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Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2005 Jul 28
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 Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000031
32{Vi does not have any of these commands}
33
34==============================================================================
351. Variables *variables*
36
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000371.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000038 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000039There are five types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000040
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000041Number A 32 bit signed number.
42 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
43
44String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
45 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
46
47Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
48 Example: function("strlen")
49
50List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
51 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000052
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000053Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
54 value. |Dictionary|
55 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
56
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000057The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
58are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000059
60Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
61the Number. Examples: >
62 Number 123 --> String "123"
63 Number 0 --> String "0"
64 Number -1 --> String "-1"
65
66Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
67to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
68the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
69 String "456" --> Number 456
70 String "6bar" --> Number 6
71 String "foo" --> Number 0
72 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
73 String "0100" --> Number 64
74 String "-8" --> Number -8
75 String "+8" --> Number 0
76
77To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
78 :echo "0100" + 0
79
80For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
81
82Note that in the command >
83 :if "foo"
84"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
85use strlen(): >
86 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000087< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
88List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000089
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000090 *E706*
91You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
92to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000093equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000094 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000095 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000096 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000097
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000098
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000991.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000100 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000101A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000102in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
103around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000104
105 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
106 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000107< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000108A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:" or "b:". You cannot
109have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000110
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000111A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
112Dictionary entry. Example: >
113 :function dict.init() dict
114 : let self.val = 0
115 :endfunction
116
117The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
118function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
119
120A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
121 :call Fn()
122 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000123
124The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000125 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000126
127You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
128arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000129 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000130
131
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001321.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000133 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000134A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
135can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
136position in the sequence.
137
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000138
139List creation ~
140 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000141A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000142Examples: >
143 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
144 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000145
146An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000147nested List: >
148 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000149
150An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
151
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000152
153List index ~
154 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000155An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000156after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
157 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000158 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000159
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000160When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000161 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000162<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000163A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
164the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000165 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
166
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000167To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000168is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000169 :echo get(mylist, idx)
170 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
171
172
173List concatenation ~
174
175Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
176 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000177 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000178
179To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
180it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
181
182
183Sublist ~
184
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000185A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
186separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000187 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000188
189Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
190similar to -1. The difference is that there is no error if the items are not
191available. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000192 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
193 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
194 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000195
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000196The second index can be just before the first index. In that case the result
197is an empty list. If the second index is lower, this results in an error. >
198 :echo mylist[2:1] " result: []
199 :echo mylist[2:0] " error!
200
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000201NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
202using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
203mylist[s : e].
204
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000205
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000206List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000207 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000208When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
209variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
210change "bb": >
211 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
212 :let bb = aa
213 :call add(aa, 4)
214 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000215< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000216
217Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
218works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000219a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000220 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
221 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000222 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000223 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
224 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000225< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000226 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000227< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000228
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000229To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000230copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000231
232The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000233List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000234the same value. >
235 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
236 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
237 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000238< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000239 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000240< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000241
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000242Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
243same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000244exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
245different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
246variables. Example: >
247 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000248< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000249 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000250< 0
251
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000252Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
253can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a string: >
254
255 :let a = 5
256 :let b = "5"
257 echo a == b
258< 1 >
259 echo [a] == [b]
260< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000261
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000262
263List unpack ~
264
265To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
266square brackets, like list items: >
267 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
268
269When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
270this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
271and a variable name: >
272 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
273
274This works like: >
275 :let var1 = mylist[0]
276 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000277 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000278
279Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
280empty list then.
281
282
283List modification ~
284 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000285To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000286 :let list[4] = "four"
287 :let listlist[0][3] = item
288
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000289To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000290modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000291 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
292
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000293Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
294examples: >
295 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
296 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
297 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000298 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000299 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
300 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000301 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000302 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000303 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000304 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000305
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000306Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000307 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
308 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
309
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000310
311For loop ~
312
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000313The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
314to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000315 :for item in mylist
316 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000317 :endfor
318
319This works like: >
320 :let index = 0
321 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000322 : let item = mylist[index]
323 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000324 : let index = index + 1
325 :endwhile
326
327Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000328results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000329the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000330
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000331If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000332function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000333
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000334Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
335requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
336 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
337 : call Doit(lnum, col)
338 :endfor
339
340This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
341must remain the same to avoid an error.
342
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000343It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000344 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
345 : call Doit(i, j)
346 : if !empty(rest)
347 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
348 : endif
349 :endfor
350
351
352List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000353 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000354Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000355 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000356 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000357 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
358 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
359 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000360 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
361 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000362 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
363 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000364 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
365 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000366 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
367 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000368
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000369Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
370example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
371 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
372
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000373
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003741.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000375 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000376A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000377entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
378ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000379
380
381Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000382 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000383A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000384braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
385only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000386 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
387 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000388< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000389A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
390String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000391entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
392Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000393
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000394A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000395nested Dictionary: >
396 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
397
398An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
399
400
401Accessing entries ~
402
403The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
404 :let val = mydict["one"]
405 :let mydict["four"] = 4
406
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000407You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000408
409For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
410form can be used |expr-entry|: >
411 :let val = mydict.one
412 :let mydict.four = 4
413
414Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
415key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000416 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000417
418
419Dictionary to List conversion ~
420
421You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
422turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
423
424Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
425 :for key in keys(mydict)
426 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
427 :endfor
428
429The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
430 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
431
432To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
433 :for v in values(mydict)
434 : echo "value: " . v
435 :endfor
436
437If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000438a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000439 :for entry in items(mydict)
440 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
441 :endfor
442
443
444Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000445 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000446Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
447Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
448Dictionary: >
449 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
450 :let adict = onedict
451 :let adict['a'] = 11
452 :echo onedict['a']
453 11
454
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000455Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
456more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000457
458
459Dictionary modification ~
460 *dict-modification*
461To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
462use |:let| this way: >
463 :let dict[4] = "four"
464 :let dict['one'] = item
465
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000466Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
467Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
468 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
469 :unlet dict.aaa
470 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000471
472Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000473 :call extend(adict, bdict)
474This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
475in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000476Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
477expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
478adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000479
480Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +0000481 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000482This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000483
484
485Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000486 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000487When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
488special way with a dictionary. Example: >
489 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000490 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000491 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000492 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
493 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000494
495This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
496Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
497the function was invoked from.
498
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000499It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
500Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
501
502 *numbered-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000503To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
504assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000505 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
506 :function mydict.len() dict
507 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000508 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000509 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000510
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000511The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
512that references this function. The function can only be used through a
513|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
514remaining that refers to it.
515
516It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000517
518
519Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000520 *E715*
521Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000522 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
523 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
524 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
525 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
526 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
527 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
528 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
529 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000530
531
5321.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000533 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000534If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
535function.
536
537When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
538start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
539stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
540
541When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
542start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
543stored in the session file |session-file|.
544
545variable name can be stored where ~
546my_var_6 not
547My_Var_6 session file
548MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
549
550
551It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
552|curly-braces-names|.
553
554==============================================================================
5552. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
556
557Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
558
559|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
560
561|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
562
563|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
564
565|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
566 expr5 != expr5 not equal
567 expr5 > expr5 greater than
568 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
569 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
570 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
571 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
572 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
573
574 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
575 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
576 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
577 matching case
578
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000579 expr5 is expr5 same List instance
580 expr5 isnot expr5 different List instance
581
582|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000583 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
584 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
585
586|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
587 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
588 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
589
590|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
591 - expr7 unary minus
592 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000593
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000594
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000595|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a List
596 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a List
597 expr8.name entry in a Dictionary
598 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with Funcref variable
599
600|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000601 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000602 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000603 [expr1, ...] List
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000604 {expr1: expr1, ...} Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000605 &option option value
606 (expr1) nested expression
607 variable internal variable
608 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
609 $VAR environment variable
610 @r contents of register 'r'
611 function(expr1, ...) function call
612 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
613
614
615".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
616Example: >
617 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
618
619All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
620
621
622expr1 *expr1* *E109*
623-----
624
625expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
626
627The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
628non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
629otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
630Example: >
631 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
632
633Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
634other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
635Example: >
636 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
637
638To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
639 :echo lnum == 1
640 :\ ? "top"
641 :\ : lnum == 1000
642 :\ ? "last"
643 :\ : lnum
644
645
646expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
647---------------
648
649 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
650The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
651are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
652
653 input output ~
654n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
655zero zero zero zero
656zero non-zero non-zero zero
657non-zero zero non-zero zero
658non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
659
660The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
661
662 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
663
664Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
665
666 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
667
668Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
669arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
670
671 let a = 1
672 echo a || b
673
674This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
675so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
676
677 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
678
679This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
680only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
681
682
683expr4 *expr4*
684-----
685
686expr5 {cmp} expr5
687
688Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
689if it evaluates to true.
690
691 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
692 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
693 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
694 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
695 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
696 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000697 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000698 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
699equal == ==# ==?
700not equal != !=# !=?
701greater than > ># >?
702greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
703smaller than < <# <?
704smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
705regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
706regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000707same instance is
708different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000709
710Examples:
711"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
712"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
713"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
714
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000715 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000716A List can only be compared with a List and only "equal", "not equal" and "is"
717can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively. Ignoring
718case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
719
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000720 *E735* *E736*
721A Dictionary can only be compared with a Dictionary and only "equal", "not
722equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the Dictionary,
723recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
724
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000725 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000726A Funcref can only be compared with a Funcref and only "equal" and "not equal"
727can be used. Case is never ignored.
728
729When using "is" or "isnot" with a List this checks if the expressions are
730referring to the same List instance. A copy of a List is different from the
731original List. When using "is" without a List it is equivalent to using
732"equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
733different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
734is false.
735
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000736When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
737and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
738because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
739
740When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
741results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
742necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
743
744When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
745'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
746
747When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
748'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
749
750The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
751argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
752This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
753matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
754portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
755single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
756Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
757(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
758can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
759 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
760 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
761
762
763expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
764---------------
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000765expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or List concatenation *expr-+*
766expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
767expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000768
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000769For Lists only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The result
770is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
771
772expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
773expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
774expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000775
776For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
777
778Note the difference between "+" and ".":
779 "123" + "456" = 579
780 "123" . "456" = "123456"
781
782When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
783When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
784
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000785None of these work for Funcrefs.
786
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000787
788expr7 *expr7*
789-----
790! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
791- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
792+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
793
794For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
795For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
796For '+' the number is unchanged.
797
798A String will be converted to a Number first.
799
800These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
801 !-1 == 0
802 !!8 == 1
803 --9 == 9
804
805
806expr8 *expr8*
807-----
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000808expr8[expr1] item of String or List *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000809
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000810If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
811expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000812Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000813
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000814Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
815text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
816cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000817 :let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1]
818
819If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000820String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
821compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
822
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000823If expr8 is a List then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000824for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
825error. Example: >
826 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
827
828Generally, if a List index is equal to or higher than the length of the List,
829or more negative than the length of the List, this results in an error.
830
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000831
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000832expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000833
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000834If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
835from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000836expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
837encodings.
838
839If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
840string minus one is used.
841
842A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
843the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
844
845If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
846expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
847
848Examples: >
849 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
850 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
851 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
852 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
853
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000854If expr8 is a List this results in a new List with the items indicated by the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000855indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained just
856above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
857 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
858 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
859 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
860
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000861Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a Funcref results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000862
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000863
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000864expr8.name entry in a Dictionary *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000865
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000866If expr8 is a Dictionary and it is followed by a dot, then the following name
867will be used as a key in the Dictionary. This is just like: expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000868
869The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
870but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
871
872There must not be white space before or after the dot.
873
874Examples: >
875 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
876 :echo dict.one
877 :echo dict .2
878
879Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
880always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
881
882
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000883expr8(expr1, ...) Funcref function call
884
885When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
886
887
888
889 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000890number
891------
892number number constant *expr-number*
893
894Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
895
896
897string *expr-string* *E114*
898------
899"string" string constant *expr-quote*
900
901Note that double quotes are used.
902
903A string constant accepts these special characters:
904\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
905\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
906\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
907\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
908\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
909\X.. same as \x..
910\X. same as \x.
911\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
912 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
913\U.... same as \u....
914\b backspace <BS>
915\e escape <Esc>
916\f formfeed <FF>
917\n newline <NL>
918\r return <CR>
919\t tab <Tab>
920\\ backslash
921\" double quote
922\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
923
924Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
925
926
927literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
928---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000929'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000930
931Note that single quotes are used.
932
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000933This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000934meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000935
936Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
937to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
938 if a =~ "\\s*"
939 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000940
941
942option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
943------
944&option option value, local value if possible
945&g:option global option value
946&l:option local option value
947
948Examples: >
949 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
950 if &insertmode
951
952Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
953and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
954anyway.
955
956
957register *expr-register*
958--------
959@r contents of register 'r'
960
961The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
962Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +0000963register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
964registers.
965
966When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
967evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000968
969
970nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
971-------
972(expr1) nested expression
973
974
975environment variable *expr-env*
976--------------------
977$VAR environment variable
978
979The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
980result is an empty string.
981 *expr-env-expand*
982Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
983expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
984are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
985the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
986fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
987does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
988 :echo $version
989 :echo expand("$version")
990The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
991variable (if your shell supports it).
992
993
994internal variable *expr-variable*
995-----------------
996variable internal variable
997See below |internal-variables|.
998
999
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001000function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001001-------------
1002function(expr1, ...) function call
1003See below |functions|.
1004
1005
1006==============================================================================
10073. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1008 *E461*
1009An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1010cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1011|curly-braces-names|.
1012
1013An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001014An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1015|:unlet|.
1016Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1017been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001018
1019There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1020specified by what is prepended:
1021
1022 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1023|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1024|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
1025|global-variable| g: Global.
1026|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1027|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1028|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1029|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1030
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001031The scope name by itself can be used as a Dictionary. For example, to delete
1032all script-local variables: >
1033 :for k in keys(s:)
1034 : unlet s:[k]
1035 :endfor
1036<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001037 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1038A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1039Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1040This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1041|:bdelete|.
1042
1043One local buffer variable is predefined:
1044 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1045b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1046 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1047 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1048 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1049 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1050 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1051 : call My_Update()
1052 :endif
1053<
1054 *window-variable* *w:var*
1055A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1056is deleted when the window is closed.
1057
1058 *global-variable* *g:var*
1059Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1060access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1061place if you like.
1062
1063 *local-variable* *l:var*
1064Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1065But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1066
1067 *script-variable* *s:var*
1068In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1069accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1070
1071They can be used in:
1072- commands executed while the script is sourced
1073- functions defined in the script
1074- autocommands defined in the script
1075- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1076 defined in the script (recursively)
1077- user defined commands defined in the script
1078Thus not in:
1079- other scripts sourced from this one
1080- mappings
1081- etc.
1082
1083script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1084Take this example:
1085
1086 let s:counter = 0
1087 function MyCounter()
1088 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1089 echo s:counter
1090 endfunction
1091 command Tick call MyCounter()
1092
1093You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1094that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1095"Tick" was defined is used.
1096
1097Another example that does the same: >
1098
1099 let s:counter = 0
1100 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1101
1102When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001103script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001104defined.
1105
1106The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1107function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1108
1109 let s:counter = 0
1110 function StartCounting(incr)
1111 if a:incr
1112 function MyCounter()
1113 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1114 endfunction
1115 else
1116 function MyCounter()
1117 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1118 endfunction
1119 endif
1120 endfunction
1121
1122This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1123when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1124called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1125
1126When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1127They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1128maintain a counter: >
1129
1130 if !exists("s:counter")
1131 let s:counter = 1
1132 echo "script executed for the first time"
1133 else
1134 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1135 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1136 endif
1137
1138Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1139variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1140
1141
1142Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1143
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001144 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1145v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1146 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1147 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1148
1149 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1150v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1151 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1152
1153 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1154v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1155 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1156
1157 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001158v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1159 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1160 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1161 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001162 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1163 highlighted text is used.
1164 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1165
1166 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1167v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1168 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1169
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001170 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1171v:charconvert_from
1172 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1173 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1174
1175 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1176v:charconvert_to
1177 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1178 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1179
1180 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1181v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1182 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1183 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1184 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1185 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1186 possible to append this variable directly after the
1187 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1188 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1189 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1190 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1191 in 'printexpr'.
1192
1193 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1194v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1195 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1196 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1197 can be used.
1198
1199 *v:count* *count-variable*
1200v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1201 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1202 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1203< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1204 get when typing ':' after a count.
1205 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1206
1207 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1208v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1209 used.
1210
1211 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1212v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1213 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1214 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1215 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1216 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1217 command.
1218 See |multi-lang|.
1219
1220 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1221v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1222 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1223 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1224 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1225 Example: >
1226 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1227<
1228 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1229v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1230 Example: >
1231 :let v:errmsg = ""
1232 :silent! next
1233 :if v:errmsg != ""
1234 : ... handle error
1235< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1236
1237 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1238v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1239 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1240 Example: >
1241 :try
1242 : throw "oops"
1243 :catch /.*/
1244 : echo "caught" v:exception
1245 :endtry
1246< Output: "caught oops".
1247
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001248 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1249v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1250 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1251 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1252 deleted file no longer exists
1253 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1254 changed and buffer is modified
1255 changed file contents has changed
1256 mode mode of file changed
1257 time only file timestamp changed
1258
1259 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1260v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1261 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1262 do with the affected buffer:
1263 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1264 the file was deleted).
1265 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1266 was no autocommand. Except that when
1267 only the timestamp changed nothing
1268 will happen.
1269 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1270 everything that needs to be done.
1271 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1272 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1273
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001274 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
1275v:fname_in The name of the input file. Only valid while evaluating:
1276 option used for ~
1277 'charconvert' file to be converted
1278 'diffexpr' original file
1279 'patchexpr' original file
1280 'printexpr' file to be printed
1281
1282 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1283v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1284 evaluating:
1285 option used for ~
1286 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1287 'diffexpr' output of diff
1288 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1289 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1290 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1291 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1292 file and different from v:fname_in.
1293
1294 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1295v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1296 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1297
1298 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1299v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1300 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1301
1302 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1303v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1304 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001305 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001306
1307 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1308v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001309 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001310
1311 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1312v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001313 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001314
1315 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1316v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001317 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001318
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001319 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1320v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1321 events. Values:
1322 i Insert mode
1323 r Replace mode
1324 v Virtual Replace mode
1325
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001326 *v:key* *key-variable*
1327v:key Key of the current item of a Dictionary. Only valid while
1328 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1329 Read-only.
1330
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001331 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1332v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1333 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1334 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1335 The value is system dependent.
1336 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1337 command.
1338 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1339 in a different language than what is used for character
1340 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1341
1342 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1343v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1344 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1345 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1346 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1347 command. See |multi-lang|.
1348
1349 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001350v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
1351 expressions. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1352 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001353
1354 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1355v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1356 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1357 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1358 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1359< Read-only.
1360
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001361 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1362v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1363 See |profiling|.
1364
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001365 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1366v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1367 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1368 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1369 Read-only.
1370
1371 *v:register* *register-variable*
1372v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1373 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1374
1375 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1376v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1377 Read-only.
1378
1379 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1380v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1381 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1382 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1383 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1384 executed. Read-only.
1385 Example: >
1386 :!mv foo bar
1387 :if v:shell_error
1388 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1389 :endif
1390< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1391
1392 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1393v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1394
1395 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1396v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1397 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1398 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1399 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1400 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1401 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1402 terminal.
1403 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1404 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1405 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1406 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1407 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1408
1409 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1410v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1411 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1412 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1413 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1414
1415 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1416v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1417 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1418 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1419 Example: >
1420 :try
1421 : throw "oops"
1422 :catch /.*/
1423 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1424 :endtry
1425< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1426
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001427 *v:val* *val-variable*
1428v:val Value of the current item of a List or Dictionary. Only valid
1429 while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
1430 |filter()|. Read-only.
1431
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001432 *v:version* *version-variable*
1433v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1434 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1435 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1436 compatibility.
1437 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1438 if has("patch123")
1439< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1440 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1441 completely different.
1442
1443 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1444v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1445
1446==============================================================================
14474. Builtin Functions *functions*
1448
1449See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1450
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001451(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001452
1453USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1454
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001455add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to List {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001456append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001457append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001458argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001459argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001460argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
1461browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1462 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001463browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001464bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001465buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1466bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001467bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1468bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1469bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1470byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001471byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001472call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1473 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001474char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001475cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001476col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
1477confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1478 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001479copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001480count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1481 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001482cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1483 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001484cursor( {lnum}, {col}) Number position cursor at {lnum}, {col}
1485deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001486delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1487did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001488diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1489diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001490empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001491escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001492eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001493eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001494executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1495exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
1496expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
1497filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001498filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1499 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001500finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
1501 String Find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001502findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001503 String Find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001504filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
1505fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001506foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1507foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001508foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001509foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001510foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001511function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001512get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001513get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001514getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1515 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001516getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1517getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001518getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
1519getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1520getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
1521getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001522getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1523getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001524getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001525getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001526getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001527getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1528getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001529getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001530getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001531getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001532getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1533getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1534getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in window {nr}
1535glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1536globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1537has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001538has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001539hasmapto( {what} [, {mode}]) Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
1540histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1541histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1542histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1543histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1544hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1545hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1546hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001547iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1548indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001549index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1550 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001551input( {prompt} [, {text}]) String get input from the user
1552inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001553inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1554inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001555inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001556insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001557isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001558islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001559items( {dict}) List List of key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001560join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001561keys( {dict}) List List of keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001562len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1563libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001564libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1565line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1566line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001567lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001568localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001569map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001570maparg( {name}[, {mode}]) String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1571mapcheck( {name}[, {mode}]) String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001572match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001573 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001574matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001575 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001576matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1577 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001578matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1579 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001580max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1581min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001582mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1583 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001584mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001585nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1586nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
1587prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001588range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1589 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001590readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1591 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001592remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1593 String send expression
1594remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1595remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1596 Number check for reply string
1597remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1598remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1599 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001600remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001601remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001602rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1603repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1604resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001605reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001606search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001607searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001608 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001609server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1610 Number send reply string
1611serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1612setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1613setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1614setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00001615setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number set list of quickfix items using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001616setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001617setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001618simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001619sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001620soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001621spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
1622spellsuggest({word} [, {max}]) List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001623split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
1624 List make List from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001625strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001626stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1627 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001628string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001629strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1630strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1631 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001632strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1633 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001634strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001635submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001636substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1637 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001638synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001639synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1640 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1641synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001642system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001643taglist({expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001644tempname() String name for a temporary file
1645tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1646toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001647tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1648 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001649type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001650values( {dict}) List List of values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001651virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1652visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1653winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1654wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1655winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1656winline() Number window line of the cursor
1657winnr() Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001658winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001659winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001660writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1661 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001662
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001663add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
1664 Append the item {expr} to List {list}. Returns the resulting
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001665 List. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001666 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1667 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
1668< Note that when {expr} is a List it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001669 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001670 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001671
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001672
1673append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001674 When {expr} is a List: Append each item of the List as a text
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001675 line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001676 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1677 the current buffer.
1678 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001679 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1680 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001681 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001682 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001683<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001684 *argc()*
1685argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1686 current window. See |arglist|.
1687
1688 *argidx()*
1689argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1690 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1691
1692 *argv()*
1693argv({nr}) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
1694 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1695 Example: >
1696 :let i = 0
1697 :while i < argc()
1698 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1699 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1700 : let i = i + 1
1701 :endwhile
1702<
1703 *browse()*
1704browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1705 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1706 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1707 The input fields are:
1708 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1709 {title} title for the requester
1710 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1711 {default} default file name
1712 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1713 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1714
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001715 *browsedir()*
1716browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1717 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1718 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1719 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1720 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1721 to be used.
1722 The input fields are:
1723 {title} title for the requester
1724 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1725 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1726 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1727
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001728bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1729 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1730 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001731 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001732 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001733 exactly. The name can be:
1734 - Relative to the current directory.
1735 - A full path.
1736 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1737 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001738 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1739 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1740 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1741 long name to be able to find them.
1742 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1743 file name.
1744 *buffer_exists()*
1745 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1746
1747buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1748 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1749 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001750 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001751
1752bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1753 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1754 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001755 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001756
1757bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1758 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1759 ":ls" command.
1760 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1761 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1762 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1763 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1764 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1765 match an empty string is returned.
1766 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1767 alternate buffer.
1768 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1769 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1770 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1771 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1772 buffers are searched for.
1773 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1774 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1775 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1776< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1777 string is returned. >
1778 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1779 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1780 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1781 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1782< *buffer_name()*
1783 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1784
1785 *bufnr()*
1786bufnr({expr}) The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
1787 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
1788 above. If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
1789 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1790 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1791< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1792 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1793 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1794 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1795 *buffer_number()*
1796 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1797 *last_buffer_nr()*
1798 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1799
1800bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1801 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1802 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1803 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1804 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1805
1806 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1807
1808< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1809 |:wincmd|.
1810
1811
1812byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1813 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1814 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1815 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1816 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1817 one.
1818 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1819 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1820 feature}
1821
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001822byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1823 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1824 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1825 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1826 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1827 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1828 Example : >
1829 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1830< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1831 same: >
1832 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1833 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1834< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1835 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1836 is returned.
1837
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001838call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001839 Call function {func} with the items in List {arglist} as
1840 arguments.
1841 {func} can either be a Funcref or the name of a function.
1842 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1843 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001844 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1845 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001846
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001847char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1848 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1849 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1850 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1851< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
1852 char2nr("á") returns 225
1853 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001854< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001855
1856cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1857 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1858 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1859 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1860 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1861 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1862 feature, -1 is returned.
1863
1864 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001865col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001866 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1867 . the cursor position
1868 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1869 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1870 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1871 returned)
1872 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1873 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1874 Examples: >
1875 col(".") column of cursor
1876 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1877 col("'t") column of mark t
1878 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1879< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
1880 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1881 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1882 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
1883 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
1884 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
1885 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
1886 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
1887<
1888 *confirm()*
1889confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1890 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
1891 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
1892 choice this is 1.
1893 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
1894 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
1895 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
1896 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
1897 used (and translated).
1898 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
1899 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
1900 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
1901 by '\n', e.g. >
1902 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
1903< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
1904 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
1905 not need to be the first letter: >
1906 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
1907< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
1908 the default shortcut key.
1909 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
1910 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
1911 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
1912 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
1913 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
1914 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
1915 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
1916 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
1917 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
1918 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
1919 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
1920
1921 An example: >
1922 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
1923 :if choice == 0
1924 : echo "make up your mind!"
1925 :elseif choice == 3
1926 : echo "tasteful"
1927 :else
1928 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
1929 :endif
1930< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
1931 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
1932 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
1933 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
1934 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
1935 the horizontal layout is always used.
1936
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001937 *copy()*
1938copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
1939 different from using {expr} directly.
1940 When {expr} is a List a shallow copy is created. This means
1941 that the original List can be changed without changing the
1942 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
1943 changing an item changes the contents of both Lists. Also see
1944 |deepcopy()|.
1945
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001946count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001947 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001948 in List or Dictionary {comp}.
1949 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
1950 {start} can only be used with a List.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001951 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
1952
1953
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001954 *cscope_connection()*
1955cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1956 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
1957 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
1958 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
1959 if there are no cscope connections;
1960 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
1961
1962 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
1963 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
1964
1965 {num} Description of existence check
1966 ----- ------------------------------
1967 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
1968 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
1969 {dbpath}.
1970 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
1971 {dbpath}.
1972 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
1973 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1974 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
1975 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1976
1977 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
1978
1979 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
1980
1981 # pid database name prepend path
1982 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
1983<
1984 Invocation Return Val ~
1985 ---------- ---------- >
1986 cscope_connection() 1
1987 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
1988 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
1989 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
1990 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
1991 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
1992 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
1993 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
1994<
1995cursor({lnum}, {col}) *cursor()*
1996 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
1997 Does not change the jumplist.
1998 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
1999 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2000 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
2001 If {col} is greater than the number of characters in the line,
2002 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2003 line.
2004 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
2005
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002006
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002007deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002008 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2009 different from using {expr} directly.
2010 When {expr} is a List a full copy is created. This means
2011 that the original List can be changed without changing the
2012 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a List, a copy for it
2013 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
2014 not change the contents of the original List.
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002015 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained List or Dictionary
2016 is only copied once. All references point to this single
2017 copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a List or
2018 Dictionary results in a new copy. This also means that a
2019 cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002020 *E724*
2021 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002022 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2023 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002024 Also see |copy()|.
2025
2026delete({fname}) *delete()*
2027 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002028 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2029 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002030 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002031
2032 *did_filetype()*
2033did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2034 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2035 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2036 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2037 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2038 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2039 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2040 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2041 file.
2042
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002043diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2044 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2045 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2046 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2047 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2048 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2049 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2050 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2051
2052diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2053 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2054 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2055 diff change zero is returned.
2056 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2057 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2058 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2059 line.
2060 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2061 syntax information about the highlighting.
2062
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002063empty({expr}) *empty()*
2064 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002065 A List or Dictionary is empty when it does not have any items.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002066 A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2067 For a long List this is much faster then comparing the length
2068 with zero.
2069
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002070escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2071 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2072 backslash. Example: >
2073 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2074< results in: >
2075 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002076
2077< *eval()*
2078eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2079 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2080 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
2081 Also works for Funcrefs that refer to existing functions.
2082
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002083eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2084 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2085 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2086 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2087 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2088
2089executable({expr}) *executable()*
2090 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2091 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002092 arguments.
2093 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2094 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2095 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2096 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2097 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2098 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2099 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2100 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2101 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2102 extension.
2103 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2104 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002105 The result is a Number:
2106 1 exists
2107 0 does not exist
2108 -1 not implemented on this system
2109
2110 *exists()*
2111exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2112 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2113 which contains one of these:
2114 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2115 not if it really works)
2116 +option-name Vim option that works.
2117 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2118 done by comparing with an empty
2119 string)
2120 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2121 or user defined function (see
2122 |user-functions|).
2123 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002124 |internal-variables|). Also works
2125 for |curly-braces-names|, Dictionary
2126 entries, List items, etc. Beware that
2127 this may cause functions to be
2128 invoked cause an error message for an
2129 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002130 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2131 command or command modifier |:command|.
2132 Returns:
2133 1 for match with start of a command
2134 2 full match with a command
2135 3 matches several user commands
2136 To check for a supported command
2137 always check the return value to be 2.
2138 #event autocommand defined for this event
2139 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2140 pattern (the pattern is taken
2141 literally and compared to the
2142 autocommand patterns character by
2143 character)
2144 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2145
2146 Examples: >
2147 exists("&shortname")
2148 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2149 exists("*strftime")
2150 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2151 exists("bufcount")
2152 exists(":Make")
2153 exists("#CursorHold");
2154 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
2155< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2156 name.
2157 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2158 variable itself! For example: >
2159 exists(bufcount)
2160< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
2161 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
2162 exists.
2163
2164expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2165 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2166 The result is a String.
2167
2168 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2169 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2170 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2171
2172 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2173 for a non-existing file is not included.
2174
2175 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2176 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2177 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2178
2179 % current file name
2180 # alternate file name
2181 #n alternate file name n
2182 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2183 <afile> autocmd file name
2184 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2185 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2186 <sfile> sourced script file name
2187 <cword> word under the cursor
2188 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2189 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2190 message |server2client()|
2191 Modifiers:
2192 :p expand to full path
2193 :h head (last path component removed)
2194 :t tail (last path component only)
2195 :r root (one extension removed)
2196 :e extension only
2197
2198 Example: >
2199 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2200< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2201 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2202 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2203< Use this: >
2204 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2205< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2206 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2207 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2208 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2209 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2210<
2211 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2212 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2213 to modify normal file names.
2214
2215 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2216 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2217 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2218 '/' added.
2219
2220 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2221 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2222 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2223 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002224 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2225 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2226 files in the current directory and below: >
2227 :echo expand("**/README")
2228<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002229 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2230 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2231 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2232 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2233 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2234 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2235 "$FOOBAR".
2236
2237 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2238 getting the raw output of an external command.
2239
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002240extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
2241 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both Lists or both Dictionaries.
2242
2243 If they are Lists: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
2244 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2245 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2246 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2247 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002248 Examples: >
2249 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2250 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002251< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2252 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002253 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002254<
2255 If they are Dictionaries:
2256 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2257 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2258 used to decide what to do:
2259 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2260 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00002261 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002262 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2263
2264 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2265 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2266 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2267 Returns {expr1}.
2268
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002269
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002270filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2271 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2272 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2273 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2274 expression, which is used as a String.
2275 *file_readable()*
2276 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2277
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002278
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002279filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
2280 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
2281 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
2282 is zero remove the item from the List or Dictionary.
2283 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
2284 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
2285 Examples: >
2286 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2287< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2288 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2289< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2290 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002291< Removes all the items, thus clears the List or Dictionary.
2292
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002293 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2294 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2295 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2296
2297 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
2298 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002299 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), '& =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002300
2301< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002302
2303
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002304finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
2305 Find directory {name} in {path}.
2306 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2307 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
2308 {name} in {path}.
2309 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
2310 When the found directory is below the current directory a
2311 relative path is returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
2312 Example: >
2313 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2314< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2315 the file "tags.vim".
2316 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2317
2318findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2319 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
2320
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002321filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2322 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2323 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2324 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2325 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2326
2327fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2328 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2329 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2330 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2331 Example: >
2332 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2333< results in: >
2334 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2335< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2336 |expand()| first then.
2337
2338foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2339 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2340 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2341 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2342
2343foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2344 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2345 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2346 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2347
2348foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2349 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2350 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2351 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2352 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2353 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2354 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2355 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2356 previous line is usually available.
2357
2358 *foldtext()*
2359foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2360 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2361 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2362 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2363 The returned string looks like this: >
2364 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2365< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2366 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2367 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2368 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2369 options is removed.
2370 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2371
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002372foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2373 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2374 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2375 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2376 returned.
2377 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2378 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2379 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2380 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2381
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002382 *foreground()*
2383foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2384 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2385 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2386 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2387 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2388 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2389 Win32 console version}
2390
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002391
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002392function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002393 Return a Funcref variable that refers to function {name}.
2394 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2395
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002396
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002397garbagecollect() *garbagecollect()*
2398 Cleanup unused Lists and Dictionaries that have circular
2399 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2400 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2401 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2402 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2403 freed when they become unused.
2404 This is useful if you have deleted a very big List and/or
2405 Dictionary with circular references in a script that runs for
2406 a long time.
2407
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002408get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002409 Get item {idx} from List {list}. When this item is not
2410 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2411 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002412get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
2413 Get item with key {key} from Dictionary {dict}. When this
2414 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2415 {default} is omitted.
2416
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002417 *getbufline()*
2418getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002419 Return a List with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2420 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a List
2421 with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002422
2423 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2424
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002425 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2426 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002427
2428 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2429 lines in the buffer, an empty List is returned.
2430
2431 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2432 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002433 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty List is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002434 returned.
2435
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002436 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002437 non-existing buffers, an empty List is returned.
2438
2439 Example: >
2440 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002441
2442getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2443 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2444 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2445 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002446 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2447 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2448 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002449 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2450 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2451 returned, there is no error message.
2452 Examples: >
2453 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2454 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2455<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002456getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2457 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2458 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2459 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2460 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2461 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2462 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2463 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2464 not consumed. If a normal character is
2465 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2466 non-zero value is returned.
2467 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2468 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2469 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2470 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2471 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2472 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2473 user that a character has to be typed.
2474 There is no mapping for the character.
2475 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2476 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2477 sequence. Examples: >
2478 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2479 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2480< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2481 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2482 :function FindChar()
2483 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2484 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2485 : normal l
2486 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2487 : break
2488 : endif
2489 : endwhile
2490 :endfunction
2491
2492getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2493 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2494 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2495 These values are added together:
2496 2 shift
2497 4 control
2498 8 alt (meta)
2499 16 mouse double click
2500 32 mouse triple click
2501 64 mouse quadruple click
2502 128 Macintosh only: command
2503 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2504 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2505 with no modifier.
2506
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002507getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2508 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2509 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2510 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2511 Example: >
2512 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
2513< Also see |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
2514
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002515getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002516 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2517 byte count. The first column is 1.
2518 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2519 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
2520 Also see |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2521
2522 *getcwd()*
2523getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2524 working directory.
2525
2526getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2527 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2528 given file {fname}.
2529 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2530 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2531
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002532getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2533 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2534 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2535 |hl-Normal|.
2536 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2537 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2538 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2539 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
2540 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not you your vimrc or
2541 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2542 for a valid name does not work.
2543 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2544 function just after the GUI has started.
2545
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002546getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2547 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2548 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2549 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2550 empty string is returned.
2551 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2552 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2553 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2554 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2555 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2556 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2557< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2558 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002559
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002560getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2561 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2562 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2563 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2564 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2565 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2566
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002567getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2568 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2569 file of the given file {fname}.
2570 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2571 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2572 results:
2573 Normal file "file"
2574 Directory "dir"
2575 Symbolic link "link"
2576 Block device "bdev"
2577 Character device "cdev"
2578 Socket "socket"
2579 FIFO "fifo"
2580 All other "other"
2581 Example: >
2582 getftype("/home")
2583< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2584 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2585 "file" are returned.
2586
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002587 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002588getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2589 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2590 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002591 getline(1)
2592< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2593 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2594 To get the line under the cursor: >
2595 getline(".")
2596< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2597 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2598
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002599 When {end} is given the result is a List where each item is a
2600 line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
2601 including line {end}.
2602 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2603 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002604 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty List is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002605 Example: >
2606 :let start = line('.')
2607 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2608 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2609
2610
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002611getqflist() *getqflist()*
2612 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2613 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2614 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2615 bufname() to get the name
2616 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2617 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002618 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2619 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002620 nr error number
2621 text description of the error
2622 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2623 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2624
2625 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2626 do something with them: >
2627 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2628 :for d in getqflist()
2629 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2630 :endfor
2631
2632
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002633getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002634 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002635 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002636 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2637< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002638 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002639 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2640 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2641 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002642 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2643
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002644
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002645getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2646 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2647 The value will be one of:
2648 "v" for |characterwise| text
2649 "V" for |linewise| text
2650 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2651 0 for an empty or unknown register
2652 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2653 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2654
2655 *getwinposx()*
2656getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2657 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2658 -1 if the information is not available.
2659
2660 *getwinposy()*
2661getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2662 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2663 information is not available.
2664
2665getwinvar({nr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2666 The result is the value of option or local window variable
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00002667 {varname} in window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current
2668 window is used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002669 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
2670 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
2671 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002672 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2673 Examples: >
2674 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2675 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2676<
2677 *glob()*
2678glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2679 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2680 characters.
2681 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2682 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2683
2684 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2685 any external command. Example: >
2686 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2687 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2688< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2689 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2690
2691 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2692 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2693
2694globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2695 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2696 the results. Example: >
2697 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2698< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2699 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2700 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2701 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2702 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2703 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2704 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2705 error message.
2706 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2707 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2708
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002709 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
2710 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
2711 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
2712 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
2713<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002714 *has()*
2715has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2716 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2717 string. See |feature-list| below.
2718 Also see |exists()|.
2719
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002720
2721has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
2722 The result is a Number, which is 1 if Dictionary {dict} has an
2723 entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
2724
2725
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002726hasmapto({what} [, {mode}]) *hasmapto()*
2727 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2728 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2729 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2730 {mode}.
2731 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2732 buffer are checked for a match.
2733 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2734 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2735 n Normal mode
2736 v Visual mode
2737 o Operator-pending mode
2738 i Insert mode
2739 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2740 c Command-line mode
2741 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2742
2743 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2744 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2745 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2746 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2747 :endif
2748< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
2749 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
2750
2751histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
2752 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
2753 one of: *hist-names*
2754 "cmd" or ":" command line history
2755 "search" or "/" search pattern history
2756 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
2757 "input" or "@" input line history
2758 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
2759 shifted to become the newest entry.
2760 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
2761 otherwise 0 is returned.
2762
2763 Example: >
2764 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
2765 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
2766< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2767
2768histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002769 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002770 for the possible values of {history}.
2771
2772 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
2773 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
2774 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
2775 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
2776 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
2777 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
2778 if it exists.
2779
2780 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
2781 otherwise 0 is returned.
2782
2783 Examples:
2784 Clear expression register history: >
2785 :call histdel("expr")
2786<
2787 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
2788 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
2789<
2790 The following three are equivalent: >
2791 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
2792 :call histdel("search", -1)
2793 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
2794<
2795 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
2796 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
2797 :call histdel("search", -1)
2798 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
2799
2800histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
2801 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
2802 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
2803 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
2804 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
2805 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
2806
2807 Examples:
2808 Redo the second last search from history. >
2809 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
2810
2811< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
2812 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
2813 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
2814<
2815histnr({history}) *histnr()*
2816 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
2817 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
2818 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
2819
2820 Example: >
2821 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
2822<
2823hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
2824 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
2825 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
2826 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
2827 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
2828 item.
2829 *highlight_exists()*
2830 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
2831
2832 *hlID()*
2833hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
2834 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
2835 zero is returned.
2836 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
2837 group. For example, to get the background color of the
2838 "Comment" group: >
2839 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
2840< *highlightID()*
2841 Obsolete name: highlightID().
2842
2843hostname() *hostname()*
2844 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002845 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002846 256 characters long are truncated.
2847
2848iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
2849 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
2850 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
2851 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
2852 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
2853 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
2854 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
2855 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
2856 can be done.
2857 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
2858 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
2859 UTF-8 and use: >
2860 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
2861< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
2862 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
2863 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
2864 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
2865
2866 *indent()*
2867indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
2868 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
2869 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
2870 |getline()|.
2871 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
2872
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002873
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002874index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002875 Return the lowest index in List {list} where the item has a
2876 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002877 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
2878 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002879 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
2880 case must match.
2881 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
2882 Example: >
2883 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00002884 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002885
2886
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002887input({prompt} [, {text}]) *input()*
2888 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
2889 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
2890 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
2891 prompt to start a new line. The highlighting set with
2892 |:echohl| is used for the prompt. The input is entered just
2893 like a command-line, with the same editing commands and
2894 mappings. There is a separate history for lines typed for
2895 input().
2896 If the optional {text} is present, this is used for the
2897 default reply, as if the user typed this.
2898 NOTE: This must not be used in a startup file, for the
2899 versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
2900 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
2901 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
2902 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
2903 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
2904 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
2905 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
2906 |:execute| or |:normal|.
2907
2908 Example: >
2909 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
2910 : echo "Cheers!"
2911 :endif
2912< Example with default text: >
2913 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
2914< Example with a mapping: >
2915 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
2916 :function GetFoo()
2917 : call inputsave()
2918 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
2919 : call inputrestore()
2920 :endfunction
2921
2922inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
2923 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
2924 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
2925 Example: >
2926 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
2927 :if n != ""
2928 : let &sw = n
2929 :endif
2930< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
2931 omitted an empty string is returned.
2932 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
2933 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
2934
2935inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
2936 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
2937 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
2938 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
2939 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
2940
2941inputsave() *inputsave()*
2942 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
2943 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
2944 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
2945 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
2946 many inputrestore() calls.
2947 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
2948
2949inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
2950 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
2951 two exceptions:
2952 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
2953 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
2954 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
2955 |history| stack.
2956 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
2957 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
2958
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002959insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
2960 Insert {item} at the start of List {list}.
2961 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
2962 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
2963 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
2964 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002965 Returns the resulting List. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002966 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
2967 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
2968 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002969< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002970 Note that when {item} is a List it is inserted as a single
2971 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
2972
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002973isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
2974 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
2975 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
2976 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
2977 is any expression, which is used as a String.
2978
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00002979islocked({expr}) *islocked()*
2980 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
2981 name of a locked variable.
2982 {expr} must be the name of a variable, List item or Dictionary
2983 entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
2984 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
2985 :lockvar 1 alist
2986 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
2987 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
2988
2989< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
2990 message. Use |exists()| to check for existance.
2991
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002992items({dict}) *items()*
2993 Return a List with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
2994 List item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict} entry
2995 and the value of this entry. The List is in arbitrary order.
2996
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002997
2998join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
2999 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3000 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3001 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3002 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3003 add it there too: >
3004 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
3005< String items are used as-is. Lists and Dictionaries are
3006 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3007 The opposite function is |split()|.
3008
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003009keys({dict}) *keys()*
3010 Return a List with all the keys of {dict}. The List is in
3011 arbitrary order.
3012
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003013 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003014len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3015 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3016 used, as with |strlen()|.
3017 When {expr} is a List the number of items in the List is
3018 returned.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003019 When {expr} is a Dictionary the number of entries in the
3020 Dictionary is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003021 Otherwise an error is given.
3022
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003023 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3024libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3025 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3026 with single argument {argument}.
3027 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3028 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3029 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3030 limited.
3031 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3032 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3033 to Vim.
3034 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3035 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3036 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3037 null-terminated string.
3038 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3039
3040 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3041 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3042 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3043 very probably crash.
3044
3045 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3046 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3047 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3048 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3049 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3050 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3051 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3052 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3053 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3054 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3055
3056 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
3057 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
3058 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3059 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3060 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3061 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3062 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3063 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3064 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3065 feature is present}
3066 Examples: >
3067 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
3068 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
3069<
3070 *libcallnr()*
3071libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3072 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3073 int instead of a string.
3074 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3075 feature is present}
3076 Example (not very useful...): >
3077 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3078 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3079<
3080 *line()*
3081line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3082 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3083 . the cursor position
3084 $ the last line in the current buffer
3085 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3086 returned)
3087 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
3088 Examples: >
3089 line(".") line number of the cursor
3090 line("'t") line number of mark t
3091 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3092< *last-position-jump*
3093 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3094 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3095 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003096
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003097line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3098 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3099 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3100 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3101 line returns 1.
3102 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3103 below the last line: >
3104 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3105< This is the file size plus one.
3106 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3107 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3108 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3109
3110lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3111 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3112 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3113 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3114 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3115 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3116 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3117
3118localtime() *localtime()*
3119 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3120 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3121
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003122
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003123map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
3124 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
3125 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3126 {string}.
3127 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
3128 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
3129 Example: >
3130 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003131< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003132
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003133 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003134 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003135 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3136 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003137
3138 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
3139 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003140 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003141
3142< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003143
3144
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003145maparg({name}[, {mode}]) *maparg()*
3146 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3147 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
3148 These characters can be used for {mode}:
3149 "n" Normal
3150 "v" Visual
3151 "o" Operator-pending
3152 "i" Insert
3153 "c" Cmd-line
3154 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3155 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
3156 When {mode} is omitted, the modes from "" are used.
3157 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3158 command. The returned String has special characters
3159 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3160 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3161 then the global mappings.
3162
3163mapcheck({name}[, {mode}]) *mapcheck()*
3164 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3165 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3166 {name}.
3167 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3168 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3169
3170 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3171 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3172 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3173 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3174 mapcheck("b") no no no
3175
3176 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3177 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3178 mapping for {name} exactly.
3179 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3180 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3181 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3182 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3183 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3184 then the global mappings.
3185 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3186 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3187 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3188 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3189 :endif
3190< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3191 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3192
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003193match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003194 When {expr} is a List then this returns the index of the first
3195 item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a String,
3196 Lists and Dictionaries are used as echoed.
3197 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3198 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3199 {pat} matches.
3200 A match at the first character or List item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003201 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3202 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003203 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
3204 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 2
3205< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003206 *strpbrk()*
3207 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3208 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3209< *strcasestr()*
3210 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3211 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3212 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3213<
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003214 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003215 is found in a String the search for the next one starts on
3216 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003217 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003218< In a List the search continues in the next item.
3219
3220 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
3221 {start} in a String or item {start} in a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003222 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003223 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003224 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3225< result is again "4". >
3226 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3227< result is again "4". >
3228 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3229< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003230 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3231 the index is counted from the end.
3232 If {start} is out of range (> strlen({expr} for a String or
3233 > len({expr} for a List) -1 is returned.
3234
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003235 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3236 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3237 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3238 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3239
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003240matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003241 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3242 the match. Example: >
3243 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3244< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003245 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3246 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3247 do it with matchend(): >
3248 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3249 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3250< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3251
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003252 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3253 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3254< results in "7". >
3255 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3256< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003257 When {expr} is a List the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003258
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003259matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
3260 Same as match(), but return a List. The first item in the
3261 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3262 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
3263 in |:substitute|.
3264 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3265
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003266matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003267 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3268 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3269< results in "ing".
3270 When there is no match "" is returned.
3271 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3272 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3273< results in "ing". >
3274 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3275< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003276 When {expr} is a List then the matching item is returned.
3277 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003278
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003279 *max()*
3280max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3281 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3282 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3283 An empty List results in zero.
3284
3285 *min()*
3286min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3287 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3288 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3289 An empty List results in zero.
3290
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003291 *mkdir()* *E749*
3292mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3293 Create directory {name}.
3294 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3295 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3296 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3297 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3298 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3299 for others.
3300 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3301 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3302 :if exists("*mkdir")
3303<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003304 *mode()*
3305mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3306 n Normal
3307 v Visual by character
3308 V Visual by line
3309 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3310 s Select by character
3311 S Select by line
3312 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3313 i Insert
3314 R Replace
3315 c Command-line
3316 r Hit-enter prompt
3317 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3318 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3319
3320nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3321 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3322 that is not blank. Example: >
3323 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3324< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3325 below it, zero is returned.
3326 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3327
3328nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3329 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3330 value {expr}. Examples: >
3331 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3332 nr2char(32) returns " "
3333< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3334 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3335< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3336 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3337 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003338 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003339
3340prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3341 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3342 that is not blank. Example: >
3343 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3344< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3345 above it, zero is returned.
3346 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3347
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003348 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003349range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
3350 Returns a List with Numbers:
3351 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3352 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3353 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3354 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3355 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003356 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
3357 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
3358 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003359 Examples: >
3360 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
3361 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3362 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
3363 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003364 range(0) " []
3365 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003366<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003367 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003368readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003369 Read file {fname} and return a List, each line of the file as
3370 an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
3371 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3372 NL appears somewhere).
3373 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3374 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3375 added.
3376 - No CR characters are removed.
3377 Otherwise:
3378 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3379 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3380 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003381 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
3382 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
3383 lines of a file: >
3384 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
3385 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
3386 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003387< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
3388 are returned, or as many as there are.
3389 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003390 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
3391 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
3392 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003393 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3394 the result is an empty list.
3395 Also see |writefile()|.
3396
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003397 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3398remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3399 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3400 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
3401 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3402 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3403 remote_read() is stored there.
3404 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3405 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3406 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3407 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3408 and the result will be the empty string.
3409 Examples: >
3410 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3411 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3412<
3413
3414remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3415 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3416 This works like: >
3417 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3418< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3419 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3420 to bring itself to the foreground.
3421 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3422 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3423 Win32 console version}
3424
3425
3426remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3427 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3428 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3429 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3430 name of a variable.
3431 Returns zero if none are available.
3432 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3433 See also |clientserver|.
3434 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3435 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3436 Examples: >
3437 :let repl = ""
3438 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3439
3440remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3441 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3442 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3443 See also |clientserver|.
3444 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3445 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3446 Example: >
3447 :echo remote_read(id)
3448<
3449 *remote_send()* *E241*
3450remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003451 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3452 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3453 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003454 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3455 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3456 remote_read() is stored there.
3457 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3458 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3459 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3460 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3461 up the display.
3462 Examples: >
3463 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3464 \ remote_read(serverid)
3465
3466 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3467 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3468 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3469 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003470<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003471remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
3472 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from List {list} and
3473 return it.
3474 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3475 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3476 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3477 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3478 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003479 Example: >
3480 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003481 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003482remove({dict}, {key})
3483 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3484 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3485< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3486
3487 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003488
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003489rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3490 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3491 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3492 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3493 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
3494 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3495
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003496repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
3497 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
3498 result. Example: >
3499 :let seperator = repeat('-', 80)
3500< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003501 When {expr} is a List the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003502 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003503 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
3504< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003505
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003506
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003507resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
3508 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
3509 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
3510 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
3511 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
3512 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
3513 stopped after 100 iterations.
3514 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
3515 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
3516 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
3517 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
3518 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
3519
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003520 *reverse()*
3521reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
3522 {list}.
3523 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3524 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
3525
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003526search({pattern} [, {flags}]) *search()*
3527 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003528 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003529 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
3530 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003531 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003532 'w' wrap around the end of the file
3533 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003534 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the
3535 cursor.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003536 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
3537
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003538 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
3539 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
3540 flag.
3541
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003542 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
3543 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
3544 flag is used).
3545 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
3546 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003547
3548 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
3549 :let n = 1
3550 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
3551 : exe "argument " . n
3552 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
3553 : " first search to find match at start of file
3554 : normal G$
3555 : let flags = "w"
3556 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
3557 : s/foo/bar/g
3558 : let flags = "W"
3559 : endwhile
3560 : update " write the file if modified
3561 : let n = n + 1
3562 :endwhile
3563<
3564 *searchpair()*
3565searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
3566 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
3567 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
3568 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
3569 The search starts at the cursor. If a match is found, the
3570 cursor is positioned at it and the line number is returned.
3571 If no match is found 0 or -1 is returned and the cursor
3572 doesn't move. No error message is given.
3573
3574 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
3575 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
3576 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
3577 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
3578 typical use is: >
3579 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
3580< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
3581
3582 {flags} are used like with |search()|. Additionally:
3583 'n' do Not move the cursor
3584 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
3585 outer pair
3586 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
3587 the match; will only be > 1 when 'r' is used.
3588
3589 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
3590 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
3591 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
3592 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
3593 or a string.
3594 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
3595 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
3596 and -1 returned.
3597
3598 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
3599 patterns are used like it's on.
3600
3601 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
3602 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
3603 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
3604 if 1
3605 if 2
3606 endif 2
3607 endif 1
3608< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
3609 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
3610 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
3611 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
3612 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
3613 "endif 2".
3614 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
3615 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
3616 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
3617 the matching start.
3618
3619 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
3620
3621 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
3622 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
3623
3624< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
3625 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
3626 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
3627 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
3628 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
3629 match.
3630 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
3631
3632 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
3633
3634< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
3635 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
3636 highlighting recognized as strings: >
3637
3638 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
3639 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
3640<
3641server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
3642 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
3643 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
3644 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3645 Note:
3646 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003647 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003648 before calling any commands that waits for input.
3649 See also |clientserver|.
3650 Example: >
3651 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
3652<
3653serverlist() *serverlist()*
3654 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
3655 When there are no servers or the information is not available
3656 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
3657 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3658 Example: >
3659 :echo serverlist()
3660<
3661setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
3662 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
3663 {val}.
3664 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
3665 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
3666 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
3667 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3668 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
3669 Examples: >
3670 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
3671 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
3672< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3673
3674setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
3675 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
3676 {pos}. The first position is 1.
3677 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
3678 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003679 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
3680 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
3681 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
3682 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
3683 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003684 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
3685 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
3686 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
3687 line.
3688
3689setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003690 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
3691 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003692 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
3693 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003694 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
3695 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003696 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003697< When {line} is a List then line {lnum} and following lines
3698 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
3699 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
3700< This is equivalent to: >
3701 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
3702 : call setline(n, l)
3703 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003704< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
3705
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003706
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00003707setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003708 Creates a quickfix list using the items in {list}. Each item
3709 in {list} is a dictionary. Non-dictionary items in {list} are
3710 ignored. Each dictionary item can contain the following
3711 entries:
3712
3713 filename name of a file
3714 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003715 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003716 col column number
3717 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
3718 when zero: "col" is byte index
3719 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003720 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003721 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003722
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003723 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
3724 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
3725 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003726 If the "filename" entry is not present or neither the "lnum"
3727 or "pattern" entries are present, then the item will not be
3728 handled as an error line.
3729 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
3730 be used.
3731
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00003732 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
3733 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
3734 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
3735 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
3736 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
3737 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
3738
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003739 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
3740
3741 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
3742 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
3743 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
3744
3745
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003746 *setreg()*
3747setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
3748 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
3749 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
3750 then the value is appended.
3751 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
3752 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
3753 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
3754 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
3755 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
3756 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
3757 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
3758 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
3759
3760 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
3761 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
3762 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
3763 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
3764
3765 Examples: >
3766 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
3767 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
3768 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
3769
3770< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
3771 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003772 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003773 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
3774 ....
3775 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
3776
3777< You can also change the type of a register by appending
3778 nothing: >
3779 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
3780
3781setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
3782 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00003783 {val}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003784 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
3785 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
3786 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
3787 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
3788 Examples: >
3789 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
3790 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
3791< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3792
3793simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
3794 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
3795 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
3796 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
3797 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
3798 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
3799 not removed either.
3800 Example: >
3801 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
3802< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
3803 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
3804 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
3805 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
3806 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
3807
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003808
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003809sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003810 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
3811 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3812 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
3813< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003814 Numbers sort after Strings, Lists after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003815 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003816 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
3817 When {func} is a Funcref or a function name, this function is
3818 called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
3819 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
3820 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
3821 sorts before the second one. Example: >
3822 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
3823 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
3824 endfunc
3825 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00003826<
3827
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00003828 *soundfold()*
3829soundfold({word})
3830 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
3831 language in 'spellang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00003832 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
3833 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00003834 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
3835 the method can be quite slow.
3836
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00003837 *spellbadword()*
3838spellbadword() Return the badly spelled word under or after the cursor.
3839 The cursor is advanced to the start of the bad word.
3840 When no bad word is found in the cursor line an empty String
3841 is returned and the cursor doesn't move.
3842
3843 *spellsuggest()*
3844spellsuggest({word} [, {max}])
3845 Return a List with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
3846 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
3847 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
3848
3849 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
3850 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00003851 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
3852 replace a line.
3853
3854 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
3855 returned. {word} itself is also included, most likely as the
3856 first entry, thus this can be used to check spelling.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00003857
3858 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00003859 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
3860 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00003861
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003862
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003863split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
3864 Make a List out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or empty
3865 each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003866 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003867 removing the matched characters.
3868 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
3869 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00003870 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
3871 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003872 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003873 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003874< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003875 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00003876< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
3877 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
3878< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003879 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
3880 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
3881< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003882
3883
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003884strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
3885 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
3886 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
3887 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
3888 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
3889 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
3890 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
3891 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
3892 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
3893 Examples: >
3894 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
3895 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
3896 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
3897 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
3898 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
3899 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003900< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3901 :if exists("*strftime")
3902
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003903stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
3904 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
3905 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003906 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
3907 This can be used to find a second match: >
3908 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
3909 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
3910< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003911 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003912 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003913 See also |strridx()|.
3914 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003915 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
3916 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
3917 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003918< *strstr()* *strchr()*
3919 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
3920 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
3921
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003922 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003923string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
3924 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
3925 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003926 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003927 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003928 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003929 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003930 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00003931 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003932 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003933
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003934 *strlen()*
3935strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
3936 {expr} in bytes. If you want to count the number of
3937 multi-byte characters use something like this: >
3938
3939 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
3940
3941< Composing characters are not counted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003942 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
3943 For other types an error is given.
3944 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003945
3946strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
3947 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
3948 byte {start}, with the length {len}.
3949 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
3950 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
3951 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
3952 end of the {src}. >
3953 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
3954 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
3955 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
3956 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
3957< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
3958 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
3959 strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3)
3960<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003961strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
3962 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
3963 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
3964 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
3965 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
3966 match: >
3967 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
3968 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
3969< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00003970 For pattern searches use |match()|.
3971 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003972 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003973 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003974 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003975< *strrchr()*
3976 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
3977 function strrchr().
3978
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003979strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
3980 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
3981 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
3982 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
3983 echo strtrans(@a)
3984< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
3985 starting a new line.
3986
3987submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
3988 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
3989 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
3990 the whole matched text is returned.
3991 Example: >
3992 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
3993< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
3994 A line break is included as a newline character.
3995
3996substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
3997 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
3998 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
3999 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
4000 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
4001 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
4002 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
4003 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
4004 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
4005 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
4006 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
4007 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
4008 unmodified.
4009 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
4010 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
4011 Example: >
4012 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
4013< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
4014 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
4015< results in "TESTING".
4016
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004017synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004018 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004019 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004020 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
4021 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004022
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004023 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004024 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
4025
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004026 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
4027 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
4028 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
4029 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
4030 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
4031 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
4032 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
4033
4034 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
4035 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
4036<
4037synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
4038 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
4039 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
4040 about a syntax item.
4041 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
4042 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
4043 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
4044 used (GUI, cterm or term).
4045 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
4046 {what} result
4047 "name" the name of the syntax item
4048 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
4049 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
4050 term: empty string)
4051 "bg" background color (like "fg")
4052 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
4053 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
4054 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
4055 "bold" "1" if bold
4056 "italic" "1" if italic
4057 "reverse" "1" if reverse
4058 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
4059 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004060 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004061
4062 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
4063 cursor): >
4064 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
4065<
4066synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
4067 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
4068 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
4069 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
4070 ":highlight link" are followed.
4071
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004072system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
4073 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
4074 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
4075 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
4076 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004077 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004078 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
4079 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
4080 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004081 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
4082 The result is a String. Example: >
4083
4084 :let files = system("ls")
4085
4086< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
4087 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
4088 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
4089 The command executed is constructed using several options:
4090 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
4091 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
4092 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
4093 concatenated commands.
4094
4095 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
4096 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
4097 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
4098 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
4099
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004100
4101taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
4102 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00004103 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
4104 entries:
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004105 name name of the tag.
4106 filename name of the file where the tag is
4107 defined.
4108 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
4109 the file.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004110 kind type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004111 entry depends on the language specific
4112 kind values generated by the ctags
4113 tool.
4114 static a file specific tag. Refer to
4115 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004116 The "kind" entry is only available when using Exuberant ctags
4117 generated tags file. More entries may be present, depending
4118 on the content of the tags file: access, implementation,
4119 inherits and signature. Refer to the ctags documentation for
4120 information about these fields. For C code the fields
4121 "struct", "class" and "enum" may appear, they give the name of
4122 the entity the tag is contained in.
4123
4124 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
4125 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004126
4127 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
4128
4129 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
4130 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
4131 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
4132
4133 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
4134 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
4135 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
4136
4137
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004138tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
4139 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
4140 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
4141 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
4142 :let tmpfile = tempname()
4143 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
4144< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
4145 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
4146 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
4147 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
4148 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
4149 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
4150
4151tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
4152 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
4153 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
4154 the string).
4155
4156toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
4157 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
4158 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
4159 the string).
4160
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00004161tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
4162 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
4163 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
4164 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
4165 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
4166 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
4167 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
4168
4169 Examples: >
4170 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
4171< returns "Hello THere" >
4172 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
4173< returns "{blob}"
4174
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004175 *type()*
4176type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004177 Number: 0
4178 String: 1
4179 Funcref: 2
4180 List: 3
4181 Dictionary: 4
4182 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004183 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
4184 :if type(myvar) == type("")
4185 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
4186 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004187 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004188
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004189values({dict}) *values()*
4190 Return a List with all the values of {dict}. The List is in
4191 arbitrary order.
4192
4193
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004194virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
4195 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
4196 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
4197 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
4198 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
4199 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
4200 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
4201 set to 8, it returns 8.
4202 For the byte position use |col()|.
4203 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
4204 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
4205 The accepted positions are:
4206 . the cursor position
4207 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
4208 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
4209 plus one)
4210 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
4211 returned)
4212 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
4213 Examples: >
4214 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
4215 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
4216 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
4217< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
4218
4219visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
4220 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
4221 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
4222 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
4223 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
4224 block-wise Visual mode respectively.
4225 Example: >
4226 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
4227< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
4228 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
4229 Visual mode that was used.
4230
4231 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
4232 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
4233 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
4234 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
4235
4236 *winbufnr()*
4237winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004238 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004239 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
4240 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4241 Example: >
4242 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
4243<
4244 *wincol()*
4245wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
4246 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
4247 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
4248
4249winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
4250 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
4251 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
4252 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4253 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
4254 Examples: >
4255 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
4256<
4257 *winline()*
4258winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
4259 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
4260 the window. The first line is one.
4261
4262 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004263winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4264 window. The top window has number 1.
4265 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
4266 last window is returnd (the window count).
4267 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
4268 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
4269 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
4270 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
4271 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004272
4273 *winrestcmd()*
4274winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
4275 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
4276 are opened or closed and the current window is unchanged.
4277 Example: >
4278 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
4279 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
4280 :exe cmd
4281
4282winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
4283 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
4284 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
4285 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4286 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
4287 Examples: >
4288 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
4289 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
4290 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
4291 :endif
4292<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004293 *writefile()*
4294writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
4295 Write List {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
4296 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
4297 Number.
4298 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
4299 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
4300 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
4301 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
4302 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
4303 to writefile().
4304 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
4305 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
4306 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
4307 fails.
4308 Also see |readfile()|.
4309 To copy a file byte for byte: >
4310 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
4311 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
4312<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004313
4314 *feature-list*
4315There are three types of features:
43161. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
4317 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
4318 :if has("cindent")
43192. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
4320 Example: >
4321 :if has("gui_running")
4322< *has-patch*
43233. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
4324 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
4325 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
4326 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
4327
4328all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
4329amiga Amiga version of Vim.
4330arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
4331arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
4332autocmd Compiled with autocommands support.
4333balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00004334balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004335beos BeOS version of Vim.
4336browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
4337 work.
4338builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
4339byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
4340cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
4341clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
4342clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
4343cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
4344cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
4345cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
4346comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
4347cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
4348cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
4349compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
4350debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
4351dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
4352dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
4353diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
4354digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
4355dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
4356dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
4357dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
4358ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
4359emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
4360eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
4361 true, of course!
4362ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
4363extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
4364 |'hlsearch'|
4365farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
4366file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004367filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
4368 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004369find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
4370 |+find_in_path|.
4371fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
4372 Windows this is not present).
4373folding Compiled with |folding| support.
4374footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
4375fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
4376gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
4377gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
4378gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004379gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
4380gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00004381gui_kde Compiled with KDE GUI |KVim|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004382gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
4383gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
4384gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
4385gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
4386gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
4387gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
4388hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
4389iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
4390insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
4391 Insert mode.
4392jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
4393keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
4394langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
4395libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
4396linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
4397 support.
4398lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
4399listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
4400 and the argument list |arglist|.
4401localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
4402mac Macintosh version of Vim.
4403macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
4404menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
4405mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
4406modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
4407mouse Compiled with support mouse.
4408mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
4409mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
4410mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
4411mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
4412mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
4413mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
4414multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
4415multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
4416multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00004417mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004418netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00004419netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004420ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
4421os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
4422osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
4423path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
4424perl Compiled with Perl interface.
4425postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
4426printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004427profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004428python Compiled with Python interface.
4429qnx QNX version of Vim.
4430quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
4431rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
4432ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
4433scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
4434showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
4435signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
4436smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00004437sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004438statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
4439 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
4440sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00004441spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
4442syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004443syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
4444 current buffer.
4445system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
4446tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
4447 |tag-binary-search|.
4448tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
4449 |tag-old-static|.
4450tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
4451 files |tag-any-white|.
4452tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
4453terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
4454termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
4455textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
4456tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
4457 or terminfo file.
4458title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
4459toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
4460unix Unix version of Vim.
4461user_commands User-defined commands.
4462viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
4463vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
4464vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
4465virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
4466visual Compiled with Visual mode.
4467visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
4468 |blockwise-operators|.
4469vms VMS version of Vim.
4470vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
4471wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
4472wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
4473windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
4474winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
4475win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
4476win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
4477win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
4478win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
4479win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
4480writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
4481xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
4482xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
4483xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
4484xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
4485xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
4486xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
4487 xterm screen.
4488x11 Compiled with X11 support.
4489
4490 *string-match*
4491Matching a pattern in a String
4492
4493A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
4494the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
4495everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
4496like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
4497line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
4498with ".". Example: >
4499 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
4500 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
4501 aa
4502 xx
4503 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
4504 a
4505 x
4506
4507Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
4508"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
4509"\n".
4510
4511==============================================================================
45125. Defining functions *user-functions*
4513
4514New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
4515functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
4516commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
4517
4518The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
4519builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
4520avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
4521the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
4522
4523It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|.
4524
4525 *local-function*
4526A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
4527can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
4528and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
4529function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
4530instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
4531
4532 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
4533:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
4534
4535:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004536 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4537 Funcref: >
4538 :function dict.init
4539< *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004540:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004541 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
4542 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
4543 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004544
4545 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4546 Funcref: >
4547 :function dict.init(arg)
4548< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
4549 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
4550 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
4551 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
4552 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
4553 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004554 *E127* *E122*
4555 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
4556 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
4557 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
4558 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004559
4560 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
4561
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004562 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
4563 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
4564 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
4565 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
4566 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
4567 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
4568 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004569
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004570 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
4571 abort as soon as an error is detected.
4572 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
4573 will not be changed by the function.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004574
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004575 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
4576 be invoked through an entry in a Dictionary. The
4577 local variable "self" will then be set to the
4578 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004579
4580 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
4581:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
4582 by its own, without other commands.
4583
4584 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
4585:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004586 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4587 Funcref: >
4588 :delfunc dict.init
4589< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
4590 function is deleted if there are no more references to
4591 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004592 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
4593:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
4594 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
4595 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
4596 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
4597 the number 0 is returned.
4598 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
4599 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
4600
4601 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
4602 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
4603 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
4604 are executed first. This process applies to all
4605 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
4606 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
4607
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004608 *function-argument* *a:var*
4609An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
4610be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
4611 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
4612Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
4613arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
4614may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
4615as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004616can be 0). "a:000" is set to a List that contains these arguments. Note that
4617"a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
4618 *E742*
4619The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
4620However, if a List or Dictionary is used, you can changes their contents.
4621Thus you can pass a List to a function and have the function add an item to
4622it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a List or Dictionary
4623use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004624
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004625When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
4626to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
4627may be larger.
4628
4629It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
4630still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
4631until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
4632inside a function body.
4633
4634 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004635Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
4636will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
4637accessed with "g:".
4638
4639Example: >
4640 :function Table(title, ...)
4641 : echohl Title
4642 : echo a:title
4643 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004644 : echo a:0 . " items:"
4645 : for s in a:000
4646 : echon ' ' . s
4647 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004648 :endfunction
4649
4650This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004651 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
4652 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004653
4654To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
4655 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
4656 : if a:n2 == 0
4657 : return "fail"
4658 : endif
4659 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
4660 : return "ok"
4661 :endfunction
4662
4663This function can then be called with: >
4664 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
4665 :if success == "ok"
4666 : echo div
4667 :endif
4668
4669An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
4670with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
4671 :function Foo()
4672 : execute Bar()
4673 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
4674 :endfunction
4675
4676 :function Bar()
4677 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
4678 :endfunction
4679
4680The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
4681the caller to set the names.
4682
4683 *:cal* *:call* *E107*
4684:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
4685 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
4686 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
4687 used.
4688 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
4689 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
4690 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
4691 function.
4692 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
4693 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
4694 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
4695 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
4696 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
4697 this works:
4698 *function-range-example* >
4699 :function Mynumber(arg)
4700 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
4701 :endfunction
4702 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
4703<
4704 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
4705 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
4706 the range.
4707
4708 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
4709
4710 :function Cont() range
4711 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
4712 :endfunction
4713 :4,8call Cont()
4714<
4715 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
4716 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
4717
4718 *E132*
4719The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
4720option.
4721
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004722
4723AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004724 *autoload-functions*
4725When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004726only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
4727the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
4728
4729
4730Using an autocommand ~
4731
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004732This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
4733
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004734The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
4735You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
4736That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
4737again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
4738
4739Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
4740function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004741
4742 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
4743
4744The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
4745"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
4746
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004747
4748Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004749 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004750This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
4751
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004752Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
4753exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
4754like this: >
4755
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004756 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004757
4758When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
4759"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
4760"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
4761then define the function like this: >
4762
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004763 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004764 echo "Done!"
4765 endfunction
4766
4767The file name and the name used before the colon in the function must match
4768exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
4769called.
4770
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004771It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
4772a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004773
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004774 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004775
4776Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
4777
4778The name before the first colon must be at least two characters long,
4779otherwise it looks like a scope, such as "s:".
4780
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004781This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
4782
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004783 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004784
4785When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
4786be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
4787
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004788 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
4789 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004790
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00004791Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
4792defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
4793function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004794And you will get an error message every time.
4795
4796Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
4797other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
4798Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004799
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004800==============================================================================
48016. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
4802
4803Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
4804This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
4805{} like this: >
4806 my_{adjective}_variable
4807
4808When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
4809that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
4810name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
4811"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
4812"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
4813
4814One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
4815value. For example, the statement >
4816 echo my_{&background}_message
4817
4818would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
4819on the current value of 'background'.
4820
4821You can use multiple brace pairs: >
4822 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
4823..or even nest them: >
4824 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
4825where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
4826
4827However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004828variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004829 :let foo='a + b'
4830 :echo c{foo}d
4831.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
4832
4833 *curly-braces-function-names*
4834You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
4835Example: >
4836 :let func_end='whizz'
4837 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
4838
4839This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
4840
4841==============================================================================
48427. Commands *expression-commands*
4843
4844:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
4845 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
4846 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
4847 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
4848 is created.
4849
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004850:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
4851 Set a list item to the result of the expression
4852 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
4853 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
4854 the index can be repeated.
4855 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
4856
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004857 *E711* *E719*
4858:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004859 Set a sequence of items in a List to the result of the
4860 expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
4861 correct number of items.
4862 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
4863 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
4864 When the selected range of items is partly past the
4865 end of the list, items will be added.
4866
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004867 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004868:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
4869:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
4870:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
4871 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
4872 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
4873
4874
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004875:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
4876 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
4877 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004878:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
4879 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
4880 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
4881 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004882
4883:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
4884 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
4885 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
4886 must be the name of a writable register (see
4887 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
4888 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
4889 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
4890 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
4891 characterwise.
4892 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
4893 :let @/ = ""
4894< This is different from searching for an empty string,
4895 that would match everywhere.
4896
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004897:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
4898 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
4899 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
4900
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004901:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
4902 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004903 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
4904 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004905 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
4906 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
4907 value and the global value is changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004908 Example: >
4909 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004910
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004911:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
4912 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
4913 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
4914
4915:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
4916:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
4917 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
4918 {expr1}.
4919
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004920:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004921:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
4922:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
4923:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004924 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
4925 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
4926
4927:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004928:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
4929:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
4930:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004931 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
4932 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
4933
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004934:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004935 {expr1} must evaluate to a List. The first item in
4936 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
4937 {name2}, etc.
4938 The number of names must match the number of items in
4939 the List.
4940 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
4941 command as mentioned above.
4942 Example: >
4943 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004944< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
4945 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
4946 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
4947 :let x = [0, 1]
4948 :let i = 0
4949 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
4950 :echo x
4951< The result is [0, 2].
4952
4953:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
4954:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
4955:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
4956 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
4957 List item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004958
4959:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004960 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the List may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004961 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
4962 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
4963 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00004964 Example: >
4965 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
4966<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004967:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
4968:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
4969:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
4970 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
4971 List item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004972 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004973:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00004974 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
4975 here: *E738*
4976 g: global variables.
4977 b: local buffer variables.
4978 w: local window variables.
4979 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004980
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004981:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
4982 variable is indicated before the value:
4983 <nothing> String
4984 # Number
4985 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004986
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004987
4988:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
4989 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
4990 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
4991 may also be a List or Dictionary item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004992 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
4993 variables.
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00004994 One or more items from a List can be removed: >
4995 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
4996 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
4997< One item from a Dictionary can be removed at a time: >
4998 :unlet dict['two']
4999 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005000
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005001:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
5002 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
5003 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
5004 A locked variable can be deleted: >
5005 :lockvar v
5006 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
5007 :unlet v
5008< *E741*
5009 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
5010 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
5011
5012 [depth] is relevant when locking a List or Dictionary.
5013 It specifies how deep the locking goes:
5014 1 Lock the List or Dictionary itself,
5015 cannot add or remove items, but can
5016 still change their values.
5017 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
5018 the items. If an item is a List or
5019 Dictionary, cannot add or remove
5020 items, but can still change the
5021 values.
5022 3 Like 2 but for the List/Dictionary in
5023 the List/Dictionary, one level deeper.
5024 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a List
5025 or Dictionary the values cannot be changed.
5026 *E743*
5027 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
5028 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
5029 loops.
5030
5031 Note that when two variables refer to the same List
5032 and you lock one of them, the List will also be locked
5033 when used through the other variable. Example: >
5034 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
5035 :let cl = l
5036 :lockvar l
5037 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
5038< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
5039 See |deepcopy()|.
5040
5041
5042:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
5043 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
5044 opposite of |:lockvar|.
5045
5046
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005047:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
5048:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5049 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5050
5051 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
5052 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
5053 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
5054 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
5055 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
5056 part was not executed either.
5057
5058 You can use this to remain compatible with older
5059 versions: >
5060 :if version >= 500
5061 : version-5-specific-commands
5062 :endif
5063< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
5064 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
5065 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
5066 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
5067 avoid problems: >
5068 :if version >= 600
5069 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
5070 :endif
5071<
5072 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
5073 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
5074
5075 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
5076:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5077 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
5078 executed.
5079
5080 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
5081:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
5082 is no extra ":endif".
5083
5084:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005085 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005086:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
5087 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5088 When an error is detected from a command inside the
5089 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005090 Example: >
5091 :let lnum = 1
5092 :while lnum <= line("$")
5093 :call FixLine(lnum)
5094 :let lnum = lnum + 1
5095 :endwhile
5096<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005097 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005098 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005099
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005100:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005101:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
5102 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005103 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005104 value of each item.
5105 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005106 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005107 Changing {list} affects what items are used. Make a
5108 copy if this is unwanted: >
5109 :for item in copy(mylist)
5110< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
5111 next item in the list, before executing the commands
5112 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
5113 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
5114 it will not be found. Thus the following example
5115 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
5116 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005117 :call remove(mylist, 0)
5118 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005119< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
5120 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
5121 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005122 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
5123 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
5124 to allow multiple item types.
5125
5126:for {var} in {string}
5127:endfo[r] Like ":for" above, but use each character in {string}
5128 as a list item.
5129 Composing characters are used as separate characters.
5130 A Number is first converted to a String.
5131
5132:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
5133:endfo[r]
5134 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
5135 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
5136 {var2}, etc. Example: >
5137 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
5138 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
5139 :endfor
5140<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005141 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005142:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
5143 to the start of the loop.
5144 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5145 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5146 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5147 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5148 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5149 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005150
5151 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005152:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
5153 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
5154 ":endfor".
5155 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5156 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5157 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5158 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5159 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5160 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005161
5162:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
5163:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
5164 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
5165 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
5166 or autocommand invocations.
5167
5168 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
5169 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
5170 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
5171 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
5172 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
5173 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
5174 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
5175 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
5176 Example: >
5177 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
5178 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
5179<
5180 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
5181 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
5182 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
5183 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
5184 processing is not terminated.
5185
5186 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
5187 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
5188 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
5189 other errors are converted to a value of the form
5190 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
5191 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
5192 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
5193 the error number.
5194 Examples: >
5195 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
5196 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
5197<
5198 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
5199:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
5200 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
5201 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
5202 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
5203 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
5204 commands are skipped.
5205 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
5206 Examples: >
5207 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
5208 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
5209 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
5210 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
5211 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
5212 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
5213 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
5214 :catch " same as /.*/
5215<
5216 Another character can be used instead of / around the
5217 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
5218 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
5219 {pattern}.
5220 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
5221 an error message because it may vary in different
5222 locales.
5223
5224 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
5225:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
5226 are executed whenever the part between the matching
5227 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
5228 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
5229 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
5230 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
5231
5232 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
5233:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
5234 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
5235 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
5236 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
5237 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
5238 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
5239 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
5240 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
5241 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
5242 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
5243 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
5244 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
5245 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
5246 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
5247 is terminated.
5248 Example: >
5249 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
5250<
5251
5252 *:ec* *:echo*
5253:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
5254 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
5255 Also see |:comment|.
5256 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
5257 cursor to the first column.
5258 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5259 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5260 Example: >
5261 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
5262< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
5263 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
5264 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
5265 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
5266 command. Example: >
5267 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
5268<
5269 *:echon*
5270:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
5271 |:comment|.
5272 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5273 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5274 Example: >
5275 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
5276<
5277 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
5278 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
5279 command: >
5280 :!echo % --> filename
5281< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
5282 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
5283< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
5284 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
5285 :echo % --> nothing
5286< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
5287 :echo "%" --> %
5288< This just echoes the '%' character. >
5289 :echo expand("%") --> filename
5290< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
5291
5292 *:echoh* *:echohl*
5293:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
5294 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
5295 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
5296 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
5297< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
5298 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
5299
5300 *:echom* *:echomsg*
5301:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
5302 message in the |message-history|.
5303 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5304 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
5305 displayed, not interpreted.
5306 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5307 Example: >
5308 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
5309<
5310 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
5311:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
5312 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
5313 script or function the line number will be added.
5314 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5315 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
5316 the message is raised as an error exception instead
5317 (see |try-echoerr|).
5318 Example: >
5319 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
5320< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
5321 And to get a beep: >
5322 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
5323<
5324 *:exe* *:execute*
5325:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
5326 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
5327 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
5328 used as the processed command, command line editing
5329 keys are not recognized.
5330 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5331 Examples: >
5332 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
5333 :execute "normal " count . "w"
5334<
5335 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
5336 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
5337 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
5338
5339< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
5340 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
5341 command: >
5342 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
5343< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
5344
5345 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005346 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
5347 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005348 :execute 'while i > 5'
5349 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
5350<
5351 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
5352 completely in the executed string: >
5353 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
5354<
5355
5356 *:comment*
5357 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
5358 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
5359 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
5360 comment. Example: >
5361 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
5362
5363==============================================================================
53648. Exception handling *exception-handling*
5365
5366The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
5367explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
5368
5369Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
5370|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
5371exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
5372
5373
5374TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
5375
5376Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
5377use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
5378a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
5379 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
5380|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
5381a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
5382be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
5383which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
5384clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
5385
5386 :try
5387 : ...
5388 : ... TRY BLOCK
5389 : ...
5390 :catch /{pattern}/
5391 : ...
5392 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5393 : ...
5394 :catch /{pattern}/
5395 : ...
5396 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5397 : ...
5398 :finally
5399 : ...
5400 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
5401 : ...
5402 :endtry
5403
5404The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
5405appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
5406from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
5407 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
5408is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
5409script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
5410 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
5411lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
5412patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
5413after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
5414executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
5415":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
5416(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
5417continues in the following line as usual.
5418 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
5419":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
5420that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
5421finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
5422the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
5423the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
5424see |try-nesting|.
5425 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
5426remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
5427not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
5428try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
5429a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
5430execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
5431exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5432 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
5433thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
5434clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
5435catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
5436following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
5437clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5438
5439The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
5440a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
5441try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
5442from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
5443sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
5444":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
5445":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
5446from the finally clause.
5447 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
5448try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
5449clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
5450":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
5451clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
5452":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
5453this pending exception or command is discarded.
5454
5455For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
5456
5457
5458NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
5459
5460Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
5461conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
5462clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
5463catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
5464of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
5465checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
5466try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
5467otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
5468nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
5469one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
5470the inner try conditional.
5471
5472When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
5473finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
5474An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
5475thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
5476implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
5477as usual.
5478
5479For examples see |throw-catch|.
5480
5481
5482EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
5483
5484Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
5485'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
5486script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
5487finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
5488a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
5489(see |debug-scripts|).
5490
5491
5492THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
5493
5494You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
5495and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
5496 :throw 4711
5497 :throw "string"
5498< *throw-expression*
5499You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
5500first, and the result is thrown: >
5501 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
5502 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
5503
5504An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
5505command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
5506The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
5507 Example: >
5508
5509 :function! Foo(arg)
5510 : try
5511 : throw a:arg
5512 : catch /foo/
5513 : endtry
5514 : return 1
5515 :endfunction
5516 :
5517 :function! Bar()
5518 : echo "in Bar"
5519 : return 4710
5520 :endfunction
5521 :
5522 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
5523
5524This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
5525executed. >
5526 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
5527however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
5528
5529Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
5530abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
5531exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
5532 Example: >
5533
5534 :if Foo("arrgh")
5535 : echo "then"
5536 :else
5537 : echo "else"
5538 :endif
5539
5540Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
5541
5542 *catch-order*
5543Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
5544commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
5545command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
5546gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
5547 Example: >
5548
5549 :function! Foo(value)
5550 : try
5551 : throw a:value
5552 : catch /^\d\+$/
5553 : echo "Number thrown"
5554 : catch /.*/
5555 : echo "String thrown"
5556 : endtry
5557 :endfunction
5558 :
5559 :call Foo(0x1267)
5560 :call Foo('string')
5561
5562The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
5563An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
5564specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
5565specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
5566
5567 : catch /.*/
5568 : echo "String thrown"
5569 : catch /^\d\+$/
5570 : echo "Number thrown"
5571
5572The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
5573never taken.
5574
5575 *throw-variables*
5576If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
5577in the variable |v:exception|: >
5578
5579 : catch /^\d\+$/
5580 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
5581
5582You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
5583|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
5584exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
5585 Example: >
5586
5587 :function! Caught()
5588 : if v:exception != ""
5589 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
5590 : else
5591 : echo 'Nothing caught'
5592 : endif
5593 :endfunction
5594 :
5595 :function! Foo()
5596 : try
5597 : try
5598 : try
5599 : throw 4711
5600 : finally
5601 : call Caught()
5602 : endtry
5603 : catch /.*/
5604 : call Caught()
5605 : throw "oops"
5606 : endtry
5607 : catch /.*/
5608 : call Caught()
5609 : finally
5610 : call Caught()
5611 : endtry
5612 :endfunction
5613 :
5614 :call Foo()
5615
5616This displays >
5617
5618 Nothing caught
5619 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
5620 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
5621 Nothing caught
5622
5623A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
5624number in the script or function where it has been used: >
5625
5626 :function! LineNumber()
5627 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
5628 :endfunction
5629 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
5630<
5631 *try-nested*
5632An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
5633a surrounding try conditional: >
5634
5635 :try
5636 : try
5637 : throw "foo"
5638 : catch /foobar/
5639 : echo "foobar"
5640 : finally
5641 : echo "inner finally"
5642 : endtry
5643 :catch /foo/
5644 : echo "foo"
5645 :endtry
5646
5647The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
5648clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
5649conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
5650
5651 *throw-from-catch*
5652You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
5653catch clause: >
5654
5655 :function! Foo()
5656 : throw "foo"
5657 :endfunction
5658 :
5659 :function! Bar()
5660 : try
5661 : call Foo()
5662 : catch /foo/
5663 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
5664 : throw "bar"
5665 : endtry
5666 :endfunction
5667 :
5668 :try
5669 : call Bar()
5670 :catch /.*/
5671 : echo "Caught" v:exception
5672 :endtry
5673
5674This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
5675
5676 *rethrow*
5677There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
5678"v:exception" instead: >
5679
5680 :function! Bar()
5681 : try
5682 : call Foo()
5683 : catch /.*/
5684 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
5685 : throw v:exception
5686 : endtry
5687 :endfunction
5688< *try-echoerr*
5689Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
5690exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
5691Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
5692denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
5693the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
5694
5695 :try
5696 : try
5697 : asdf
5698 : catch /.*/
5699 : echoerr v:exception
5700 : endtry
5701 :catch /.*/
5702 : echo v:exception
5703 :endtry
5704
5705This code displays
5706
5707 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
5708
5709
5710CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
5711
5712Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
5713user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
5714an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
5715a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
5716catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
5717a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
5718normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
5719(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
5720to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
5721clause has been executed.)
5722Example: >
5723
5724 :try
5725 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
5726 : set ts=17
5727 :
5728 : " Do the hard work here.
5729 :
5730 :finally
5731 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
5732 : unlet s:saved_ts
5733 :endtry
5734
5735This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
5736changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
5737that function or script part.
5738
5739 *break-finally*
5740Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
5741a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
5742 Example: >
5743
5744 :let first = 1
5745 :while 1
5746 : try
5747 : if first
5748 : echo "first"
5749 : let first = 0
5750 : continue
5751 : else
5752 : throw "second"
5753 : endif
5754 : catch /.*/
5755 : echo v:exception
5756 : break
5757 : finally
5758 : echo "cleanup"
5759 : endtry
5760 : echo "still in while"
5761 :endwhile
5762 :echo "end"
5763
5764This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
5765
5766 :function! Foo()
5767 : try
5768 : return 4711
5769 : finally
5770 : echo "cleanup\n"
5771 : endtry
5772 : echo "Foo still active"
5773 :endfunction
5774 :
5775 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
5776
5777This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
5778extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
5779return value.)
5780
5781 *except-from-finally*
5782Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
5783a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
5784cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
5785exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
5786 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
5787working correctly: >
5788
5789 :try
5790 : try
5791 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
5792 : while 1
5793 : endwhile
5794 : finally
5795 : unlet novar
5796 : endtry
5797 :catch /novar/
5798 :endtry
5799 :echo "Script still running"
5800 :sleep 1
5801
5802If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
5803think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
5804|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
5805
5806
5807CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
5808
5809If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
5810watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
5811presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
5812exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
5813the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
5814the error exception is.
5815 Error exceptions have the following format: >
5816
5817 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
5818or >
5819 Vim:{errmsg}
5820
5821{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
5822the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
5823when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
5824a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
5825a space.
5826
5827Examples:
5828
5829The command >
5830 :unlet novar
5831normally produces the error message >
5832 E108: No such variable: "novar"
5833which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5834 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
5835
5836The command >
5837 :dwim
5838normally produces the error message >
5839 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
5840which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5841 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
5842
5843You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
5844 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
5845or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
5846 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
5847
5848Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
5849 :function nofunc
5850and >
5851 :delfunction nofunc
5852both produce the error message >
5853 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5854which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
5855 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5856or >
5857 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
5858respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
5859command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
5860 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
5861
5862Some commands like >
5863 :let x = novar
5864produce multiple error messages, here: >
5865 E121: Undefined variable: novar
5866 E15: Invalid expression: novar
5867Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
5868one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
5869 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
5870
5871You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
5872 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
5873
5874You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
5875 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
5876
5877You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
5878 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
5879<
5880 *catch-text*
5881NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
5882 :catch /No such variable/
5883only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
5884a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
5885cite the message text in a comment: >
5886 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
5887
5888
5889IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
5890
5891You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
5892
5893 :try
5894 : write
5895 :catch
5896 :endtry
5897
5898But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
5899catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
5900be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
5901
5902 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
5903
5904There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
5905writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
5906then hide the error from the user.
5907 It is much better to use >
5908
5909 :try
5910 : write
5911 :catch /^Vim(write):/
5912 :endtry
5913
5914which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
5915intentionally.
5916
5917For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
5918even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
5919command: >
5920 :silent! nunmap k
5921This works also when a try conditional is active.
5922
5923
5924CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
5925
5926When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
5927the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
5928script is not terminated, then.
5929 Example: >
5930
5931 :function! TASK1()
5932 : sleep 10
5933 :endfunction
5934
5935 :function! TASK2()
5936 : sleep 20
5937 :endfunction
5938
5939 :while 1
5940 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
5941 : try
5942 : if command == ""
5943 : continue
5944 : elseif command == "END"
5945 : break
5946 : elseif command == "TASK1"
5947 : call TASK1()
5948 : elseif command == "TASK2"
5949 : call TASK2()
5950 : else
5951 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
5952 : continue
5953 : endif
5954 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
5955 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
5956 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
5957 : endtry
5958 :endwhile
5959
5960You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
5961a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
5962
5963For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
5964your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
5965command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
5966
5967
5968CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
5969
5970The commands >
5971
5972 :catch /.*/
5973 :catch //
5974 :catch
5975
5976catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
5977explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
5978a script in order to catch unexpected things.
5979 Example: >
5980
5981 :try
5982 :
5983 : " do the hard work here
5984 :
5985 :catch /MyException/
5986 :
5987 : " handle known problem
5988 :
5989 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
5990 : echo "Script interrupted"
5991 :catch /.*/
5992 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
5993 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
5994 :endtry
5995 :" end of script
5996
5997Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
5998strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
5999specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
6000 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
6001by pressing CTRL-C: >
6002
6003 :while 1
6004 : try
6005 : sleep 1
6006 : catch
6007 : endtry
6008 :endwhile
6009
6010
6011EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
6012
6013Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
6014
6015 :autocmd User x try
6016 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
6017 :autocmd User x catch
6018 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
6019 :autocmd User x endtry
6020 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
6021 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
6022 :
6023 :try
6024 : doautocmd User x
6025 :catch
6026 : echo v:exception
6027 :endtry
6028
6029This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
6030
6031 *except-autocmd-Pre*
6032For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
6033command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
6034of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
6035abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
6036 Example: >
6037
6038 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
6039 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
6040 :
6041 :try
6042 : write
6043 :catch
6044 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
6045 :endtry
6046
6047Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
6048you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
6049autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
6050script displays: >
6051
6052 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
6053<
6054 *except-autocmd-Post*
6055For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
6056command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
6057an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
6058is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
6059 Example: >
6060
6061 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
6062 :
6063 :try
6064 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6065 :catch
6066 : echo v:exception
6067 :endtry
6068
6069This just displays: >
6070
6071 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
6072
6073If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
6074fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
6075 Example: >
6076
6077 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
6078 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
6079 :
6080 :try
6081 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6082 :catch
6083 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6084 :endtry
6085<
6086You can also use ":silent!": >
6087
6088 :let x = "ok"
6089 :let v:errmsg = ""
6090 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
6091 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
6092 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
6093 :try
6094 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6095 :catch
6096 :endtry
6097 :echo x
6098
6099This displays "after fail".
6100
6101If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
6102autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
6103
6104 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
6105 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
6106 :
6107 :try
6108 : write
6109 :catch
6110 : echo v:exception
6111 :endtry
6112<
6113 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
6114For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
6115autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
6116of the command.
6117 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
6118had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
6119some way. >
6120
6121 :if !exists("cnt")
6122 : let cnt = 0
6123 :
6124 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
6125 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
6126 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
6127 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6128 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6129 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
6130 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
6131 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6132 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6133 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
6134 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6135 :endif
6136 :
6137 :try
6138 : write
6139 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
6140 : if &modified
6141 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
6142 : else
6143 : echo "Error after writing"
6144 : endif
6145 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6146 : echo "Error on writing"
6147 :endtry
6148
6149When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
6150first >
6151 File successfully written!
6152then >
6153 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
6154then >
6155 Error after writing
6156etc.
6157
6158 *except-autocmd-ill*
6159You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
6160The following code is ill-formed: >
6161
6162 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
6163 :
6164 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
6165 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
6166 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
6167 :
6168 :write
6169
6170
6171EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
6172
6173Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
6174pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
6175similar things in Vim.
6176 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
6177class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
6178string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
6179 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
6180it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
6181for an error when writing "myfile".
6182 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
6183base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
6184parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
6185 Example: >
6186
6187 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
6188 : if a:a < 0
6189 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
6190 : endif
6191 :endfunction
6192 :
6193 :function! Add(a, b)
6194 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
6195 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
6196 : let c = a:a + a:b
6197 : if c < 0
6198 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
6199 : endif
6200 : return c
6201 :endfunction
6202 :
6203 :function! Div(a, b)
6204 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
6205 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
6206 : if (a:b == 0)
6207 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
6208 : endif
6209 : return a:a / a:b
6210 :endfunction
6211 :
6212 :function! Write(file)
6213 : try
6214 : execute "write" a:file
6215 : catch /^Vim(write):/
6216 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
6217 : endtry
6218 :endfunction
6219 :
6220 :try
6221 :
6222 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
6223 :
6224 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
6225 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6226 : echo "Range error in" function
6227 :
6228 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
6229 : echo "Math error"
6230 :
6231 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
6232 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
6233 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6234 : if file !~ '^/'
6235 : let file = dir . "/" . file
6236 : endif
6237 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
6238 :
6239 :catch /^EXCEPT/
6240 : echo "Unspecified error"
6241 :
6242 :endtry
6243
6244The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
6245a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
6246exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
6247 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
6248failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
6249
6250
6251PECULIARITIES
6252 *except-compat*
6253The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
6254exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
6255and/or a catch clause.
6256
6257In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
6258continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
6259after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
6260functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
6261or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
6262(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
6263
6264This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
6265immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
6266conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
6267be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
6268termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
6269catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
6270by specifying a finally clause.)
6271
6272When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
6273behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
6274scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
6275
6276However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
6277commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
6278conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
6279script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
6280error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
6281messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
6282|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
6283not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
6284where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
6285error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
6286scripts.
6287
6288 *except-syntax-err*
6289Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
6290the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
6291clauses, however, is executed.
6292 Example: >
6293
6294 :try
6295 : try
6296 : throw 4711
6297 : catch /\(/
6298 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
6299 : catch
6300 : echo "inner catch-all"
6301 : finally
6302 : echo "inner finally"
6303 : endtry
6304 :catch
6305 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
6306 : finally
6307 : echo "outer finally"
6308 :endtry
6309
6310This displays: >
6311 inner finally
6312 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
6313 outer finally
6314The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
6315
6316 *except-single-line*
6317The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
6318a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
6319"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
6320 Example: >
6321 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
6322raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
6323argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
6324error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
6325displayed.
6326
6327 *except-several-errors*
6328When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
6329usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
6330 Example: >
6331 echo novar
6332causes >
6333 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6334 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6335The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6336 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
6337< *except-syntax-error*
6338But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
6339the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
6340 Example: >
6341 unlet novar #
6342causes >
6343 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6344 E488: Trailing characters
6345The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6346 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
6347This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
6348not intended by the user. Example: >
6349 try
6350 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
6351 catch /.*/
6352 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
6353 endtry
6354This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
6355a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
6356
6357==============================================================================
63589. Examples *eval-examples*
6359
6360Printing in Hex ~
6361>
6362 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
6363 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
6364 : let n = a:nr
6365 : let r = ""
6366 : while n
6367 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
6368 : let n = n / 16
6369 : endwhile
6370 : return r
6371 :endfunc
6372
6373 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
6374 :" character Hex string.
6375 :func String2Hex(str)
6376 : let out = ''
6377 : let ix = 0
6378 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
6379 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
6380 : let ix = ix + 1
6381 : endwhile
6382 : return out
6383 :endfunc
6384
6385Example of its use: >
6386 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
6387result: "20" >
6388 :echo String2Hex("32")
6389result: "3332"
6390
6391
6392Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
6393
6394Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
6395":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
6396platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
6397function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
6398with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
6399>
6400 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
6401 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
6402 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
6403 : return -1
6404 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
6405 : return 1
6406 : else
6407 : return 0
6408 : endif
6409 :endfunction
6410
6411 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
6412 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
6413 : if (a:start >= a:end)
6414 : return
6415 : endif
6416 : let partition = a:start - 1
6417 : let middle = partition
6418 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
6419 : let i = a:start
6420 : while (i <= a:end)
6421 : let str = getline(i)
6422 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
6423 : if (result <= 0)
6424 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
6425 : let partition = partition + 1
6426 : if (result == 0)
6427 : let middle = partition
6428 : endif
6429 : if (i != partition)
6430 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6431 : call setline(i, str2)
6432 : call setline(partition, str)
6433 : endif
6434 : endif
6435 : let i = i + 1
6436 : endwhile
6437
6438 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
6439 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
6440 : " the end of the partition.
6441 : if (middle != partition)
6442 : let str = getline(middle)
6443 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6444 : call setline(middle, str2)
6445 : call setline(partition, str)
6446 : endif
6447 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
6448 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
6449 :endfunc
6450
6451 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
6452 :" function that will compare two lines.
6453 :func! Sort(cmp) range
6454 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
6455 :endfunc
6456
6457 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
6458 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
6459<
6460 *sscanf*
6461There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
6462line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
6463how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
6464"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
6465 :" Set up the match bit
6466 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
6467 :"get the part matching the whole expression
6468 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
6469 :"get each item out of the match
6470 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
6471 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
6472 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
6473
6474The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
6475"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
6476
6477==============================================================================
647810. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
6479
6480When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
6481evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
6482to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
6483recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
6484and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
6485only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
6486recognized.
6487
6488Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
6489missing: >
6490
6491 :if 1
6492 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
6493 :else
6494 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
6495 :endif
6496
6497==============================================================================
649811. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
6499
6500The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
6501options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
6502these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
6503these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
6504a tags file is executed.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006505The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006506
6507These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
6508 - changing the buffer text
6509 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
6510 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
6511 - executing a shell command
6512 - reading or writing a file
6513 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006514This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
6515
6516 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00006517:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006518 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
6519 'foldexpr'.
6520
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006521
6522 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: