877
3878winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
3879 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
3880 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
3881 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
3882 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
3883 Examples: >
3884 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
3885<
3886 *winline()*
3887winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
3888 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
3889 the window. The first line is one.
3890
3891 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003892winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
3893 window. The top window has number 1.
3894 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
3895 last window is returnd (the window count).
3896 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
3897 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
3898 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
3899 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
3900 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003901
3902 *winrestcmd()*
3903winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
3904 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
3905 are opened or closed and the current window is unchanged.
3906 Example: >
3907 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
3908 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
3909 :exe cmd
3910
3911winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
3912 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
3913 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
3914 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
3915 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
3916 Examples: >
3917 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
3918 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
3919 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
3920 :endif
3921<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003922 *writefile()*
3923writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
3924 Write List {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
3925 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
3926 Number.
3927 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
3928 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
3929 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
3930 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
3931 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
3932 to writefile().
3933 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
3934 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
3935 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
3936 fails.
3937 Also see |readfile()|.
3938 To copy a file byte for byte: >
3939 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
3940 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
3941<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003942
3943 *feature-list*
3944There are three types of features:
39451. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
3946 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
3947 :if has("cindent")
39482. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
3949 Example: >
3950 :if has("gui_running")
3951< *has-patch*
39523. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
3953 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
3954 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
3955 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
3956
3957all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
3958amiga Amiga version of Vim.
3959arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
3960arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
3961autocmd Compiled with autocommands support.
3962balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
3963beos BeOS version of Vim.
3964browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
3965 work.
3966builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
3967byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
3968cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
3969clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
3970clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
3971cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
3972cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
3973cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
3974comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
3975cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
3976cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
3977compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
3978debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
3979dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
3980dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
3981diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
3982digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
3983dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
3984dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
3985dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
3986ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
3987emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
3988eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
3989 true, of course!
3990ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
3991extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
3992 |'hlsearch'|
3993farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
3994file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
3995find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
3996 |+find_in_path|.
3997fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
3998 Windows this is not present).
3999folding Compiled with |folding| support.
4000footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
4001fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
4002gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
4003gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
4004gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00004005gui_beos Compiled with BeOS GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004006gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
4007gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00004008gui_kde Compiled with KDE GUI |KVim|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004009gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
4010gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
4011gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
4012gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
4013gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
4014gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
4015hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
4016iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
4017insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
4018 Insert mode.
4019jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
4020keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
4021langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
4022libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
4023linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
4024 support.
4025lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
4026listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
4027 and the argument list |arglist|.
4028localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
4029mac Macintosh version of Vim.
4030macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
4031menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
4032mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
4033modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
4034mouse Compiled with support mouse.
4035mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
4036mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
4037mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
4038mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
4039mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
4040mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
4041multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
4042multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
4043multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00004044mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004045netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00004046netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004047ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
4048os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
4049osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
4050path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
4051perl Compiled with Perl interface.
4052postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
4053printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
4054python Compiled with Python interface.
4055qnx QNX version of Vim.
4056quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
4057rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
4058ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
4059scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
4060showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
4061signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
4062smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00004063sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004064statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
4065 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
4066sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
4067syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support.
4068syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
4069 current buffer.
4070system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
4071tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
4072 |tag-binary-search|.
4073tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
4074 |tag-old-static|.
4075tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
4076 files |tag-any-white|.
4077tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
4078terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
4079termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
4080textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
4081tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
4082 or terminfo file.
4083title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
4084toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
4085unix Unix version of Vim.
4086user_commands User-defined commands.
4087viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
4088vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
4089vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
4090virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
4091visual Compiled with Visual mode.
4092visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
4093 |blockwise-operators|.
4094vms VMS version of Vim.
4095vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
4096wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
4097wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
4098windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
4099winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
4100win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
4101win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
4102win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
4103win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
4104win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
4105writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
4106xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
4107xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
4108xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
4109xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
4110xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
4111xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
4112 xterm screen.
4113x11 Compiled with X11 support.
4114
4115 *string-match*
4116Matching a pattern in a String
4117
4118A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
4119the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
4120everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
4121like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
4122line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
4123with ".". Example: >
4124 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
4125 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
4126 aa
4127 xx
4128 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
4129 a
4130 x
4131
4132Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
4133"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
4134"\n".
4135
4136==============================================================================
41375. Defining functions *user-functions*
4138
4139New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
4140functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
4141commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
4142
4143The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
4144builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
4145avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
4146the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
4147
4148It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|.
4149
4150 *local-function*
4151A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
4152can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
4153and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
4154function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
4155instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
4156
4157 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
4158:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
4159
4160:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004161 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4162 Funcref: >
4163 :function dict.init
4164< *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004165:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004166 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
4167 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
4168 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004169
4170 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4171 Funcref: >
4172 :function dict.init(arg)
4173< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
4174 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
4175 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
4176 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
4177 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
4178 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004179 *E127* *E122*
4180 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
4181 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
4182 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
4183 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004184
4185 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
4186
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004187 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
4188 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
4189 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
4190 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
4191 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
4192 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
4193 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004194
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004195 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
4196 abort as soon as an error is detected.
4197 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
4198 will not be changed by the function.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004199
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004200 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
4201 be invoked through an entry in a Dictionary. The
4202 local variable "self" will then be set to the
4203 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004204
4205 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
4206:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
4207 by its own, without other commands.
4208
4209 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
4210:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004211 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4212 Funcref: >
4213 :delfunc dict.init
4214< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
4215 function is deleted if there are no more references to
4216 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004217 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
4218:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
4219 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
4220 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
4221 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
4222 the number 0 is returned.
4223 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
4224 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
4225
4226 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
4227 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
4228 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
4229 are executed first. This process applies to all
4230 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
4231 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
4232
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004233 *function-argument* *a:var*
4234An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
4235be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
4236 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
4237Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
4238arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
4239may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
4240as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004241can be 0). "a:000" is set to a List that contains these arguments. Note that
4242"a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
4243 *E742*
4244The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
4245However, if a List or Dictionary is used, you can changes their contents.
4246Thus you can pass a List to a function and have the function add an item to
4247it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a List or Dictionary
4248use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004249
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004250When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
4251to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
4252may be larger.
4253
4254It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
4255still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
4256until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
4257inside a function body.
4258
4259 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004260Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
4261will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
4262accessed with "g:".
4263
4264Example: >
4265 :function Table(title, ...)
4266 : echohl Title
4267 : echo a:title
4268 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004269 : echo a:0 . " items:"
4270 : for s in a:000
4271 : echon ' ' . s
4272 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004273 :endfunction
4274
4275This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004276 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
4277 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004278
4279To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
4280 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
4281 : if a:n2 == 0
4282 : return "fail"
4283 : endif
4284 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
4285 : return "ok"
4286 :endfunction
4287
4288This function can then be called with: >
4289 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
4290 :if success == "ok"
4291 : echo div
4292 :endif
4293
4294An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
4295with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
4296 :function Foo()
4297 : execute Bar()
4298 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
4299 :endfunction
4300
4301 :function Bar()
4302 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
4303 :endfunction
4304
4305The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
4306the caller to set the names.
4307
4308 *:cal* *:call* *E107*
4309:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
4310 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
4311 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
4312 used.
4313 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
4314 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
4315 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
4316 function.
4317 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
4318 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
4319 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
4320 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
4321 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
4322 this works:
4323 *function-range-example* >
4324 :function Mynumber(arg)
4325 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
4326 :endfunction
4327 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
4328<
4329 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
4330 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
4331 the range.
4332
4333 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
4334
4335 :function Cont() range
4336 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
4337 :endfunction
4338 :4,8call Cont()
4339<
4340 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
4341 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
4342
4343 *E132*
4344The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
4345option.
4346
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004347
4348AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004349 *autoload-functions*
4350When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004351only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
4352the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
4353
4354
4355Using an autocommand ~
4356
4357The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
4358You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
4359That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
4360again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
4361
4362Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
4363function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004364
4365 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
4366
4367The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
4368"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
4369
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004370
4371Using an autoload script ~
4372
4373Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
4374exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
4375like this: >
4376
4377 :call filename:funcname()
4378
4379When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
4380"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
4381"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
4382then define the function like this: >
4383
4384 function filename:funcname()
4385 echo "Done!"
4386 endfunction
4387
4388The file name and the name used before the colon in the function must match
4389exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
4390called.
4391
4392It is possible to use subdirectories. Every colon in the function name works
4393like a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
4394
4395 :call foo:bar:func()
4396
4397Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
4398
4399The name before the first colon must be at least two characters long,
4400otherwise it looks like a scope, such as "s:".
4401
4402Note that the script will be sourced again and again if a function is called
4403that looks like it is defined in the autoload script but it isn't.
4404
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004405==============================================================================
44066. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
4407
4408Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
4409This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
4410{} like this: >
4411 my_{adjective}_variable
4412
4413When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
4414that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
4415name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
4416"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
4417"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
4418
4419One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
4420value. For example, the statement >
4421 echo my_{&background}_message
4422
4423would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
4424on the current value of 'background'.
4425
4426You can use multiple brace pairs: >
4427 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
4428..or even nest them: >
4429 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
4430where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
4431
4432However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
4433variable name. e.g. this is invalid: >
4434 :let foo='a + b'
4435 :echo c{foo}d
4436.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
4437
4438 *curly-braces-function-names*
4439You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
4440Example: >
4441 :let func_end='whizz'
4442 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
4443
4444This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
4445
4446==============================================================================
44477. Commands *expression-commands*
4448
4449:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
4450 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
4451 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
4452 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
4453 is created.
4454
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004455:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
4456 Set a list item to the result of the expression
4457 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
4458 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
4459 the index can be repeated.
4460 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
4461
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004462 *E711* *E719*
4463:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004464 Set a sequence of items in a List to the result of the
4465 expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
4466 correct number of items.
4467 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
4468 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
4469 When the selected range of items is partly past the
4470 end of the list, items will be added.
4471
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004472 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004473:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
4474:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
4475:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
4476 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
4477 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
4478
4479
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004480:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
4481 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
4482 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004483:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
4484 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
4485 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
4486 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004487
4488:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
4489 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
4490 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
4491 must be the name of a writable register (see
4492 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
4493 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
4494 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
4495 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
4496 characterwise.
4497 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
4498 :let @/ = ""
4499< This is different from searching for an empty string,
4500 that would match everywhere.
4501
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004502:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
4503 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
4504 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
4505
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004506:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
4507 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004508 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
4509 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004510 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
4511 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
4512 value and the global value is changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004513 Example: >
4514 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004515
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004516:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
4517 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
4518 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
4519
4520:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
4521:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
4522 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
4523 {expr1}.
4524
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004525:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004526:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
4527:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
4528:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004529 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
4530 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
4531
4532:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004533:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
4534:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
4535:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004536 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
4537 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
4538
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004539:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004540 {expr1} must evaluate to a List. The first item in
4541 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
4542 {name2}, etc.
4543 The number of names must match the number of items in
4544 the List.
4545 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
4546 command as mentioned above.
4547 Example: >
4548 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004549< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
4550 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
4551 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
4552 :let x = [0, 1]
4553 :let i = 0
4554 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
4555 :echo x
4556< The result is [0, 2].
4557
4558:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
4559:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
4560:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
4561 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
4562 List item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004563
4564:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004565 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the List may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004566 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
4567 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
4568 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004569 Example: >
4570 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
4571<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004572:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
4573:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
4574:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
4575 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
4576 List item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004577 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004578:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00004579 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
4580 here: *E738*
4581 g: global variables.
4582 b: local buffer variables.
4583 w: local window variables.
4584 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004585
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004586:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
4587 variable is indicated before the value:
4588 <nothing> String
4589 # Number
4590 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004591
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004592
4593:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
4594 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
4595 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
4596 may also be a List or Dictionary item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004597 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
4598 variables.
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00004599 One or more items from a List can be removed: >
4600 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
4601 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
4602< One item from a Dictionary can be removed at a time: >
4603 :unlet dict['two']
4604 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004605
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004606:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
4607 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
4608 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
4609 A locked variable can be deleted: >
4610 :lockvar v
4611 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
4612 :unlet v
4613< *E741*
4614 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
4615 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
4616
4617 [depth] is relevant when locking a List or Dictionary.
4618 It specifies how deep the locking goes:
4619 1 Lock the List or Dictionary itself,
4620 cannot add or remove items, but can
4621 still change their values.
4622 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
4623 the items. If an item is a List or
4624 Dictionary, cannot add or remove
4625 items, but can still change the
4626 values.
4627 3 Like 2 but for the List/Dictionary in
4628 the List/Dictionary, one level deeper.
4629 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a List
4630 or Dictionary the values cannot be changed.
4631 *E743*
4632 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
4633 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
4634 loops.
4635
4636 Note that when two variables refer to the same List
4637 and you lock one of them, the List will also be locked
4638 when used through the other variable. Example: >
4639 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
4640 :let cl = l
4641 :lockvar l
4642 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
4643< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
4644 See |deepcopy()|.
4645
4646
4647:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
4648 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
4649 opposite of |:lockvar|.
4650
4651
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004652:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
4653:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
4654 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
4655
4656 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
4657 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
4658 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
4659 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
4660 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
4661 part was not executed either.
4662
4663 You can use this to remain compatible with older
4664 versions: >
4665 :if version >= 500
4666 : version-5-specific-commands
4667 :endif
4668< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
4669 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
4670 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
4671 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
4672 avoid problems: >
4673 :if version >= 600
4674 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
4675 :endif
4676<
4677 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
4678 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
4679
4680 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
4681:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
4682 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
4683 executed.
4684
4685 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
4686:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
4687 is no extra ":endif".
4688
4689:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004690 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004691:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
4692 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
4693 When an error is detected from a command inside the
4694 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004695 Example: >
4696 :let lnum = 1
4697 :while lnum <= line("$")
4698 :call FixLine(lnum)
4699 :let lnum = lnum + 1
4700 :endwhile
4701<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004702 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004703 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004704
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004705:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004706:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
4707 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004708 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004709 value of each item.
4710 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004711 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004712 Changing {list} affects what items are used. Make a
4713 copy if this is unwanted: >
4714 :for item in copy(mylist)
4715< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
4716 next item in the list, before executing the commands
4717 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
4718 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
4719 it will not be found. Thus the following example
4720 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
4721 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004722 :call remove(mylist, 0)
4723 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004724< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
4725 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
4726 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004727 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
4728 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
4729 to allow multiple item types.
4730
4731:for {var} in {string}
4732:endfo[r] Like ":for" above, but use each character in {string}
4733 as a list item.
4734 Composing characters are used as separate characters.
4735 A Number is first converted to a String.
4736
4737:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
4738:endfo[r]
4739 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
4740 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
4741 {var2}, etc. Example: >
4742 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
4743 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
4744 :endfor
4745<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004746 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004747:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
4748 to the start of the loop.
4749 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
4750 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
4751 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
4752 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
4753 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
4754 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004755
4756 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00004757:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
4758 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
4759 ":endfor".
4760 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
4761 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
4762 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
4763 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
4764 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
4765 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004766
4767:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
4768:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
4769 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
4770 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
4771 or autocommand invocations.
4772
4773 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
4774 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
4775 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
4776 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
4777 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
4778 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
4779 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
4780 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
4781 Example: >
4782 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
4783 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
4784<
4785 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
4786 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
4787 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
4788 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
4789 processing is not terminated.
4790
4791 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
4792 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
4793 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
4794 other errors are converted to a value of the form
4795 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
4796 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
4797 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
4798 the error number.
4799 Examples: >
4800 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
4801 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
4802<
4803 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
4804:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
4805 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
4806 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
4807 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
4808 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
4809 commands are skipped.
4810 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
4811 Examples: >
4812 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
4813 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
4814 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
4815 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
4816 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
4817 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
4818 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
4819 :catch " same as /.*/
4820<
4821 Another character can be used instead of / around the
4822 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
4823 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
4824 {pattern}.
4825 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
4826 an error message because it may vary in different
4827 locales.
4828
4829 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
4830:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
4831 are executed whenever the part between the matching
4832 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
4833 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
4834 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
4835 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
4836
4837 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
4838:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
4839 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
4840 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
4841 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
4842 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
4843 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
4844 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
4845 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
4846 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
4847 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
4848 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
4849 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
4850 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
4851 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
4852 is terminated.
4853 Example: >
4854 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
4855<
4856
4857 *:ec* *:echo*
4858:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
4859 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
4860 Also see |:comment|.
4861 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
4862 cursor to the first column.
4863 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
4864 Cannot be followed by a comment.
4865 Example: >
4866 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
4867< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
4868 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
4869 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
4870 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
4871 command. Example: >
4872 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
4873<
4874 *:echon*
4875:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
4876 |:comment|.
4877 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
4878 Cannot be followed by a comment.
4879 Example: >
4880 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
4881<
4882 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
4883 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
4884 command: >
4885 :!echo % --> filename
4886< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
4887 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
4888< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
4889 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
4890 :echo % --> nothing
4891< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
4892 :echo "%" --> %
4893< This just echoes the '%' character. >
4894 :echo expand("%") --> filename
4895< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
4896
4897 *:echoh* *:echohl*
4898:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
4899 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
4900 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
4901 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
4902< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
4903 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
4904
4905 *:echom* *:echomsg*
4906:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
4907 message in the |message-history|.
4908 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
4909 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
4910 displayed, not interpreted.
4911 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
4912 Example: >
4913 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
4914<
4915 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
4916:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
4917 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
4918 script or function the line number will be added.
4919 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
4920 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
4921 the message is raised as an error exception instead
4922 (see |try-echoerr|).
4923 Example: >
4924 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
4925< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
4926 And to get a beep: >
4927 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
4928<
4929 *:exe* *:execute*
4930:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
4931 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
4932 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
4933 used as the processed command, command line editing
4934 keys are not recognized.
4935 Cannot be followed by a comment.
4936 Examples: >
4937 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
4938 :execute "normal " count . "w"
4939<
4940 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
4941 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
4942 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
4943
4944< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
4945 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
4946 command: >
4947 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
4948< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
4949
4950 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004951 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
4952 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004953 :execute 'while i > 5'
4954 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
4955<
4956 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
4957 completely in the executed string: >
4958 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
4959<
4960
4961 *:comment*
4962 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
4963 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
4964 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
4965 comment. Example: >
4966 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
4967
4968==============================================================================
49698. Exception handling *exception-handling*
4970
4971The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
4972explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
4973
4974Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
4975|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
4976exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
4977
4978
4979TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
4980
4981Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
4982use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
4983a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
4984 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
4985|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
4986a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
4987be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
4988which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
4989clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
4990
4991 :try
4992 : ...
4993 : ... TRY BLOCK
4994 : ...
4995 :catch /{pattern}/
4996 : ...
4997 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
4998 : ...
4999 :catch /{pattern}/
5000 : ...
5001 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5002 : ...
5003 :finally
5004 : ...
5005 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
5006 : ...
5007 :endtry
5008
5009The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
5010appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
5011from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
5012 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
5013is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
5014script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
5015 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
5016lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
5017patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
5018after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
5019executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
5020":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
5021(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
5022continues in the following line as usual.
5023 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
5024":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
5025that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
5026finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
5027the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
5028the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
5029see |try-nesting|.
5030 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
5031remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
5032not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
5033try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
5034a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
5035execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
5036exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5037 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
5038thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
5039clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
5040catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
5041following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
5042clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5043
5044The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
5045a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
5046try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
5047from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
5048sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
5049":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
5050":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
5051from the finally clause.
5052 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
5053try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
5054clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
5055":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
5056clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
5057":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
5058this pending exception or command is discarded.
5059
5060For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
5061
5062
5063NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
5064
5065Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
5066conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
5067clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
5068catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
5069of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
5070checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
5071try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
5072otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
5073nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
5074one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
5075the inner try conditional.
5076
5077When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
5078finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
5079An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
5080thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
5081implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
5082as usual.
5083
5084For examples see |throw-catch|.
5085
5086
5087EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
5088
5089Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
5090'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
5091script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
5092finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
5093a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
5094(see |debug-scripts|).
5095
5096
5097THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
5098
5099You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
5100and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
5101 :throw 4711
5102 :throw "string"
5103< *throw-expression*
5104You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
5105first, and the result is thrown: >
5106 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
5107 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
5108
5109An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
5110command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
5111The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
5112 Example: >
5113
5114 :function! Foo(arg)
5115 : try
5116 : throw a:arg
5117 : catch /foo/
5118 : endtry
5119 : return 1
5120 :endfunction
5121 :
5122 :function! Bar()
5123 : echo "in Bar"
5124 : return 4710
5125 :endfunction
5126 :
5127 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
5128
5129This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
5130executed. >
5131 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
5132however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
5133
5134Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
5135abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
5136exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
5137 Example: >
5138
5139 :if Foo("arrgh")
5140 : echo "then"
5141 :else
5142 : echo "else"
5143 :endif
5144
5145Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
5146
5147 *catch-order*
5148Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
5149commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
5150command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
5151gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
5152 Example: >
5153
5154 :function! Foo(value)
5155 : try
5156 : throw a:value
5157 : catch /^\d\+$/
5158 : echo "Number thrown"
5159 : catch /.*/
5160 : echo "String thrown"
5161 : endtry
5162 :endfunction
5163 :
5164 :call Foo(0x1267)
5165 :call Foo('string')
5166
5167The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
5168An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
5169specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
5170specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
5171
5172 : catch /.*/
5173 : echo "String thrown"
5174 : catch /^\d\+$/
5175 : echo "Number thrown"
5176
5177The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
5178never taken.
5179
5180 *throw-variables*
5181If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
5182in the variable |v:exception|: >
5183
5184 : catch /^\d\+$/
5185 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
5186
5187You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
5188|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
5189exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
5190 Example: >
5191
5192 :function! Caught()
5193 : if v:exception != ""
5194 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
5195 : else
5196 : echo 'Nothing caught'
5197 : endif
5198 :endfunction
5199 :
5200 :function! Foo()
5201 : try
5202 : try
5203 : try
5204 : throw 4711
5205 : finally
5206 : call Caught()
5207 : endtry
5208 : catch /.*/
5209 : call Caught()
5210 : throw "oops"
5211 : endtry
5212 : catch /.*/
5213 : call Caught()
5214 : finally
5215 : call Caught()
5216 : endtry
5217 :endfunction
5218 :
5219 :call Foo()
5220
5221This displays >
5222
5223 Nothing caught
5224 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
5225 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
5226 Nothing caught
5227
5228A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
5229number in the script or function where it has been used: >
5230
5231 :function! LineNumber()
5232 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
5233 :endfunction
5234 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
5235<
5236 *try-nested*
5237An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
5238a surrounding try conditional: >
5239
5240 :try
5241 : try
5242 : throw "foo"
5243 : catch /foobar/
5244 : echo "foobar"
5245 : finally
5246 : echo "inner finally"
5247 : endtry
5248 :catch /foo/
5249 : echo "foo"
5250 :endtry
5251
5252The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
5253clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
5254conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
5255
5256 *throw-from-catch*
5257You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
5258catch clause: >
5259
5260 :function! Foo()
5261 : throw "foo"
5262 :endfunction
5263 :
5264 :function! Bar()
5265 : try
5266 : call Foo()
5267 : catch /foo/
5268 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
5269 : throw "bar"
5270 : endtry
5271 :endfunction
5272 :
5273 :try
5274 : call Bar()
5275 :catch /.*/
5276 : echo "Caught" v:exception
5277 :endtry
5278
5279This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
5280
5281 *rethrow*
5282There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
5283"v:exception" instead: >
5284
5285 :function! Bar()
5286 : try
5287 : call Foo()
5288 : catch /.*/
5289 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
5290 : throw v:exception
5291 : endtry
5292 :endfunction
5293< *try-echoerr*
5294Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
5295exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
5296Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
5297denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
5298the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
5299
5300 :try
5301 : try
5302 : asdf
5303 : catch /.*/
5304 : echoerr v:exception
5305 : endtry
5306 :catch /.*/
5307 : echo v:exception
5308 :endtry
5309
5310This code displays
5311
5312 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
5313
5314
5315CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
5316
5317Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
5318user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
5319an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
5320a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
5321catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
5322a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
5323normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
5324(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
5325to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
5326clause has been executed.)
5327Example: >
5328
5329 :try
5330 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
5331 : set ts=17
5332 :
5333 : " Do the hard work here.
5334 :
5335 :finally
5336 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
5337 : unlet s:saved_ts
5338 :endtry
5339
5340This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
5341changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
5342that function or script part.
5343
5344 *break-finally*
5345Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
5346a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
5347 Example: >
5348
5349 :let first = 1
5350 :while 1
5351 : try
5352 : if first
5353 : echo "first"
5354 : let first = 0
5355 : continue
5356 : else
5357 : throw "second"
5358 : endif
5359 : catch /.*/
5360 : echo v:exception
5361 : break
5362 : finally
5363 : echo "cleanup"
5364 : endtry
5365 : echo "still in while"
5366 :endwhile
5367 :echo "end"
5368
5369This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
5370
5371 :function! Foo()
5372 : try
5373 : return 4711
5374 : finally
5375 : echo "cleanup\n"
5376 : endtry
5377 : echo "Foo still active"
5378 :endfunction
5379 :
5380 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
5381
5382This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
5383extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
5384return value.)
5385
5386 *except-from-finally*
5387Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
5388a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
5389cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
5390exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
5391 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
5392working correctly: >
5393
5394 :try
5395 : try
5396 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
5397 : while 1
5398 : endwhile
5399 : finally
5400 : unlet novar
5401 : endtry
5402 :catch /novar/
5403 :endtry
5404 :echo "Script still running"
5405 :sleep 1
5406
5407If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
5408think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
5409|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
5410
5411
5412CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
5413
5414If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
5415watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
5416presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
5417exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
5418the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
5419the error exception is.
5420 Error exceptions have the following format: >
5421
5422 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
5423or >
5424 Vim:{errmsg}
5425
5426{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
5427the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
5428when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
5429a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
5430a space.
5431
5432Examples:
5433
5434The command >
5435 :unlet novar
5436normally produces the error message >
5437 E108: No such variable: "novar"
5438which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5439 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
5440
5441The command >
5442 :dwim
5443normally produces the error message >
5444 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
5445which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5446 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
5447
5448You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
5449 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
5450or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
5451 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
5452
5453Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
5454 :function nofunc
5455and >
5456 :delfunction nofunc
5457both produce the error message >
5458 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5459which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5460 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5461or >
5462 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5463respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
5464command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
5465 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
5466
5467Some commands like >
5468 :let x = novar
5469produce multiple error messages, here: >
5470 E121: Undefined variable: novar
5471 E15: Invalid expression: novar
5472Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
5473one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
5474 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
5475
5476You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
5477 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
5478
5479You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
5480 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
5481
5482You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
5483 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
5484<
5485 *catch-text*
5486NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
5487 :catch /No such variable/
5488only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
5489a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
5490cite the message text in a comment: >
5491 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
5492
5493
5494IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
5495
5496You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
5497
5498 :try
5499 : write
5500 :catch
5501 :endtry
5502
5503But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
5504catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
5505be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
5506
5507 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
5508
5509There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
5510writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
5511then hide the error from the user.
5512 It is much better to use >
5513
5514 :try
5515 : write
5516 :catch /^Vim(write):/
5517 :endtry
5518
5519which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
5520intentionally.
5521
5522For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
5523even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
5524command: >
5525 :silent! nunmap k
5526This works also when a try conditional is active.
5527
5528
5529CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
5530
5531When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
5532the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
5533script is not terminated, then.
5534 Example: >
5535
5536 :function! TASK1()
5537 : sleep 10
5538 :endfunction
5539
5540 :function! TASK2()
5541 : sleep 20
5542 :endfunction
5543
5544 :while 1
5545 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
5546 : try
5547 : if command == ""
5548 : continue
5549 : elseif command == "END"
5550 : break
5551 : elseif command == "TASK1"
5552 : call TASK1()
5553 : elseif command == "TASK2"
5554 : call TASK2()
5555 : else
5556 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
5557 : continue
5558 : endif
5559 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
5560 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
5561 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
5562 : endtry
5563 :endwhile
5564
5565You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
5566a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
5567
5568For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
5569your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
5570command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
5571
5572
5573CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
5574
5575The commands >
5576
5577 :catch /.*/
5578 :catch //
5579 :catch
5580
5581catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
5582explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
5583a script in order to catch unexpected things.
5584 Example: >
5585
5586 :try
5587 :
5588 : " do the hard work here
5589 :
5590 :catch /MyException/
5591 :
5592 : " handle known problem
5593 :
5594 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
5595 : echo "Script interrupted"
5596 :catch /.*/
5597 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
5598 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
5599 :endtry
5600 :" end of script
5601
5602Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
5603strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
5604specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
5605 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
5606by pressing CTRL-C: >
5607
5608 :while 1
5609 : try
5610 : sleep 1
5611 : catch
5612 : endtry
5613 :endwhile
5614
5615
5616EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
5617
5618Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
5619
5620 :autocmd User x try
5621 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
5622 :autocmd User x catch
5623 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
5624 :autocmd User x endtry
5625 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
5626 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
5627 :
5628 :try
5629 : doautocmd User x
5630 :catch
5631 : echo v:exception
5632 :endtry
5633
5634This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
5635
5636 *except-autocmd-Pre*
5637For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
5638command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
5639of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
5640abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
5641 Example: >
5642
5643 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
5644 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
5645 :
5646 :try
5647 : write
5648 :catch
5649 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
5650 :endtry
5651
5652Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
5653you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
5654autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
5655script displays: >
5656
5657 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
5658<
5659 *except-autocmd-Post*
5660For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
5661command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
5662an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
5663is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
5664 Example: >
5665
5666 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
5667 :
5668 :try
5669 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5670 :catch
5671 : echo v:exception
5672 :endtry
5673
5674This just displays: >
5675
5676 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
5677
5678If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
5679fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
5680 Example: >
5681
5682 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
5683 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
5684 :
5685 :try
5686 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5687 :catch
5688 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5689 :endtry
5690<
5691You can also use ":silent!": >
5692
5693 :let x = "ok"
5694 :let v:errmsg = ""
5695 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
5696 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
5697 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
5698 :try
5699 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
5700 :catch
5701 :endtry
5702 :echo x
5703
5704This displays "after fail".
5705
5706If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
5707autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
5708
5709 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
5710 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
5711 :
5712 :try
5713 : write
5714 :catch
5715 : echo v:exception
5716 :endtry
5717<
5718 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
5719For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
5720autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
5721of the command.
5722 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
5723had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
5724some way. >
5725
5726 :if !exists("cnt")
5727 : let cnt = 0
5728 :
5729 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
5730 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
5731 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
5732 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
5733 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
5734 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
5735 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
5736 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
5737 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
5738 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
5739 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
5740 :endif
5741 :
5742 :try
5743 : write
5744 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
5745 : if &modified
5746 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
5747 : else
5748 : echo "Error after writing"
5749 : endif
5750 :catch /^Vim(write):/
5751 : echo "Error on writing"
5752 :endtry
5753
5754When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
5755first >
5756 File successfully written!
5757then >
5758 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
5759then >
5760 Error after writing
5761etc.
5762
5763 *except-autocmd-ill*
5764You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
5765The following code is ill-formed: >
5766
5767 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
5768 :
5769 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
5770 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
5771 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
5772 :
5773 :write
5774
5775
5776EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
5777
5778Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
5779pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
5780similar things in Vim.
5781 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
5782class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
5783string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
5784 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
5785it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
5786for an error when writing "myfile".
5787 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
5788base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
5789parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
5790 Example: >
5791
5792 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
5793 : if a:a < 0
5794 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
5795 : endif
5796 :endfunction
5797 :
5798 :function! Add(a, b)
5799 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
5800 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
5801 : let c = a:a + a:b
5802 : if c < 0
5803 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
5804 : endif
5805 : return c
5806 :endfunction
5807 :
5808 :function! Div(a, b)
5809 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
5810 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
5811 : if (a:b == 0)
5812 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
5813 : endif
5814 : return a:a / a:b
5815 :endfunction
5816 :
5817 :function! Write(file)
5818 : try
5819 : execute "write" a:file
5820 : catch /^Vim(write):/
5821 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
5822 : endtry
5823 :endfunction
5824 :
5825 :try
5826 :
5827 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
5828 :
5829 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
5830 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
5831 : echo "Range error in" function
5832 :
5833 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
5834 : echo "Math error"
5835 :
5836 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
5837 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
5838 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
5839 : if file !~ '^/'
5840 : let file = dir . "/" . file
5841 : endif
5842 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
5843 :
5844 :catch /^EXCEPT/
5845 : echo "Unspecified error"
5846 :
5847 :endtry
5848
5849The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
5850a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
5851exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
5852 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
5853failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
5854
5855
5856PECULIARITIES
5857 *except-compat*
5858The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
5859exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
5860and/or a catch clause.
5861
5862In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
5863continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
5864after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
5865functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
5866or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
5867(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
5868
5869This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
5870immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
5871conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
5872be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
5873termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
5874catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
5875by specifying a finally clause.)
5876
5877When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
5878behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
5879scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
5880
5881However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
5882commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
5883conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
5884script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
5885error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
5886messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
5887|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
5888not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
5889where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
5890error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
5891scripts.
5892
5893 *except-syntax-err*
5894Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
5895the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
5896clauses, however, is executed.
5897 Example: >
5898
5899 :try
5900 : try
5901 : throw 4711
5902 : catch /\(/
5903 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
5904 : catch
5905 : echo "inner catch-all"
5906 : finally
5907 : echo "inner finally"
5908 : endtry
5909 :catch
5910 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
5911 : finally
5912 : echo "outer finally"
5913 :endtry
5914
5915This displays: >
5916 inner finally
5917 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
5918 outer finally
5919The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
5920
5921 *except-single-line*
5922The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
5923a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
5924"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
5925 Example: >
5926 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
5927raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
5928argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
5929error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
5930displayed.
5931
5932 *except-several-errors*
5933When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
5934usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
5935 Example: >
5936 echo novar
5937causes >
5938 E121: Undefined variable: novar
5939 E15: Invalid expression: novar
5940The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
5941 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
5942< *except-syntax-error*
5943But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
5944the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
5945 Example: >
5946 unlet novar #
5947causes >
5948 E108: No such variable: "novar"
5949 E488: Trailing characters
5950The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
5951 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
5952This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
5953not intended by the user. Example: >
5954 try
5955 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
5956 catch /.*/
5957 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
5958 endtry
5959This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
5960a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
5961
5962==============================================================================
59639. Examples *eval-examples*
5964
5965Printing in Hex ~
5966>
5967 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
5968 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
5969 : let n = a:nr
5970 : let r = ""
5971 : while n
5972 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
5973 : let n = n / 16
5974 : endwhile
5975 : return r
5976 :endfunc
5977
5978 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
5979 :" character Hex string.
5980 :func String2Hex(str)
5981 : let out = ''
5982 : let ix = 0
5983 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
5984 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
5985 : let ix = ix + 1
5986 : endwhile
5987 : return out
5988 :endfunc
5989
5990Example of its use: >
5991 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
5992result: "20" >
5993 :echo String2Hex("32")
5994result: "3332"
5995
5996
5997Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
5998
5999Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
6000":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
6001platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
6002function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
6003with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
6004>
6005 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
6006 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
6007 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
6008 : return -1
6009 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
6010 : return 1
6011 : else
6012 : return 0
6013 : endif
6014 :endfunction
6015
6016 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
6017 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
6018 : if (a:start >= a:end)
6019 : return
6020 : endif
6021 : let partition = a:start - 1
6022 : let middle = partition
6023 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
6024 : let i = a:start
6025 : while (i <= a:end)
6026 : let str = getline(i)
6027 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
6028 : if (result <= 0)
6029 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
6030 : let partition = partition + 1
6031 : if (result == 0)
6032 : let middle = partition
6033 : endif
6034 : if (i != partition)
6035 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6036 : call setline(i, str2)
6037 : call setline(partition, str)
6038 : endif
6039 : endif
6040 : let i = i + 1
6041 : endwhile
6042
6043 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
6044 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
6045 : " the end of the partition.
6046 : if (middle != partition)
6047 : let str = getline(middle)
6048 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6049 : call setline(middle, str2)
6050 : call setline(partition, str)
6051 : endif
6052 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
6053 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
6054 :endfunc
6055
6056 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
6057 :" function that will compare two lines.
6058 :func! Sort(cmp) range
6059 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
6060 :endfunc
6061
6062 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
6063 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
6064<
6065 *sscanf*
6066There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
6067line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
6068how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
6069"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
6070 :" Set up the match bit
6071 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
6072 :"get the part matching the whole expression
6073 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
6074 :"get each item out of the match
6075 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
6076 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
6077 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
6078
6079The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
6080"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
6081
6082==============================================================================
608310. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
6084
6085When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
6086evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
6087to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
6088recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
6089and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
6090only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
6091recognized.
6092
6093Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
6094missing: >
6095
6096 :if 1
6097 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
6098 :else
6099 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
6100 :endif
6101
6102==============================================================================
610311. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
6104
6105The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
6106options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
6107these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
6108these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
6109a tags file is executed.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006110The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006111
6112These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
6113 - changing the buffer text
6114 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
6115 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
6116 - executing a shell command
6117 - reading or writing a file
6118 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006119This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
6120
6121 *:san* *:sandbox*
6122:sandbox {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
6123 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
6124 'foldexpr'.
6125
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006126
6127 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: