blob: cfc3769a48040d4892fd007edd7bb27b428c06fd [file] [log] [blame]
Bram Moolenaard827ada2007-06-19 15:19:55 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.1. Last change: 2007 Jun 09
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00003112. Textlock |textlock|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000032
33{Vi does not have any of these commands}
34
35==============================================================================
361. Variables *variables*
37
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000039 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000040There are five types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000042Number A 32 bit signed number.
43 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
44
45String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
46 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
47
48Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
49 Example: function("strlen")
50
51List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
52 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000053
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000054Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
55 value. |Dictionary|
56 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
57
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000058The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
59are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000060
61Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
62the Number. Examples: >
63 Number 123 --> String "123"
64 Number 0 --> String "0"
65 Number -1 --> String "-1"
66
67Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
68to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
69the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
70 String "456" --> Number 456
71 String "6bar" --> Number 6
72 String "foo" --> Number 0
73 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
74 String "0100" --> Number 64
75 String "-8" --> Number -8
76 String "+8" --> Number 0
77
78To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
79 :echo "0100" + 0
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +000080< 64 ~
81
82To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different
83base, use |str2nr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000084
85For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
86
87Note that in the command >
88 :if "foo"
89"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
90use strlen(): >
91 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000092< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
93List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000094
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000095 *E706*
96You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
97to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000098equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000099 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000100 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000101 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000102
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000103
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001041.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000105 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000106A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000107in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
108around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000109
110 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
111 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000112< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000113A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:", "t:" or "b:". You
114cannot have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000115
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000116A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
117Dictionary entry. Example: >
118 :function dict.init() dict
119 : let self.val = 0
120 :endfunction
121
122The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
123function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
124
125A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
126 :call Fn()
127 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000128
129The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000130 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000131
132You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
133arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000134 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000135
136
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001371.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000138 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000139A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
140can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
141position in the sequence.
142
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143
144List creation ~
145 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000146A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000147Examples: >
148 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
149 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000150
151An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000152List of Lists: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000153 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000154
155An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
156
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000157
158List index ~
159 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000160An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000161after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
162 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000163 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000164
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000165When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000166 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000167<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000168A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
169the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000170 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
171
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000172To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000173is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000174 :echo get(mylist, idx)
175 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
176
177
178List concatenation ~
179
180Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
181 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000182 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000183
184To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
185it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
186
187
188Sublist ~
189
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000190A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
191separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000192 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000193
194Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000195similar to -1. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000196 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
197 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
198 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000199
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000200If the first index is beyond the last item of the List or the second item is
201before the first item, the result is an empty list. There is no error
202message.
203
204If the second index is equal to or greater than the length of the list the
205length minus one is used: >
Bram Moolenaar9e54a0e2006-04-14 20:42:25 +0000206 :let mylist = [0, 1, 2, 3]
207 :echo mylist[2:8] " result: [2, 3]
208
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000209NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
210using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
211mylist[s : e].
212
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000213
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000214List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000215 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000216When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
217variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
218change "bb": >
219 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
220 :let bb = aa
221 :call add(aa, 4)
222 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000223< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000224
225Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
226works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000227a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000228 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
229 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000230 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000231 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
232 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000233< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000234 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000235< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000236
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000237To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000238copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000239
240The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000241List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000242the same value. >
243 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
244 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
245 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000246< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000247 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000248< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000249
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000250Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
251same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000252exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
253different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
254variables. Example: >
255 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000256< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000257 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000258< 0
259
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000260Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
261can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a string: >
262
263 :let a = 5
264 :let b = "5"
265 echo a == b
266< 1 >
267 echo [a] == [b]
268< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000269
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000270
271List unpack ~
272
273To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
274square brackets, like list items: >
275 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
276
277When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
278this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
279and a variable name: >
280 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
281
282This works like: >
283 :let var1 = mylist[0]
284 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000285 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000286
287Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
288empty list then.
289
290
291List modification ~
292 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000293To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000294 :let list[4] = "four"
295 :let listlist[0][3] = item
296
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000297To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000298modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000299 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
300
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000301Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
302examples: >
303 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
304 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
305 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000306 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000307 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
308 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000309 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000310 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000311 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000312 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000313
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000314Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000315 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
316 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
317
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000318
319For loop ~
320
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000321The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
322to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000323 :for item in mylist
324 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000325 :endfor
326
327This works like: >
328 :let index = 0
329 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000330 : let item = mylist[index]
331 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000332 : let index = index + 1
333 :endwhile
334
335Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000336results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000337the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000338
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000339If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000340function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000341
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000342Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
343requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
344 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
345 : call Doit(lnum, col)
346 :endfor
347
348This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
349must remain the same to avoid an error.
350
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000351It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000352 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
353 : call Doit(i, j)
354 : if !empty(rest)
355 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
356 : endif
357 :endfor
358
359
360List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000361 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000362Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000363 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000364 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000365 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
366 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
367 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000368 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
369 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000370 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
371 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000372 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
373 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000374 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
375 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000376
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000377Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
378example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
379 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
380
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003821.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000383 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000384A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000385entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
386ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000387
388
389Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000390 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000391A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000392braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
393only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000394 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
395 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000396< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000397A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
398String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000399entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
400Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000401
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000402A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000403nested Dictionary: >
404 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
405
406An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
407
408
409Accessing entries ~
410
411The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
412 :let val = mydict["one"]
413 :let mydict["four"] = 4
414
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000415You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000416
417For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
418form can be used |expr-entry|: >
419 :let val = mydict.one
420 :let mydict.four = 4
421
422Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
423key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000424 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000425
426
427Dictionary to List conversion ~
428
429You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
430turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
431
432Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
433 :for key in keys(mydict)
434 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
435 :endfor
436
437The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
438 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
439
440To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
441 :for v in values(mydict)
442 : echo "value: " . v
443 :endfor
444
445If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000446a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000447 :for [key, value] in items(mydict)
448 : echo key . ': ' . value
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000449 :endfor
450
451
452Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000453 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000454Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
455Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
456Dictionary: >
457 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
458 :let adict = onedict
459 :let adict['a'] = 11
460 :echo onedict['a']
461 11
462
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000463Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
464more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000465
466
467Dictionary modification ~
468 *dict-modification*
469To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
470use |:let| this way: >
471 :let dict[4] = "four"
472 :let dict['one'] = item
473
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000474Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
475Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
476 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
477 :unlet dict.aaa
478 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000479
480Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000481 :call extend(adict, bdict)
482This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
483in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000484Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
485expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
486adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000487
488Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000489 :call filter(dict, 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000490This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000491
492
493Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000494 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000495When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
496special way with a dictionary. Example: >
497 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000498 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000499 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000500 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
501 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000502
503This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
504Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
505the function was invoked from.
506
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000507It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
508Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
509
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000510 *numbered-function* *anonymous-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000511To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
512assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000513 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
514 :function mydict.len() dict
515 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000516 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000517 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000518
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000519The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
520that references this function. The function can only be used through a
521|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
522remaining that refers to it.
523
524It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000525
526
527Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000528 *E715*
529Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000530 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
531 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
532 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
533 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
534 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
535 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
536 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
537 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000538
539
5401.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000541 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000542If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
543function.
544
545When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
546start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
547stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
548
549When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
550start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
551stored in the session file |session-file|.
552
553variable name can be stored where ~
554my_var_6 not
555My_Var_6 session file
556MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
557
558
559It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
560|curly-braces-names|.
561
562==============================================================================
5632. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
564
565Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
566
567|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
568
569|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
570
571|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
572
573|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
574 expr5 != expr5 not equal
575 expr5 > expr5 greater than
576 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
577 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
578 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
579 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
580 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
581
582 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
583 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
584 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
585 matching case
586
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000587 expr5 is expr5 same |List| instance
588 expr5 isnot expr5 different |List| instance
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000589
590|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000591 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
592 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
593
594|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
595 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
596 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
597
598|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
599 - expr7 unary minus
600 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000601
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000602
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000603|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a |List|
604 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a |List|
605 expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary|
606 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with |Funcref| variable
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000607
608|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000609 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000610 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000611 [expr1, ...] |List|
612 {expr1: expr1, ...} |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000613 &option option value
614 (expr1) nested expression
615 variable internal variable
616 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
617 $VAR environment variable
618 @r contents of register 'r'
619 function(expr1, ...) function call
620 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
621
622
623".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
624Example: >
625 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
626
627All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
628
629
630expr1 *expr1* *E109*
631-----
632
633expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
634
635The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
636non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
637otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
638Example: >
639 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
640
641Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
642other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
643Example: >
644 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
645
646To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
647 :echo lnum == 1
648 :\ ? "top"
649 :\ : lnum == 1000
650 :\ ? "last"
651 :\ : lnum
652
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000653You should always put a space before the ':', otherwise it can be mistaken for
654use in a variable such as "a:1".
655
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000656
657expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
658---------------
659
660 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
661The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
662are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
663
664 input output ~
665n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
666zero zero zero zero
667zero non-zero non-zero zero
668non-zero zero non-zero zero
669non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
670
671The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
672
673 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
674
675Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
676
677 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
678
679Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
680arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
681
682 let a = 1
683 echo a || b
684
685This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
686so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
687
688 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
689
690This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
691only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
692
693
694expr4 *expr4*
695-----
696
697expr5 {cmp} expr5
698
699Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
700if it evaluates to true.
701
702 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
703 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
704 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
705 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
706 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
707 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000708 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000709 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
710equal == ==# ==?
711not equal != !=# !=?
712greater than > ># >?
713greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
714smaller than < <# <?
715smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
716regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
717regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000718same instance is
719different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000720
721Examples:
722"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
723"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
724"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
725
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000726 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000727A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
728"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
729Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000730
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000731 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000732A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
733equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000734recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
735
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000736 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000737A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
738equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000739
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000740When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| this checks if the expressions are
741referring to the same |List| instance. A copy of a |List| is different from
742the original |List|. When using "is" without a |List| it is equivalent to
743using "equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000744different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
745is false.
746
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000747When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
748and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
749because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
750
751When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
752results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
753necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
754
755When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000756'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp(): case matters.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000757
758When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000759'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp(): case is ignored.
760
761'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000762
763The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
764argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
765This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
766matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
767portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
768single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
769Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
770(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
771can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
772 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
773 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
774
775
776expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
777---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000778expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000779expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
780expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000781
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +0000782For |Lists| only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000783result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000784
785expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
786expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
787expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000788
789For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
790
791Note the difference between "+" and ".":
792 "123" + "456" = 579
793 "123" . "456" = "123456"
794
795When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
796When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
797
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000798None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000799
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000800
801expr7 *expr7*
802-----
803! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
804- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
805+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
806
807For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
808For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
809For '+' the number is unchanged.
810
811A String will be converted to a Number first.
812
813These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
814 !-1 == 0
815 !!8 == 1
816 --9 == 9
817
818
819expr8 *expr8*
820-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000821expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000822
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000823If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
824expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000825Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000826
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000827Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
828text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
829cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000830 :let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000831
832If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000833String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
834compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
835
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000836If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000837for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
838error. Example: >
839 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
840
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000841Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
842|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
843error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000844
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000845
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000846expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000847
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000848If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
849from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000850expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
851encodings.
852
853If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
854string minus one is used.
855
856A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
857the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
858
859If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
860expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
861
862Examples: >
863 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
864 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
865 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
866 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
867
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000868If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
869the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
870just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000871 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
872 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
873 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
874
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000875Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
876error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000877
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000878
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000879expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000880
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000881If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
882name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
883expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000884
885The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
886but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
887
888There must not be white space before or after the dot.
889
890Examples: >
891 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
892 :echo dict.one
893 :echo dict .2
894
895Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
896always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
897
898
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000899expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000900
901When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
902
903
904
905 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000906number
907------
908number number constant *expr-number*
909
910Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
911
912
913string *expr-string* *E114*
914------
915"string" string constant *expr-quote*
916
917Note that double quotes are used.
918
919A string constant accepts these special characters:
920\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
921\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
922\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
923\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
924\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
925\X.. same as \x..
926\X. same as \x.
927\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
928 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
929\U.... same as \u....
930\b backspace <BS>
931\e escape <Esc>
932\f formfeed <FF>
933\n newline <NL>
934\r return <CR>
935\t tab <Tab>
936\\ backslash
937\" double quote
938\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
939
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000940Note that "\xff" is stored as the byte 255, which may be invalid in some
941encodings. Use "\u00ff" to store character 255 according to the current value
942of 'encoding'.
943
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000944Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
945
946
947literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
948---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000949'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000950
951Note that single quotes are used.
952
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000953This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000954meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000955
956Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
957to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
958 if a =~ "\\s*"
959 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000960
961
962option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
963------
964&option option value, local value if possible
965&g:option global option value
966&l:option local option value
967
968Examples: >
969 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
970 if &insertmode
971
972Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
973and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
974anyway.
975
976
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000977register *expr-register* *@r*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000978--------
979@r contents of register 'r'
980
981The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
982Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +0000983register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
984registers.
985
986When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
987evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000988
989
990nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
991-------
992(expr1) nested expression
993
994
995environment variable *expr-env*
996--------------------
997$VAR environment variable
998
999The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
1000result is an empty string.
1001 *expr-env-expand*
1002Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
1003expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
1004are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
1005the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
1006fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
1007does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
1008 :echo $version
1009 :echo expand("$version")
1010The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
1011variable (if your shell supports it).
1012
1013
1014internal variable *expr-variable*
1015-----------------
1016variable internal variable
1017See below |internal-variables|.
1018
1019
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001020function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001021-------------
1022function(expr1, ...) function call
1023See below |functions|.
1024
1025
1026==============================================================================
10273. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1028 *E461*
1029An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1030cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1031|curly-braces-names|.
1032
1033An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001034An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1035|:unlet|.
1036Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1037been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001038
1039There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1040specified by what is prepended:
1041
1042 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1043|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1044|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001045|tabpage-variable| t: Local to the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001046|global-variable| g: Global.
1047|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1048|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1049|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1050|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1051
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001052The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1053delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001054 :for k in keys(s:)
1055 : unlet s:[k]
1056 :endfor
1057<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001058 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1059A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1060Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1061This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1062|:bdelete|.
1063
1064One local buffer variable is predefined:
1065 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1066b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1067 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1068 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1069 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1070 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1071 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1072 : call My_Update()
1073 :endif
1074<
1075 *window-variable* *w:var*
1076A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1077is deleted when the window is closed.
1078
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001079 *tabpage-variable* *t:var*
1080A variable name that is preceded with "t:" is local to the current tab page,
1081It is deleted when the tab page is closed. {not available when compiled
1082without the +windows feature}
1083
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001084 *global-variable* *g:var*
1085Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1086access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1087place if you like.
1088
1089 *local-variable* *l:var*
1090Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001091But you can also prepend "l:" if you like. However, without prepending "l:"
1092you may run into reserved variable names. For example "count". By itself it
1093refers to "v:count". Using "l:count" you can have a local variable with the
1094same name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001095
1096 *script-variable* *s:var*
1097In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1098accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1099
1100They can be used in:
1101- commands executed while the script is sourced
1102- functions defined in the script
1103- autocommands defined in the script
1104- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1105 defined in the script (recursively)
1106- user defined commands defined in the script
1107Thus not in:
1108- other scripts sourced from this one
1109- mappings
1110- etc.
1111
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001112Script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1113Take this example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001114
1115 let s:counter = 0
1116 function MyCounter()
1117 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1118 echo s:counter
1119 endfunction
1120 command Tick call MyCounter()
1121
1122You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1123that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1124"Tick" was defined is used.
1125
1126Another example that does the same: >
1127
1128 let s:counter = 0
1129 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1130
1131When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001132script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001133defined.
1134
1135The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1136function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1137
1138 let s:counter = 0
1139 function StartCounting(incr)
1140 if a:incr
1141 function MyCounter()
1142 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1143 endfunction
1144 else
1145 function MyCounter()
1146 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1147 endfunction
1148 endif
1149 endfunction
1150
1151This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1152when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1153called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1154
1155When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1156They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1157maintain a counter: >
1158
1159 if !exists("s:counter")
1160 let s:counter = 1
1161 echo "script executed for the first time"
1162 else
1163 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1164 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1165 endif
1166
1167Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1168variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1169
1170
1171Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1172
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001173 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1174v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1175 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1176 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1177
1178 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1179v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1180 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1181
1182 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1183v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1184 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1185
1186 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001187v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1188 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1189 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1190 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001191 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1192 highlighted text is used.
1193 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1194
1195 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1196v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1197 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1198
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001199 *v:char* *char-variable*
1200v:char Argument for evaluating 'formatexpr'.
1201
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001202 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1203v:charconvert_from
1204 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1205 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1206
1207 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1208v:charconvert_to
1209 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1210 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1211
1212 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1213v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1214 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1215 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1216 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1217 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1218 possible to append this variable directly after the
1219 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1220 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1221 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1222 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1223 in 'printexpr'.
1224
1225 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1226v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1227 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1228 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1229 can be used.
1230
1231 *v:count* *count-variable*
1232v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1233 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1234 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1235< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1236 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001237 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001238 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1239
1240 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1241v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1242 used.
1243
1244 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1245v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1246 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1247 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1248 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1249 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1250 command.
1251 See |multi-lang|.
1252
1253 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1254v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1255 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1256 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1257 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1258 Example: >
1259 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1260<
1261 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1262v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1263 Example: >
1264 :let v:errmsg = ""
1265 :silent! next
1266 :if v:errmsg != ""
1267 : ... handle error
1268< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1269
1270 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1271v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1272 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1273 Example: >
1274 :try
1275 : throw "oops"
1276 :catch /.*/
1277 : echo "caught" v:exception
1278 :endtry
1279< Output: "caught oops".
1280
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001281 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1282v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1283 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1284 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1285 deleted file no longer exists
1286 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1287 changed and buffer is modified
1288 changed file contents has changed
1289 mode mode of file changed
1290 time only file timestamp changed
1291
1292 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1293v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1294 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1295 do with the affected buffer:
1296 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1297 the file was deleted).
1298 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1299 was no autocommand. Except that when
1300 only the timestamp changed nothing
1301 will happen.
1302 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1303 everything that needs to be done.
1304 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1305 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1306
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001307 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001308v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001309 option used for ~
1310 'charconvert' file to be converted
1311 'diffexpr' original file
1312 'patchexpr' original file
1313 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001314 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001315
1316 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1317v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1318 evaluating:
1319 option used for ~
1320 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1321 'diffexpr' output of diff
1322 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1323 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1324 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1325 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1326 file and different from v:fname_in.
1327
1328 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1329v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1330 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1331
1332 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1333v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1334 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1335
1336 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1337v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1338 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001339 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001340
1341 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1342v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001343 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001344
1345 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1346v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001347 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001348
1349 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1350v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001351 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001352
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001353 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1354v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1355 events. Values:
1356 i Insert mode
1357 r Replace mode
1358 v Virtual Replace mode
1359
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001360 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001361v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001362 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1363 Read-only.
1364
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001365 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1366v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1367 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1368 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1369 The value is system dependent.
1370 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1371 command.
1372 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1373 in a different language than what is used for character
1374 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1375
1376 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1377v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1378 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1379 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1380 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1381 command. See |multi-lang|.
1382
1383 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001384v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
Bram Moolenaar57657d82006-04-21 22:12:41 +00001385 expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel' and
1386 'guitabtooltip'. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1387 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001388
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00001389 *v:mouse_win* *mouse_win-variable*
1390v:mouse_win Window number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1391 First window has number 1, like with |winnr()|. The value is
1392 zero when there was no mouse button click.
1393
1394 *v:mouse_lnum* *mouse_lnum-variable*
1395v:mouse_lnum Line number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1396 This is the text line number, not the screen line number. The
1397 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1398
1399 *v:mouse_col* *mouse_col-variable*
1400v:mouse_col Column number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1401 This is the screen column number, like with |virtcol()|. The
1402 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1403
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001404 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1405v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1406 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1407 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1408 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1409< Read-only.
1410
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001411 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1412v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1413 See |profiling|.
1414
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001415 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1416v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1417 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1418 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1419 Read-only.
1420
1421 *v:register* *register-variable*
1422v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1423 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1424
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001425 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1426v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1427 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1428 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1429 typed command.
1430 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1431 hit-enter prompt.
1432
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001433 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1434v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1435 Read-only.
1436
1437 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1438v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1439 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1440 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1441 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1442 executed. Read-only.
1443 Example: >
1444 :!mv foo bar
1445 :if v:shell_error
1446 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1447 :endif
1448< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1449
1450 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1451v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1452
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001453 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1454v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1455 the swap file found. Read-only.
1456
1457 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1458v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1459 for handling an existing swap file:
1460 'o' Open read-only
1461 'e' Edit anyway
1462 'r' Recover
1463 'd' Delete swapfile
1464 'q' Quit
1465 'a' Abort
1466 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
1467 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1468 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1469
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001470 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001471v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001472 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
1473 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
1474 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001475 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001476
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001477 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1478v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1479 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1480 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1481 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1482 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1483 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1484 terminal.
1485 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1486 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1487 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1488 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1489 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1490
1491 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1492v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1493 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1494 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1495 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1496
1497 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1498v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1499 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1500 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1501 Example: >
1502 :try
1503 : throw "oops"
1504 :catch /.*/
1505 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1506 :endtry
1507< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1508
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001509 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001510v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
1511 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001512 |filter()|. Read-only.
1513
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001514 *v:version* *version-variable*
1515v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1516 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1517 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1518 compatibility.
1519 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1520 if has("patch123")
1521< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1522 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1523 completely different.
1524
1525 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1526v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1527
1528==============================================================================
15294. Builtin Functions *functions*
1530
1531See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1532
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001533(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001534
1535USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1536
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001537add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001538append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001539append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001540argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001541argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001542argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001543argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001544browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1545 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001546browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001547bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001548buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1549bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001550bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1551bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1552bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1553byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001554byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001555call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1556 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001557changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001558char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001559cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001560col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00001561complete({startcol}, {matches}) String set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001562complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
1563complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001564confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1565 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001566copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001567count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1568 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001569cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1570 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001571cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {coladd}])
1572 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {coladd}
1573cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001574deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001575delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1576did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001577diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1578diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001579empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001580escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001581eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001582eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001583executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1584exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001585extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
1586 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001587expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00001588feedkeys( {string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001589filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001590filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001591filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1592 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001593finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001594 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001595findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001596 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001597fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001598foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1599foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001600foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001601foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001602foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001603foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001604function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001605garbagecollect() none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001606get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001607get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001608getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1609 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001610getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001611getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1612getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001613getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1614getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001615getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001616getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001617getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1618getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001619getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001620getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001621getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001622getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1623getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001624getloclist({nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001625getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001626getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001627getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001628getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001629gettabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {name})
1630 any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001631getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1632getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001633getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001634glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1635globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1636has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001637has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00001638haslocaldir() Number TRUE if current window executed |:lcd|
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001639hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1640 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001641histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1642histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1643histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1644histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1645hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1646hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1647hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001648iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1649indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001650index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1651 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001652input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1653 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001654inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001655inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001656inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1657inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001658inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001659insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001660isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001661islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001662items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001663join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001664keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001665len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1666libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001667libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1668line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1669line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001670lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001671localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001672map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001673maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1674 String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1675mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1676 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001677match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001678 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001679matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001680matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001681 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001682matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1683 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001684matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1685 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001686max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00001687min({list}) Number minimum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001688mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1689 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001690mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001691nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1692nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001693pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001694prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00001695printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001696pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001697range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1698 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001699readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1700 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00001701reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
1702reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001703remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1704 String send expression
1705remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1706remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1707 Number check for reply string
1708remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1709remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1710 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001711remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001712remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001713rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1714repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1715resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001716reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001717search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001718searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
1719 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001720searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001721 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001722searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001723 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001724searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001725 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001726server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1727 Number send reply string
1728serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1729setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1730setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1731setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001732setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1733 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001734setpos( {expr}, {list}) none set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001735setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001736setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001737settabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window
1738 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001739setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00001740shellescape( {string}) String escape {string} for use as shell
1741 command argument
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001742simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001743sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001744soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001745spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001746spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1747 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001748split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001749 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001750str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert string to number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001751strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001752stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1753 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001754string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001755strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1756strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1757 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001758strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1759 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001760strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001761submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001762substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1763 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001764synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001765synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1766 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1767synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001768system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001769tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1770tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1771tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1772 Number number of current window in tab page
1773taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00001774tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001775tempname() String name for a temporary file
1776tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1777toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001778tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1779 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001780type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001781values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001782virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1783visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1784winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1785wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1786winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1787winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001788winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001789winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00001790winrestview({dict}) None restore view of current window
1791winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001792winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001793writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1794 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001795
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001796add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001797 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
1798 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001799 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1800 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001801< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001802 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001803 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001804
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001805
1806append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001807 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
1808 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001809 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1810 the current buffer.
1811 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001812 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1813 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001814 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001815 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001816<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001817 *argc()*
1818argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1819 current window. See |arglist|.
1820
1821 *argidx()*
1822argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1823 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1824
1825 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001826argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001827 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1828 Example: >
1829 :let i = 0
1830 :while i < argc()
1831 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1832 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1833 : let i = i + 1
1834 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001835< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
1836 returned.
1837
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001838 *browse()*
1839browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1840 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1841 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1842 The input fields are:
1843 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1844 {title} title for the requester
1845 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1846 {default} default file name
1847 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1848 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1849
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001850 *browsedir()*
1851browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1852 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1853 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1854 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1855 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1856 to be used.
1857 The input fields are:
1858 {title} title for the requester
1859 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1860 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1861 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1862
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001863bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1864 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1865 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001866 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001867 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001868 exactly. The name can be:
1869 - Relative to the current directory.
1870 - A full path.
1871 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1872 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001873 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1874 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1875 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1876 long name to be able to find them.
1877 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1878 file name.
1879 *buffer_exists()*
1880 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1881
1882buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1883 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1884 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001885 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001886
1887bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1888 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1889 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001890 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001891
1892bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1893 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1894 ":ls" command.
1895 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1896 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1897 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1898 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1899 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1900 match an empty string is returned.
1901 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1902 alternate buffer.
1903 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001904 or middle of the buffer name is accepted. If you only want a
1905 full match then put "^" at the start and "$" at the end of the
1906 pattern.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001907 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1908 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1909 buffers are searched for.
1910 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1911 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1912 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1913< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1914 string is returned. >
1915 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1916 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1917 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1918 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1919< *buffer_name()*
1920 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1921
1922 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001923bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
1924 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001925 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001926 above.
1927 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
1928 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
1929 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001930 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1931 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1932< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1933 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1934 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1935 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1936 *buffer_number()*
1937 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1938 *last_buffer_nr()*
1939 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1940
1941bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1942 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1943 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1944 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1945 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1946
1947 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1948
1949< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1950 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001951 Only deals with the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001952
1953
1954byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1955 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1956 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1957 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1958 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1959 one.
1960 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1961 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1962 feature}
1963
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001964byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1965 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1966 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1967 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1968 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1969 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1970 Example : >
1971 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1972< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1973 same: >
1974 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1975 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1976< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1977 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1978 is returned.
1979
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001980call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001981 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001982 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001983 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001984 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1985 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001986 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1987 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001988
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001989changenr() *changenr()*
1990 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
1991 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
1992 with the |:undo| command.
1993 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
1994 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
1995 one less than the number of the undone change.
1996
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001997char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1998 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1999 char2nr(" ") returns 32
2000 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
2001< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002002 char2nr("á") returns 225
2003 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002004< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002005
2006cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
2007 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
2008 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
2009 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
2010 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
2011 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
2012 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00002013 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002014
2015 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00002016col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002017 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2018 . the cursor position
2019 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
2020 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
2021 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2022 returned)
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002023 To get the line number use |line()|. To get both use
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002024 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002025 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
2026 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2027 Examples: >
2028 col(".") column of cursor
2029 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
2030 col("'t") column of mark t
2031 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
2032< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002033 For an uppercase mark the column may actually be in another
2034 buffer.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002035 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
2036 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
2037 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
2038 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
2039 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
2040 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
2041 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
2042<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002043
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002044complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
2045 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2046 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002047 with CTRL-R = |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O or
2048 with an expression mapping.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002049 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2050 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2051 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2052 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2053 match.
2054 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2055 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2056 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
2057 inserting anything that would completion to stop.
2058 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2059 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2060 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2061 Example: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002062 inoremap <F5> <C-R>=ListMonths()<CR>
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002063
2064 func! ListMonths()
2065 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2066 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2067 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2068 return ''
2069 endfunc
2070< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2071 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2072
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002073complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2074 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2075 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2076 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2077 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2078 the list.
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002079 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
2080 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002081
2082complete_check() *complete_check()*
2083 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2084 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2085 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2086 zero otherwise.
2087 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2088 'completefunc' option.
2089
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002090 *confirm()*
2091confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2092 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2093 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2094 choice this is 1.
2095 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2096 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
2097 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2098 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2099 used (and translated).
2100 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2101 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
2102 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2103 by '\n', e.g. >
2104 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2105< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2106 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2107 not need to be the first letter: >
2108 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2109< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2110 the default shortcut key.
2111 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2112 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2113 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2114 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
2115 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
2116 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
2117 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
2118 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
2119 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2120 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2121 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2122
2123 An example: >
2124 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2125 :if choice == 0
2126 : echo "make up your mind!"
2127 :elseif choice == 3
2128 : echo "tasteful"
2129 :else
2130 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2131 :endif
2132< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2133 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
2134 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
2135 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2136 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2137 the horizontal layout is always used.
2138
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002139 *copy()*
2140copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2141 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002142 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2143 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002144 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002145 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002146 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002147
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002148count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002149 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002150 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002151 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002152 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002153 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2154
2155
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002156 *cscope_connection()*
2157cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2158 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2159 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2160 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2161 if there are no cscope connections;
2162 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2163
2164 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2165 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2166
2167 {num} Description of existence check
2168 ----- ------------------------------
2169 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2170 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2171 {dbpath}.
2172 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2173 {dbpath}.
2174 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2175 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2176 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2177 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2178
2179 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2180
2181 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2182
2183 # pid database name prepend path
2184 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2185<
2186 Invocation Return Val ~
2187 ---------- ---------- >
2188 cscope_connection() 1
2189 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2190 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2191 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2192 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2193 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2194 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2195 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2196<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002197cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2198cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002199 Positions the cursor at the column (byte count) {col} in the
2200 line {lnum}. The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002201 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002202 with two or three items {lnum}, {col} and {off}. This is like
2203 the return value of |getpos()|, but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002204 Does not change the jumplist.
2205 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2206 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2207 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002208 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002209 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2210 line.
2211 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002212 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2213 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00002214 position within a <Tab> or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002215
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002216
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002217deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002218 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2219 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002220 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2221 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
2222 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002223 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002224 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2225 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2226 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2227 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2228 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2229 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002230 *E724*
2231 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002232 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2233 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002234 Also see |copy()|.
2235
2236delete({fname}) *delete()*
2237 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002238 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2239 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002240 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002241
2242 *did_filetype()*
2243did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2244 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2245 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2246 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2247 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2248 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2249 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2250 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2251 file.
2252
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002253diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2254 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2255 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2256 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2257 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2258 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2259 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2260 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2261
2262diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2263 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2264 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2265 diff change zero is returned.
2266 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2267 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2268 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2269 line.
2270 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2271 syntax information about the highlighting.
2272
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002273empty({expr}) *empty()*
2274 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002275 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
2276 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2277 For a long |List| this is much faster then comparing the
2278 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002279
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002280escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2281 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2282 backslash. Example: >
2283 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2284< results in: >
2285 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002286
2287< *eval()*
2288eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2289 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2290 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002291 Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002292
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002293eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2294 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2295 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2296 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2297 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2298
2299executable({expr}) *executable()*
2300 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2301 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002302 arguments.
2303 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2304 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2305 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2306 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2307 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2308 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2309 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2310 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2311 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2312 extension.
2313 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2314 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002315 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2316 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2317 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002318 The result is a Number:
2319 1 exists
2320 0 does not exist
2321 -1 not implemented on this system
2322
2323 *exists()*
2324exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2325 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2326 which contains one of these:
2327 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2328 not if it really works)
2329 +option-name Vim option that works.
2330 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2331 done by comparing with an empty
2332 string)
2333 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2334 or user defined function (see
2335 |user-functions|).
2336 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002337 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002338 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2339 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
2340 that this may cause functions to be
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002341 invoked cause an error message for an
2342 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002343 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2344 command or command modifier |:command|.
2345 Returns:
2346 1 for match with start of a command
2347 2 full match with a command
2348 3 matches several user commands
2349 To check for a supported command
2350 always check the return value to be 2.
Bram Moolenaar14716812006-05-04 21:54:08 +00002351 :2match The |:2match| command.
2352 :3match The |:3match| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002353 #event autocommand defined for this event
2354 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2355 pattern (the pattern is taken
2356 literally and compared to the
2357 autocommand patterns character by
2358 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002359 #group autocommand group exists
2360 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2361 event.
2362 #group#event#pattern
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002363 autocommand defined for this group,
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002364 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002365 ##event autocommand for this event is
2366 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002367 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2368
2369 Examples: >
2370 exists("&shortname")
2371 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2372 exists("*strftime")
2373 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2374 exists("bufcount")
2375 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002376 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002377 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002378 exists("#filetypeindent")
2379 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2380 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002381 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002382< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2383 name.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002384 There must be no extra characters after the name, although in
2385 a few cases this is ignored. That may become more strict in
2386 the future, thus don't count on it!
2387 Working example: >
2388 exists(":make")
2389< NOT working example: >
2390 exists(":make install")
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00002391
2392< Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2393 variable itself. For example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002394 exists(bufcount)
2395< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00002396 but gets the value of "bufcount", and checks if that exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002397
2398expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2399 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2400 The result is a String.
2401
2402 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2403 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2404 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2405
2406 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2407 for a non-existing file is not included.
2408
2409 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2410 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2411 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2412
2413 % current file name
2414 # alternate file name
2415 #n alternate file name n
2416 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2417 <afile> autocmd file name
2418 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2419 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2420 <sfile> sourced script file name
2421 <cword> word under the cursor
2422 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2423 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2424 message |server2client()|
2425 Modifiers:
2426 :p expand to full path
2427 :h head (last path component removed)
2428 :t tail (last path component only)
2429 :r root (one extension removed)
2430 :e extension only
2431
2432 Example: >
2433 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2434< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2435 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2436 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2437< Use this: >
2438 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2439< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2440 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2441 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2442 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2443 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2444<
2445 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2446 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2447 to modify normal file names.
2448
2449 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2450 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2451 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2452 '/' added.
2453
2454 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2455 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2456 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2457 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002458 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2459 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2460 files in the current directory and below: >
2461 :echo expand("**/README")
2462<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002463 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2464 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2465 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2466 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2467 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2468 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2469 "$FOOBAR".
2470
2471 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2472 getting the raw output of an external command.
2473
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002474extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002475 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
2476 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002477
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002478 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002479 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2480 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2481 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2482 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002483 Examples: >
2484 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2485 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002486< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2487 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002488 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002489<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002490 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002491 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2492 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2493 used to decide what to do:
2494 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2495 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002496 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002497 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2498
2499 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2500 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2501 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2502 Returns {expr1}.
2503
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002504
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002505feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) *feedkeys()*
2506 Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002507 come from a mapping or were typed by the user. They are added
2508 to the end of the typeahead buffer, thus if a mapping is still
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002509 being executed these characters come after them.
2510 The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
2511 {string}.
2512 To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
2513 and "\..." notation |expr-quote|. For example,
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00002514 feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the <Enter> key. But
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002515 feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
2516 If {mode} is absent, keys are remapped.
2517 {mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00002518 'm' Remap keys. This is default.
2519 'n' Do not remap keys.
2520 't' Handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
2521 if coming from a mapping. This matters for undo,
2522 opening folds, etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002523 Return value is always 0.
2524
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002525filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2526 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2527 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2528 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2529 expression, which is used as a String.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002530 If you don't care about the file being readable you can use
2531 |glob()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002532 *file_readable()*
2533 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2534
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002535
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002536filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2537 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2538 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2539 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2540 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2541
2542
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002543filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002544 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002545 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002546 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002547 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002548 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002549 Examples: >
2550 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2551< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2552 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2553< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2554 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002555< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002556
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002557 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2558 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2559 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2560
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002561 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2562 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002563 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002564
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002565< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002566 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2567 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002568
2569
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002570finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar5b6b1ca2007-03-27 08:19:43 +00002571 Find directory {name} in {path}. Supports both downwards and
2572 upwards recursive directory searches. See |file-searching|
2573 for the syntax of {path}.
2574 Returns the path of the first found match. When the found
2575 directory is below the current directory a relative path is
2576 returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002577 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2578 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002579 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00002580 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002581 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002582 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2583
2584findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2585 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002586 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
2587 Example: >
2588 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002589< Searches from the directory of the current file upwards until
2590 it finds the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002591
2592fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2593 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2594 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2595 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2596 Example: >
2597 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2598< results in: >
2599 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2600< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2601 |expand()| first then.
2602
2603foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2604 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2605 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2606 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2607
2608foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2609 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2610 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2611 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2612
2613foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2614 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2615 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2616 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2617 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2618 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2619 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2620 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2621 previous line is usually available.
2622
2623 *foldtext()*
2624foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2625 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2626 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2627 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2628 The returned string looks like this: >
2629 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2630< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2631 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2632 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2633 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2634 options is removed.
2635 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2636
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002637foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2638 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2639 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2640 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2641 returned.
2642 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2643 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2644 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2645 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2646
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002647 *foreground()*
2648foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2649 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2650 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2651 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2652 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2653 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2654 Win32 console version}
2655
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002656
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002657function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002658 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002659 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2660
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002661
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002662garbagecollect() *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002663 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002664 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2665 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2666 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2667 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2668 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002669 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
2670 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
2671 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002672
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002673get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002674 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002675 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2676 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002677get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002678 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002679 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2680 {default} is omitted.
2681
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002682 *getbufline()*
2683getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002684 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2685 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
2686 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002687
2688 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2689
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002690 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2691 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002692
2693 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002694 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002695
2696 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2697 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002698 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002699 returned.
2700
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002701 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002702 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002703
2704 Example: >
2705 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002706
2707getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2708 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2709 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2710 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002711 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2712 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2713 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002714 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2715 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2716 returned, there is no error message.
2717 Examples: >
2718 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2719 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2720<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002721getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002722 Get a single character from the user or input stream.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002723 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2724 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002725 Return zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002726 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002727 not consumed. Return zero if no character available.
2728
2729 Without {expr} and when {expr} is 0 a whole character or
2730 special key is returned. If it is an 8-bit character, the
2731 result is a number. Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2732 Otherwise a String is returned with the encoded character.
2733 For a special key it's a sequence of bytes starting with 0x80
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00002734 (decimal: 128). This is the same value as the string
2735 "\<Key>", e.g., "\<Left>". The returned value is also a
2736 String when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used that is
2737 not included in the character.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002738
2739 When {expr} is 1 only the first byte is returned. For a
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00002740 one-byte character it is the character itself as a number.
2741 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002742
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00002743 When the user clicks a mouse button, the mouse event will be
2744 returned. The position can then be found in |v:mouse_col|,
2745 |v:mouse_lnum| and |v:mouse_win|. This example positions the
2746 mouse as it would normally happen: >
2747 let c = getchar()
2748 if c == "\<LeftMouse>" && v:mouse_win > 0
2749 exe v:mouse_win . "wincmd w"
2750 exe v:mouse_lnum
2751 exe "normal " . v:mouse_col . "|"
2752 endif
2753<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002754 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2755 user that a character has to be typed.
2756 There is no mapping for the character.
2757 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2758 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2759 sequence. Examples: >
2760 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2761 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2762< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2763 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2764 :function FindChar()
2765 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2766 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2767 : normal l
2768 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2769 : break
2770 : endif
2771 : endwhile
2772 :endfunction
2773
2774getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2775 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2776 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2777 These values are added together:
2778 2 shift
2779 4 control
2780 8 alt (meta)
2781 16 mouse double click
2782 32 mouse triple click
2783 64 mouse quadruple click
2784 128 Macintosh only: command
2785 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2786 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2787 with no modifier.
2788
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002789getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2790 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2791 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2792 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2793 Example: >
2794 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002795< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002796
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002797getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002798 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2799 byte count. The first column is 1.
2800 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2801 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002802 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2803
2804getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
2805 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
2806 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00002807 : normal Ex command
2808 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
2809 / forward search command
2810 ? backward search command
2811 @ |input()| command
2812 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002813 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2814 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
2815 otherwise.
2816 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002817
2818 *getcwd()*
2819getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2820 working directory.
2821
2822getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2823 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2824 given file {fname}.
2825 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2826 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard827ada2007-06-19 15:19:55 +00002827 If the size of {fname} is too big to fit in a Number then -2
2828 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002829
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002830getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2831 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2832 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2833 |hl-Normal|.
2834 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2835 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2836 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2837 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00002838 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002839 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2840 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002841 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2842 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002843
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002844getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2845 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2846 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2847 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2848 empty string is returned.
2849 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2850 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2851 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2852 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2853 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2854 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2855< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2856 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002857
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002858getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2859 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2860 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2861 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2862 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2863 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2864
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002865getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2866 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2867 file of the given file {fname}.
2868 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2869 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2870 results:
2871 Normal file "file"
2872 Directory "dir"
2873 Symbolic link "link"
2874 Block device "bdev"
2875 Character device "cdev"
2876 Socket "socket"
2877 FIFO "fifo"
2878 All other "other"
2879 Example: >
2880 getftype("/home")
2881< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2882 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2883 "file" are returned.
2884
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002885 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002886getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2887 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2888 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002889 getline(1)
2890< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2891 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2892 To get the line under the cursor: >
2893 getline(".")
2894< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2895 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2896
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002897 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
2898 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002899 including line {end}.
2900 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2901 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002902 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002903 Example: >
2904 :let start = line('.')
2905 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2906 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2907
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002908< To get lines from another buffer see |getbufline()|
2909
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00002910getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
2911 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
2912 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
2913 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002914 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
2915 returned. Otherwise, same as getqflist().
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002916
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002917getqflist() *getqflist()*
2918 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2919 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2920 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2921 bufname() to get the name
2922 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2923 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002924 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2925 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002926 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00002927 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002928 text description of the error
2929 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2930 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2931
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002932 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00002933 returned. Quickfix list entries with non-existing buffer
2934 number are returned with "bufnr" set to zero.
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002935
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002936 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2937 do something with them: >
2938 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2939 :for d in getqflist()
2940 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2941 :endfor
2942
2943
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002944getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002945 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002946 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002947 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2948< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002949 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002950 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2951 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2952 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002953 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2954
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002955
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002956getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2957 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2958 The value will be one of:
2959 "v" for |characterwise| text
2960 "V" for |linewise| text
2961 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2962 0 for an empty or unknown register
2963 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2964 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2965
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00002966gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}) *gettabwinvar()*
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002967 Get the value of window-local variable {varname} in window
2968 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
2969 When {varname} starts with "&" get the value of a window-local
2970 option.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00002971 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
2972 use |getwinvar()|.
2973 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
2974 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
2975 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
2976 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002977 When {varname} is empty a dictionary with all window-local
2978 variables is returned.
2979 Note that {varname} must be the name without "w:".
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00002980 Examples: >
2981 :let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
2982 :echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00002983<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002984 *getwinposx()*
2985getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2986 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2987 -1 if the information is not available.
2988
2989 *getwinposy()*
2990getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2991 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2992 information is not available.
2993
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00002994getwinvar({winnr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2995 Like |gettabwinvar()| for the current tabpage.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002996 Examples: >
2997 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2998 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2999<
3000 *glob()*
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003001glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. See |wildcards| for the
3002 use of special characters.
3003 The result is a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003004 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
3005 characters.
3006 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
3007 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
3008
3009 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
3010 any external command. Example: >
3011 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
3012 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
3013< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
3014 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
3015
3016 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
3017 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
3018
3019globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
3020 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
3021 the results. Example: >
3022 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
3023< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
3024 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
3025 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
3026 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
3027 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
3028 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
3029 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
3030 error message.
3031 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
3032 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
3033
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003034 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
3035 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
3036 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
3037 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
3038<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003039 *has()*
3040has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
3041 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
3042 string. See |feature-list| below.
3043 Also see |exists()|.
3044
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003045
3046has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003047 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
3048 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003049
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00003050haslocaldir() *haslocaldir()*
3051 The result is a Number, which is 1 when the current
3052 window has set a local path via |:lcd|, and 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003053
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003054hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003055 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
3056 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
3057 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
3058 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003059 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00003060 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
3061 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003062 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
3063 buffer are checked for a match.
3064 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
3065 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
3066 n Normal mode
3067 v Visual mode
3068 o Operator-pending mode
3069 i Insert mode
3070 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
3071 c Command-line mode
3072 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
3073
3074 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
3075 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
3076 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
3077 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
3078 :endif
3079< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
3080 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
3081
3082histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
3083 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
3084 one of: *hist-names*
3085 "cmd" or ":" command line history
3086 "search" or "/" search pattern history
3087 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
3088 "input" or "@" input line history
3089 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
3090 shifted to become the newest entry.
3091 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
3092 otherwise 0 is returned.
3093
3094 Example: >
3095 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
3096 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
3097< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3098
3099histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003100 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003101 for the possible values of {history}.
3102
3103 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
3104 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
3105 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
3106 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
3107 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
3108 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
3109 if it exists.
3110
3111 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
3112 otherwise 0 is returned.
3113
3114 Examples:
3115 Clear expression register history: >
3116 :call histdel("expr")
3117<
3118 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
3119 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
3120<
3121 The following three are equivalent: >
3122 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
3123 :call histdel("search", -1)
3124 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
3125<
3126 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
3127 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
3128 :call histdel("search", -1)
3129 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
3130
3131histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
3132 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
3133 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
3134 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
3135 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
3136 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
3137
3138 Examples:
3139 Redo the second last search from history. >
3140 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
3141
3142< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
3143 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
3144 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
3145<
3146histnr({history}) *histnr()*
3147 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
3148 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
3149 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
3150
3151 Example: >
3152 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
3153<
3154hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
3155 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
3156 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
3157 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
3158 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
3159 item.
3160 *highlight_exists()*
3161 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
3162
3163 *hlID()*
3164hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
3165 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
3166 zero is returned.
3167 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
3168 group. For example, to get the background color of the
3169 "Comment" group: >
3170 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
3171< *highlightID()*
3172 Obsolete name: highlightID().
3173
3174hostname() *hostname()*
3175 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003176 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003177 256 characters long are truncated.
3178
3179iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
3180 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
3181 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
3182 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
3183 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
3184 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
3185 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
3186 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
3187 can be done.
3188 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
3189 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
3190 UTF-8 and use: >
3191 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
3192< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
3193 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
3194 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
3195 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
3196
3197 *indent()*
3198indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
3199 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
3200 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
3201 |getline()|.
3202 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
3203
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003204
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003205index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003206 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003207 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003208 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
3209 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003210 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
3211 case must match.
3212 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
3213 Example: >
3214 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003215 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003216
3217
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003218input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003219 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
3220 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
3221 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003222 prompt to start a new line.
3223 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3224 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
3225 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
3226 for lines typed for input().
3227 Example: >
3228 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3229 : echo "Cheers!"
3230 :endif
3231<
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003232 If the optional {text} is present and not empty, this is used
3233 for the default reply, as if the user typed this. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003234 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3235
3236< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3237 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
3238 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
3239 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
3240 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
3241 more information. Example: >
3242 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3243<
3244 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3245 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003246 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3247 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3248 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3249 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3250 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3251 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3252 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3253
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003254 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003255 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3256 :function GetFoo()
3257 : call inputsave()
3258 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3259 : call inputrestore()
3260 :endfunction
3261
3262inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
3263 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
3264 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
3265 Example: >
3266 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3267 :if n != ""
3268 : let &sw = n
3269 :endif
3270< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3271 omitted an empty string is returned.
3272 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3273 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003274 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003275
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003276inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003277 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
3278 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
3279 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003280 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
3281 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
3282 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3283 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3284 is returned.
3285 Make sure {textlist} has less then 'lines' entries, otherwise
3286 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003287 the start of the string. And put a prompt in the first item.
3288 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003289 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3290 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3291
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003292inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
3293 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
3294 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3295 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3296 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3297
3298inputsave() *inputsave()*
3299 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3300 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3301 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3302 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3303 many inputrestore() calls.
3304 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3305
3306inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3307 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3308 two exceptions:
3309 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3310 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3311 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3312 |history| stack.
3313 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3314 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003315 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003316
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003317insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003318 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003319 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
3320 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
3321 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3322 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003323 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003324 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3325 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3326 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003327< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003328 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003329 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003330
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003331isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3332 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3333 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3334 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3335 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3336
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003337islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003338 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3339 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003340 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3341 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003342 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3343 :lockvar 1 alist
3344 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3345 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3346
3347< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003348 message. Use |exists()| to check for existence.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003349
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003350items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003351 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3352 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3353 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3354 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003355
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003356
3357join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3358 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3359 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3360 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3361 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3362 add it there too: >
3363 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003364< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003365 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3366 The opposite function is |split()|.
3367
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003368keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003369 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003370 arbitrary order.
3371
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003372 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003373len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3374 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3375 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003376 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003377 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003378 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3379 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003380 Otherwise an error is given.
3381
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003382 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3383libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3384 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3385 with single argument {argument}.
3386 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3387 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3388 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3389 limited.
3390 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3391 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3392 to Vim.
3393 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3394 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3395 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3396 null-terminated string.
3397 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3398
3399 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3400 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3401 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3402 very probably crash.
3403
3404 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3405 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3406 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3407 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3408 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3409 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3410 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3411 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3412 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3413 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3414
3415 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
3416 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
3417 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3418 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3419 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3420 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3421 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3422 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3423 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3424 feature is present}
3425 Examples: >
3426 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
3427 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
3428<
3429 *libcallnr()*
3430libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3431 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3432 int instead of a string.
3433 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3434 feature is present}
3435 Example (not very useful...): >
3436 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3437 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3438<
3439 *line()*
3440line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3441 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3442 . the cursor position
3443 $ the last line in the current buffer
3444 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3445 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003446 w0 first line visible in current window
3447 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003448 Note that a mark in another file can be used. The line number
3449 then applies to another buffer.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003450 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
3451 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003452 Examples: >
3453 line(".") line number of the cursor
3454 line("'t") line number of mark t
3455 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3456< *last-position-jump*
3457 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3458 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3459 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003460
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003461line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3462 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3463 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3464 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3465 line returns 1.
3466 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3467 below the last line: >
3468 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3469< This is the file size plus one.
3470 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3471 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3472 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3473
3474lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3475 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3476 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3477 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3478 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3479 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3480 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3481
3482localtime() *localtime()*
3483 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3484 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3485
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003486
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003487map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003488 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003489 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3490 {string}.
3491 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003492 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003493 Example: >
3494 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003495< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003496
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003497 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003498 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003499 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3500 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003501
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003502 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3503 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003504 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003505
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003506< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003507 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3508 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003509
3510
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003511maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *maparg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003512 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3513 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003514 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003515 "n" Normal
3516 "v" Visual
3517 "o" Operator-pending
3518 "i" Insert
3519 "c" Cmd-line
3520 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3521 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003522 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003523 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3524 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003525 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3526 command. The returned String has special characters
3527 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3528 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3529 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00003530 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
3531 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
3532 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
3533
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003534
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003535mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003536 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3537 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3538 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003539 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3540 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003541 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3542 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3543
3544 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3545 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3546 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3547 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3548 mapcheck("b") no no no
3549
3550 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3551 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3552 mapping for {name} exactly.
3553 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3554 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3555 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3556 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3557 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3558 then the global mappings.
3559 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3560 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3561 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3562 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3563 :endif
3564< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3565 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3566
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003567match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003568 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
3569 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003570 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003571 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3572 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3573 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003574 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003575 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3576 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003577 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003578 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003579< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003580 *strpbrk()*
3581 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3582 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3583< *strcasestr()*
3584 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3585 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3586 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3587<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003588 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003589 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003590 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003591 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003592 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3593< result is again "4". >
3594 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3595< result is again "4". >
3596 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3597< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003598 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003599 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
3600 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
3601 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
3602 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003603 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3604 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003605 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
3606 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003607
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003608 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003609 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003610 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
3611 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
3612< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003613 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
3614 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003615
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003616 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3617 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3618 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3619 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3620
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003621
3622matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003623 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003624 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
3625 Return a |List| with two elements:
3626 The name of the highlight group used
3627 The pattern used.
3628 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
3629 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
3630 This is usef to save and restore a |:match|.
3631
3632
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003633matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003634 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3635 the match. Example: >
3636 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3637< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003638 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3639 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3640 do it with matchend(): >
3641 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3642 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3643< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3644
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003645 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3646 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3647< results in "7". >
3648 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3649< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003650 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003651
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003652matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003653 Same as match(), but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003654 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3655 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00003656 in |:substitute|. When an optional submatch didn't match an
3657 empty string is used. Example: >
3658 echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
3659< Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003660 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3661
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003662matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003663 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3664 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3665< results in "ing".
3666 When there is no match "" is returned.
3667 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3668 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3669< results in "ing". >
3670 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3671< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003672 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003673 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003674
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003675 *max()*
3676max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3677 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3678 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003679 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003680
3681 *min()*
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00003682min({list}) Return the minimum value of all items in {list}.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003683 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3684 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003685 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003686
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003687 *mkdir()* *E739*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003688mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3689 Create directory {name}.
3690 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3691 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3692 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3693 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3694 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3695 for others.
3696 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3697 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3698 :if exists("*mkdir")
3699<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003700 *mode()*
3701mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3702 n Normal
3703 v Visual by character
3704 V Visual by line
3705 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3706 s Select by character
3707 S Select by line
3708 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3709 i Insert
3710 R Replace
3711 c Command-line
3712 r Hit-enter prompt
3713 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3714 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3715
3716nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3717 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3718 that is not blank. Example: >
3719 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3720< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3721 below it, zero is returned.
3722 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3723
3724nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3725 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3726 value {expr}. Examples: >
3727 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3728 nr2char(32) returns " "
3729< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3730 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3731< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3732 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3733 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003734 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003735
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003736 *getpos()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003737getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
3738 see |line()|.
3739 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
3740 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
3741 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
3742 is the buffer number of the mark.
3743 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
3744 column is 1.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003745 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
3746 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00003747 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003748 character.
3749 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
3750 let save_cursor = getpos(".")
3751 MoveTheCursorAround
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00003752 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003753< Also see |setpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003754
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003755pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
3756 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
3757 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
3758 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
3759 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
3760 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
3761< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
3762 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
3763
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003764prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3765 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3766 that is not blank. Example: >
3767 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3768< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3769 above it, zero is returned.
3770 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3771
3772
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003773printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
3774 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
3775 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003776 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003777< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003778 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003779
3780 Often used items are:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003781 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003782 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
3783 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003784 %c single byte
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003785 %d decimal number
3786 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
3787 %x hex number
3788 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
3789 %X hex number using upper case letters
3790 %o octal number
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003791 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003792
3793 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
3794 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
3795 the result.
3796
3797 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003798 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003799
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003800 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003801
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003802 flags
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003803 Zero or more of the following flags:
3804
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003805 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
3806 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
3807 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
3808 of the number is increased to force the first
3809 character of the output string to a zero (except
3810 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
3811 precision of zero).
3812 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
3813 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
3814 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003815
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003816 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
3817 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
3818 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
3819 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
3820 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003821
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003822 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
3823 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
3824 The converted value is padded on the right with
3825 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
3826 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003827
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003828 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
3829 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003830
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003831 + A sign must always be placed before a number
3832 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
3833 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003834
3835 field-width
3836 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003837 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
3838 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
3839 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
3840 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003841
3842 .precision
3843 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
3844 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
3845 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
3846 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
3847 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003848 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003849
3850 type
3851 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
3852 be applied, see below.
3853
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003854 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
3855 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
3856 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
3857 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
3858 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
3859 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003860 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003861< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003862 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003863
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003864 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003865
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003866 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
3867 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
3868 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
3869 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003870 conversions.
3871 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
3872 digits that must appear; if the converted value
3873 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
3874 zeros.
3875 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
3876 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
3877 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
3878 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
3879
3880 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
3881 resulting character is written.
3882
3883 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
3884 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
3885 specified are used.
3886
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003887 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
3888 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003889
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003890 Each argument can be Number or String and is converted
3891 automatically to fit the conversion specifier. Any other
3892 argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003893
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00003894 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003895 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
3896 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003897 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003898
3899
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003900pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
3901 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
3902 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00003903 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
3904 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003905
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003906 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003907range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003908 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003909 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3910 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3911 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3912 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3913 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003914 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
3915 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
3916 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003917 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003918 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003919 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3920 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003921 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003922 range(0) " []
3923 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003924<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003925 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003926readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003927 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
3928 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003929 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3930 NL appears somewhere).
3931 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3932 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3933 added.
3934 - No CR characters are removed.
3935 Otherwise:
3936 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3937 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3938 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003939 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
3940 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
3941 lines of a file: >
3942 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
3943 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
3944 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003945< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
3946 are returned, or as many as there are.
3947 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003948 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
3949 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
3950 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003951 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3952 the result is an empty list.
3953 Also see |writefile()|.
3954
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00003955reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
3956 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
3957 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
3958 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
3959 Without an argument it returns the current time.
3960 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
3961 specified in the argument.
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003962 With two arguments it returns the time passed between {start}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00003963 and {end}.
3964 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
3965 reltime().
3966 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
3967
3968reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
3969 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
3970 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
3971 microseconds. Example: >
3972 let start = reltime()
3973 call MyFunction()
3974 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
3975< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
3976 The accuracy depends on the system.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003977 Leading spaces are used to make the string align nicely. You
3978 can use split() to remove it. >
3979 echo split(reltimestr(reltime(start)))[0]
3980< Also see |profiling|.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00003981 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
3982
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003983 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3984remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3985 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3986 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003987 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
3988 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
3989 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003990 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3991 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3992 remote_read() is stored there.
3993 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3994 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3995 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3996 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3997 and the result will be the empty string.
3998 Examples: >
3999 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
4000 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
4001<
4002
4003remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
4004 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
4005 This works like: >
4006 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
4007< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
4008 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
4009 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004010 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
4011 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004012 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4013 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
4014 Win32 console version}
4015
4016
4017remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
4018 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
4019 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
4020 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
4021 name of a variable.
4022 Returns zero if none are available.
4023 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
4024 See also |clientserver|.
4025 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4026 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4027 Examples: >
4028 :let repl = ""
4029 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
4030
4031remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
4032 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
4033 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
4034 See also |clientserver|.
4035 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4036 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4037 Example: >
4038 :echo remote_read(id)
4039<
4040 *remote_send()* *E241*
4041remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004042 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
4043 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
4044 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004045 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
4046 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
4047 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004048 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4049 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4050 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4051 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
4052 up the display.
4053 Examples: >
4054 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
4055 \ remote_read(serverid)
4056
4057 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
4058 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
4059 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
4060 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004061<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004062remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004063 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004064 return it.
4065 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
4066 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
4067 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
4068 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
4069 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004070 Example: >
4071 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004072 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004073remove({dict}, {key})
4074 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
4075 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
4076< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
4077
4078 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004079
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004080rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
4081 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
4082 should also work to move files across file systems. The
4083 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
4084 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
4085 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4086
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004087repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
4088 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
4089 result. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004090 :let separator = repeat('-', 80)
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004091< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004092 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004093 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004094 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
4095< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004096
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004097
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004098resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
4099 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
4100 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
4101 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
4102 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
4103 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
4104 stopped after 100 iterations.
4105 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
4106 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
4107 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
4108 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
4109 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
4110
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004111 *reverse()*
4112reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
4113 {list}.
4114 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4115 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
4116
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004117search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004118 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004119 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004120
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004121 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
4122 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004123 'c' accept a match at the cursor position
4124 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004125 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004126 'p' return number of matching sub-pattern (see below)
4127 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004128 'w' wrap around the end of the file
4129 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
4130 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
4131
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00004132 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
4133 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
4134 flag.
4135
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004136 'ignorecase', 'smartcase' and 'magic' are used.
4137
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004138 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
4139 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
4140 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
4141 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
4142 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
4143< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
4144 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
4145
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004146 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
4147 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004148 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
4149 *search()-sub-match*
4150 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
4151 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
4152 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004153 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004154
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004155 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
4156 flag is used.
4157
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004158 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
4159 :let n = 1
4160 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
4161 : exe "argument " . n
4162 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
4163 : " first search to find match at start of file
4164 : normal G$
4165 : let flags = "w"
4166 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
4167 : s/foo/bar/g
4168 : let flags = "W"
4169 : endwhile
4170 : update " write the file if modified
4171 : let n = n + 1
4172 :endwhile
4173<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004174 Example for using some flags: >
4175 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
4176< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
4177 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
4178 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
4179 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
4180 line:
4181 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
4182 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
4183 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
4184 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
4185 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
4186
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004187
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004188searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
4189 Search for the declaration of {name}.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004190
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004191 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
4192 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
4193 first match in the function.
4194
4195 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
4196 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
4197 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
4198
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004199 Moves the cursor to the found match.
4200 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4201 Example: >
4202 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
4203 echo getline('.')
4204 endif
4205<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004206 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004207searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004208 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
4209 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
4210 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004211 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
4212 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
4213 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
4214 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
4215 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
4216 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004217
4218 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
4219 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
4220 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
4221 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
4222 typical use is: >
4223 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
4224< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
4225
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004226 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
4227 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004228 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
4229 outer pair
4230 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004231 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004232
4233 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
4234 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
4235 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
4236 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
4237 or a string.
4238 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
4239 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
4240 and -1 returned.
4241
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004242 For {stopline} see |search()|.
4243
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004244 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
4245 patterns are used like it's on.
4246
4247 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
4248 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
4249 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
4250 if 1
4251 if 2
4252 endif 2
4253 endif 1
4254< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
4255 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
4256 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
4257 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
4258 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
4259 "endif 2".
4260 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
4261 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
4262 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
4263 the matching start.
4264
4265 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
4266
4267 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
4268 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
4269
4270< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
4271 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
4272 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
4273 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
4274 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
4275 match.
4276 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
4277
4278 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
4279
4280< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
4281 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
4282 highlighting recognized as strings: >
4283
4284 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
4285 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
4286<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004287 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004288searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004289 Same as searchpair(), but returns a |List| with the line and
4290 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4291 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004292 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4293 returns [0, 0].
4294>
4295 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
4296<
4297 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
4298
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004299searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *searchpos()*
4300 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004301 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4302 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
4303 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4304 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004305 Example: >
4306 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
4307
4308< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
4309 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
4310 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
4311< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
4312 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
4313
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004314server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
4315 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
4316 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
4317 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4318 Note:
4319 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004320 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004321 before calling any commands that waits for input.
4322 See also |clientserver|.
4323 Example: >
4324 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
4325<
4326serverlist() *serverlist()*
4327 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
4328 When there are no servers or the information is not available
4329 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
4330 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4331 Example: >
4332 :echo serverlist()
4333<
4334setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
4335 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
4336 {val}.
4337 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
4338 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
4339 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
4340 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
4341 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
4342 Examples: >
4343 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
4344 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
4345< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4346
4347setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
4348 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
4349 {pos}. The first position is 1.
4350 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
4351 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004352 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
4353 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
4354 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
4355 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
4356 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004357 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
4358 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
4359 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
4360 line.
4361
4362setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004363 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
4364 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004365 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
4366 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004367 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
4368 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004369 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004370< When {line} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004371 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
4372 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
4373< This is equivalent to: >
4374 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
4375 : call setline(n, l)
4376 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004377< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
4378
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004379setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
4380 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
4381 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004382 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
4383 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004384 Otherwise, same as setqflist().
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004385
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004386 *setpos()*
4387setpos({expr}, {list})
4388 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
4389 . the cursor
4390 'x mark x
4391
4392 {list} must be a |List| with four numbers:
4393 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4394
4395 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004396 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004397 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
4398 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
4399 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004400 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004401
4402 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4403 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark.
4404
4405 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
4406 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00004407 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004408 character.
4409
4410 Also see |getpos()|
4411
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004412 This does not restore the preferred column for moving
4413 vertically. See |winrestview()| for that.
4414
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004415
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004416setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004417 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
4418 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
4419 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
4420 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004421
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004422 bufnr buffer number; must be the number of a valid
4423 buffer
4424 filename name of a file; only used when "bufnr" is not
4425 present or it is invalid.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004426 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004427 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004428 col column number
4429 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004430 when zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004431 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004432 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004433 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004434
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004435 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
4436 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
4437 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004438 If the "filename" and "bufnr" entries are not present or
4439 neither the "lnum" or "pattern" entries are present, then the
4440 item will not be handled as an error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004441 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
4442 be used.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00004443 Note that the list is not exactly the same as what
4444 |getqflist()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004445
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004446 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
4447 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
4448 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
4449 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
4450 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
4451 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
4452
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004453 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
4454
4455 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
4456 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
4457 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
4458
4459
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004460 *setreg()*
4461setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
4462 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
4463 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
4464 then the value is appended.
4465 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
4466 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
4467 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
4468 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
4469 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
4470 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
4471 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00004472 in the longest line (counting a <Tab> as 1 character).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004473
4474 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
4475 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
4476 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
4477 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4478
4479 Examples: >
4480 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
4481 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
4482 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
4483
4484< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
4485 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004486 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004487 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
4488 ....
4489 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
4490
4491< You can also change the type of a register by appending
4492 nothing: >
4493 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
4494
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004495settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabwinvar()*
4496 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
4497 {val}.
4498 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
4499 use |setwinvar()|.
4500 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004501 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
4502 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
4503 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
4504 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004505 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
4506 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
4507 Examples: >
4508 :call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
4509 :call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
4510< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4511
4512setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
4513 Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004514 Examples: >
4515 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
4516 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004517
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00004518shellescape({string}) *shellescape()*
4519 Escape {string} for use as shell command argument.
4520 On MS-Windows and MS-DOS, when 'shellslash' is not set, it
4521 will enclose {string} double quotes and double all double
4522 quotes within {string}.
4523 For other systems, it will enclose {string} in single quotes
4524 and replace all "'" with "'\''".
4525 Example: >
4526 :echo shellescape('c:\program files\vim')
4527< results in:
4528 "c:\program files\vim" ~
4529 Example usage: >
4530 :call system("chmod +x -- " . shellescape(expand("%")))
4531
4532
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004533simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
4534 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
4535 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
4536 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
4537 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
4538 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
4539 not removed either.
4540 Example: >
4541 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
4542< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
4543 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
4544 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
4545 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
4546 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
4547
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004548
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004549sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004550 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
4551 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4552 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
4553< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004554 Numbers sort after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004555 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004556 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004557 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
4558 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004559 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
4560 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
4561 sorts before the second one. Example: >
4562 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
4563 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
4564 endfunc
4565 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004566<
4567
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004568 *soundfold()*
4569soundfold({word})
4570 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
4571 language in 'spellang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004572 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
4573 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004574 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
4575 the method can be quite slow.
4576
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004577 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004578spellbadword([{sentence}])
4579 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
4580 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
4581 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
4582 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
4583
4584 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
4585 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
4586 result is an empty string.
4587
4588 The return value is a list with two items:
4589 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
4590 - The type of the spelling error:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004591 "bad" spelling mistake
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004592 "rare" rare word
4593 "local" word only valid in another region
4594 "caps" word should start with Capital
4595 Example: >
4596 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
4597< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
4598
4599 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
4600 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
4601 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004602
4603 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004604spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004605 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004606 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
4607 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
4608
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004609 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
4610 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
4611 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
4612
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004613 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
4614 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00004615 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
4616 replace a line.
4617
4618 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004619 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
4620 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004621
4622 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004623 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
4624 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004625
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004626
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004627split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004628 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
4629 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
4630 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004631 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004632 removing the matched characters.
4633 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
4634 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00004635 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
4636 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004637 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004638 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004639< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004640 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00004641< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
4642 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
4643< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004644 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
4645 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
4646< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004647
4648
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004649str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
4650 Convert string {expr} to a number.
4651 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 8, 10 or 16.
4652 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
4653 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
4654 with the default String to Number conversion.
4655 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
4656 different base the result will be zero.
4657 Text after the number is silently ignored.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004658
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004659
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004660strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
4661 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
4662 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
4663 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
4664 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
4665 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
4666 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
4667 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
4668 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
4669 Examples: >
4670 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
4671 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
4672 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
4673 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
4674 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
4675 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004676< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4677 :if exists("*strftime")
4678
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004679stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
4680 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4681 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004682 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
4683 This can be used to find a second match: >
4684 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
4685 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
4686< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004687 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004688 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004689 See also |strridx()|.
4690 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004691 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
4692 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
4693 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004694< *strstr()* *strchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004695 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
4696 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
4697
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004698 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004699string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
4700 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
4701 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004702 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004703 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004704 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004705 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004706 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004707 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004708 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004709 Also see |strtrans()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004710
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004711 *strlen()*
4712strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004713 {expr} in bytes.
4714 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
4715 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004716
4717 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004718<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004719 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
4720 For other types an error is given.
4721 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004722
4723strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
4724 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004725 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004726 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
4727 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
4728 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
4729 end of the {src}. >
4730 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
4731 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
4732 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
4733 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
4734< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
4735 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00004736 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004737<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004738strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
4739 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4740 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
4741 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
4742 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
4743 match: >
4744 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
4745 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
4746< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004747 For pattern searches use |match()|.
4748 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004749 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004750 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004751 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004752< *strrchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004753 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
4754 function strrchr().
4755
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004756strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
4757 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
4758 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
4759 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
4760 echo strtrans(@a)
4761< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
4762 starting a new line.
4763
4764submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
4765 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
4766 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
4767 the whole matched text is returned.
4768 Example: >
4769 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
4770< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
4771 A line break is included as a newline character.
4772
4773substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
4774 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
4775 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
4776 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
4777 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
4778 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004779 'ignorecase' is still relevant. 'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004780 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
4781 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
4782 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
4783 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
4784 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
4785 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
4786 unmodified.
4787 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
4788 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
4789 Example: >
4790 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
4791< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
4792 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
4793< results in "TESTING".
4794
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004795synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004796 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004797 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004798 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
4799 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004800
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004801 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004802 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
4803
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004804 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
4805 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
4806 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
4807 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
4808 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
4809 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
4810 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
4811
4812 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
4813 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
4814<
4815synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
4816 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
4817 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
4818 about a syntax item.
4819 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
4820 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
4821 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
4822 used (GUI, cterm or term).
4823 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
4824 {what} result
4825 "name" the name of the syntax item
4826 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
4827 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
4828 term: empty string)
4829 "bg" background color (like "fg")
4830 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
4831 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
4832 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
4833 "bold" "1" if bold
4834 "italic" "1" if italic
4835 "reverse" "1" if reverse
4836 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
4837 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004838 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004839
4840 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
4841 cursor): >
4842 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
4843<
4844synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
4845 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
4846 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
4847 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
4848 ":highlight link" are followed.
4849
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004850system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
4851 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
4852 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
4853 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
4854 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004855 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004856 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
4857 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
4858 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004859 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
4860 The result is a String. Example: >
4861
4862 :let files = system("ls")
4863
4864< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
4865 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
4866 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
4867 The command executed is constructed using several options:
4868 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
4869 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
4870 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
4871 concatenated commands.
4872
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004873 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
4874 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
4875
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004876 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
4877 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00004878
4879 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
4880 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
4881 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004882 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
4883 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
4884
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004885
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004886tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004887 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004888 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
4889 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
4890 omitted the current tab page is used.
4891 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
4892 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
4893 tablist = []
4894 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
4895 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
4896 endfor
4897< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
4898
4899
4900tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004901 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4902 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
4903 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
4904 page is returned (the tab page count).
4905 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
4906
4907
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004908tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
4909 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {arg}.
4910 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
4911 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
4912 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
4913 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
4914 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
4915 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
4916 Useful examples: >
4917 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
4918 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
4919< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
4920
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00004921 *tagfiles()*
4922tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
4923 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
4924
4925
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004926taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
4927 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00004928 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
4929 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004930 name Name of the tag.
4931 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004932 defined. It is either relative to the
4933 current directory or a full path.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004934 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
4935 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004936 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004937 entry depends on the language specific
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004938 kind values. Only available when
4939 using a tags file generated by
4940 Exuberant ctags or hdrtag.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004941 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004942 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004943 More entries may be present, depending on the content of the
4944 tags file: access, implementation, inherits and signature.
4945 Refer to the ctags documentation for information about these
4946 fields. For C code the fields "struct", "class" and "enum"
4947 may appear, they give the name of the entity the tag is
4948 contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004949
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004950 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
4951 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004952
4953 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
4954
4955 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
4956 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
4957 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
4958
4959 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
4960 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
4961 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
4962
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004963tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
4964 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
4965 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
4966 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
4967 :let tmpfile = tempname()
4968 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
4969< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
4970 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
4971 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
4972 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
4973 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
4974 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
4975
4976tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
4977 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
4978 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
4979 the string).
4980
4981toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
4982 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
4983 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
4984 the string).
4985
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00004986tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
4987 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
4988 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
4989 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
4990 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
4991 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
4992 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
4993
4994 Examples: >
4995 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
4996< returns "Hello THere" >
4997 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
4998< returns "{blob}"
4999
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005000 *type()*
5001type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005002 Number: 0
5003 String: 1
5004 Funcref: 2
5005 List: 3
5006 Dictionary: 4
5007 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005008 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
5009 :if type(myvar) == type("")
5010 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
5011 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005012 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005013
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005014values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005015 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
5016 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005017
5018
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005019virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
5020 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
5021 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
5022 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
5023 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
5024 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
5025 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
5026 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005027 For the use of {expr} see |col()|. Additionally you can use
Bram Moolenaar5c8837f2006-02-25 21:52:33 +00005028 [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line and column number. When
5029 "lnum" or "col" is out of range then virtcol() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005030 When 'virtualedit' is used it can be [lnum, col, off], where
5031 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005032 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005033 character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005034 For the byte position use |col()|.
5035 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
5036 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
5037 The accepted positions are:
5038 . the cursor position
5039 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
5040 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
5041 plus one)
5042 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
5043 returned)
5044 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
5045 Examples: >
5046 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
5047 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
5048 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
5049< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005050 A more advanced example that echoes the maximum length of
5051 all lines: >
5052 echo max(map(range(1, line('$')), "virtcol([v:val, '$'])"))
5053
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005054
5055visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
5056 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005057 used in the current buffer. Initially it returns an empty
5058 string, but once Visual mode has been used, it returns "v",
5059 "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a single CTRL-V character) for
5060 character-wise, line-wise, or block-wise Visual mode
5061 respectively.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005062 Example: >
5063 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
5064< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
5065 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
5066 Visual mode that was used.
5067
5068 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
5069 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
5070 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
5071 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
5072
5073 *winbufnr()*
5074winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005075 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005076 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
5077 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5078 Example: >
5079 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
5080<
5081 *wincol()*
5082wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
5083 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
5084 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
5085
5086winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
5087 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
5088 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
5089 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5090 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
5091 Examples: >
5092 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
5093<
5094 *winline()*
5095winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
5096 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
5097 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00005098 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
5099 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005100
5101 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005102winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
5103 window. The top window has number 1.
5104 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00005105 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005106 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
5107 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005108 If there is no previous window or it is in another tab page 0
5109 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005110 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
5111 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005112 Also see |tabpagewinnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005113
5114 *winrestcmd()*
5115winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
5116 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005117 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
5118 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005119 Example: >
5120 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
5121 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
5122 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005123<
5124 *winrestview()*
5125winrestview({dict})
5126 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
5127 the view of the current window.
5128 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
5129 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
5130
5131 *winsaveview()*
5132winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
5133 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
5134 restore the view.
5135 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
5136 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
5137 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005138 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
5139 not opened when moving around.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005140 The return value includes:
5141 lnum cursor line number
5142 col cursor column
5143 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
5144 curswant column for vertical movement
5145 topline first line in the window
5146 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
5147 leftcol first column displayed
5148 skipcol columns skipped
5149 Note that no option values are saved.
5150
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005151
5152winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
5153 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
5154 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
5155 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5156 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
5157 Examples: >
5158 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
5159 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
5160 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
5161 :endif
5162<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005163 *writefile()*
5164writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005165 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005166 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
5167 Number.
5168 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
5169 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
5170 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
5171 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
5172 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
5173 to writefile().
5174 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
5175 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
5176 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
5177 fails.
5178 Also see |readfile()|.
5179 To copy a file byte for byte: >
5180 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
5181 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
5182<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005183
5184 *feature-list*
5185There are three types of features:
51861. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
5187 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
5188 :if has("cindent")
51892. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
5190 Example: >
5191 :if has("gui_running")
5192< *has-patch*
51933. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
5194 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
5195 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
5196 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005197< Note that it's possible for patch 147 to be omitted even though 148 is
5198 included.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005199
5200all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
5201amiga Amiga version of Vim.
5202arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
5203arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00005204autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005205balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00005206balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005207beos BeOS version of Vim.
5208browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
5209 work.
5210builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
5211byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
5212cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
5213clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
5214clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
5215cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
5216cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
5217cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
5218comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
5219cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
5220cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
5221compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
5222debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
5223dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
5224dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
5225diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
5226digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
5227dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
5228dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
5229dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
5230ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
5231emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
5232eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
5233 true, of course!
5234ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
5235extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
5236 |'hlsearch'|
5237farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
5238file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005239filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
5240 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005241find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
5242 |+find_in_path|.
5243fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
5244 Windows this is not present).
5245folding Compiled with |folding| support.
5246footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
5247fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
5248gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
5249gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
5250gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005251gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
5252gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
5253gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
5254gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
5255gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
5256gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
5257gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
5258gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
5259hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
5260iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
5261insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
5262 Insert mode.
5263jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
5264keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
5265langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
5266libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
5267linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
5268 support.
5269lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
5270listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
5271 and the argument list |arglist|.
5272localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
5273mac Macintosh version of Vim.
5274macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
5275menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
5276mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
5277modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
5278mouse Compiled with support mouse.
5279mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
5280mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
5281mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
5282mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
5283mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
5284mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
5285multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
5286multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
5287multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00005288mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005289netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00005290netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005291ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
5292os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
5293osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
5294path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
5295perl Compiled with Perl interface.
5296postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
5297printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005298profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005299python Compiled with Python interface.
5300qnx QNX version of Vim.
5301quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00005302reltime Compiled with |reltime()| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005303rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
5304ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
5305scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
5306showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
5307signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
5308smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00005309sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005310statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
5311 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
5312sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00005313spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
5314syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005315syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
5316 current buffer.
5317system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
5318tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
5319 |tag-binary-search|.
5320tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
5321 |tag-old-static|.
5322tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
5323 files |tag-any-white|.
5324tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
5325terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
5326termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
5327textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
5328tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
5329 or terminfo file.
5330title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
5331toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
5332unix Unix version of Vim.
5333user_commands User-defined commands.
5334viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
5335vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
5336vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
5337virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
5338visual Compiled with Visual mode.
5339visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
5340 |blockwise-operators|.
5341vms VMS version of Vim.
5342vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
5343wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
5344wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
5345windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
5346winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
5347win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
5348win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
5349win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
5350win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
5351win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
5352writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
5353xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
5354xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
5355xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
5356xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
5357xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
5358xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
5359 xterm screen.
5360x11 Compiled with X11 support.
5361
5362 *string-match*
5363Matching a pattern in a String
5364
5365A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
5366the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
5367everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
5368like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
5369line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
5370with ".". Example: >
5371 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
5372 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
5373 aa
5374 xx
5375 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
5376 a
5377 x
5378
5379Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
5380"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
5381"\n".
5382
5383==============================================================================
53845. Defining functions *user-functions*
5385
5386New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
5387functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
5388commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
5389
5390The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
5391builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
5392avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
5393the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
5394
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005395It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
5396|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005397
5398 *local-function*
5399A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
5400can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
5401and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
5402function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
5403instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
5404
5405 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
5406:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
5407
5408:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005409 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5410 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005411 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005412
5413:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
5414 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
5415 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005416<
5417 *:function-verbose*
5418When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
5419last defined. Example: >
5420
5421 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
5422 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
5423 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
5424<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00005425See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005426
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005427 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005428:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005429 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
5430 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
5431 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005432
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005433 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5434 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005435 :function dict.init(arg)
5436< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
5437 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
5438 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
5439 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
5440 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
5441 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005442 *E127* *E122*
5443 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
5444 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
5445 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
5446 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005447
5448 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
5449
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005450 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
5451 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
5452 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
5453 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
5454 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
5455 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
5456 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005457
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005458 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
5459 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005460
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005461 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005462 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005463 local variable "self" will then be set to the
5464 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005465
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00005466 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
5467 will not be changed by the function.
5468
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005469 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
5470:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
5471 by its own, without other commands.
5472
5473 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
5474:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005475 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5476 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005477 :delfunc dict.init
5478< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
5479 function is deleted if there are no more references to
5480 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005481 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
5482:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
5483 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
5484 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
5485 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
5486 the number 0 is returned.
5487 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
5488 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
5489
5490 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
5491 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
5492 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
5493 are executed first. This process applies to all
5494 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
5495 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
5496
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005497 *function-argument* *a:var*
5498An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
5499be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005500 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740* *...*
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005501Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
5502arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
5503may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
5504as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005505can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
5506that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005507 *E742*
5508The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005509However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can changes their contents.
5510Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
5511it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
5512|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005513
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005514When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
5515to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
5516may be larger.
5517
5518It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
5519still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
5520until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
5521inside a function body.
5522
5523 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005524Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
5525will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
5526accessed with "g:".
5527
5528Example: >
5529 :function Table(title, ...)
5530 : echohl Title
5531 : echo a:title
5532 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005533 : echo a:0 . " items:"
5534 : for s in a:000
5535 : echon ' ' . s
5536 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005537 :endfunction
5538
5539This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005540 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
5541 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005542
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005543To return more than one value, return a |List|: >
5544 :function Compute(n1, n2)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005545 : if a:n2 == 0
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005546 : return ["fail", 0]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005547 : endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005548 : return ["ok", a:n1 / a:n2]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005549 :endfunction
5550
5551This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005552 :let [success, div] = Compute(102, 6)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005553 :if success == "ok"
5554 : echo div
5555 :endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005556<
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00005557 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005558:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
5559 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
5560 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005561 used. The returned value is discarded.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005562 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
5563 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
5564 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
5565 function.
5566 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
5567 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
5568 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
5569 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
5570 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
5571 this works:
5572 *function-range-example* >
5573 :function Mynumber(arg)
5574 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
5575 :endfunction
5576 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
5577<
5578 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
5579 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
5580 the range.
5581
5582 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
5583
5584 :function Cont() range
5585 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
5586 :endfunction
5587 :4,8call Cont()
5588<
5589 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
5590 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
5591
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005592 When the function returns a composite value it can be further
5593 dereferenced, but the range will not be used then. Example: >
5594 :4,8call GetDict().method()
5595< Here GetDict() gets the range but method() does not.
5596
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005597 *E132*
5598The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
5599option.
5600
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005601
5602AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005603 *autoload-functions*
5604When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005605only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
5606the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
5607
5608
5609Using an autocommand ~
5610
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005611This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
5612
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005613The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
5614You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
5615That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
5616again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
5617
5618Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
5619function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005620
5621 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
5622
5623The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
5624"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
5625
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005626
5627Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005628 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005629This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
5630
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005631Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
5632exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
5633like this: >
5634
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005635 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005636
5637When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
5638"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
5639"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
5640then define the function like this: >
5641
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005642 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005643 echo "Done!"
5644 endfunction
5645
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00005646The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005647exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
5648called.
5649
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005650It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
5651a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005652
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005653 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005654
5655Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
5656
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005657This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
5658
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005659 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005660
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00005661However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
5662for an unknown variable.
5663
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005664When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
5665be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
5666
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005667 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
5668 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005669
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00005670Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
5671defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
5672function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005673And you will get an error message every time.
5674
5675Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
5676other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
5677Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005678
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005679Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
5680|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
5681
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005682==============================================================================
56836. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
5684
5685Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
5686This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
5687{} like this: >
5688 my_{adjective}_variable
5689
5690When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
5691that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
5692name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
5693"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
5694"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
5695
5696One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
5697value. For example, the statement >
5698 echo my_{&background}_message
5699
5700would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
5701on the current value of 'background'.
5702
5703You can use multiple brace pairs: >
5704 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
5705..or even nest them: >
5706 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
5707where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
5708
5709However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005710variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005711 :let foo='a + b'
5712 :echo c{foo}d
5713.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
5714
5715 *curly-braces-function-names*
5716You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
5717Example: >
5718 :let func_end='whizz'
5719 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
5720
5721This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
5722
5723==============================================================================
57247. Commands *expression-commands*
5725
5726:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
5727 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
5728 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
5729 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
5730 is created.
5731
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005732:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
5733 Set a list item to the result of the expression
5734 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
5735 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
5736 the index can be repeated.
5737 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
5738
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005739 *E711* *E719*
5740:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005741 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
5742 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005743 correct number of items.
5744 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
5745 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
5746 When the selected range of items is partly past the
5747 end of the list, items will be added.
5748
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005749 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005750:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
5751:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
5752:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
5753 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
5754 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
5755
5756
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005757:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
5758 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
5759 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005760:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
5761 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
5762 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
5763 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005764
5765:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
5766 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
5767 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
5768 must be the name of a writable register (see
5769 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
5770 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
5771 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
5772 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
5773 characterwise.
5774 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
5775 :let @/ = ""
5776< This is different from searching for an empty string,
5777 that would match everywhere.
5778
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005779:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
5780 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
5781 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
5782
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005783:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-&*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005784 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005785 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
5786 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005787 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
5788 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00005789 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005790 Example: >
5791 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005792
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005793:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
5794 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
5795 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
5796
5797:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
5798:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
5799 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
5800 {expr1}.
5801
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005802:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005803:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5804:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
5805:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005806 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
5807 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
5808
5809:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005810:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5811:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
5812:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005813 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
5814 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
5815
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005816:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005817 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005818 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
5819 {name2}, etc.
5820 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005821 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005822 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
5823 command as mentioned above.
5824 Example: >
5825 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005826< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
5827 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
5828 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
5829 :let x = [0, 1]
5830 :let i = 0
5831 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
5832 :echo x
5833< The result is [0, 2].
5834
5835:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
5836:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
5837:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
5838 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005839 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005840
5841:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005842 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005843 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
5844 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
5845 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005846 Example: >
5847 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
5848<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005849:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
5850:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
5851:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
5852 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005853 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005854 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005855:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005856 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
5857 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00005858 g: global variables
5859 b: local buffer variables
5860 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00005861 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00005862 s: script-local variables
5863 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005864 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005865
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005866:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
5867 variable is indicated before the value:
5868 <nothing> String
5869 # Number
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005870 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005871
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005872
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005873:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108* *E795*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005874 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
5875 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005876 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005877 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
5878 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005879 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005880 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
5881 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005882< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005883 :unlet dict['two']
5884 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005885
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005886:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
5887 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
5888 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
5889 A locked variable can be deleted: >
5890 :lockvar v
5891 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
5892 :unlet v
5893< *E741*
5894 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
5895 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
5896
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005897 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
5898 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
5899 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005900 cannot add or remove items, but can
5901 still change their values.
5902 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005903 the items. If an item is a |List| or
5904 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005905 items, but can still change the
5906 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005907 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
5908 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
5909 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
5910 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
5911 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005912 *E743*
5913 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
5914 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
5915 loops.
5916
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005917 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
5918 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00005919 locked when used through the other variable.
5920 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005921 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
5922 :let cl = l
5923 :lockvar l
5924 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
5925< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
5926 See |deepcopy()|.
5927
5928
5929:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
5930 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
5931 opposite of |:lockvar|.
5932
5933
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005934:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
5935:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5936 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5937
5938 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
5939 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
5940 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
5941 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
5942 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
5943 part was not executed either.
5944
5945 You can use this to remain compatible with older
5946 versions: >
5947 :if version >= 500
5948 : version-5-specific-commands
5949 :endif
5950< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
5951 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
5952 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
5953 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
5954 avoid problems: >
5955 :if version >= 600
5956 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
5957 :endif
5958<
5959 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
5960 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
5961
5962 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
5963:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5964 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
5965 executed.
5966
5967 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
5968:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
5969 is no extra ":endif".
5970
5971:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005972 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005973:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
5974 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5975 When an error is detected from a command inside the
5976 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005977 Example: >
5978 :let lnum = 1
5979 :while lnum <= line("$")
5980 :call FixLine(lnum)
5981 :let lnum = lnum + 1
5982 :endwhile
5983<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005984 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005985 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005986
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005987:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005988:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
5989 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005990 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005991 value of each item.
5992 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005993 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00005994 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
5995 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005996 :for item in copy(mylist)
5997< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
5998 next item in the list, before executing the commands
5999 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
6000 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
6001 it will not be found. Thus the following example
6002 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
6003 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006004 :call remove(mylist, 0)
6005 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006006< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
6007 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
6008 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006009 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
6010 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
6011 to allow multiple item types.
6012
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006013:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
6014:endfo[r]
6015 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
6016 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
6017 {var2}, etc. Example: >
6018 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
6019 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
6020 :endfor
6021<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006022 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006023:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
6024 to the start of the loop.
6025 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6026 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6027 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6028 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6029 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6030 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006031
6032 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006033:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
6034 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
6035 ":endfor".
6036 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6037 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6038 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6039 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6040 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6041 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006042
6043:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
6044:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
6045 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
6046 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
6047 or autocommand invocations.
6048
6049 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
6050 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
6051 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
6052 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
6053 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
6054 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
6055 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
6056 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
6057 Example: >
6058 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
6059 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
6060<
6061 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
6062 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
6063 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
6064 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
6065 processing is not terminated.
6066
6067 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
6068 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
6069 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
6070 other errors are converted to a value of the form
6071 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
6072 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
6073 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
6074 the error number.
6075 Examples: >
6076 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
6077 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
6078<
6079 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
6080:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
6081 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
6082 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
6083 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
6084 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
6085 commands are skipped.
6086 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
6087 Examples: >
6088 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
6089 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
6090 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
6091 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
6092 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
6093 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
6094 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
6095 :catch " same as /.*/
6096<
6097 Another character can be used instead of / around the
6098 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
6099 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
6100 {pattern}.
6101 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
6102 an error message because it may vary in different
6103 locales.
6104
6105 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
6106:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
6107 are executed whenever the part between the matching
6108 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
6109 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
6110 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
6111 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
6112
6113 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
6114:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
6115 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
6116 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
6117 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
6118 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
6119 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
6120 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
6121 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
6122 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
6123 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
6124 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
6125 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
6126 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
6127 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
6128 is terminated.
6129 Example: >
6130 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
6131<
6132
6133 *:ec* *:echo*
6134:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
6135 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
6136 Also see |:comment|.
6137 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
6138 cursor to the first column.
6139 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6140 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6141 Example: >
6142 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006143< *:echo-redraw*
6144 A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
6145 And since Vim mostly postpones redrawing until it's
6146 finished with a sequence of commands this happens
6147 quite often. To avoid that a command from before the
6148 ":echo" causes a redraw afterwards (redraws are often
6149 postponed until you type something), force a redraw
6150 with the |:redraw| command. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006151 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
6152<
6153 *:echon*
6154:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
6155 |:comment|.
6156 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6157 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6158 Example: >
6159 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
6160<
6161 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
6162 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
6163 command: >
6164 :!echo % --> filename
6165< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
6166 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
6167< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
6168 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
6169 :echo % --> nothing
6170< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
6171 :echo "%" --> %
6172< This just echoes the '%' character. >
6173 :echo expand("%") --> filename
6174< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
6175
6176 *:echoh* *:echohl*
6177:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
6178 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
6179 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
6180 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
6181< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
6182 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
6183
6184 *:echom* *:echomsg*
6185:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
6186 message in the |message-history|.
6187 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6188 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
6189 displayed, not interpreted.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006190 The parsing works slightly different from |:echo|,
6191 more like |:execute|. All the expressions are first
6192 evaluated and concatenated before echoing anything.
6193 The expressions must evaluate to a Number or String, a
6194 Dictionary or List causes an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006195 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6196 Example: >
6197 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006198< See |:echo-redraw| to avoid the message disappearing
6199 when the screen is redrawn.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006200 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
6201:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
6202 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
6203 script or function the line number will be added.
6204 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6205 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
6206 the message is raised as an error exception instead
6207 (see |try-echoerr|).
6208 Example: >
6209 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
6210< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
6211 And to get a beep: >
6212 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
6213<
6214 *:exe* *:execute*
6215:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
6216 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
6217 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
6218 used as the processed command, command line editing
6219 keys are not recognized.
6220 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6221 Examples: >
6222 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
6223 :execute "normal " count . "w"
6224<
6225 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
6226 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
6227 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
6228
6229< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
6230 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
6231 command: >
6232 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
6233< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
6234
6235 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006236 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
6237 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006238 :execute 'while i > 5'
6239 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
6240<
6241 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
6242 completely in the executed string: >
6243 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
6244<
6245
6246 *:comment*
6247 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
6248 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
6249 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
6250 comment. Example: >
6251 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
6252
6253==============================================================================
62548. Exception handling *exception-handling*
6255
6256The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
6257explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
6258
6259Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
6260|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
6261exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
6262
6263
6264TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
6265
6266Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
6267use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
6268a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
6269 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
6270|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
6271a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
6272be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
6273which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
6274clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
6275
6276 :try
6277 : ...
6278 : ... TRY BLOCK
6279 : ...
6280 :catch /{pattern}/
6281 : ...
6282 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6283 : ...
6284 :catch /{pattern}/
6285 : ...
6286 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6287 : ...
6288 :finally
6289 : ...
6290 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
6291 : ...
6292 :endtry
6293
6294The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
6295appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
6296from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
6297 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
6298is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
6299script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
6300 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
6301lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
6302patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
6303after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
6304executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
6305":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
6306(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
6307continues in the following line as usual.
6308 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
6309":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
6310that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
6311finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
6312the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
6313the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
6314see |try-nesting|.
6315 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
6316remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
6317not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
6318try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
6319a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
6320execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
6321exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6322 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
6323thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
6324clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
6325catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
6326following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
6327clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6328
6329The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
6330a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
6331try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
6332from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
6333sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
6334":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
6335":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
6336from the finally clause.
6337 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
6338try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
6339clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
6340":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
6341clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
6342":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
6343this pending exception or command is discarded.
6344
6345For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
6346
6347
6348NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
6349
6350Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
6351conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
6352clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
6353catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
6354of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
6355checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
6356try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
6357otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
6358nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
6359one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
6360the inner try conditional.
6361
6362When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
6363finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
6364An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
6365thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
6366implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
6367as usual.
6368
6369For examples see |throw-catch|.
6370
6371
6372EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
6373
6374Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
6375'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
6376script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
6377finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
6378a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
6379(see |debug-scripts|).
6380
6381
6382THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
6383
6384You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
6385and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
6386 :throw 4711
6387 :throw "string"
6388< *throw-expression*
6389You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
6390first, and the result is thrown: >
6391 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
6392 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
6393
6394An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
6395command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
6396The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
6397 Example: >
6398
6399 :function! Foo(arg)
6400 : try
6401 : throw a:arg
6402 : catch /foo/
6403 : endtry
6404 : return 1
6405 :endfunction
6406 :
6407 :function! Bar()
6408 : echo "in Bar"
6409 : return 4710
6410 :endfunction
6411 :
6412 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
6413
6414This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
6415executed. >
6416 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
6417however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
6418
6419Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
6420abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
6421exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
6422 Example: >
6423
6424 :if Foo("arrgh")
6425 : echo "then"
6426 :else
6427 : echo "else"
6428 :endif
6429
6430Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
6431
6432 *catch-order*
6433Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
6434commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
6435command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
6436gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
6437 Example: >
6438
6439 :function! Foo(value)
6440 : try
6441 : throw a:value
6442 : catch /^\d\+$/
6443 : echo "Number thrown"
6444 : catch /.*/
6445 : echo "String thrown"
6446 : endtry
6447 :endfunction
6448 :
6449 :call Foo(0x1267)
6450 :call Foo('string')
6451
6452The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
6453An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
6454specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
6455specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
6456
6457 : catch /.*/
6458 : echo "String thrown"
6459 : catch /^\d\+$/
6460 : echo "Number thrown"
6461
6462The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
6463never taken.
6464
6465 *throw-variables*
6466If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
6467in the variable |v:exception|: >
6468
6469 : catch /^\d\+$/
6470 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
6471
6472You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
6473|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
6474exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
6475 Example: >
6476
6477 :function! Caught()
6478 : if v:exception != ""
6479 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
6480 : else
6481 : echo 'Nothing caught'
6482 : endif
6483 :endfunction
6484 :
6485 :function! Foo()
6486 : try
6487 : try
6488 : try
6489 : throw 4711
6490 : finally
6491 : call Caught()
6492 : endtry
6493 : catch /.*/
6494 : call Caught()
6495 : throw "oops"
6496 : endtry
6497 : catch /.*/
6498 : call Caught()
6499 : finally
6500 : call Caught()
6501 : endtry
6502 :endfunction
6503 :
6504 :call Foo()
6505
6506This displays >
6507
6508 Nothing caught
6509 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
6510 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
6511 Nothing caught
6512
6513A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
6514number in the script or function where it has been used: >
6515
6516 :function! LineNumber()
6517 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
6518 :endfunction
6519 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
6520<
6521 *try-nested*
6522An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
6523a surrounding try conditional: >
6524
6525 :try
6526 : try
6527 : throw "foo"
6528 : catch /foobar/
6529 : echo "foobar"
6530 : finally
6531 : echo "inner finally"
6532 : endtry
6533 :catch /foo/
6534 : echo "foo"
6535 :endtry
6536
6537The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
6538clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
6539conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
6540
6541 *throw-from-catch*
6542You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
6543catch clause: >
6544
6545 :function! Foo()
6546 : throw "foo"
6547 :endfunction
6548 :
6549 :function! Bar()
6550 : try
6551 : call Foo()
6552 : catch /foo/
6553 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
6554 : throw "bar"
6555 : endtry
6556 :endfunction
6557 :
6558 :try
6559 : call Bar()
6560 :catch /.*/
6561 : echo "Caught" v:exception
6562 :endtry
6563
6564This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
6565
6566 *rethrow*
6567There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
6568"v:exception" instead: >
6569
6570 :function! Bar()
6571 : try
6572 : call Foo()
6573 : catch /.*/
6574 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
6575 : throw v:exception
6576 : endtry
6577 :endfunction
6578< *try-echoerr*
6579Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
6580exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
6581Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
6582denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
6583the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
6584
6585 :try
6586 : try
6587 : asdf
6588 : catch /.*/
6589 : echoerr v:exception
6590 : endtry
6591 :catch /.*/
6592 : echo v:exception
6593 :endtry
6594
6595This code displays
6596
6597 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
6598
6599
6600CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
6601
6602Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
6603user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
6604an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
6605a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
6606catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
6607a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
6608normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
6609(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
6610to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
6611clause has been executed.)
6612Example: >
6613
6614 :try
6615 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
6616 : set ts=17
6617 :
6618 : " Do the hard work here.
6619 :
6620 :finally
6621 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
6622 : unlet s:saved_ts
6623 :endtry
6624
6625This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
6626changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
6627that function or script part.
6628
6629 *break-finally*
6630Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
6631a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
6632 Example: >
6633
6634 :let first = 1
6635 :while 1
6636 : try
6637 : if first
6638 : echo "first"
6639 : let first = 0
6640 : continue
6641 : else
6642 : throw "second"
6643 : endif
6644 : catch /.*/
6645 : echo v:exception
6646 : break
6647 : finally
6648 : echo "cleanup"
6649 : endtry
6650 : echo "still in while"
6651 :endwhile
6652 :echo "end"
6653
6654This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
6655
6656 :function! Foo()
6657 : try
6658 : return 4711
6659 : finally
6660 : echo "cleanup\n"
6661 : endtry
6662 : echo "Foo still active"
6663 :endfunction
6664 :
6665 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
6666
6667This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
6668extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
6669return value.)
6670
6671 *except-from-finally*
6672Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
6673a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
6674cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
6675exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
6676 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
6677working correctly: >
6678
6679 :try
6680 : try
6681 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
6682 : while 1
6683 : endwhile
6684 : finally
6685 : unlet novar
6686 : endtry
6687 :catch /novar/
6688 :endtry
6689 :echo "Script still running"
6690 :sleep 1
6691
6692If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
6693think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
6694|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
6695
6696
6697CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
6698
6699If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
6700watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
6701presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
6702exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
6703the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
6704the error exception is.
6705 Error exceptions have the following format: >
6706
6707 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
6708or >
6709 Vim:{errmsg}
6710
6711{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
6712the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
6713when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
6714a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
6715a space.
6716
6717Examples:
6718
6719The command >
6720 :unlet novar
6721normally produces the error message >
6722 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6723which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6724 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
6725
6726The command >
6727 :dwim
6728normally produces the error message >
6729 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6730which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6731 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6732
6733You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
6734 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
6735or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
6736 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
6737
6738Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
6739 :function nofunc
6740and >
6741 :delfunction nofunc
6742both produce the error message >
6743 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6744which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6745 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6746or >
6747 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6748respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
6749command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
6750 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
6751
6752Some commands like >
6753 :let x = novar
6754produce multiple error messages, here: >
6755 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6756 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6757Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
6758one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
6759 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
6760
6761You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
6762 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
6763
6764You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
6765 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
6766
6767You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
6768 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
6769<
6770 *catch-text*
6771NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
6772 :catch /No such variable/
6773only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
6774a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
6775cite the message text in a comment: >
6776 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
6777
6778
6779IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
6780
6781You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
6782
6783 :try
6784 : write
6785 :catch
6786 :endtry
6787
6788But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
6789catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
6790be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
6791
6792 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
6793
6794There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
6795writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
6796then hide the error from the user.
6797 It is much better to use >
6798
6799 :try
6800 : write
6801 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6802 :endtry
6803
6804which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
6805intentionally.
6806
6807For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
6808even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
6809command: >
6810 :silent! nunmap k
6811This works also when a try conditional is active.
6812
6813
6814CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
6815
6816When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
6817the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
6818script is not terminated, then.
6819 Example: >
6820
6821 :function! TASK1()
6822 : sleep 10
6823 :endfunction
6824
6825 :function! TASK2()
6826 : sleep 20
6827 :endfunction
6828
6829 :while 1
6830 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
6831 : try
6832 : if command == ""
6833 : continue
6834 : elseif command == "END"
6835 : break
6836 : elseif command == "TASK1"
6837 : call TASK1()
6838 : elseif command == "TASK2"
6839 : call TASK2()
6840 : else
6841 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
6842 : continue
6843 : endif
6844 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6845 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
6846 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
6847 : endtry
6848 :endwhile
6849
6850You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
6851a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
6852
6853For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
6854your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
6855command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
6856
6857
6858CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
6859
6860The commands >
6861
6862 :catch /.*/
6863 :catch //
6864 :catch
6865
6866catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
6867explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
6868a script in order to catch unexpected things.
6869 Example: >
6870
6871 :try
6872 :
6873 : " do the hard work here
6874 :
6875 :catch /MyException/
6876 :
6877 : " handle known problem
6878 :
6879 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6880 : echo "Script interrupted"
6881 :catch /.*/
6882 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
6883 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
6884 :endtry
6885 :" end of script
6886
6887Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
6888strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
6889specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
6890 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
6891by pressing CTRL-C: >
6892
6893 :while 1
6894 : try
6895 : sleep 1
6896 : catch
6897 : endtry
6898 :endwhile
6899
6900
6901EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
6902
6903Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
6904
6905 :autocmd User x try
6906 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
6907 :autocmd User x catch
6908 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
6909 :autocmd User x endtry
6910 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
6911 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
6912 :
6913 :try
6914 : doautocmd User x
6915 :catch
6916 : echo v:exception
6917 :endtry
6918
6919This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
6920
6921 *except-autocmd-Pre*
6922For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
6923command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
6924of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
6925abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
6926 Example: >
6927
6928 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
6929 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
6930 :
6931 :try
6932 : write
6933 :catch
6934 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
6935 :endtry
6936
6937Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
6938you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
6939autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
6940script displays: >
6941
6942 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
6943<
6944 *except-autocmd-Post*
6945For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
6946command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
6947an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
6948is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
6949 Example: >
6950
6951 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
6952 :
6953 :try
6954 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6955 :catch
6956 : echo v:exception
6957 :endtry
6958
6959This just displays: >
6960
6961 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
6962
6963If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
6964fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
6965 Example: >
6966
6967 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
6968 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
6969 :
6970 :try
6971 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6972 :catch
6973 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6974 :endtry
6975<
6976You can also use ":silent!": >
6977
6978 :let x = "ok"
6979 :let v:errmsg = ""
6980 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
6981 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
6982 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
6983 :try
6984 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6985 :catch
6986 :endtry
6987 :echo x
6988
6989This displays "after fail".
6990
6991If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
6992autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
6993
6994 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
6995 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
6996 :
6997 :try
6998 : write
6999 :catch
7000 : echo v:exception
7001 :endtry
7002<
7003 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
7004For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
7005autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
7006of the command.
7007 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
7008had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
7009some way. >
7010
7011 :if !exists("cnt")
7012 : let cnt = 0
7013 :
7014 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
7015 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
7016 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
7017 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7018 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7019 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
7020 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
7021 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7022 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7023 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
7024 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7025 :endif
7026 :
7027 :try
7028 : write
7029 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
7030 : if &modified
7031 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
7032 : else
7033 : echo "Error after writing"
7034 : endif
7035 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7036 : echo "Error on writing"
7037 :endtry
7038
7039When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
7040first >
7041 File successfully written!
7042then >
7043 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
7044then >
7045 Error after writing
7046etc.
7047
7048 *except-autocmd-ill*
7049You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
7050The following code is ill-formed: >
7051
7052 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
7053 :
7054 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
7055 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
7056 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
7057 :
7058 :write
7059
7060
7061EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
7062
7063Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
7064pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
7065similar things in Vim.
7066 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
7067class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
7068string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
7069 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
7070it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
7071for an error when writing "myfile".
7072 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
7073base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
7074parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
7075 Example: >
7076
7077 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
7078 : if a:a < 0
7079 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
7080 : endif
7081 :endfunction
7082 :
7083 :function! Add(a, b)
7084 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
7085 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
7086 : let c = a:a + a:b
7087 : if c < 0
7088 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
7089 : endif
7090 : return c
7091 :endfunction
7092 :
7093 :function! Div(a, b)
7094 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
7095 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
7096 : if (a:b == 0)
7097 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
7098 : endif
7099 : return a:a / a:b
7100 :endfunction
7101 :
7102 :function! Write(file)
7103 : try
7104 : execute "write" a:file
7105 : catch /^Vim(write):/
7106 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
7107 : endtry
7108 :endfunction
7109 :
7110 :try
7111 :
7112 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
7113 :
7114 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
7115 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
7116 : echo "Range error in" function
7117 :
7118 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
7119 : echo "Math error"
7120 :
7121 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
7122 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
7123 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
7124 : if file !~ '^/'
7125 : let file = dir . "/" . file
7126 : endif
7127 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
7128 :
7129 :catch /^EXCEPT/
7130 : echo "Unspecified error"
7131 :
7132 :endtry
7133
7134The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
7135a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
7136exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
7137 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
7138failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
7139
7140
7141PECULIARITIES
7142 *except-compat*
7143The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
7144exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
7145and/or a catch clause.
7146
7147In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
7148continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
7149after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
7150functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
7151or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
7152(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
7153
7154This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
7155immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
7156conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
7157be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
7158termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
7159catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
7160by specifying a finally clause.)
7161
7162When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
7163behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
7164scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
7165
7166However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
7167commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
7168conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
7169script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
7170error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
7171messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
7172|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
7173not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
7174where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
7175error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
7176scripts.
7177
7178 *except-syntax-err*
7179Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
7180the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
7181clauses, however, is executed.
7182 Example: >
7183
7184 :try
7185 : try
7186 : throw 4711
7187 : catch /\(/
7188 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
7189 : catch
7190 : echo "inner catch-all"
7191 : finally
7192 : echo "inner finally"
7193 : endtry
7194 :catch
7195 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
7196 : finally
7197 : echo "outer finally"
7198 :endtry
7199
7200This displays: >
7201 inner finally
7202 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
7203 outer finally
7204The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
7205
7206 *except-single-line*
7207The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
7208a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
7209"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
7210 Example: >
7211 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
7212raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
7213argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
7214error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
7215displayed.
7216
7217 *except-several-errors*
7218When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
7219usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
7220 Example: >
7221 echo novar
7222causes >
7223 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7224 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7225The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7226 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
7227< *except-syntax-error*
7228But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
7229the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
7230 Example: >
7231 unlet novar #
7232causes >
7233 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7234 E488: Trailing characters
7235The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7236 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
7237This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
7238not intended by the user. Example: >
7239 try
7240 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
7241 catch /.*/
7242 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
7243 endtry
7244This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
7245a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
7246
7247==============================================================================
72489. Examples *eval-examples*
7249
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007250Printing in Binary ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007251>
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007252 :" The function Nr2Bin() returns the Hex string of a number.
7253 :func Nr2Bin(nr)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007254 : let n = a:nr
7255 : let r = ""
7256 : while n
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007257 : let r = '01'[n % 2] . r
7258 : let n = n / 2
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007259 : endwhile
7260 : return r
7261 :endfunc
7262
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007263 :" The function String2Bin() converts each character in a string to a
7264 :" binary string, separated with dashes.
7265 :func String2Bin(str)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007266 : let out = ''
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007267 : for ix in range(strlen(a:str))
7268 : let out = out . '-' . Nr2Bin(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
7269 : endfor
7270 : return out[1:]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007271 :endfunc
7272
7273Example of its use: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007274 :echo Nr2Bin(32)
7275result: "100000" >
7276 :echo String2Bin("32")
7277result: "110011-110010"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007278
7279
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007280Sorting lines ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007281
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007282This example sorts lines with a specific compare function. >
7283
7284 :func SortBuffer()
7285 : let lines = getline(1, '$')
7286 : call sort(lines, function("Strcmp"))
7287 : call setline(1, lines)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007288 :endfunction
7289
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007290As a one-liner: >
7291 :call setline(1, sort(getline(1, '$'), function("Strcmp")))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007292
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007293
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007294scanf() replacement ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007295 *sscanf*
7296There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
7297line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
7298how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
7299"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
7300 :" Set up the match bit
7301 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
7302 :"get the part matching the whole expression
7303 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
7304 :"get each item out of the match
7305 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
7306 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
7307 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
7308
7309The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
7310"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
7311
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007312
7313getting the scriptnames in a Dictionary ~
7314 *scriptnames-dictionary*
7315The |:scriptnames| command can be used to get a list of all script files that
7316have been sourced. There is no equivalent function or variable for this
7317(because it's rarely needed). In case you need to manipulate the list this
7318code can be used: >
7319 " Get the output of ":scriptnames" in the scriptnames_output variable.
7320 let scriptnames_output = ''
7321 redir => scriptnames_output
7322 silent scriptnames
7323 redir END
7324
7325 " Split the output into lines and parse each line. Add an entry to the
7326 " "scripts" dictionary.
7327 let scripts = {}
7328 for line in split(scriptnames_output, "\n")
7329 " Only do non-blank lines.
7330 if line =~ '\S'
7331 " Get the first number in the line.
7332 let nr = matchstr(line, '\d\+')
7333 " Get the file name, remove the script number " 123: ".
7334 let name = substitute(line, '.\+:\s*', '', '')
7335 " Add an item to the Dictionary
7336 let scripts[nr] = name
7337 endif
7338 endfor
7339 unlet scriptnames_output
7340
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007341==============================================================================
734210. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
7343
7344When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
7345evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
7346to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
7347recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
7348and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
7349only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
7350recognized.
7351
7352Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
7353missing: >
7354
7355 :if 1
7356 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
7357 :else
7358 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
7359 :endif
7360
7361==============================================================================
736211. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
7363
7364The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
7365options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
7366these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
7367these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00007368a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007369The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007370
7371These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
7372 - changing the buffer text
7373 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
7374 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007375 - setting certain v: variables (see |v:var|) *E794*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007376 - executing a shell command
7377 - reading or writing a file
7378 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00007379 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007380This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
7381
7382 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00007383:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007384 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
7385 'foldexpr'.
7386
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007387 *sandbox-option*
7388A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00007389have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007390restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
7391location. Insecure in this context are:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00007392- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directory
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007393- while executing in the sandbox
7394- value coming from a modeline
7395
7396Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
7397option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
7398
7399==============================================================================
740012. Textlock *textlock*
7401
7402In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
7403to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
7404is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
7405actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
7406happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
7407
7408This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
7409 - changing the buffer text
7410 - jumping to another buffer or window
7411 - editing another file
7412 - closing a window or quitting Vim
7413 - etc.
7414
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007415
7416 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: