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Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0f. Last change: 2006 Apr 24
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00003112. Textlock |textlock|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000032
33{Vi does not have any of these commands}
34
35==============================================================================
361. Variables *variables*
37
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000039 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000040There are five types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000042Number A 32 bit signed number.
43 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
44
45String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
46 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
47
48Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
49 Example: function("strlen")
50
51List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
52 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000053
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000054Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
55 value. |Dictionary|
56 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
57
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000058The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
59are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000060
61Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
62the Number. Examples: >
63 Number 123 --> String "123"
64 Number 0 --> String "0"
65 Number -1 --> String "-1"
66
67Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
68to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
69the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
70 String "456" --> Number 456
71 String "6bar" --> Number 6
72 String "foo" --> Number 0
73 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
74 String "0100" --> Number 64
75 String "-8" --> Number -8
76 String "+8" --> Number 0
77
78To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
79 :echo "0100" + 0
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +000080< 64 ~
81
82To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different
83base, use |str2nr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000084
85For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
86
87Note that in the command >
88 :if "foo"
89"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
90use strlen(): >
91 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000092< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
93List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000094
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000095 *E706*
96You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
97to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000098equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000099 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000100 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000101 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000102
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000103
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001041.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000105 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000106A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000107in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
108around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000109
110 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
111 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000112< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000113A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:", "t:" or "b:". You
114cannot have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000115
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000116A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
117Dictionary entry. Example: >
118 :function dict.init() dict
119 : let self.val = 0
120 :endfunction
121
122The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
123function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
124
125A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
126 :call Fn()
127 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000128
129The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000130 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000131
132You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
133arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000134 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000135
136
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001371.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000138 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000139A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
140can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
141position in the sequence.
142
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143
144List creation ~
145 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000146A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000147Examples: >
148 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
149 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000150
151An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000152List of Lists: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000153 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000154
155An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
156
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000157
158List index ~
159 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000160An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000161after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
162 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000163 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000164
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000165When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000166 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000167<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000168A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
169the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000170 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
171
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000172To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000173is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000174 :echo get(mylist, idx)
175 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
176
177
178List concatenation ~
179
180Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
181 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000182 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000183
184To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
185it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
186
187
188Sublist ~
189
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000190A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
191separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000192 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000193
194Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000195similar to -1.
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000196 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
197 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
198 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000199
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000200If the first index is beyond the last item of the List or the second item is
201before the first item, the result is an empty list. There is no error
202message.
203
204If the second index is equal to or greater than the length of the list the
205length minus one is used: >
Bram Moolenaar9e54a0e2006-04-14 20:42:25 +0000206 :let mylist = [0, 1, 2, 3]
207 :echo mylist[2:8] " result: [2, 3]
208
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000209NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
210using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
211mylist[s : e].
212
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000213
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000214List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000215 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000216When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
217variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
218change "bb": >
219 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
220 :let bb = aa
221 :call add(aa, 4)
222 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000223< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000224
225Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
226works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000227a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000228 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
229 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000230 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000231 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
232 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000233< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000234 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000235< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000236
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000237To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000238copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000239
240The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000241List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000242the same value. >
243 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
244 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
245 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000246< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000247 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000248< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000249
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000250Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
251same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000252exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
253different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
254variables. Example: >
255 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000256< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000257 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000258< 0
259
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000260Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
261can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a string: >
262
263 :let a = 5
264 :let b = "5"
265 echo a == b
266< 1 >
267 echo [a] == [b]
268< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000269
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000270
271List unpack ~
272
273To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
274square brackets, like list items: >
275 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
276
277When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
278this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
279and a variable name: >
280 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
281
282This works like: >
283 :let var1 = mylist[0]
284 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000285 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000286
287Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
288empty list then.
289
290
291List modification ~
292 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000293To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000294 :let list[4] = "four"
295 :let listlist[0][3] = item
296
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000297To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000298modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000299 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
300
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000301Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
302examples: >
303 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
304 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
305 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000306 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000307 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
308 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000309 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000310 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000311 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000312 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000313
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000314Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000315 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
316 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
317
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000318
319For loop ~
320
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000321The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
322to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000323 :for item in mylist
324 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000325 :endfor
326
327This works like: >
328 :let index = 0
329 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000330 : let item = mylist[index]
331 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000332 : let index = index + 1
333 :endwhile
334
335Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000336results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000337the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000338
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000339If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000340function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000341
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000342Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
343requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
344 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
345 : call Doit(lnum, col)
346 :endfor
347
348This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
349must remain the same to avoid an error.
350
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000351It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000352 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
353 : call Doit(i, j)
354 : if !empty(rest)
355 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
356 : endif
357 :endfor
358
359
360List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000361 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000362Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000363 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000364 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000365 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
366 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
367 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000368 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
369 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000370 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
371 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000372 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
373 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000374 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
375 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000376
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000377Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
378example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
379 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
380
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003821.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000383 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000384A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000385entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
386ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000387
388
389Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000390 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000391A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000392braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
393only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000394 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
395 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000396< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000397A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
398String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000399entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
400Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000401
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000402A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000403nested Dictionary: >
404 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
405
406An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
407
408
409Accessing entries ~
410
411The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
412 :let val = mydict["one"]
413 :let mydict["four"] = 4
414
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000415You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000416
417For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
418form can be used |expr-entry|: >
419 :let val = mydict.one
420 :let mydict.four = 4
421
422Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
423key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000424 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000425
426
427Dictionary to List conversion ~
428
429You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
430turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
431
432Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
433 :for key in keys(mydict)
434 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
435 :endfor
436
437The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
438 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
439
440To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
441 :for v in values(mydict)
442 : echo "value: " . v
443 :endfor
444
445If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000446a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000447 :for entry in items(mydict)
448 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
449 :endfor
450
451
452Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000453 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000454Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
455Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
456Dictionary: >
457 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
458 :let adict = onedict
459 :let adict['a'] = 11
460 :echo onedict['a']
461 11
462
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000463Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
464more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000465
466
467Dictionary modification ~
468 *dict-modification*
469To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
470use |:let| this way: >
471 :let dict[4] = "four"
472 :let dict['one'] = item
473
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000474Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
475Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
476 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
477 :unlet dict.aaa
478 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000479
480Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000481 :call extend(adict, bdict)
482This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
483in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000484Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
485expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
486adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000487
488Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +0000489 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000490This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000491
492
493Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000494 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000495When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
496special way with a dictionary. Example: >
497 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000498 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000499 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000500 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
501 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000502
503This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
504Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
505the function was invoked from.
506
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000507It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
508Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
509
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000510 *numbered-function* *anonymous-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000511To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
512assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000513 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
514 :function mydict.len() dict
515 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000516 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000517 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000518
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000519The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
520that references this function. The function can only be used through a
521|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
522remaining that refers to it.
523
524It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000525
526
527Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000528 *E715*
529Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000530 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
531 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
532 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
533 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
534 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
535 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
536 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
537 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000538
539
5401.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000541 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000542If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
543function.
544
545When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
546start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
547stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
548
549When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
550start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
551stored in the session file |session-file|.
552
553variable name can be stored where ~
554my_var_6 not
555My_Var_6 session file
556MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
557
558
559It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
560|curly-braces-names|.
561
562==============================================================================
5632. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
564
565Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
566
567|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
568
569|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
570
571|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
572
573|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
574 expr5 != expr5 not equal
575 expr5 > expr5 greater than
576 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
577 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
578 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
579 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
580 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
581
582 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
583 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
584 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
585 matching case
586
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000587 expr5 is expr5 same |List| instance
588 expr5 isnot expr5 different |List| instance
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000589
590|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000591 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
592 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
593
594|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
595 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
596 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
597
598|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
599 - expr7 unary minus
600 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000601
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000602
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000603|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a |List|
604 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a |List|
605 expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary|
606 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with |Funcref| variable
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000607
608|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000609 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000610 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000611 [expr1, ...] |List|
612 {expr1: expr1, ...} |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000613 &option option value
614 (expr1) nested expression
615 variable internal variable
616 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
617 $VAR environment variable
618 @r contents of register 'r'
619 function(expr1, ...) function call
620 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
621
622
623".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
624Example: >
625 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
626
627All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
628
629
630expr1 *expr1* *E109*
631-----
632
633expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
634
635The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
636non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
637otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
638Example: >
639 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
640
641Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
642other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
643Example: >
644 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
645
646To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
647 :echo lnum == 1
648 :\ ? "top"
649 :\ : lnum == 1000
650 :\ ? "last"
651 :\ : lnum
652
653
654expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
655---------------
656
657 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
658The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
659are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
660
661 input output ~
662n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
663zero zero zero zero
664zero non-zero non-zero zero
665non-zero zero non-zero zero
666non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
667
668The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
669
670 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
671
672Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
673
674 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
675
676Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
677arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
678
679 let a = 1
680 echo a || b
681
682This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
683so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
684
685 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
686
687This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
688only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
689
690
691expr4 *expr4*
692-----
693
694expr5 {cmp} expr5
695
696Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
697if it evaluates to true.
698
699 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
700 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
701 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
702 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
703 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
704 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000705 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000706 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
707equal == ==# ==?
708not equal != !=# !=?
709greater than > ># >?
710greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
711smaller than < <# <?
712smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
713regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
714regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000715same instance is
716different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000717
718Examples:
719"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
720"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
721"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
722
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000723 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000724A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
725"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
726Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000727
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000728 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000729A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
730equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000731recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
732
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000733 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000734A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
735equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000736
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000737When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| this checks if the expressions are
738referring to the same |List| instance. A copy of a |List| is different from
739the original |List|. When using "is" without a |List| it is equivalent to
740using "equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000741different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
742is false.
743
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000744When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
745and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
746because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
747
748When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
749results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
750necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
751
752When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
753'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
754
755When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
756'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
757
758The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
759argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
760This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
761matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
762portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
763single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
764Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
765(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
766can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
767 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
768 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
769
770
771expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
772---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000773expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000774expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
775expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000776
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +0000777For |Lists| only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000778result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000779
780expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
781expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
782expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000783
784For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
785
786Note the difference between "+" and ".":
787 "123" + "456" = 579
788 "123" . "456" = "123456"
789
790When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
791When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
792
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000793None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000794
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000795
796expr7 *expr7*
797-----
798! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
799- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
800+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
801
802For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
803For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
804For '+' the number is unchanged.
805
806A String will be converted to a Number first.
807
808These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
809 !-1 == 0
810 !!8 == 1
811 --9 == 9
812
813
814expr8 *expr8*
815-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000816expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000817
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000818If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
819expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000820Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000821
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000822Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
823text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
824cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000825 :let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000826
827If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000828String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
829compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
830
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000831If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000832for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
833error. Example: >
834 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
835
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000836Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
837|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
838error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000839
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000840
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000841expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000842
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000843If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
844from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000845expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
846encodings.
847
848If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
849string minus one is used.
850
851A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
852the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
853
854If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
855expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
856
857Examples: >
858 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
859 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
860 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
861 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
862
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000863If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
864the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
865just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000866 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
867 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
868 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
869
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000870Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
871error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000872
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000873
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000874expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000875
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000876If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
877name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
878expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000879
880The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
881but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
882
883There must not be white space before or after the dot.
884
885Examples: >
886 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
887 :echo dict.one
888 :echo dict .2
889
890Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
891always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
892
893
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000894expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000895
896When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
897
898
899
900 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000901number
902------
903number number constant *expr-number*
904
905Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
906
907
908string *expr-string* *E114*
909------
910"string" string constant *expr-quote*
911
912Note that double quotes are used.
913
914A string constant accepts these special characters:
915\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
916\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
917\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
918\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
919\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
920\X.. same as \x..
921\X. same as \x.
922\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
923 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
924\U.... same as \u....
925\b backspace <BS>
926\e escape <Esc>
927\f formfeed <FF>
928\n newline <NL>
929\r return <CR>
930\t tab <Tab>
931\\ backslash
932\" double quote
933\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
934
935Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
936
937
938literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
939---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000940'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000941
942Note that single quotes are used.
943
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000944This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000945meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000946
947Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
948to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
949 if a =~ "\\s*"
950 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000951
952
953option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
954------
955&option option value, local value if possible
956&g:option global option value
957&l:option local option value
958
959Examples: >
960 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
961 if &insertmode
962
963Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
964and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
965anyway.
966
967
968register *expr-register*
969--------
970@r contents of register 'r'
971
972The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
973Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +0000974register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
975registers.
976
977When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
978evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000979
980
981nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
982-------
983(expr1) nested expression
984
985
986environment variable *expr-env*
987--------------------
988$VAR environment variable
989
990The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
991result is an empty string.
992 *expr-env-expand*
993Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
994expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
995are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
996the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
997fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
998does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
999 :echo $version
1000 :echo expand("$version")
1001The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
1002variable (if your shell supports it).
1003
1004
1005internal variable *expr-variable*
1006-----------------
1007variable internal variable
1008See below |internal-variables|.
1009
1010
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001011function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001012-------------
1013function(expr1, ...) function call
1014See below |functions|.
1015
1016
1017==============================================================================
10183. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1019 *E461*
1020An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1021cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1022|curly-braces-names|.
1023
1024An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001025An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1026|:unlet|.
1027Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1028been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001029
1030There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1031specified by what is prepended:
1032
1033 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1034|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1035|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001036|tabpage-variable| t: Local to the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001037|global-variable| g: Global.
1038|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1039|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1040|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1041|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1042
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001043The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1044delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001045 :for k in keys(s:)
1046 : unlet s:[k]
1047 :endfor
1048<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001049 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1050A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1051Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1052This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1053|:bdelete|.
1054
1055One local buffer variable is predefined:
1056 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1057b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1058 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1059 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1060 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1061 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1062 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1063 : call My_Update()
1064 :endif
1065<
1066 *window-variable* *w:var*
1067A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1068is deleted when the window is closed.
1069
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001070 *tabpage-variable* *t:var*
1071A variable name that is preceded with "t:" is local to the current tab page,
1072It is deleted when the tab page is closed. {not available when compiled
1073without the +windows feature}
1074
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001075 *global-variable* *g:var*
1076Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1077access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1078place if you like.
1079
1080 *local-variable* *l:var*
1081Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1082But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1083
1084 *script-variable* *s:var*
1085In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1086accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1087
1088They can be used in:
1089- commands executed while the script is sourced
1090- functions defined in the script
1091- autocommands defined in the script
1092- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1093 defined in the script (recursively)
1094- user defined commands defined in the script
1095Thus not in:
1096- other scripts sourced from this one
1097- mappings
1098- etc.
1099
1100script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1101Take this example:
1102
1103 let s:counter = 0
1104 function MyCounter()
1105 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1106 echo s:counter
1107 endfunction
1108 command Tick call MyCounter()
1109
1110You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1111that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1112"Tick" was defined is used.
1113
1114Another example that does the same: >
1115
1116 let s:counter = 0
1117 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1118
1119When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001120script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001121defined.
1122
1123The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1124function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1125
1126 let s:counter = 0
1127 function StartCounting(incr)
1128 if a:incr
1129 function MyCounter()
1130 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1131 endfunction
1132 else
1133 function MyCounter()
1134 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1135 endfunction
1136 endif
1137 endfunction
1138
1139This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1140when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1141called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1142
1143When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1144They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1145maintain a counter: >
1146
1147 if !exists("s:counter")
1148 let s:counter = 1
1149 echo "script executed for the first time"
1150 else
1151 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1152 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1153 endif
1154
1155Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1156variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1157
1158
1159Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1160
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001161 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1162v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1163 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1164 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1165
1166 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1167v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1168 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1169
1170 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1171v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1172 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1173
1174 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001175v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1176 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1177 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1178 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001179 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1180 highlighted text is used.
1181 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1182
1183 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1184v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1185 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1186
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001187 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1188v:charconvert_from
1189 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1190 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1191
1192 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1193v:charconvert_to
1194 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1195 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1196
1197 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1198v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1199 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1200 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1201 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1202 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1203 possible to append this variable directly after the
1204 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1205 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1206 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1207 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1208 in 'printexpr'.
1209
1210 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1211v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1212 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1213 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1214 can be used.
1215
1216 *v:count* *count-variable*
1217v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1218 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1219 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1220< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1221 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001222 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001223 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1224
1225 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1226v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1227 used.
1228
1229 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1230v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1231 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1232 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1233 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1234 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1235 command.
1236 See |multi-lang|.
1237
1238 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1239v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1240 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1241 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1242 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1243 Example: >
1244 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1245<
1246 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1247v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1248 Example: >
1249 :let v:errmsg = ""
1250 :silent! next
1251 :if v:errmsg != ""
1252 : ... handle error
1253< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1254
1255 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1256v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1257 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1258 Example: >
1259 :try
1260 : throw "oops"
1261 :catch /.*/
1262 : echo "caught" v:exception
1263 :endtry
1264< Output: "caught oops".
1265
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001266 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1267v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1268 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1269 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1270 deleted file no longer exists
1271 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1272 changed and buffer is modified
1273 changed file contents has changed
1274 mode mode of file changed
1275 time only file timestamp changed
1276
1277 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1278v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1279 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1280 do with the affected buffer:
1281 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1282 the file was deleted).
1283 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1284 was no autocommand. Except that when
1285 only the timestamp changed nothing
1286 will happen.
1287 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1288 everything that needs to be done.
1289 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1290 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1291
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001292 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001293v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001294 option used for ~
1295 'charconvert' file to be converted
1296 'diffexpr' original file
1297 'patchexpr' original file
1298 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001299 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001300
1301 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1302v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1303 evaluating:
1304 option used for ~
1305 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1306 'diffexpr' output of diff
1307 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1308 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1309 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1310 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1311 file and different from v:fname_in.
1312
1313 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1314v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1315 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1316
1317 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1318v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1319 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1320
1321 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1322v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1323 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001324 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001325
1326 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1327v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001328 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001329
1330 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1331v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001332 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001333
1334 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1335v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001336 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001337
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001338 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1339v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1340 events. Values:
1341 i Insert mode
1342 r Replace mode
1343 v Virtual Replace mode
1344
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001345 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001346v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001347 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1348 Read-only.
1349
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001350 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1351v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1352 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1353 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1354 The value is system dependent.
1355 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1356 command.
1357 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1358 in a different language than what is used for character
1359 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1360
1361 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1362v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1363 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1364 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1365 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1366 command. See |multi-lang|.
1367
1368 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001369v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
Bram Moolenaar57657d82006-04-21 22:12:41 +00001370 expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel' and
1371 'guitabtooltip'. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1372 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001373
1374 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1375v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1376 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1377 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1378 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1379< Read-only.
1380
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001381 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1382v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1383 See |profiling|.
1384
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001385 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1386v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1387 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1388 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1389 Read-only.
1390
1391 *v:register* *register-variable*
1392v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1393 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1394
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001395 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1396v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1397 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1398 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1399 typed command.
1400 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1401 hit-enter prompt.
1402
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001403 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1404v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1405 Read-only.
1406
1407 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1408v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1409 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1410 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1411 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1412 executed. Read-only.
1413 Example: >
1414 :!mv foo bar
1415 :if v:shell_error
1416 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1417 :endif
1418< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1419
1420 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1421v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1422
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001423 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1424v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1425 the swap file found. Read-only.
1426
1427 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1428v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1429 for handling an existing swap file:
1430 'o' Open read-only
1431 'e' Edit anyway
1432 'r' Recover
1433 'd' Delete swapfile
1434 'q' Quit
1435 'a' Abort
1436 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
1437 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1438 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1439
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001440 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001441v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001442 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
1443 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
1444 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001445 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001446
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001447 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1448v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1449 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1450 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1451 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1452 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1453 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1454 terminal.
1455 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1456 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1457 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1458 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1459 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1460
1461 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1462v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1463 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1464 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1465 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1466
1467 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1468v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1469 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1470 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1471 Example: >
1472 :try
1473 : throw "oops"
1474 :catch /.*/
1475 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1476 :endtry
1477< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1478
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001479 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001480v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
1481 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001482 |filter()|. Read-only.
1483
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001484 *v:version* *version-variable*
1485v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1486 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1487 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1488 compatibility.
1489 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1490 if has("patch123")
1491< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1492 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1493 completely different.
1494
1495 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1496v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1497
1498==============================================================================
14994. Builtin Functions *functions*
1500
1501See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1502
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001503(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001504
1505USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1506
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001507add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001508append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001509append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001510argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001511argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001512argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001513argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001514browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1515 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001516browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001517bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001518buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1519bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001520bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1521bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1522bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1523byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001524byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001525call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1526 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001527changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001528char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001529cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001530col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00001531complete({startcol}, {matches}) String set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001532complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
1533complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001534confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1535 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001536copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001537count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1538 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001539cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1540 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001541cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {coladd}])
1542 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {coladd}
1543cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001544deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001545delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1546did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001547diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1548diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001549empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001550escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001551eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001552eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001553executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1554exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001555extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
1556 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001557expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00001558feedkeys( {string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001559filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001560filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001561filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1562 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001563finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001564 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001565findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001566 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001567fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001568foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1569foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001570foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001571foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001572foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001573foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001574function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001575garbagecollect() none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001576get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001577get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001578getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1579 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001580getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001581getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1582getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001583getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1584getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001585getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001586getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001587getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1588getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001589getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001590getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001591getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001592getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1593getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001594getloclist({nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001595getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001596getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001597getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001598getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001599gettabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {name})
1600 any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001601getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1602getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001603getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001604glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1605globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1606has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001607has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001608hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1609 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001610histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1611histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1612histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1613histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1614hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1615hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1616hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001617iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1618indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001619index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1620 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001621input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1622 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001623inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001624inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001625inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1626inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001627inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001628insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001629isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001630islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001631items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001632join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001633keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001634len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1635libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001636libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1637line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1638line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001639lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001640localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001641map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001642maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1643 String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1644mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1645 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001646match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001647 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001648matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001649matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001650 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001651matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1652 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001653matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1654 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001655max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1656min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001657mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1658 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001659mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001660nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1661nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001662pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001663prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00001664printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001665pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001666range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1667 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001668readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1669 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00001670reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
1671reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001672remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1673 String send expression
1674remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1675remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1676 Number check for reply string
1677remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1678remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1679 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001680remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001681remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001682rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1683repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1684resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001685reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001686search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001687searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
1688 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001689searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001690 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001691searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001692 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001693searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001694 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001695server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1696 Number send reply string
1697serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1698setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1699setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1700setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001701setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1702 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001703setpos( {expr}, {list}) none set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001704setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001705setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001706settabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window
1707 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001708setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001709simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001710sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001711soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001712spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001713spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1714 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001715split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001716 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001717str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert string to number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001718strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001719stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1720 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001721string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001722strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1723strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1724 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001725strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1726 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001727strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001728submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001729substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1730 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001731synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001732synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1733 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1734synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001735system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001736tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1737tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1738tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1739 Number number of current window in tab page
1740taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00001741tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001742tempname() String name for a temporary file
1743tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1744toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001745tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1746 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001747type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001748values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001749virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1750visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1751winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1752wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1753winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1754winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001755winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001756winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00001757winrestview({dict}) None restore view of current window
1758winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001759winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001760writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1761 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001762
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001763add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001764 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
1765 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001766 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1767 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001768< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00001769 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001770 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001771
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001772
1773append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001774 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
1775 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001776 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1777 the current buffer.
1778 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001779 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1780 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001781 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001782 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001783<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001784 *argc()*
1785argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1786 current window. See |arglist|.
1787
1788 *argidx()*
1789argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1790 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1791
1792 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001793argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001794 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1795 Example: >
1796 :let i = 0
1797 :while i < argc()
1798 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1799 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1800 : let i = i + 1
1801 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001802< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
1803 returned.
1804
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001805 *browse()*
1806browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1807 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1808 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1809 The input fields are:
1810 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1811 {title} title for the requester
1812 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1813 {default} default file name
1814 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1815 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1816
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001817 *browsedir()*
1818browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1819 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1820 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1821 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1822 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1823 to be used.
1824 The input fields are:
1825 {title} title for the requester
1826 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1827 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1828 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1829
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001830bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1831 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1832 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001833 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001834 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001835 exactly. The name can be:
1836 - Relative to the current directory.
1837 - A full path.
1838 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1839 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001840 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1841 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1842 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1843 long name to be able to find them.
1844 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1845 file name.
1846 *buffer_exists()*
1847 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1848
1849buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1850 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1851 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001852 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001853
1854bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1855 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1856 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001857 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001858
1859bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1860 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1861 ":ls" command.
1862 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1863 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1864 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1865 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1866 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1867 match an empty string is returned.
1868 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1869 alternate buffer.
1870 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1871 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1872 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1873 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1874 buffers are searched for.
1875 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1876 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1877 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1878< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1879 string is returned. >
1880 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1881 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1882 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1883 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1884< *buffer_name()*
1885 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1886
1887 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001888bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
1889 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001890 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00001891 above.
1892 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
1893 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
1894 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001895 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1896 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1897< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1898 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1899 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1900 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1901 *buffer_number()*
1902 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1903 *last_buffer_nr()*
1904 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1905
1906bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1907 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1908 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1909 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1910 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1911
1912 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1913
1914< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1915 |:wincmd|.
1916
1917
1918byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1919 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1920 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1921 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1922 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1923 one.
1924 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1925 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1926 feature}
1927
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001928byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1929 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1930 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1931 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1932 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1933 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1934 Example : >
1935 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1936< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1937 same: >
1938 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1939 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1940< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1941 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1942 is returned.
1943
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001944call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001945 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001946 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001947 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001948 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1949 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001950 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1951 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001952
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00001953changenr() *changenr()*
1954 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
1955 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
1956 with the |:undo| command.
1957 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
1958 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
1959 one less than the number of the undone change.
1960
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001961char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1962 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1963 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1964 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1965< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00001966 char2nr("?") returns 225
1967 char2nr("?"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001968< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001969
1970cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1971 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1972 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1973 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1974 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1975 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1976 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00001977 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001978
1979 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001980col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001981 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1982 . the cursor position
1983 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1984 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1985 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1986 returned)
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001987 To get the line number use |col()|. To get both use
1988 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001989 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1990 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1991 Examples: >
1992 col(".") column of cursor
1993 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1994 col("'t") column of mark t
1995 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1996< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
1997 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1998 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1999 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
2000 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
2001 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
2002 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
2003 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
2004<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002005
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002006complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
2007 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2008 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
2009 with an expression argument |:map-<expr>| or CTRL-R =
2010 |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O.
2011 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2012 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2013 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2014 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2015 match.
2016 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2017 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2018 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
2019 inserting anything that would completion to stop.
2020 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2021 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2022 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2023 Example: >
2024 inoremap <expr> <F5> ListMonths()
2025
2026 func! ListMonths()
2027 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2028 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2029 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2030 return ''
2031 endfunc
2032< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2033 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2034
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002035complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2036 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2037 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2038 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2039 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2040 the list.
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002041 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
2042 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002043
2044complete_check() *complete_check()*
2045 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2046 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2047 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2048 zero otherwise.
2049 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2050 'completefunc' option.
2051
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002052 *confirm()*
2053confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2054 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2055 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2056 choice this is 1.
2057 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2058 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
2059 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2060 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2061 used (and translated).
2062 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2063 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
2064 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2065 by '\n', e.g. >
2066 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2067< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2068 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2069 not need to be the first letter: >
2070 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2071< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2072 the default shortcut key.
2073 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2074 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2075 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2076 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
2077 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
2078 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
2079 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
2080 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
2081 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2082 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2083 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2084
2085 An example: >
2086 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2087 :if choice == 0
2088 : echo "make up your mind!"
2089 :elseif choice == 3
2090 : echo "tasteful"
2091 :else
2092 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2093 :endif
2094< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2095 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
2096 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
2097 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2098 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2099 the horizontal layout is always used.
2100
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002101 *copy()*
2102copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2103 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002104 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2105 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002106 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002107 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002108 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002109
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002110count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002111 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002112 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002113 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002114 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002115 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2116
2117
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002118 *cscope_connection()*
2119cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2120 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2121 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2122 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2123 if there are no cscope connections;
2124 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2125
2126 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2127 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2128
2129 {num} Description of existence check
2130 ----- ------------------------------
2131 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2132 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2133 {dbpath}.
2134 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2135 {dbpath}.
2136 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2137 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2138 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2139 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2140
2141 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2142
2143 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2144
2145 # pid database name prepend path
2146 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2147<
2148 Invocation Return Val ~
2149 ---------- ---------- >
2150 cscope_connection() 1
2151 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2152 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2153 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2154 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2155 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2156 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2157 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2158<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002159cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2160cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002161 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002162 The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002163 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002164 with two or three items {lnum}, {col} and {off}. This is like
2165 the return value of |getpos()|, but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002166 Does not change the jumplist.
2167 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2168 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2169 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002170 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002171 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2172 line.
2173 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002174 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2175 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
2176 position within a Tab or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002177
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002178
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002179deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002180 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2181 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002182 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2183 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
2184 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002185 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002186 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2187 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2188 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2189 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2190 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2191 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002192 *E724*
2193 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002194 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2195 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002196 Also see |copy()|.
2197
2198delete({fname}) *delete()*
2199 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002200 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2201 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002202 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002203
2204 *did_filetype()*
2205did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2206 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2207 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2208 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2209 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2210 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2211 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2212 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2213 file.
2214
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002215diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2216 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2217 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2218 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2219 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2220 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2221 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2222 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2223
2224diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2225 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2226 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2227 diff change zero is returned.
2228 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2229 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2230 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2231 line.
2232 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2233 syntax information about the highlighting.
2234
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002235empty({expr}) *empty()*
2236 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002237 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
2238 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2239 For a long |List| this is much faster then comparing the
2240 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002241
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002242escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2243 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2244 backslash. Example: >
2245 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2246< results in: >
2247 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002248
2249< *eval()*
2250eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2251 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2252 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002253 Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002254
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002255eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2256 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2257 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2258 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2259 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2260
2261executable({expr}) *executable()*
2262 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2263 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002264 arguments.
2265 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2266 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2267 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2268 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2269 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2270 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2271 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2272 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2273 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2274 extension.
2275 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2276 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002277 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2278 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2279 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002280 The result is a Number:
2281 1 exists
2282 0 does not exist
2283 -1 not implemented on this system
2284
2285 *exists()*
2286exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2287 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2288 which contains one of these:
2289 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2290 not if it really works)
2291 +option-name Vim option that works.
2292 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2293 done by comparing with an empty
2294 string)
2295 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2296 or user defined function (see
2297 |user-functions|).
2298 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002299 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002300 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2301 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
2302 that this may cause functions to be
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002303 invoked cause an error message for an
2304 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002305 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2306 command or command modifier |:command|.
2307 Returns:
2308 1 for match with start of a command
2309 2 full match with a command
2310 3 matches several user commands
2311 To check for a supported command
2312 always check the return value to be 2.
2313 #event autocommand defined for this event
2314 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2315 pattern (the pattern is taken
2316 literally and compared to the
2317 autocommand patterns character by
2318 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002319 #group autocommand group exists
2320 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2321 event.
2322 #group#event#pattern
2323 autocommand defined for this group,
2324 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002325 ##event autocommand for this event is
2326 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002327 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2328
2329 Examples: >
2330 exists("&shortname")
2331 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2332 exists("*strftime")
2333 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2334 exists("bufcount")
2335 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002336 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002337 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002338 exists("#filetypeindent")
2339 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2340 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002341 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002342< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2343 name.
2344 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2345 variable itself! For example: >
2346 exists(bufcount)
2347< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
2348 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
2349 exists.
2350
2351expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2352 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2353 The result is a String.
2354
2355 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2356 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2357 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2358
2359 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2360 for a non-existing file is not included.
2361
2362 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2363 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2364 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2365
2366 % current file name
2367 # alternate file name
2368 #n alternate file name n
2369 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2370 <afile> autocmd file name
2371 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2372 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2373 <sfile> sourced script file name
2374 <cword> word under the cursor
2375 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2376 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2377 message |server2client()|
2378 Modifiers:
2379 :p expand to full path
2380 :h head (last path component removed)
2381 :t tail (last path component only)
2382 :r root (one extension removed)
2383 :e extension only
2384
2385 Example: >
2386 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2387< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2388 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2389 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2390< Use this: >
2391 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2392< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2393 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2394 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2395 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2396 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2397<
2398 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2399 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2400 to modify normal file names.
2401
2402 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2403 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2404 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2405 '/' added.
2406
2407 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2408 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2409 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2410 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002411 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2412 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2413 files in the current directory and below: >
2414 :echo expand("**/README")
2415<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002416 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2417 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2418 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2419 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2420 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2421 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2422 "$FOOBAR".
2423
2424 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2425 getting the raw output of an external command.
2426
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002427extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002428 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
2429 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002430
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002431 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002432 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2433 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2434 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2435 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002436 Examples: >
2437 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2438 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002439< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2440 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002441 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002442<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002443 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002444 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2445 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2446 used to decide what to do:
2447 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2448 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00002449 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002450 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2451
2452 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2453 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2454 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2455 Returns {expr1}.
2456
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002457
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002458feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) *feedkeys()*
2459 Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
2460 come from a mapping or where typed by user. They are added to
2461 the end of the typeahead buffer, thus if a mapping is still
2462 being executed these characters come after them.
2463 The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
2464 {string}.
2465 To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
2466 and "\..." notation |expr-quote|. For example,
2467 feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the Enter key. But
2468 feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
2469 If {mode} is absent, keys are remapped.
2470 {mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
2471 'm' remap keys. This is default.
2472 'n' do not remap keys
2473 't' handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
2474 if coming from a mapping
2475 Return value is always 0.
2476
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002477filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2478 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2479 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2480 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2481 expression, which is used as a String.
2482 *file_readable()*
2483 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2484
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002485
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002486filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002487 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002488 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002489 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002490 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002491 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002492 Examples: >
2493 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2494< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2495 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2496< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2497 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002498< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002499
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002500 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2501 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2502 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2503
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002504 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2505 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002506 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002507
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002508< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002509 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2510 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002511
2512
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002513finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002514 Find directory {name} in {path}. Returns the path of the
2515 first found match. When the found directory is below the
2516 current directory a relative path is returned. Otherwise a
2517 full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002518 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2519 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002520 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00002521 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002522 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002523 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2524
2525findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2526 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002527 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
2528 Example: >
2529 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2530< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2531 the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002532
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002533filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2534 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2535 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2536 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2537 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2538
2539fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2540 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2541 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2542 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2543 Example: >
2544 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2545< results in: >
2546 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2547< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2548 |expand()| first then.
2549
2550foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2551 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2552 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2553 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2554
2555foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2556 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2557 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2558 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2559
2560foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2561 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2562 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2563 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2564 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2565 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2566 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2567 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2568 previous line is usually available.
2569
2570 *foldtext()*
2571foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2572 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2573 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2574 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2575 The returned string looks like this: >
2576 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2577< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2578 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2579 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2580 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2581 options is removed.
2582 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2583
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002584foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2585 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2586 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2587 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2588 returned.
2589 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2590 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2591 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2592 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2593
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002594 *foreground()*
2595foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2596 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2597 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2598 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2599 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2600 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2601 Win32 console version}
2602
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002603
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002604function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002605 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002606 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2607
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002608
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002609garbagecollect() *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002610 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002611 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2612 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2613 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2614 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2615 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002616 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
2617 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
2618 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002619
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002620get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002621 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002622 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2623 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002624get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002625 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002626 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2627 {default} is omitted.
2628
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002629 *getbufline()*
2630getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002631 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2632 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
2633 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002634
2635 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2636
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002637 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2638 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002639
2640 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002641 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002642
2643 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2644 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002645 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002646 returned.
2647
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002648 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002649 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002650
2651 Example: >
2652 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002653
2654getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2655 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2656 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2657 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002658 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2659 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2660 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002661 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2662 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2663 returned, there is no error message.
2664 Examples: >
2665 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2666 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2667<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002668getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2669 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2670 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2671 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2672 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2673 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2674 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2675 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2676 not consumed. If a normal character is
2677 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2678 non-zero value is returned.
2679 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2680 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2681 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2682 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2683 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2684 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2685 user that a character has to be typed.
2686 There is no mapping for the character.
2687 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2688 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2689 sequence. Examples: >
2690 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2691 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2692< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2693 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2694 :function FindChar()
2695 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2696 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2697 : normal l
2698 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2699 : break
2700 : endif
2701 : endwhile
2702 :endfunction
2703
2704getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2705 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2706 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2707 These values are added together:
2708 2 shift
2709 4 control
2710 8 alt (meta)
2711 16 mouse double click
2712 32 mouse triple click
2713 64 mouse quadruple click
2714 128 Macintosh only: command
2715 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2716 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2717 with no modifier.
2718
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002719getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2720 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2721 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2722 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2723 Example: >
2724 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002725< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002726
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002727getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002728 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2729 byte count. The first column is 1.
2730 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2731 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002732 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2733
2734getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
2735 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
2736 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00002737 : normal Ex command
2738 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
2739 / forward search command
2740 ? backward search command
2741 @ |input()| command
2742 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002743 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2744 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
2745 otherwise.
2746 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002747
2748 *getcwd()*
2749getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2750 working directory.
2751
2752getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2753 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2754 given file {fname}.
2755 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2756 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2757
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002758getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2759 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2760 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2761 |hl-Normal|.
2762 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2763 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2764 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2765 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00002766 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002767 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2768 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002769 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2770 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002771
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002772getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2773 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2774 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2775 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2776 empty string is returned.
2777 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2778 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2779 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2780 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2781 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2782 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2783< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2784 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002785
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002786getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2787 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2788 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2789 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2790 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2791 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2792
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002793getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2794 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2795 file of the given file {fname}.
2796 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2797 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2798 results:
2799 Normal file "file"
2800 Directory "dir"
2801 Symbolic link "link"
2802 Block device "bdev"
2803 Character device "cdev"
2804 Socket "socket"
2805 FIFO "fifo"
2806 All other "other"
2807 Example: >
2808 getftype("/home")
2809< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2810 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2811 "file" are returned.
2812
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002813 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002814getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2815 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2816 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002817 getline(1)
2818< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2819 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2820 To get the line under the cursor: >
2821 getline(".")
2822< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2823 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2824
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002825 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
2826 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002827 including line {end}.
2828 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2829 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002830 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002831 Example: >
2832 :let start = line('.')
2833 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2834 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2835
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00002836getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
2837 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
2838 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
2839 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002840 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
2841 returned. Otherwise, same as getqflist().
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002842
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002843getqflist() *getqflist()*
2844 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2845 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2846 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2847 bufname() to get the name
2848 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2849 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002850 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2851 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002852 nr error number
2853 text description of the error
2854 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2855 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2856
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002857 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
2858 returned.
2859
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002860 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2861 do something with them: >
2862 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2863 :for d in getqflist()
2864 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2865 :endfor
2866
2867
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002868getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002869 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002870 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002871 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2872< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002873 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002874 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2875 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2876 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002877 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2878
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002879
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002880getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2881 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2882 The value will be one of:
2883 "v" for |characterwise| text
2884 "V" for |linewise| text
2885 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2886 0 for an empty or unknown register
2887 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2888 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2889
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00002890gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}) *gettabwinvar()*
2891 Get the value of an option or local window variable {varname}
2892 in window {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
2893 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
2894 use |getwinvar()|.
2895 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
2896 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
2897 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
2898 or buffer-local variable.
2899 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2900 Examples: >
2901 :let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
2902 :echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
2903
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002904 *getwinposx()*
2905getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2906 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2907 -1 if the information is not available.
2908
2909 *getwinposy()*
2910getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2911 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2912 information is not available.
2913
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00002914getwinvar({winnr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2915 Like |gettabwinvar()| for the current tabpage.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002916 Examples: >
2917 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2918 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2919<
2920 *glob()*
2921glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2922 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2923 characters.
2924 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2925 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2926
2927 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2928 any external command. Example: >
2929 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2930 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2931< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2932 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2933
2934 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2935 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2936
2937globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2938 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2939 the results. Example: >
2940 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2941< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2942 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2943 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2944 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2945 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2946 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2947 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2948 error message.
2949 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2950 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2951
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002952 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
2953 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
2954 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
2955 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
2956<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002957 *has()*
2958has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2959 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2960 string. See |feature-list| below.
2961 Also see |exists()|.
2962
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002963
2964has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002965 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
2966 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002967
2968
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00002969hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002970 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2971 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2972 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2973 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00002974 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002975 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
2976 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002977 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2978 buffer are checked for a match.
2979 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2980 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2981 n Normal mode
2982 v Visual mode
2983 o Operator-pending mode
2984 i Insert mode
2985 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2986 c Command-line mode
2987 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2988
2989 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2990 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2991 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2992 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2993 :endif
2994< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
2995 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
2996
2997histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
2998 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
2999 one of: *hist-names*
3000 "cmd" or ":" command line history
3001 "search" or "/" search pattern history
3002 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
3003 "input" or "@" input line history
3004 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
3005 shifted to become the newest entry.
3006 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
3007 otherwise 0 is returned.
3008
3009 Example: >
3010 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
3011 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
3012< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3013
3014histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003015 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003016 for the possible values of {history}.
3017
3018 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
3019 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
3020 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
3021 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
3022 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
3023 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
3024 if it exists.
3025
3026 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
3027 otherwise 0 is returned.
3028
3029 Examples:
3030 Clear expression register history: >
3031 :call histdel("expr")
3032<
3033 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
3034 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
3035<
3036 The following three are equivalent: >
3037 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
3038 :call histdel("search", -1)
3039 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
3040<
3041 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
3042 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
3043 :call histdel("search", -1)
3044 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
3045
3046histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
3047 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
3048 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
3049 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
3050 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
3051 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
3052
3053 Examples:
3054 Redo the second last search from history. >
3055 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
3056
3057< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
3058 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
3059 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
3060<
3061histnr({history}) *histnr()*
3062 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
3063 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
3064 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
3065
3066 Example: >
3067 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
3068<
3069hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
3070 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
3071 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
3072 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
3073 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
3074 item.
3075 *highlight_exists()*
3076 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
3077
3078 *hlID()*
3079hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
3080 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
3081 zero is returned.
3082 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
3083 group. For example, to get the background color of the
3084 "Comment" group: >
3085 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
3086< *highlightID()*
3087 Obsolete name: highlightID().
3088
3089hostname() *hostname()*
3090 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003091 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003092 256 characters long are truncated.
3093
3094iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
3095 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
3096 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
3097 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
3098 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
3099 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
3100 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
3101 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
3102 can be done.
3103 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
3104 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
3105 UTF-8 and use: >
3106 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
3107< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
3108 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
3109 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
3110 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
3111
3112 *indent()*
3113indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
3114 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
3115 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
3116 |getline()|.
3117 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
3118
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003119
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003120index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003121 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003122 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003123 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
3124 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003125 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
3126 case must match.
3127 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
3128 Example: >
3129 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003130 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003131
3132
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003133input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003134 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
3135 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
3136 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003137 prompt to start a new line.
3138 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3139 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
3140 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
3141 for lines typed for input().
3142 Example: >
3143 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3144 : echo "Cheers!"
3145 :endif
3146<
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003147 If the optional {text} is present and not empty, this is used
3148 for the default reply, as if the user typed this. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003149 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3150
3151< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3152 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
3153 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
3154 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
3155 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
3156 more information. Example: >
3157 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3158<
3159 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3160 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003161 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3162 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3163 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3164 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3165 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3166 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3167 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3168
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003169 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003170 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3171 :function GetFoo()
3172 : call inputsave()
3173 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3174 : call inputrestore()
3175 :endfunction
3176
3177inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
3178 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
3179 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
3180 Example: >
3181 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3182 :if n != ""
3183 : let &sw = n
3184 :endif
3185< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3186 omitted an empty string is returned.
3187 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3188 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003189 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003190
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003191inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003192 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
3193 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
3194 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003195 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
3196 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
3197 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3198 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3199 is returned.
3200 Make sure {textlist} has less then 'lines' entries, otherwise
3201 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
3202 the start of the string. Example: >
3203 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3204 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3205
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003206inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
3207 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
3208 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3209 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3210 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3211
3212inputsave() *inputsave()*
3213 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3214 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3215 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3216 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3217 many inputrestore() calls.
3218 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3219
3220inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3221 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3222 two exceptions:
3223 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3224 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3225 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3226 |history| stack.
3227 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3228 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003229 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003230
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003231insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003232 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003233 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
3234 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
3235 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3236 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003237 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003238 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3239 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3240 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003241< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003242 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003243 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003244
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003245isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3246 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3247 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3248 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3249 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3250
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003251islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003252 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3253 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003254 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3255 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003256 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3257 :lockvar 1 alist
3258 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3259 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3260
3261< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
3262 message. Use |exists()| to check for existance.
3263
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003264items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003265 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3266 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3267 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3268 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003269
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003270
3271join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3272 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3273 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3274 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3275 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3276 add it there too: >
3277 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003278< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003279 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3280 The opposite function is |split()|.
3281
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003282keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003283 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003284 arbitrary order.
3285
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003286 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003287len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3288 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3289 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003290 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003291 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003292 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3293 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003294 Otherwise an error is given.
3295
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003296 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3297libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3298 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3299 with single argument {argument}.
3300 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3301 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3302 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3303 limited.
3304 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3305 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3306 to Vim.
3307 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3308 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3309 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3310 null-terminated string.
3311 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3312
3313 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3314 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3315 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3316 very probably crash.
3317
3318 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3319 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3320 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3321 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3322 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3323 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3324 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3325 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3326 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3327 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3328
3329 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
3330 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
3331 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3332 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3333 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3334 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3335 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3336 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3337 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3338 feature is present}
3339 Examples: >
3340 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
3341 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
3342<
3343 *libcallnr()*
3344libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3345 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3346 int instead of a string.
3347 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3348 feature is present}
3349 Example (not very useful...): >
3350 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3351 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3352<
3353 *line()*
3354line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3355 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3356 . the cursor position
3357 $ the last line in the current buffer
3358 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3359 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003360 w0 first line visible in current window
3361 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003362 Note that a mark in another file can be used.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003363 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
3364 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003365 Examples: >
3366 line(".") line number of the cursor
3367 line("'t") line number of mark t
3368 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3369< *last-position-jump*
3370 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3371 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3372 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003373
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003374line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3375 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3376 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3377 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3378 line returns 1.
3379 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3380 below the last line: >
3381 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3382< This is the file size plus one.
3383 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3384 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3385 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3386
3387lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3388 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3389 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3390 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3391 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3392 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3393 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3394
3395localtime() *localtime()*
3396 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3397 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3398
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003399
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003400map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003401 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003402 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3403 {string}.
3404 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003405 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003406 Example: >
3407 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003408< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003409
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003410 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003411 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003412 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3413 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003414
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003415 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3416 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003417 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003418
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003419< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003420 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3421 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003422
3423
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003424maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *maparg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003425 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3426 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003427 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003428 "n" Normal
3429 "v" Visual
3430 "o" Operator-pending
3431 "i" Insert
3432 "c" Cmd-line
3433 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3434 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003435 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003436 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3437 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003438 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3439 command. The returned String has special characters
3440 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3441 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3442 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00003443 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
3444 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
3445 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
3446
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003447
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003448mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003449 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3450 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3451 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003452 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
3453 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003454 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3455 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3456
3457 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3458 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3459 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3460 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3461 mapcheck("b") no no no
3462
3463 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3464 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3465 mapping for {name} exactly.
3466 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3467 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3468 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3469 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3470 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3471 then the global mappings.
3472 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3473 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3474 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3475 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3476 :endif
3477< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3478 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3479
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003480match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003481 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
3482 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003483 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003484 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3485 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3486 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003487 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003488 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3489 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003490 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003491 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003492< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003493 *strpbrk()*
3494 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3495 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3496< *strcasestr()*
3497 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3498 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3499 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3500<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003501 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003502 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003503 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003504 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003505 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3506< result is again "4". >
3507 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3508< result is again "4". >
3509 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3510< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003511 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003512 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
3513 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
3514 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
3515 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003516 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3517 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003518 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
3519 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003520
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003521 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00003522 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003523 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
3524 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
3525< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003526 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
3527 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00003528
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003529 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3530 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3531 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3532 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3533
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003534
3535matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
3536 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
3537 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
3538 Return a |List| with two elements:
3539 The name of the highlight group used
3540 The pattern used.
3541 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
3542 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
3543 This is usef to save and restore a |:match|.
3544
3545
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003546matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003547 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3548 the match. Example: >
3549 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3550< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003551 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3552 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3553 do it with matchend(): >
3554 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3555 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3556< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3557
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003558 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3559 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3560< results in "7". >
3561 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3562< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003563 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003564
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003565matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003566 Same as match(), but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003567 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3568 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00003569 in |:substitute|. When an optional submatch didn't match an
3570 empty string is used. Example: >
3571 echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
3572< Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003573 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3574
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003575matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003576 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3577 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3578< results in "ing".
3579 When there is no match "" is returned.
3580 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3581 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3582< results in "ing". >
3583 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3584< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003585 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003586 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003587
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003588 *max()*
3589max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3590 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3591 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003592 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003593
3594 *min()*
3595min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3596 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3597 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003598 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003599
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003600 *mkdir()* *E749*
3601mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3602 Create directory {name}.
3603 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3604 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3605 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3606 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3607 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3608 for others.
3609 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3610 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3611 :if exists("*mkdir")
3612<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003613 *mode()*
3614mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3615 n Normal
3616 v Visual by character
3617 V Visual by line
3618 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3619 s Select by character
3620 S Select by line
3621 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3622 i Insert
3623 R Replace
3624 c Command-line
3625 r Hit-enter prompt
3626 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3627 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3628
3629nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3630 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3631 that is not blank. Example: >
3632 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3633< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3634 below it, zero is returned.
3635 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3636
3637nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3638 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3639 value {expr}. Examples: >
3640 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3641 nr2char(32) returns " "
3642< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3643 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3644< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3645 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3646 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003647 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003648
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003649 *getpos()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003650getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
3651 see |line()|.
3652 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
3653 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
3654 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
3655 is the buffer number of the mark.
3656 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
3657 column is 1.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003658 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
3659 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
3660 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
3661 character.
3662 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
3663 let save_cursor = getpos(".")
3664 MoveTheCursorAround
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00003665 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00003666< Also see |setpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003667
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003668pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
3669 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
3670 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
3671 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
3672 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
3673 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
3674< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
3675 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
3676
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003677prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3678 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3679 that is not blank. Example: >
3680 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3681< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3682 above it, zero is returned.
3683 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3684
3685
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003686printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
3687 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
3688 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003689 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003690< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003691 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003692
3693 Often used items are:
3694 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003695 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
3696 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003697 %c single byte
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003698 %d decimal number
3699 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
3700 %x hex number
3701 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
3702 %X hex number using upper case letters
3703 %o octal number
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003704 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003705
3706 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
3707 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
3708 the result.
3709
3710 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003711 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003712
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003713 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003714
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003715 flags
3716 Zero or more of the following flags:
3717
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003718 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
3719 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
3720 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
3721 of the number is increased to force the first
3722 character of the output string to a zero (except
3723 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
3724 precision of zero).
3725 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
3726 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
3727 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003728
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003729 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
3730 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
3731 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
3732 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
3733 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003734
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003735 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
3736 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
3737 The converted value is padded on the right with
3738 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
3739 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003740
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003741 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
3742 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003743
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003744 + A sign must always be placed before a number
3745 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
3746 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003747
3748 field-width
3749 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003750 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
3751 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
3752 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
3753 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003754
3755 .precision
3756 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
3757 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
3758 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
3759 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
3760 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003761 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003762
3763 type
3764 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
3765 be applied, see below.
3766
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003767 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
3768 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
3769 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
3770 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
3771 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
3772 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003773 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003774< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003775 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003776
3777 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003778
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003779 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
3780 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
3781 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
3782 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003783 conversions.
3784 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
3785 digits that must appear; if the converted value
3786 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
3787 zeros.
3788 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
3789 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
3790 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
3791 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
3792
3793 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
3794 resulting character is written.
3795
3796 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
3797 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
3798 specified are used.
3799
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003800 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
3801 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003802
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003803 Each argument can be Number or String and is converted
3804 automatically to fit the conversion specifier. Any other
3805 argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003806
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00003807 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003808 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
3809 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003810 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003811
3812
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003813pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
3814 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
3815 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00003816 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
3817 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003818
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003819 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003820range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003821 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003822 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3823 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3824 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3825 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3826 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003827 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
3828 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
3829 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003830 Examples: >
3831 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
3832 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3833 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
3834 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003835 range(0) " []
3836 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003837<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003838 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003839readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003840 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
3841 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003842 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3843 NL appears somewhere).
3844 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3845 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3846 added.
3847 - No CR characters are removed.
3848 Otherwise:
3849 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3850 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3851 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003852 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
3853 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
3854 lines of a file: >
3855 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
3856 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
3857 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003858< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
3859 are returned, or as many as there are.
3860 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003861 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
3862 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
3863 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003864 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3865 the result is an empty list.
3866 Also see |writefile()|.
3867
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00003868reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
3869 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
3870 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
3871 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
3872 Without an argument it returns the current time.
3873 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
3874 specified in the argument.
3875 With two arguments it returns the time passed betweein {start}
3876 and {end}.
3877 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
3878 reltime().
3879 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
3880
3881reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
3882 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
3883 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
3884 microseconds. Example: >
3885 let start = reltime()
3886 call MyFunction()
3887 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
3888< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
3889 The accuracy depends on the system.
3890 Also see |profiling|.
3891 {only available when compiled with the +reltime feature}
3892
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003893 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3894remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3895 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3896 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00003897 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
3898 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
3899 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003900 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3901 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3902 remote_read() is stored there.
3903 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3904 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3905 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3906 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3907 and the result will be the empty string.
3908 Examples: >
3909 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3910 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3911<
3912
3913remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3914 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3915 This works like: >
3916 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3917< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3918 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3919 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00003920 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
3921 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003922 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3923 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3924 Win32 console version}
3925
3926
3927remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3928 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3929 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3930 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3931 name of a variable.
3932 Returns zero if none are available.
3933 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3934 See also |clientserver|.
3935 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3936 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3937 Examples: >
3938 :let repl = ""
3939 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3940
3941remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3942 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3943 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3944 See also |clientserver|.
3945 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3946 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3947 Example: >
3948 :echo remote_read(id)
3949<
3950 *remote_send()* *E241*
3951remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003952 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3953 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3954 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003955 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
3956 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
3957 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003958 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3959 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3960 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3961 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3962 up the display.
3963 Examples: >
3964 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3965 \ remote_read(serverid)
3966
3967 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3968 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3969 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3970 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003971<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003972remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003973 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003974 return it.
3975 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3976 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3977 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3978 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3979 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003980 Example: >
3981 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003982 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003983remove({dict}, {key})
3984 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3985 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3986< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3987
3988 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003989
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003990rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3991 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3992 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3993 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3994 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
3995 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3996
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003997repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
3998 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
3999 result. Example: >
4000 :let seperator = repeat('-', 80)
4001< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004002 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004003 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004004 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
4005< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004006
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004007
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004008resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
4009 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
4010 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
4011 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
4012 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
4013 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
4014 stopped after 100 iterations.
4015 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
4016 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
4017 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
4018 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
4019 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
4020
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004021 *reverse()*
4022reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
4023 {list}.
4024 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4025 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
4026
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004027search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004028 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004029 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004030
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004031 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
4032 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004033 'c' accept a match at the cursor position
4034 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004035 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004036 'p' return number of matching sub-pattern (see below)
4037 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004038 'w' wrap around the end of the file
4039 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
4040 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
4041
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00004042 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
4043 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
4044 flag.
4045
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004046 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
4047 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
4048 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
4049 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
4050 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
4051< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
4052 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
4053
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004054 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
4055 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004056 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
4057 *search()-sub-match*
4058 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
4059 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
4060 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004061 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004062
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004063 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
4064 flag is used.
4065
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004066 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
4067 :let n = 1
4068 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
4069 : exe "argument " . n
4070 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
4071 : " first search to find match at start of file
4072 : normal G$
4073 : let flags = "w"
4074 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
4075 : s/foo/bar/g
4076 : let flags = "W"
4077 : endwhile
4078 : update " write the file if modified
4079 : let n = n + 1
4080 :endwhile
4081<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004082 Example for using some flags: >
4083 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
4084< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
4085 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
4086 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
4087 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
4088 line:
4089 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
4090 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
4091 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
4092 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
4093 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
4094
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004095
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004096searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
4097 Search for the declaration of {name}.
4098
4099 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
4100 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
4101 first match in the function.
4102
4103 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
4104 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
4105 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
4106
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004107 Moves the cursor to the found match.
4108 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4109 Example: >
4110 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
4111 echo getline('.')
4112 endif
4113<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004114 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004115searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004116 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
4117 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
4118 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004119 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
4120 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
4121 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
4122 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
4123 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
4124 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004125
4126 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
4127 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
4128 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
4129 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
4130 typical use is: >
4131 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
4132< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
4133
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004134 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
4135 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004136 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
4137 outer pair
4138 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004139 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004140
4141 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
4142 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
4143 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
4144 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
4145 or a string.
4146 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
4147 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
4148 and -1 returned.
4149
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004150 For {stopline} see |search()|.
4151
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004152 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
4153 patterns are used like it's on.
4154
4155 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
4156 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
4157 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
4158 if 1
4159 if 2
4160 endif 2
4161 endif 1
4162< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
4163 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
4164 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
4165 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
4166 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
4167 "endif 2".
4168 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
4169 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
4170 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
4171 the matching start.
4172
4173 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
4174
4175 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
4176 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
4177
4178< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
4179 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
4180 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
4181 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
4182 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
4183 match.
4184 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
4185
4186 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
4187
4188< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
4189 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
4190 highlighting recognized as strings: >
4191
4192 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
4193 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
4194<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004195 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004196searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [, {stopline}]]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004197 Same as searchpair(), but returns a |List| with the line and
4198 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4199 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004200 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4201 returns [0, 0].
4202>
4203 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
4204<
4205 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
4206
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004207searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline}]]) *searchpos()*
4208 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004209 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4210 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
4211 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4212 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004213 Example: >
4214 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
4215
4216< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
4217 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
4218 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
4219< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
4220 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
4221
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004222server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
4223 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
4224 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
4225 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4226 Note:
4227 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004228 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004229 before calling any commands that waits for input.
4230 See also |clientserver|.
4231 Example: >
4232 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
4233<
4234serverlist() *serverlist()*
4235 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
4236 When there are no servers or the information is not available
4237 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
4238 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4239 Example: >
4240 :echo serverlist()
4241<
4242setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
4243 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
4244 {val}.
4245 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
4246 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
4247 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
4248 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
4249 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
4250 Examples: >
4251 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
4252 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
4253< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4254
4255setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
4256 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
4257 {pos}. The first position is 1.
4258 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
4259 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004260 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
4261 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
4262 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
4263 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
4264 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004265 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
4266 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
4267 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
4268 line.
4269
4270setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004271 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
4272 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004273 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
4274 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004275 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
4276 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004277 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004278< When {line} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004279 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
4280 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
4281< This is equivalent to: >
4282 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
4283 : call setline(n, l)
4284 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004285< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
4286
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004287setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
4288 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
4289 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004290 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
4291 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004292 Otherwise, same as setqflist().
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004293
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004294 *setpos()*
4295setpos({expr}, {list})
4296 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
4297 . the cursor
4298 'x mark x
4299
4300 {list} must be a |List| with four numbers:
4301 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4302
4303 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
4304 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
4305 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
4306 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
4307 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004308 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004309
4310 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4311 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark.
4312
4313 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
4314 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
4315 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
4316 character.
4317
4318 Also see |getpos()|
4319
4320
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004321setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004322 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
4323 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
4324 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
4325 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004326
4327 filename name of a file
4328 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004329 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004330 col column number
4331 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
4332 when zero: "col" is byte index
4333 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004334 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004335 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004336
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004337 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
4338 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
4339 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004340 If the "filename" entry is not present or neither the "lnum"
4341 or "pattern" entries are present, then the item will not be
4342 handled as an error line.
4343 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
4344 be used.
4345
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004346 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
4347 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
4348 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
4349 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
4350 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
4351 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
4352
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004353 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
4354
4355 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
4356 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
4357 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
4358
4359
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004360 *setreg()*
4361setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
4362 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
4363 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
4364 then the value is appended.
4365 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
4366 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
4367 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
4368 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
4369 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
4370 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
4371 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
4372 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
4373
4374 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
4375 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
4376 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
4377 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4378
4379 Examples: >
4380 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
4381 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
4382 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
4383
4384< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
4385 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004386 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004387 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
4388 ....
4389 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
4390
4391< You can also change the type of a register by appending
4392 nothing: >
4393 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
4394
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004395settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabwinvar()*
4396 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
4397 {val}.
4398 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
4399 use |setwinvar()|.
4400 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004401 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
4402 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
4403 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
4404 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00004405 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
4406 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
4407 Examples: >
4408 :call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
4409 :call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
4410< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4411
4412setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
4413 Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004414 Examples: >
4415 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
4416 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004417
4418simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
4419 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
4420 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
4421 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
4422 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
4423 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
4424 not removed either.
4425 Example: >
4426 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
4427< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
4428 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
4429 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
4430 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
4431 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
4432
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004433
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004434sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004435 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
4436 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4437 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
4438< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004439 Numbers sort after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004440 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004441 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004442 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
4443 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004444 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
4445 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
4446 sorts before the second one. Example: >
4447 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
4448 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
4449 endfunc
4450 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004451<
4452
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004453 *soundfold()*
4454soundfold({word})
4455 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
4456 language in 'spellang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004457 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
4458 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004459 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
4460 the method can be quite slow.
4461
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004462 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004463spellbadword([{sentence}])
4464 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
4465 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
4466 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
4467 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
4468
4469 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
4470 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
4471 result is an empty string.
4472
4473 The return value is a list with two items:
4474 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
4475 - The type of the spelling error:
4476 "bad" spelling mistake
4477 "rare" rare word
4478 "local" word only valid in another region
4479 "caps" word should start with Capital
4480 Example: >
4481 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
4482< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
4483
4484 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
4485 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
4486 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004487
4488 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004489spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004490 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004491 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
4492 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
4493
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004494 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
4495 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
4496 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
4497
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004498 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
4499 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00004500 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
4501 replace a line.
4502
4503 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004504 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
4505 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004506
4507 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004508 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
4509 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004510
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004511
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004512split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004513 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
4514 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
4515 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004516 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004517 removing the matched characters.
4518 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
4519 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00004520 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
4521 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004522 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004523 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004524< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004525 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00004526< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
4527 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
4528< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004529 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
4530 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
4531< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004532
4533
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004534str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
4535 Convert string {expr} to a number.
4536 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 8, 10 or 16.
4537 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
4538 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
4539 with the default String to Number conversion.
4540 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
4541 different base the result will be zero.
4542 Text after the number is silently ignored.
4543
4544
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004545strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
4546 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
4547 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
4548 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
4549 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
4550 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
4551 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
4552 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
4553 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
4554 Examples: >
4555 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
4556 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
4557 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
4558 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
4559 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
4560 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004561< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4562 :if exists("*strftime")
4563
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004564stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
4565 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4566 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004567 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
4568 This can be used to find a second match: >
4569 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
4570 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
4571< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004572 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004573 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004574 See also |strridx()|.
4575 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004576 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
4577 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
4578 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004579< *strstr()* *strchr()*
4580 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
4581 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
4582
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004583 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004584string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
4585 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
4586 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004587 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004588 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004589 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004590 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004591 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004592 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004593 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004594
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004595 *strlen()*
4596strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004597 {expr} in bytes.
4598 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
4599 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004600
4601 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004602<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004603 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
4604 For other types an error is given.
4605 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004606
4607strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
4608 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004609 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004610 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
4611 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
4612 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
4613 end of the {src}. >
4614 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
4615 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
4616 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
4617 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
4618< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
4619 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00004620 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004621<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004622strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
4623 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4624 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
4625 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
4626 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
4627 match: >
4628 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
4629 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
4630< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004631 For pattern searches use |match()|.
4632 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004633 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004634 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004635 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004636< *strrchr()*
4637 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
4638 function strrchr().
4639
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004640strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
4641 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
4642 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
4643 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
4644 echo strtrans(@a)
4645< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
4646 starting a new line.
4647
4648submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
4649 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
4650 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
4651 the whole matched text is returned.
4652 Example: >
4653 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
4654< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
4655 A line break is included as a newline character.
4656
4657substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
4658 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
4659 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
4660 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
4661 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
4662 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
4663 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
4664 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
4665 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
4666 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
4667 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
4668 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
4669 unmodified.
4670 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
4671 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
4672 Example: >
4673 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
4674< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
4675 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
4676< results in "TESTING".
4677
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004678synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004679 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004680 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004681 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
4682 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004683
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004684 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004685 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
4686
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004687 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
4688 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
4689 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
4690 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
4691 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
4692 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
4693 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
4694
4695 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
4696 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
4697<
4698synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
4699 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
4700 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
4701 about a syntax item.
4702 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
4703 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
4704 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
4705 used (GUI, cterm or term).
4706 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
4707 {what} result
4708 "name" the name of the syntax item
4709 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
4710 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
4711 term: empty string)
4712 "bg" background color (like "fg")
4713 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
4714 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
4715 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
4716 "bold" "1" if bold
4717 "italic" "1" if italic
4718 "reverse" "1" if reverse
4719 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
4720 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004721 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004722
4723 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
4724 cursor): >
4725 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
4726<
4727synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
4728 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
4729 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
4730 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
4731 ":highlight link" are followed.
4732
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004733system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
4734 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
4735 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
4736 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
4737 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004738 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004739 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
4740 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
4741 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004742 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
4743 The result is a String. Example: >
4744
4745 :let files = system("ls")
4746
4747< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
4748 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
4749 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
4750 The command executed is constructed using several options:
4751 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
4752 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
4753 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
4754 concatenated commands.
4755
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004756 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
4757 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
4758
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004759 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
4760 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00004761
4762 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
4763 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
4764 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004765 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
4766 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
4767
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004768
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004769tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004770 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004771 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
4772 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
4773 omitted the current tab page is used.
4774 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
4775 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
4776 tablist = []
4777 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
4778 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
4779 endfor
4780< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
4781
4782
4783tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004784 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4785 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
4786 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
4787 page is returned (the tab page count).
4788 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
4789
4790
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004791tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
4792 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {arg}.
4793 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
4794 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
4795 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
4796 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
4797 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
4798 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
4799 Useful examples: >
4800 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
4801 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
4802< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
4803
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00004804 *tagfiles()*
4805tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
4806 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
4807
4808
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004809taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
4810 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00004811 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
4812 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004813 name Name of the tag.
4814 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004815 defined.
4816 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
4817 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004818 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004819 entry depends on the language specific
4820 kind values generated by the ctags
4821 tool.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004822 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004823 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004824 The "kind" entry is only available when using Exuberant ctags
4825 generated tags file. More entries may be present, depending
4826 on the content of the tags file: access, implementation,
4827 inherits and signature. Refer to the ctags documentation for
4828 information about these fields. For C code the fields
4829 "struct", "class" and "enum" may appear, they give the name of
4830 the entity the tag is contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004831
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004832 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
4833 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004834
4835 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
4836
4837 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
4838 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
4839 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
4840
4841 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
4842 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
4843 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
4844
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004845tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
4846 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
4847 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
4848 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
4849 :let tmpfile = tempname()
4850 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
4851< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
4852 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
4853 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
4854 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
4855 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
4856 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
4857
4858tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
4859 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
4860 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
4861 the string).
4862
4863toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
4864 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
4865 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
4866 the string).
4867
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00004868tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
4869 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
4870 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
4871 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
4872 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
4873 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
4874 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
4875
4876 Examples: >
4877 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
4878< returns "Hello THere" >
4879 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
4880< returns "{blob}"
4881
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004882 *type()*
4883type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004884 Number: 0
4885 String: 1
4886 Funcref: 2
4887 List: 3
4888 Dictionary: 4
4889 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004890 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
4891 :if type(myvar) == type("")
4892 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
4893 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004894 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004895
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004896values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004897 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
4898 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004899
4900
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004901virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
4902 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
4903 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
4904 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
4905 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
4906 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
4907 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
4908 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004909 For the use of {expr} see |col()|. Additionally you can use
Bram Moolenaar5c8837f2006-02-25 21:52:33 +00004910 [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line and column number. When
4911 "lnum" or "col" is out of range then virtcol() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004912 When 'virtualedit' is used it can be [lnum, col, off], where
4913 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
4914 character. E.g., a position within a Tab or after the last
4915 character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004916 For the byte position use |col()|.
4917 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
4918 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
4919 The accepted positions are:
4920 . the cursor position
4921 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
4922 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
4923 plus one)
4924 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
4925 returned)
4926 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
4927 Examples: >
4928 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
4929 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
4930 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
4931< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
4932
4933visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
4934 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
4935 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
4936 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
4937 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
4938 block-wise Visual mode respectively.
4939 Example: >
4940 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
4941< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
4942 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
4943 Visual mode that was used.
4944
4945 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
4946 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
4947 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
4948 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
4949
4950 *winbufnr()*
4951winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004952 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004953 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
4954 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4955 Example: >
4956 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
4957<
4958 *wincol()*
4959wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
4960 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
4961 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
4962
4963winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
4964 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
4965 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
4966 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4967 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
4968 Examples: >
4969 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
4970<
4971 *winline()*
4972winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
4973 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
4974 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004975 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
4976 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004977
4978 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004979winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4980 window. The top window has number 1.
4981 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004982 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004983 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
4984 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
4985 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
4986 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
4987 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004988
4989 *winrestcmd()*
4990winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
4991 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004992 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
4993 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004994 Example: >
4995 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
4996 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
4997 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004998<
4999 *winrestview()*
5000winrestview({dict})
5001 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
5002 the view of the current window.
5003 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
5004 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
5005
5006 *winsaveview()*
5007winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
5008 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
5009 restore the view.
5010 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
5011 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
5012 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005013 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
5014 not opened when moving around.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005015 The return value includes:
5016 lnum cursor line number
5017 col cursor column
5018 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
5019 curswant column for vertical movement
5020 topline first line in the window
5021 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
5022 leftcol first column displayed
5023 skipcol columns skipped
5024 Note that no option values are saved.
5025
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005026
5027winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
5028 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
5029 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
5030 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5031 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
5032 Examples: >
5033 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
5034 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
5035 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
5036 :endif
5037<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005038 *writefile()*
5039writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005040 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005041 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
5042 Number.
5043 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
5044 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
5045 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
5046 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
5047 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
5048 to writefile().
5049 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
5050 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
5051 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
5052 fails.
5053 Also see |readfile()|.
5054 To copy a file byte for byte: >
5055 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
5056 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
5057<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005058
5059 *feature-list*
5060There are three types of features:
50611. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
5062 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
5063 :if has("cindent")
50642. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
5065 Example: >
5066 :if has("gui_running")
5067< *has-patch*
50683. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
5069 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
5070 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
5071 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
5072
5073all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
5074amiga Amiga version of Vim.
5075arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
5076arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00005077autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005078balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00005079balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005080beos BeOS version of Vim.
5081browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
5082 work.
5083builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
5084byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
5085cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
5086clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
5087clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
5088cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
5089cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
5090cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
5091comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
5092cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
5093cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
5094compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
5095debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
5096dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
5097dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
5098diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
5099digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
5100dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
5101dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
5102dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
5103ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
5104emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
5105eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
5106 true, of course!
5107ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
5108extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
5109 |'hlsearch'|
5110farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
5111file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005112filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
5113 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005114find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
5115 |+find_in_path|.
5116fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
5117 Windows this is not present).
5118folding Compiled with |folding| support.
5119footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
5120fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
5121gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
5122gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
5123gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005124gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
5125gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
5126gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
5127gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
5128gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
5129gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
5130gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
5131gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
5132hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
5133iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
5134insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
5135 Insert mode.
5136jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
5137keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
5138langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
5139libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
5140linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
5141 support.
5142lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
5143listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
5144 and the argument list |arglist|.
5145localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
5146mac Macintosh version of Vim.
5147macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
5148menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
5149mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
5150modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
5151mouse Compiled with support mouse.
5152mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
5153mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
5154mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
5155mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
5156mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
5157mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
5158multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
5159multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
5160multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00005161mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005162netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00005163netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005164ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
5165os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
5166osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
5167path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
5168perl Compiled with Perl interface.
5169postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
5170printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005171profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005172python Compiled with Python interface.
5173qnx QNX version of Vim.
5174quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
5175rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
5176ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
5177scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
5178showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
5179signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
5180smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00005181sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005182statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
5183 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
5184sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00005185spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
5186syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005187syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
5188 current buffer.
5189system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
5190tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
5191 |tag-binary-search|.
5192tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
5193 |tag-old-static|.
5194tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
5195 files |tag-any-white|.
5196tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
5197terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
5198termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
5199textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
5200tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
5201 or terminfo file.
5202title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
5203toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
5204unix Unix version of Vim.
5205user_commands User-defined commands.
5206viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
5207vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
5208vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
5209virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
5210visual Compiled with Visual mode.
5211visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
5212 |blockwise-operators|.
5213vms VMS version of Vim.
5214vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
5215wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
5216wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
5217windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
5218winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
5219win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
5220win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
5221win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
5222win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
5223win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
5224writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
5225xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
5226xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
5227xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
5228xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
5229xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
5230xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
5231 xterm screen.
5232x11 Compiled with X11 support.
5233
5234 *string-match*
5235Matching a pattern in a String
5236
5237A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
5238the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
5239everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
5240like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
5241line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
5242with ".". Example: >
5243 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
5244 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
5245 aa
5246 xx
5247 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
5248 a
5249 x
5250
5251Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
5252"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
5253"\n".
5254
5255==============================================================================
52565. Defining functions *user-functions*
5257
5258New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
5259functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
5260commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
5261
5262The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
5263builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
5264avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
5265the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
5266
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005267It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
5268|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005269
5270 *local-function*
5271A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
5272can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
5273and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
5274function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
5275instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
5276
5277 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
5278:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
5279
5280:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005281 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5282 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005283 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005284
5285:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
5286 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
5287 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005288<
5289 *:function-verbose*
5290When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
5291last defined. Example: >
5292
5293 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
5294 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
5295 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
5296<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00005297See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00005298
5299 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005300:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005301 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
5302 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
5303 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005304
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005305 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5306 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005307 :function dict.init(arg)
5308< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
5309 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
5310 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
5311 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
5312 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
5313 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005314 *E127* *E122*
5315 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
5316 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
5317 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
5318 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005319
5320 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
5321
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005322 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
5323 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
5324 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
5325 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
5326 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
5327 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
5328 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005329
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005330 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
5331 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005332
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005333 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005334 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00005335 local variable "self" will then be set to the
5336 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005337
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00005338 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
5339 will not be changed by the function.
5340
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005341 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
5342:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
5343 by its own, without other commands.
5344
5345 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
5346:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005347 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5348 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005349 :delfunc dict.init
5350< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
5351 function is deleted if there are no more references to
5352 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005353 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
5354:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
5355 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
5356 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
5357 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
5358 the number 0 is returned.
5359 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
5360 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
5361
5362 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
5363 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
5364 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
5365 are executed first. This process applies to all
5366 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
5367 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
5368
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005369 *function-argument* *a:var*
5370An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
5371be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
5372 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
5373Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
5374arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
5375may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
5376as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005377can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
5378that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005379 *E742*
5380The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005381However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can changes their contents.
5382Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
5383it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
5384|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005385
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005386When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
5387to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
5388may be larger.
5389
5390It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
5391still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
5392until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
5393inside a function body.
5394
5395 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005396Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
5397will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
5398accessed with "g:".
5399
5400Example: >
5401 :function Table(title, ...)
5402 : echohl Title
5403 : echo a:title
5404 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005405 : echo a:0 . " items:"
5406 : for s in a:000
5407 : echon ' ' . s
5408 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005409 :endfunction
5410
5411This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005412 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
5413 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005414
5415To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
5416 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
5417 : if a:n2 == 0
5418 : return "fail"
5419 : endif
5420 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
5421 : return "ok"
5422 :endfunction
5423
5424This function can then be called with: >
5425 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
5426 :if success == "ok"
5427 : echo div
5428 :endif
5429
5430An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
5431with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
5432 :function Foo()
5433 : execute Bar()
5434 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
5435 :endfunction
5436
5437 :function Bar()
5438 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
5439 :endfunction
5440
5441The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
5442the caller to set the names.
5443
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00005444 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005445:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
5446 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
5447 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
5448 used.
5449 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
5450 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
5451 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
5452 function.
5453 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
5454 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
5455 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
5456 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
5457 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
5458 this works:
5459 *function-range-example* >
5460 :function Mynumber(arg)
5461 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
5462 :endfunction
5463 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
5464<
5465 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
5466 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
5467 the range.
5468
5469 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
5470
5471 :function Cont() range
5472 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
5473 :endfunction
5474 :4,8call Cont()
5475<
5476 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
5477 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
5478
5479 *E132*
5480The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
5481option.
5482
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005483
5484AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005485 *autoload-functions*
5486When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005487only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
5488the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
5489
5490
5491Using an autocommand ~
5492
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005493This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
5494
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005495The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
5496You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
5497That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
5498again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
5499
5500Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
5501function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005502
5503 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
5504
5505The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
5506"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
5507
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005508
5509Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005510 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005511This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
5512
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005513Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
5514exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
5515like this: >
5516
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005517 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005518
5519When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
5520"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
5521"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
5522then define the function like this: >
5523
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005524 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005525 echo "Done!"
5526 endfunction
5527
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00005528The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005529exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
5530called.
5531
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005532It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
5533a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005534
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005535 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005536
5537Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
5538
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005539This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
5540
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005541 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005542
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00005543However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
5544for an unknown variable.
5545
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005546When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
5547be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
5548
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005549 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
5550 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005551
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00005552Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
5553defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
5554function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005555And you will get an error message every time.
5556
5557Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
5558other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
5559Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005560
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005561Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
5562|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
5563
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005564==============================================================================
55656. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
5566
5567Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
5568This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
5569{} like this: >
5570 my_{adjective}_variable
5571
5572When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
5573that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
5574name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
5575"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
5576"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
5577
5578One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
5579value. For example, the statement >
5580 echo my_{&background}_message
5581
5582would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
5583on the current value of 'background'.
5584
5585You can use multiple brace pairs: >
5586 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
5587..or even nest them: >
5588 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
5589where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
5590
5591However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005592variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005593 :let foo='a + b'
5594 :echo c{foo}d
5595.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
5596
5597 *curly-braces-function-names*
5598You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
5599Example: >
5600 :let func_end='whizz'
5601 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
5602
5603This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
5604
5605==============================================================================
56067. Commands *expression-commands*
5607
5608:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
5609 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
5610 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
5611 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
5612 is created.
5613
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005614:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
5615 Set a list item to the result of the expression
5616 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
5617 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
5618 the index can be repeated.
5619 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
5620
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005621 *E711* *E719*
5622:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005623 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
5624 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005625 correct number of items.
5626 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
5627 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
5628 When the selected range of items is partly past the
5629 end of the list, items will be added.
5630
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005631 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005632:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
5633:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
5634:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
5635 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
5636 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
5637
5638
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005639:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
5640 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
5641 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005642:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
5643 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
5644 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
5645 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005646
5647:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
5648 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
5649 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
5650 must be the name of a writable register (see
5651 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
5652 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
5653 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
5654 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
5655 characterwise.
5656 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
5657 :let @/ = ""
5658< This is different from searching for an empty string,
5659 that would match everywhere.
5660
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005661:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
5662 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
5663 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
5664
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005665:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
5666 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005667 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
5668 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005669 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
5670 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00005671 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005672 Example: >
5673 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005674
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005675:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
5676 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
5677 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
5678
5679:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
5680:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
5681 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
5682 {expr1}.
5683
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005684:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005685:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5686:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
5687:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005688 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
5689 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
5690
5691:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005692:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5693:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
5694:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005695 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
5696 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
5697
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005698:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005699 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005700 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
5701 {name2}, etc.
5702 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005703 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005704 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
5705 command as mentioned above.
5706 Example: >
5707 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005708< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
5709 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
5710 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
5711 :let x = [0, 1]
5712 :let i = 0
5713 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
5714 :echo x
5715< The result is [0, 2].
5716
5717:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
5718:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
5719:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
5720 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005721 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005722
5723:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005724 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005725 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
5726 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
5727 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005728 Example: >
5729 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
5730<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005731:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
5732:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
5733:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
5734 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005735 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005736 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005737:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005738 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
5739 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00005740 g: global variables
5741 b: local buffer variables
5742 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00005743 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00005744 s: script-local variables
5745 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005746 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005747
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005748:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
5749 variable is indicated before the value:
5750 <nothing> String
5751 # Number
5752 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005753
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005754
5755:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
5756 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
5757 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005758 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005759 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
5760 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005761 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005762 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
5763 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005764< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005765 :unlet dict['two']
5766 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005767
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005768:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
5769 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
5770 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
5771 A locked variable can be deleted: >
5772 :lockvar v
5773 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
5774 :unlet v
5775< *E741*
5776 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
5777 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
5778
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005779 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
5780 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
5781 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005782 cannot add or remove items, but can
5783 still change their values.
5784 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005785 the items. If an item is a |List| or
5786 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005787 items, but can still change the
5788 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005789 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
5790 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
5791 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
5792 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
5793 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005794 *E743*
5795 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
5796 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
5797 loops.
5798
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005799 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
5800 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00005801 locked when used through the other variable.
5802 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005803 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
5804 :let cl = l
5805 :lockvar l
5806 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
5807< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
5808 See |deepcopy()|.
5809
5810
5811:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
5812 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
5813 opposite of |:lockvar|.
5814
5815
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005816:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
5817:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5818 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5819
5820 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
5821 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
5822 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
5823 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
5824 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
5825 part was not executed either.
5826
5827 You can use this to remain compatible with older
5828 versions: >
5829 :if version >= 500
5830 : version-5-specific-commands
5831 :endif
5832< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
5833 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
5834 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
5835 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
5836 avoid problems: >
5837 :if version >= 600
5838 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
5839 :endif
5840<
5841 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
5842 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
5843
5844 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
5845:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5846 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
5847 executed.
5848
5849 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
5850:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
5851 is no extra ":endif".
5852
5853:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005854 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005855:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
5856 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5857 When an error is detected from a command inside the
5858 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005859 Example: >
5860 :let lnum = 1
5861 :while lnum <= line("$")
5862 :call FixLine(lnum)
5863 :let lnum = lnum + 1
5864 :endwhile
5865<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005866 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005867 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005868
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005869:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005870:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
5871 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005872 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005873 value of each item.
5874 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005875 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00005876 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
5877 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005878 :for item in copy(mylist)
5879< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
5880 next item in the list, before executing the commands
5881 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
5882 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
5883 it will not be found. Thus the following example
5884 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
5885 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005886 :call remove(mylist, 0)
5887 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005888< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
5889 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
5890 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005891 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
5892 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
5893 to allow multiple item types.
5894
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005895:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
5896:endfo[r]
5897 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
5898 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
5899 {var2}, etc. Example: >
5900 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
5901 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
5902 :endfor
5903<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005904 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005905:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
5906 to the start of the loop.
5907 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5908 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5909 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5910 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5911 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5912 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005913
5914 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005915:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
5916 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
5917 ":endfor".
5918 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5919 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5920 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5921 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5922 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5923 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005924
5925:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
5926:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
5927 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
5928 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
5929 or autocommand invocations.
5930
5931 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
5932 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
5933 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
5934 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
5935 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
5936 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
5937 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
5938 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
5939 Example: >
5940 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
5941 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
5942<
5943 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
5944 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
5945 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
5946 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
5947 processing is not terminated.
5948
5949 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
5950 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
5951 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
5952 other errors are converted to a value of the form
5953 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
5954 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
5955 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
5956 the error number.
5957 Examples: >
5958 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
5959 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
5960<
5961 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
5962:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
5963 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
5964 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
5965 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
5966 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
5967 commands are skipped.
5968 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
5969 Examples: >
5970 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
5971 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
5972 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
5973 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
5974 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
5975 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
5976 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
5977 :catch " same as /.*/
5978<
5979 Another character can be used instead of / around the
5980 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
5981 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
5982 {pattern}.
5983 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
5984 an error message because it may vary in different
5985 locales.
5986
5987 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
5988:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
5989 are executed whenever the part between the matching
5990 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
5991 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
5992 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
5993 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
5994
5995 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
5996:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
5997 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
5998 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
5999 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
6000 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
6001 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
6002 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
6003 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
6004 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
6005 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
6006 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
6007 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
6008 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
6009 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
6010 is terminated.
6011 Example: >
6012 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
6013<
6014
6015 *:ec* *:echo*
6016:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
6017 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
6018 Also see |:comment|.
6019 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
6020 cursor to the first column.
6021 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6022 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6023 Example: >
6024 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
6025< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
6026 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
6027 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
6028 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
6029 command. Example: >
6030 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
6031<
6032 *:echon*
6033:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
6034 |:comment|.
6035 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6036 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6037 Example: >
6038 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
6039<
6040 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
6041 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
6042 command: >
6043 :!echo % --> filename
6044< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
6045 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
6046< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
6047 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
6048 :echo % --> nothing
6049< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
6050 :echo "%" --> %
6051< This just echoes the '%' character. >
6052 :echo expand("%") --> filename
6053< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
6054
6055 *:echoh* *:echohl*
6056:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
6057 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
6058 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
6059 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
6060< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
6061 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
6062
6063 *:echom* *:echomsg*
6064:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
6065 message in the |message-history|.
6066 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6067 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
6068 displayed, not interpreted.
6069 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
6070 Example: >
6071 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
6072<
6073 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
6074:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
6075 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
6076 script or function the line number will be added.
6077 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
6078 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
6079 the message is raised as an error exception instead
6080 (see |try-echoerr|).
6081 Example: >
6082 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
6083< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
6084 And to get a beep: >
6085 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
6086<
6087 *:exe* *:execute*
6088:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
6089 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
6090 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
6091 used as the processed command, command line editing
6092 keys are not recognized.
6093 Cannot be followed by a comment.
6094 Examples: >
6095 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
6096 :execute "normal " count . "w"
6097<
6098 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
6099 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
6100 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
6101
6102< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
6103 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
6104 command: >
6105 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
6106< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
6107
6108 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006109 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
6110 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006111 :execute 'while i > 5'
6112 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
6113<
6114 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
6115 completely in the executed string: >
6116 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
6117<
6118
6119 *:comment*
6120 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
6121 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
6122 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
6123 comment. Example: >
6124 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
6125
6126==============================================================================
61278. Exception handling *exception-handling*
6128
6129The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
6130explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
6131
6132Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
6133|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
6134exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
6135
6136
6137TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
6138
6139Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
6140use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
6141a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
6142 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
6143|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
6144a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
6145be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
6146which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
6147clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
6148
6149 :try
6150 : ...
6151 : ... TRY BLOCK
6152 : ...
6153 :catch /{pattern}/
6154 : ...
6155 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6156 : ...
6157 :catch /{pattern}/
6158 : ...
6159 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
6160 : ...
6161 :finally
6162 : ...
6163 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
6164 : ...
6165 :endtry
6166
6167The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
6168appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
6169from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
6170 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
6171is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
6172script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
6173 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
6174lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
6175patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
6176after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
6177executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
6178":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
6179(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
6180continues in the following line as usual.
6181 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
6182":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
6183that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
6184finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
6185the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
6186the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
6187see |try-nesting|.
6188 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
6189remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
6190not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
6191try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
6192a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
6193execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
6194exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6195 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
6196thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
6197clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
6198catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
6199following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
6200clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
6201
6202The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
6203a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
6204try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
6205from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
6206sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
6207":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
6208":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
6209from the finally clause.
6210 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
6211try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
6212clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
6213":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
6214clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
6215":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
6216this pending exception or command is discarded.
6217
6218For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
6219
6220
6221NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
6222
6223Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
6224conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
6225clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
6226catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
6227of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
6228checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
6229try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
6230otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
6231nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
6232one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
6233the inner try conditional.
6234
6235When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
6236finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
6237An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
6238thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
6239implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
6240as usual.
6241
6242For examples see |throw-catch|.
6243
6244
6245EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
6246
6247Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
6248'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
6249script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
6250finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
6251a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
6252(see |debug-scripts|).
6253
6254
6255THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
6256
6257You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
6258and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
6259 :throw 4711
6260 :throw "string"
6261< *throw-expression*
6262You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
6263first, and the result is thrown: >
6264 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
6265 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
6266
6267An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
6268command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
6269The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
6270 Example: >
6271
6272 :function! Foo(arg)
6273 : try
6274 : throw a:arg
6275 : catch /foo/
6276 : endtry
6277 : return 1
6278 :endfunction
6279 :
6280 :function! Bar()
6281 : echo "in Bar"
6282 : return 4710
6283 :endfunction
6284 :
6285 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
6286
6287This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
6288executed. >
6289 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
6290however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
6291
6292Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
6293abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
6294exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
6295 Example: >
6296
6297 :if Foo("arrgh")
6298 : echo "then"
6299 :else
6300 : echo "else"
6301 :endif
6302
6303Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
6304
6305 *catch-order*
6306Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
6307commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
6308command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
6309gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
6310 Example: >
6311
6312 :function! Foo(value)
6313 : try
6314 : throw a:value
6315 : catch /^\d\+$/
6316 : echo "Number thrown"
6317 : catch /.*/
6318 : echo "String thrown"
6319 : endtry
6320 :endfunction
6321 :
6322 :call Foo(0x1267)
6323 :call Foo('string')
6324
6325The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
6326An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
6327specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
6328specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
6329
6330 : catch /.*/
6331 : echo "String thrown"
6332 : catch /^\d\+$/
6333 : echo "Number thrown"
6334
6335The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
6336never taken.
6337
6338 *throw-variables*
6339If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
6340in the variable |v:exception|: >
6341
6342 : catch /^\d\+$/
6343 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
6344
6345You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
6346|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
6347exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
6348 Example: >
6349
6350 :function! Caught()
6351 : if v:exception != ""
6352 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
6353 : else
6354 : echo 'Nothing caught'
6355 : endif
6356 :endfunction
6357 :
6358 :function! Foo()
6359 : try
6360 : try
6361 : try
6362 : throw 4711
6363 : finally
6364 : call Caught()
6365 : endtry
6366 : catch /.*/
6367 : call Caught()
6368 : throw "oops"
6369 : endtry
6370 : catch /.*/
6371 : call Caught()
6372 : finally
6373 : call Caught()
6374 : endtry
6375 :endfunction
6376 :
6377 :call Foo()
6378
6379This displays >
6380
6381 Nothing caught
6382 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
6383 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
6384 Nothing caught
6385
6386A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
6387number in the script or function where it has been used: >
6388
6389 :function! LineNumber()
6390 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
6391 :endfunction
6392 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
6393<
6394 *try-nested*
6395An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
6396a surrounding try conditional: >
6397
6398 :try
6399 : try
6400 : throw "foo"
6401 : catch /foobar/
6402 : echo "foobar"
6403 : finally
6404 : echo "inner finally"
6405 : endtry
6406 :catch /foo/
6407 : echo "foo"
6408 :endtry
6409
6410The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
6411clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
6412conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
6413
6414 *throw-from-catch*
6415You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
6416catch clause: >
6417
6418 :function! Foo()
6419 : throw "foo"
6420 :endfunction
6421 :
6422 :function! Bar()
6423 : try
6424 : call Foo()
6425 : catch /foo/
6426 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
6427 : throw "bar"
6428 : endtry
6429 :endfunction
6430 :
6431 :try
6432 : call Bar()
6433 :catch /.*/
6434 : echo "Caught" v:exception
6435 :endtry
6436
6437This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
6438
6439 *rethrow*
6440There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
6441"v:exception" instead: >
6442
6443 :function! Bar()
6444 : try
6445 : call Foo()
6446 : catch /.*/
6447 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
6448 : throw v:exception
6449 : endtry
6450 :endfunction
6451< *try-echoerr*
6452Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
6453exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
6454Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
6455denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
6456the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
6457
6458 :try
6459 : try
6460 : asdf
6461 : catch /.*/
6462 : echoerr v:exception
6463 : endtry
6464 :catch /.*/
6465 : echo v:exception
6466 :endtry
6467
6468This code displays
6469
6470 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
6471
6472
6473CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
6474
6475Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
6476user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
6477an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
6478a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
6479catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
6480a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
6481normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
6482(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
6483to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
6484clause has been executed.)
6485Example: >
6486
6487 :try
6488 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
6489 : set ts=17
6490 :
6491 : " Do the hard work here.
6492 :
6493 :finally
6494 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
6495 : unlet s:saved_ts
6496 :endtry
6497
6498This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
6499changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
6500that function or script part.
6501
6502 *break-finally*
6503Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
6504a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
6505 Example: >
6506
6507 :let first = 1
6508 :while 1
6509 : try
6510 : if first
6511 : echo "first"
6512 : let first = 0
6513 : continue
6514 : else
6515 : throw "second"
6516 : endif
6517 : catch /.*/
6518 : echo v:exception
6519 : break
6520 : finally
6521 : echo "cleanup"
6522 : endtry
6523 : echo "still in while"
6524 :endwhile
6525 :echo "end"
6526
6527This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
6528
6529 :function! Foo()
6530 : try
6531 : return 4711
6532 : finally
6533 : echo "cleanup\n"
6534 : endtry
6535 : echo "Foo still active"
6536 :endfunction
6537 :
6538 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
6539
6540This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
6541extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
6542return value.)
6543
6544 *except-from-finally*
6545Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
6546a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
6547cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
6548exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
6549 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
6550working correctly: >
6551
6552 :try
6553 : try
6554 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
6555 : while 1
6556 : endwhile
6557 : finally
6558 : unlet novar
6559 : endtry
6560 :catch /novar/
6561 :endtry
6562 :echo "Script still running"
6563 :sleep 1
6564
6565If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
6566think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
6567|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
6568
6569
6570CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
6571
6572If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
6573watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
6574presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
6575exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
6576the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
6577the error exception is.
6578 Error exceptions have the following format: >
6579
6580 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
6581or >
6582 Vim:{errmsg}
6583
6584{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
6585the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
6586when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
6587a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
6588a space.
6589
6590Examples:
6591
6592The command >
6593 :unlet novar
6594normally produces the error message >
6595 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6596which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6597 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
6598
6599The command >
6600 :dwim
6601normally produces the error message >
6602 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6603which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6604 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6605
6606You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
6607 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
6608or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
6609 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
6610
6611Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
6612 :function nofunc
6613and >
6614 :delfunction nofunc
6615both produce the error message >
6616 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6617which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6618 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6619or >
6620 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6621respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
6622command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
6623 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
6624
6625Some commands like >
6626 :let x = novar
6627produce multiple error messages, here: >
6628 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6629 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6630Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
6631one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
6632 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
6633
6634You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
6635 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
6636
6637You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
6638 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
6639
6640You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
6641 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
6642<
6643 *catch-text*
6644NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
6645 :catch /No such variable/
6646only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
6647a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
6648cite the message text in a comment: >
6649 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
6650
6651
6652IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
6653
6654You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
6655
6656 :try
6657 : write
6658 :catch
6659 :endtry
6660
6661But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
6662catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
6663be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
6664
6665 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
6666
6667There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
6668writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
6669then hide the error from the user.
6670 It is much better to use >
6671
6672 :try
6673 : write
6674 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6675 :endtry
6676
6677which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
6678intentionally.
6679
6680For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
6681even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
6682command: >
6683 :silent! nunmap k
6684This works also when a try conditional is active.
6685
6686
6687CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
6688
6689When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
6690the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
6691script is not terminated, then.
6692 Example: >
6693
6694 :function! TASK1()
6695 : sleep 10
6696 :endfunction
6697
6698 :function! TASK2()
6699 : sleep 20
6700 :endfunction
6701
6702 :while 1
6703 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
6704 : try
6705 : if command == ""
6706 : continue
6707 : elseif command == "END"
6708 : break
6709 : elseif command == "TASK1"
6710 : call TASK1()
6711 : elseif command == "TASK2"
6712 : call TASK2()
6713 : else
6714 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
6715 : continue
6716 : endif
6717 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6718 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
6719 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
6720 : endtry
6721 :endwhile
6722
6723You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
6724a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
6725
6726For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
6727your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
6728command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
6729
6730
6731CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
6732
6733The commands >
6734
6735 :catch /.*/
6736 :catch //
6737 :catch
6738
6739catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
6740explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
6741a script in order to catch unexpected things.
6742 Example: >
6743
6744 :try
6745 :
6746 : " do the hard work here
6747 :
6748 :catch /MyException/
6749 :
6750 : " handle known problem
6751 :
6752 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6753 : echo "Script interrupted"
6754 :catch /.*/
6755 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
6756 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
6757 :endtry
6758 :" end of script
6759
6760Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
6761strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
6762specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
6763 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
6764by pressing CTRL-C: >
6765
6766 :while 1
6767 : try
6768 : sleep 1
6769 : catch
6770 : endtry
6771 :endwhile
6772
6773
6774EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
6775
6776Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
6777
6778 :autocmd User x try
6779 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
6780 :autocmd User x catch
6781 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
6782 :autocmd User x endtry
6783 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
6784 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
6785 :
6786 :try
6787 : doautocmd User x
6788 :catch
6789 : echo v:exception
6790 :endtry
6791
6792This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
6793
6794 *except-autocmd-Pre*
6795For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
6796command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
6797of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
6798abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
6799 Example: >
6800
6801 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
6802 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
6803 :
6804 :try
6805 : write
6806 :catch
6807 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
6808 :endtry
6809
6810Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
6811you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
6812autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
6813script displays: >
6814
6815 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
6816<
6817 *except-autocmd-Post*
6818For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
6819command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
6820an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
6821is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
6822 Example: >
6823
6824 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
6825 :
6826 :try
6827 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6828 :catch
6829 : echo v:exception
6830 :endtry
6831
6832This just displays: >
6833
6834 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
6835
6836If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
6837fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
6838 Example: >
6839
6840 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
6841 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
6842 :
6843 :try
6844 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6845 :catch
6846 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6847 :endtry
6848<
6849You can also use ":silent!": >
6850
6851 :let x = "ok"
6852 :let v:errmsg = ""
6853 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
6854 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
6855 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
6856 :try
6857 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6858 :catch
6859 :endtry
6860 :echo x
6861
6862This displays "after fail".
6863
6864If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
6865autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
6866
6867 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
6868 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
6869 :
6870 :try
6871 : write
6872 :catch
6873 : echo v:exception
6874 :endtry
6875<
6876 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
6877For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
6878autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
6879of the command.
6880 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
6881had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
6882some way. >
6883
6884 :if !exists("cnt")
6885 : let cnt = 0
6886 :
6887 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
6888 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
6889 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
6890 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6891 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6892 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
6893 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
6894 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6895 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6896 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
6897 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6898 :endif
6899 :
6900 :try
6901 : write
6902 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
6903 : if &modified
6904 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
6905 : else
6906 : echo "Error after writing"
6907 : endif
6908 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6909 : echo "Error on writing"
6910 :endtry
6911
6912When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
6913first >
6914 File successfully written!
6915then >
6916 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
6917then >
6918 Error after writing
6919etc.
6920
6921 *except-autocmd-ill*
6922You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
6923The following code is ill-formed: >
6924
6925 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
6926 :
6927 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
6928 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
6929 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
6930 :
6931 :write
6932
6933
6934EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
6935
6936Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
6937pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
6938similar things in Vim.
6939 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
6940class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
6941string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
6942 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
6943it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
6944for an error when writing "myfile".
6945 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
6946base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
6947parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
6948 Example: >
6949
6950 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
6951 : if a:a < 0
6952 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
6953 : endif
6954 :endfunction
6955 :
6956 :function! Add(a, b)
6957 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
6958 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
6959 : let c = a:a + a:b
6960 : if c < 0
6961 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
6962 : endif
6963 : return c
6964 :endfunction
6965 :
6966 :function! Div(a, b)
6967 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
6968 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
6969 : if (a:b == 0)
6970 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
6971 : endif
6972 : return a:a / a:b
6973 :endfunction
6974 :
6975 :function! Write(file)
6976 : try
6977 : execute "write" a:file
6978 : catch /^Vim(write):/
6979 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
6980 : endtry
6981 :endfunction
6982 :
6983 :try
6984 :
6985 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
6986 :
6987 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
6988 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6989 : echo "Range error in" function
6990 :
6991 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
6992 : echo "Math error"
6993 :
6994 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
6995 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
6996 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6997 : if file !~ '^/'
6998 : let file = dir . "/" . file
6999 : endif
7000 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
7001 :
7002 :catch /^EXCEPT/
7003 : echo "Unspecified error"
7004 :
7005 :endtry
7006
7007The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
7008a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
7009exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
7010 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
7011failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
7012
7013
7014PECULIARITIES
7015 *except-compat*
7016The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
7017exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
7018and/or a catch clause.
7019
7020In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
7021continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
7022after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
7023functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
7024or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
7025(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
7026
7027This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
7028immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
7029conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
7030be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
7031termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
7032catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
7033by specifying a finally clause.)
7034
7035When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
7036behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
7037scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
7038
7039However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
7040commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
7041conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
7042script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
7043error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
7044messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
7045|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
7046not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
7047where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
7048error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
7049scripts.
7050
7051 *except-syntax-err*
7052Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
7053the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
7054clauses, however, is executed.
7055 Example: >
7056
7057 :try
7058 : try
7059 : throw 4711
7060 : catch /\(/
7061 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
7062 : catch
7063 : echo "inner catch-all"
7064 : finally
7065 : echo "inner finally"
7066 : endtry
7067 :catch
7068 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
7069 : finally
7070 : echo "outer finally"
7071 :endtry
7072
7073This displays: >
7074 inner finally
7075 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
7076 outer finally
7077The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
7078
7079 *except-single-line*
7080The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
7081a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
7082"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
7083 Example: >
7084 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
7085raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
7086argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
7087error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
7088displayed.
7089
7090 *except-several-errors*
7091When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
7092usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
7093 Example: >
7094 echo novar
7095causes >
7096 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7097 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7098The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7099 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
7100< *except-syntax-error*
7101But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
7102the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
7103 Example: >
7104 unlet novar #
7105causes >
7106 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7107 E488: Trailing characters
7108The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
7109 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
7110This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
7111not intended by the user. Example: >
7112 try
7113 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
7114 catch /.*/
7115 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
7116 endtry
7117This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
7118a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
7119
7120==============================================================================
71219. Examples *eval-examples*
7122
7123Printing in Hex ~
7124>
7125 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
7126 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
7127 : let n = a:nr
7128 : let r = ""
7129 : while n
7130 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
7131 : let n = n / 16
7132 : endwhile
7133 : return r
7134 :endfunc
7135
7136 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
7137 :" character Hex string.
7138 :func String2Hex(str)
7139 : let out = ''
7140 : let ix = 0
7141 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
7142 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
7143 : let ix = ix + 1
7144 : endwhile
7145 : return out
7146 :endfunc
7147
7148Example of its use: >
7149 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
7150result: "20" >
7151 :echo String2Hex("32")
7152result: "3332"
7153
7154
7155Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
7156
7157Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
7158":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
7159platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
7160function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
7161with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
7162>
7163 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
7164 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
7165 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
7166 : return -1
7167 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
7168 : return 1
7169 : else
7170 : return 0
7171 : endif
7172 :endfunction
7173
7174 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
7175 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
7176 : if (a:start >= a:end)
7177 : return
7178 : endif
7179 : let partition = a:start - 1
7180 : let middle = partition
7181 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
7182 : let i = a:start
7183 : while (i <= a:end)
7184 : let str = getline(i)
7185 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
7186 : if (result <= 0)
7187 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
7188 : let partition = partition + 1
7189 : if (result == 0)
7190 : let middle = partition
7191 : endif
7192 : if (i != partition)
7193 : let str2 = getline(partition)
7194 : call setline(i, str2)
7195 : call setline(partition, str)
7196 : endif
7197 : endif
7198 : let i = i + 1
7199 : endwhile
7200
7201 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
7202 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
7203 : " the end of the partition.
7204 : if (middle != partition)
7205 : let str = getline(middle)
7206 : let str2 = getline(partition)
7207 : call setline(middle, str2)
7208 : call setline(partition, str)
7209 : endif
7210 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
7211 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
7212 :endfunc
7213
7214 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
7215 :" function that will compare two lines.
7216 :func! Sort(cmp) range
7217 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
7218 :endfunc
7219
7220 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
7221 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
7222<
7223 *sscanf*
7224There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
7225line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
7226how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
7227"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
7228 :" Set up the match bit
7229 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
7230 :"get the part matching the whole expression
7231 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
7232 :"get each item out of the match
7233 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
7234 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
7235 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
7236
7237The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
7238"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
7239
7240==============================================================================
724110. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
7242
7243When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
7244evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
7245to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
7246recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
7247and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
7248only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
7249recognized.
7250
7251Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
7252missing: >
7253
7254 :if 1
7255 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
7256 :else
7257 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
7258 :endif
7259
7260==============================================================================
726111. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
7262
7263The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
7264options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
7265these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
7266these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00007267a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007268The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007269
7270These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
7271 - changing the buffer text
7272 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
7273 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
7274 - executing a shell command
7275 - reading or writing a file
7276 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00007277 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007278This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
7279
7280 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00007281:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00007282 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
7283 'foldexpr'.
7284
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007285 *sandbox-option*
7286A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00007287have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00007288restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
7289location. Insecure in this context are:
7290- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directlry
7291- while executing in the sandbox
7292- value coming from a modeline
7293
7294Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
7295option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
7296
7297==============================================================================
729812. Textlock *textlock*
7299
7300In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
7301to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
7302is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
7303actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
7304happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
7305
7306This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
7307 - changing the buffer text
7308 - jumping to another buffer or window
7309 - editing another file
7310 - closing a window or quitting Vim
7311 - etc.
7312
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007313
7314 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: