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Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2006 Feb 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
80
81For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
82
83Note that in the command >
84 :if "foo"
85"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
86use strlen(): >
87 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000088< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
89List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000090
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000091 *E706*
92You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
93to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000094equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000095 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000096 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000097 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000098
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000099
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001001.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000101 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000102A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000103in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
104around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000105
106 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
107 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000108< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000109A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:" or "b:". You cannot
110have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000111
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000112A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
113Dictionary entry. Example: >
114 :function dict.init() dict
115 : let self.val = 0
116 :endfunction
117
118The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
119function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
120
121A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
122 :call Fn()
123 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000124
125The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000126 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000127
128You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
129arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000130 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000131
132
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001331.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000134 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000135A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
136can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
137position in the sequence.
138
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000139
140List creation ~
141 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000142A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143Examples: >
144 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
145 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000146
147An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000148nested List: >
149 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000150
151An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
152
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000153
154List index ~
155 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000156An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000157after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
158 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000159 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000160
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000161When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000162 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000163<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000164A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
165the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000166 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
167
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000168To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000169is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000170 :echo get(mylist, idx)
171 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
172
173
174List concatenation ~
175
176Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
177 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000178 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000179
180To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
181it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
182
183
184Sublist ~
185
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000186A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
187separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000188 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000189
190Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
191similar to -1. The difference is that there is no error if the items are not
192available. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000193 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
194 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
195 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000196
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000197The second index can be just before the first index. In that case the result
198is an empty list. If the second index is lower, this results in an error. >
199 :echo mylist[2:1] " result: []
200 :echo mylist[2:0] " error!
201
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000202NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
203using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
204mylist[s : e].
205
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000206
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000207List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000208 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000209When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
210variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
211change "bb": >
212 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
213 :let bb = aa
214 :call add(aa, 4)
215 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000216< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000217
218Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
219works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000220a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000221 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
222 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000223 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000224 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
225 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000226< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000227 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000228< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000229
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000230To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000231copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000232
233The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000234List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000235the same value. >
236 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
237 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
238 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000239< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000240 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000241< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000242
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000243Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
244same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000245exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
246different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
247variables. Example: >
248 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000249< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000250 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000251< 0
252
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000253Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
254can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a string: >
255
256 :let a = 5
257 :let b = "5"
258 echo a == b
259< 1 >
260 echo [a] == [b]
261< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000262
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000263
264List unpack ~
265
266To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
267square brackets, like list items: >
268 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
269
270When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
271this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
272and a variable name: >
273 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
274
275This works like: >
276 :let var1 = mylist[0]
277 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000278 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000279
280Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
281empty list then.
282
283
284List modification ~
285 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000286To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000287 :let list[4] = "four"
288 :let listlist[0][3] = item
289
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000290To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000291modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000292 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
293
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000294Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
295examples: >
296 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
297 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
298 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000299 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000300 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
301 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000302 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000303 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000304 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000305 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000306
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000307Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000308 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
309 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
310
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000311
312For loop ~
313
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000314The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
315to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000316 :for item in mylist
317 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000318 :endfor
319
320This works like: >
321 :let index = 0
322 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000323 : let item = mylist[index]
324 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000325 : let index = index + 1
326 :endwhile
327
328Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000329results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000330the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000331
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000332If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000333function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000334
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000335Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
336requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
337 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
338 : call Doit(lnum, col)
339 :endfor
340
341This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
342must remain the same to avoid an error.
343
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000344It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000345 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
346 : call Doit(i, j)
347 : if !empty(rest)
348 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
349 : endif
350 :endfor
351
352
353List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000354 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000355Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000356 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000357 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000358 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
359 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
360 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000361 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
362 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000363 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
364 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000365 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
366 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000367 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
368 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000369
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000370Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
371example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
372 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
373
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000374
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003751.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000376 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000377A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000378entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
379ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000380
381
382Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000383 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000384A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000385braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
386only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000387 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
388 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000389< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000390A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
391String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000392entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
393Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000394
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000395A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000396nested Dictionary: >
397 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
398
399An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
400
401
402Accessing entries ~
403
404The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
405 :let val = mydict["one"]
406 :let mydict["four"] = 4
407
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000408You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000409
410For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
411form can be used |expr-entry|: >
412 :let val = mydict.one
413 :let mydict.four = 4
414
415Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
416key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000417 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000418
419
420Dictionary to List conversion ~
421
422You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
423turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
424
425Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
426 :for key in keys(mydict)
427 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
428 :endfor
429
430The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
431 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
432
433To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
434 :for v in values(mydict)
435 : echo "value: " . v
436 :endfor
437
438If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000439a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000440 :for entry in items(mydict)
441 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
442 :endfor
443
444
445Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000446 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000447Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
448Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
449Dictionary: >
450 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
451 :let adict = onedict
452 :let adict['a'] = 11
453 :echo onedict['a']
454 11
455
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000456Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
457more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000458
459
460Dictionary modification ~
461 *dict-modification*
462To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
463use |:let| this way: >
464 :let dict[4] = "four"
465 :let dict['one'] = item
466
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000467Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
468Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
469 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
470 :unlet dict.aaa
471 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000472
473Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000474 :call extend(adict, bdict)
475This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
476in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000477Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
478expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
479adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000480
481Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +0000482 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000483This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000484
485
486Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000487 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000488When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
489special way with a dictionary. Example: >
490 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000491 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000492 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000493 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
494 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000495
496This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
497Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
498the function was invoked from.
499
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000500It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
501Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
502
503 *numbered-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000504To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
505assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000506 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
507 :function mydict.len() dict
508 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000509 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000510 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000511
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000512The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
513that references this function. The function can only be used through a
514|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
515remaining that refers to it.
516
517It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000518
519
520Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000521 *E715*
522Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000523 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
524 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
525 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
526 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
527 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
528 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
529 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
530 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000531
532
5331.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000534 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000535If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
536function.
537
538When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
539start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
540stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
541
542When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
543start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
544stored in the session file |session-file|.
545
546variable name can be stored where ~
547my_var_6 not
548My_Var_6 session file
549MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
550
551
552It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
553|curly-braces-names|.
554
555==============================================================================
5562. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
557
558Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
559
560|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
561
562|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
563
564|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
565
566|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
567 expr5 != expr5 not equal
568 expr5 > expr5 greater than
569 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
570 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
571 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
572 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
573 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
574
575 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
576 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
577 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
578 matching case
579
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000580 expr5 is expr5 same |List| instance
581 expr5 isnot expr5 different |List| instance
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000582
583|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000584 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
585 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
586
587|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
588 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
589 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
590
591|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
592 - expr7 unary minus
593 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000594
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000595
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000596|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a |List|
597 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a |List|
598 expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary|
599 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with |Funcref| variable
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000600
601|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000602 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000603 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000604 [expr1, ...] |List|
605 {expr1: expr1, ...} |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000606 &option option value
607 (expr1) nested expression
608 variable internal variable
609 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
610 $VAR environment variable
611 @r contents of register 'r'
612 function(expr1, ...) function call
613 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
614
615
616".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
617Example: >
618 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
619
620All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
621
622
623expr1 *expr1* *E109*
624-----
625
626expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
627
628The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
629non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
630otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
631Example: >
632 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
633
634Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
635other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
636Example: >
637 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
638
639To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
640 :echo lnum == 1
641 :\ ? "top"
642 :\ : lnum == 1000
643 :\ ? "last"
644 :\ : lnum
645
646
647expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
648---------------
649
650 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
651The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
652are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
653
654 input output ~
655n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
656zero zero zero zero
657zero non-zero non-zero zero
658non-zero zero non-zero zero
659non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
660
661The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
662
663 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
664
665Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
666
667 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
668
669Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
670arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
671
672 let a = 1
673 echo a || b
674
675This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
676so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
677
678 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
679
680This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
681only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
682
683
684expr4 *expr4*
685-----
686
687expr5 {cmp} expr5
688
689Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
690if it evaluates to true.
691
692 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
693 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
694 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
695 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
696 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
697 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000698 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000699 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
700equal == ==# ==?
701not equal != !=# !=?
702greater than > ># >?
703greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
704smaller than < <# <?
705smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
706regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
707regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000708same instance is
709different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000710
711Examples:
712"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
713"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
714"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
715
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000716 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000717A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
718"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
719Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000720
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000721 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000722A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
723equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000724recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
725
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000726 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000727A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
728equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000729
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000730When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| this checks if the expressions are
731referring to the same |List| instance. A copy of a |List| is different from
732the original |List|. When using "is" without a |List| it is equivalent to
733using "equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000734different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
735is false.
736
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000737When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
738and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
739because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
740
741When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
742results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
743necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
744
745When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
746'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
747
748When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
749'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
750
751The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
752argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
753This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
754matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
755portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
756single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
757Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
758(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
759can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
760 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
761 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
762
763
764expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
765---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000766expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000767expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
768expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000769
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000770For |List|s only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
771result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000772
773expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
774expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
775expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000776
777For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
778
779Note the difference between "+" and ".":
780 "123" + "456" = 579
781 "123" . "456" = "123456"
782
783When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
784When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
785
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000786None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000787
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000788
789expr7 *expr7*
790-----
791! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
792- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
793+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
794
795For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
796For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
797For '+' the number is unchanged.
798
799A String will be converted to a Number first.
800
801These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
802 !-1 == 0
803 !!8 == 1
804 --9 == 9
805
806
807expr8 *expr8*
808-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000809expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000810
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000811If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
812expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000813Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000814
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000815Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
816text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
817cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000818 :let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1]
819
820If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000821String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
822compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
823
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000824If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000825for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
826error. Example: >
827 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
828
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000829Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
830|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
831error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000832
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000833
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000834expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000835
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000836If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
837from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000838expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
839encodings.
840
841If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
842string minus one is used.
843
844A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
845the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
846
847If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
848expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
849
850Examples: >
851 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
852 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
853 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
854 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
855
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000856If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
857the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
858just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000859 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
860 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
861 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
862
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000863Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
864error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000865
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000866
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000867expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000868
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000869If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
870name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
871expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000872
873The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
874but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
875
876There must not be white space before or after the dot.
877
878Examples: >
879 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
880 :echo dict.one
881 :echo dict .2
882
883Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
884always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
885
886
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000887expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000888
889When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
890
891
892
893 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000894number
895------
896number number constant *expr-number*
897
898Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
899
900
901string *expr-string* *E114*
902------
903"string" string constant *expr-quote*
904
905Note that double quotes are used.
906
907A string constant accepts these special characters:
908\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
909\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
910\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
911\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
912\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
913\X.. same as \x..
914\X. same as \x.
915\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
916 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
917\U.... same as \u....
918\b backspace <BS>
919\e escape <Esc>
920\f formfeed <FF>
921\n newline <NL>
922\r return <CR>
923\t tab <Tab>
924\\ backslash
925\" double quote
926\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
927
928Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
929
930
931literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
932---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000933'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000934
935Note that single quotes are used.
936
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000937This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000938meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000939
940Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
941to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
942 if a =~ "\\s*"
943 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000944
945
946option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
947------
948&option option value, local value if possible
949&g:option global option value
950&l:option local option value
951
952Examples: >
953 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
954 if &insertmode
955
956Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
957and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
958anyway.
959
960
961register *expr-register*
962--------
963@r contents of register 'r'
964
965The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
966Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +0000967register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
968registers.
969
970When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
971evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000972
973
974nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
975-------
976(expr1) nested expression
977
978
979environment variable *expr-env*
980--------------------
981$VAR environment variable
982
983The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
984result is an empty string.
985 *expr-env-expand*
986Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
987expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
988are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
989the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
990fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
991does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
992 :echo $version
993 :echo expand("$version")
994The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
995variable (if your shell supports it).
996
997
998internal variable *expr-variable*
999-----------------
1000variable internal variable
1001See below |internal-variables|.
1002
1003
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001004function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001005-------------
1006function(expr1, ...) function call
1007See below |functions|.
1008
1009
1010==============================================================================
10113. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1012 *E461*
1013An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1014cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1015|curly-braces-names|.
1016
1017An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001018An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1019|:unlet|.
1020Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1021been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001022
1023There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1024specified by what is prepended:
1025
1026 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1027|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1028|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
1029|global-variable| g: Global.
1030|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1031|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1032|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1033|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1034
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001035The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1036delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001037 :for k in keys(s:)
1038 : unlet s:[k]
1039 :endfor
1040<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001041 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1042A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1043Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1044This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1045|:bdelete|.
1046
1047One local buffer variable is predefined:
1048 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1049b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1050 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1051 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1052 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1053 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1054 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1055 : call My_Update()
1056 :endif
1057<
1058 *window-variable* *w:var*
1059A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1060is deleted when the window is closed.
1061
1062 *global-variable* *g:var*
1063Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1064access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1065place if you like.
1066
1067 *local-variable* *l:var*
1068Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1069But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1070
1071 *script-variable* *s:var*
1072In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1073accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1074
1075They can be used in:
1076- commands executed while the script is sourced
1077- functions defined in the script
1078- autocommands defined in the script
1079- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1080 defined in the script (recursively)
1081- user defined commands defined in the script
1082Thus not in:
1083- other scripts sourced from this one
1084- mappings
1085- etc.
1086
1087script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1088Take this example:
1089
1090 let s:counter = 0
1091 function MyCounter()
1092 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1093 echo s:counter
1094 endfunction
1095 command Tick call MyCounter()
1096
1097You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1098that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1099"Tick" was defined is used.
1100
1101Another example that does the same: >
1102
1103 let s:counter = 0
1104 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1105
1106When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001107script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001108defined.
1109
1110The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1111function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1112
1113 let s:counter = 0
1114 function StartCounting(incr)
1115 if a:incr
1116 function MyCounter()
1117 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1118 endfunction
1119 else
1120 function MyCounter()
1121 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1122 endfunction
1123 endif
1124 endfunction
1125
1126This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1127when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1128called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1129
1130When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1131They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1132maintain a counter: >
1133
1134 if !exists("s:counter")
1135 let s:counter = 1
1136 echo "script executed for the first time"
1137 else
1138 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1139 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1140 endif
1141
1142Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1143variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1144
1145
1146Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1147
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001148 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1149v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1150 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1151 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1152
1153 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1154v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1155 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1156
1157 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1158v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1159 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1160
1161 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001162v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1163 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1164 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1165 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001166 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1167 highlighted text is used.
1168 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1169
1170 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1171v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1172 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1173
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001174 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1175v:charconvert_from
1176 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1177 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1178
1179 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1180v:charconvert_to
1181 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1182 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1183
1184 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1185v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1186 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1187 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1188 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1189 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1190 possible to append this variable directly after the
1191 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1192 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1193 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1194 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1195 in 'printexpr'.
1196
1197 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1198v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1199 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1200 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1201 can be used.
1202
1203 *v:count* *count-variable*
1204v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1205 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1206 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1207< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1208 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001209 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001210 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1211
1212 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1213v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1214 used.
1215
1216 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1217v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1218 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1219 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1220 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1221 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1222 command.
1223 See |multi-lang|.
1224
1225 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1226v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1227 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1228 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1229 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1230 Example: >
1231 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1232<
1233 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1234v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1235 Example: >
1236 :let v:errmsg = ""
1237 :silent! next
1238 :if v:errmsg != ""
1239 : ... handle error
1240< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1241
1242 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1243v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1244 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1245 Example: >
1246 :try
1247 : throw "oops"
1248 :catch /.*/
1249 : echo "caught" v:exception
1250 :endtry
1251< Output: "caught oops".
1252
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001253 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1254v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1255 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1256 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1257 deleted file no longer exists
1258 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1259 changed and buffer is modified
1260 changed file contents has changed
1261 mode mode of file changed
1262 time only file timestamp changed
1263
1264 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1265v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1266 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1267 do with the affected buffer:
1268 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1269 the file was deleted).
1270 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1271 was no autocommand. Except that when
1272 only the timestamp changed nothing
1273 will happen.
1274 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1275 everything that needs to be done.
1276 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1277 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1278
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001279 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001280v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001281 option used for ~
1282 'charconvert' file to be converted
1283 'diffexpr' original file
1284 'patchexpr' original file
1285 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001286 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001287
1288 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1289v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1290 evaluating:
1291 option used for ~
1292 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1293 'diffexpr' output of diff
1294 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1295 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1296 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1297 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1298 file and different from v:fname_in.
1299
1300 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1301v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1302 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1303
1304 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1305v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1306 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1307
1308 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1309v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1310 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001311 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001312
1313 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1314v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001315 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001316
1317 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1318v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001319 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001320
1321 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1322v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001323 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001324
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001325 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1326v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1327 events. Values:
1328 i Insert mode
1329 r Replace mode
1330 v Virtual Replace mode
1331
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001332 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001333v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001334 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1335 Read-only.
1336
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001337 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1338v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1339 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1340 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1341 The value is system dependent.
1342 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1343 command.
1344 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1345 in a different language than what is used for character
1346 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1347
1348 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1349v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1350 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1351 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1352 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1353 command. See |multi-lang|.
1354
1355 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001356v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
1357 expressions. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1358 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001359
1360 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1361v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1362 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1363 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1364 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1365< Read-only.
1366
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001367 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1368v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1369 See |profiling|.
1370
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001371 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1372v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1373 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1374 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1375 Read-only.
1376
1377 *v:register* *register-variable*
1378v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1379 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1380
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001381 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1382v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1383 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1384 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1385 typed command.
1386 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1387 hit-enter prompt.
1388
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001389 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1390v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1391 Read-only.
1392
1393 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1394v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1395 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1396 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1397 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1398 executed. Read-only.
1399 Example: >
1400 :!mv foo bar
1401 :if v:shell_error
1402 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1403 :endif
1404< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1405
1406 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1407v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1408
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001409 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1410v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1411 the swap file found. Read-only.
1412
1413 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1414v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1415 for handling an existing swap file:
1416 'o' Open read-only
1417 'e' Edit anyway
1418 'r' Recover
1419 'd' Delete swapfile
1420 'q' Quit
1421 'a' Abort
1422 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
1423 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1424 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1425
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001426 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001427v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001428 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
1429 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
1430 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
1431
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001432 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1433v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1434 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1435 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1436 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1437 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1438 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1439 terminal.
1440 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1441 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1442 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1443 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1444 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1445
1446 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1447v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1448 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1449 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1450 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1451
1452 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1453v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1454 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1455 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1456 Example: >
1457 :try
1458 : throw "oops"
1459 :catch /.*/
1460 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1461 :endtry
1462< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1463
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001464 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001465v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
1466 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001467 |filter()|. Read-only.
1468
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001469 *v:version* *version-variable*
1470v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1471 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1472 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1473 compatibility.
1474 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1475 if has("patch123")
1476< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1477 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1478 completely different.
1479
1480 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1481v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1482
1483==============================================================================
14844. Builtin Functions *functions*
1485
1486See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1487
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001488(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001489
1490USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1491
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001492add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001493append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001494append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001495argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001496argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001497argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
1498browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1499 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001500browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001501bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001502buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1503bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001504bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1505bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1506bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1507byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001508byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001509call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1510 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001511char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001512cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001513col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001514complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
1515complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001516confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1517 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001518copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001519count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1520 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001521cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1522 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001523cursor( {lnum}, {col}) Number position cursor at {lnum}, {col}
1524deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001525delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1526did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001527diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1528diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001529empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001530escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001531eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001532eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001533executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1534exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
1535expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
1536filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001537filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1538 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001539finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
1540 String Find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001541findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001542 String Find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001543filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
1544fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001545foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1546foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001547foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001548foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001549foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001550function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001551get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001552get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001553getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1554 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001555getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1556getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001557getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
1558getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1559getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001560getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001561getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001562getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1563getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001564getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001565getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001566getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001567getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1568getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001569getloclist({nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001570getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001571getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001572getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001573getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1574getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1575getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in window {nr}
1576glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1577globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1578has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001579has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001580hasmapto( {what} [, {mode}]) Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
1581histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1582histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1583histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1584histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1585hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1586hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1587hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001588iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1589indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001590index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1591 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001592input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1593 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001594inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001595inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1596inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001597inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001598insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001599isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001600islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001601items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001602join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001603keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001604len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1605libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001606libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1607line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1608line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001609lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001610localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001611map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001612maparg( {name}[, {mode}]) String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1613mapcheck( {name}[, {mode}]) String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001614match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001615 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001616matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001617 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001618matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1619 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001620matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1621 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001622max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1623min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001624mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1625 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001626mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001627nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1628nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
1629prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00001630printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001631pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001632range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1633 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001634readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1635 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001636remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1637 String send expression
1638remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1639remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1640 Number check for reply string
1641remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1642remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1643 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001644remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001645remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001646rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1647repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1648resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001649reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001650search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001651searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
1652 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001653searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001654 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001655searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
1656 List search for other end of start/end pair
1657searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags}])
1658 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001659server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1660 Number send reply string
1661serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1662setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1663setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1664setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001665setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1666 Number modify location list using {list}
1667setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001668setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001669setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001670simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001671sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001672soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001673spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001674spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1675 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001676split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001677 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001678strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001679stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1680 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001681string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001682strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1683strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1684 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001685strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1686 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001687strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001688submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001689substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1690 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001691synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001692synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1693 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1694synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001695system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001696tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1697tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1698tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1699 Number number of current window in tab page
1700taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00001701tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001702tempname() String name for a temporary file
1703tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1704toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001705tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1706 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001707type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001708values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001709virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1710visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1711winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1712wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1713winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1714winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001715winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001716winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001717winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001718writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1719 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001720
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001721add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001722 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
1723 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001724 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1725 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001726< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
1727 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |List|s.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001728 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001729
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001730
1731append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001732 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
1733 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001734 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1735 the current buffer.
1736 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001737 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1738 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001739 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001740 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001741<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001742 *argc()*
1743argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1744 current window. See |arglist|.
1745
1746 *argidx()*
1747argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1748 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1749
1750 *argv()*
1751argv({nr}) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
1752 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1753 Example: >
1754 :let i = 0
1755 :while i < argc()
1756 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1757 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1758 : let i = i + 1
1759 :endwhile
1760<
1761 *browse()*
1762browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1763 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1764 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1765 The input fields are:
1766 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1767 {title} title for the requester
1768 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1769 {default} default file name
1770 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1771 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1772
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001773 *browsedir()*
1774browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1775 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1776 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1777 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1778 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1779 to be used.
1780 The input fields are:
1781 {title} title for the requester
1782 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1783 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1784 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1785
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001786bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1787 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1788 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001789 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001790 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001791 exactly. The name can be:
1792 - Relative to the current directory.
1793 - A full path.
1794 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1795 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001796 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1797 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1798 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1799 long name to be able to find them.
1800 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1801 file name.
1802 *buffer_exists()*
1803 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1804
1805buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1806 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1807 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001808 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001809
1810bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1811 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1812 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001813 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001814
1815bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1816 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1817 ":ls" command.
1818 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1819 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1820 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1821 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1822 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1823 match an empty string is returned.
1824 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1825 alternate buffer.
1826 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1827 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1828 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1829 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1830 buffers are searched for.
1831 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1832 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1833 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1834< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1835 string is returned. >
1836 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1837 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1838 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1839 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1840< *buffer_name()*
1841 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1842
1843 *bufnr()*
1844bufnr({expr}) The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
1845 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
1846 above. If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
1847 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1848 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1849< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1850 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1851 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1852 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1853 *buffer_number()*
1854 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1855 *last_buffer_nr()*
1856 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1857
1858bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1859 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1860 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1861 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1862 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1863
1864 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1865
1866< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1867 |:wincmd|.
1868
1869
1870byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1871 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1872 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1873 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1874 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1875 one.
1876 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1877 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1878 feature}
1879
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001880byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1881 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1882 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1883 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1884 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1885 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1886 Example : >
1887 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1888< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1889 same: >
1890 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1891 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1892< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1893 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1894 is returned.
1895
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001896call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001897 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001898 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001899 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001900 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1901 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001902 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1903 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001904
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001905char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1906 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1907 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1908 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1909< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00001910 char2nr("?") returns 225
1911 char2nr("?"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001912< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001913
1914cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1915 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1916 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1917 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1918 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1919 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1920 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00001921 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001922
1923 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001924col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001925 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1926 . the cursor position
1927 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1928 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1929 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1930 returned)
1931 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1932 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1933 Examples: >
1934 col(".") column of cursor
1935 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1936 col("'t") column of mark t
1937 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1938< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
1939 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1940 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1941 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
1942 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
1943 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
1944 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
1945 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
1946<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001947
1948complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
1949 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
1950 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
1951 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
1952 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
1953 the list.
1954
1955complete_check() *complete_check()*
1956 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
1957 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
1958 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
1959 zero otherwise.
1960 Only to be used by the function specified with the
1961 'completefunc' option.
1962
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001963 *confirm()*
1964confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1965 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
1966 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
1967 choice this is 1.
1968 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
1969 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
1970 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
1971 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
1972 used (and translated).
1973 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
1974 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
1975 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
1976 by '\n', e.g. >
1977 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
1978< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
1979 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
1980 not need to be the first letter: >
1981 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
1982< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
1983 the default shortcut key.
1984 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
1985 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
1986 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
1987 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
1988 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
1989 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
1990 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
1991 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
1992 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
1993 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
1994 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
1995
1996 An example: >
1997 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
1998 :if choice == 0
1999 : echo "make up your mind!"
2000 :elseif choice == 3
2001 : echo "tasteful"
2002 :else
2003 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2004 :endif
2005< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2006 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
2007 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
2008 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2009 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2010 the horizontal layout is always used.
2011
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002012 *copy()*
2013copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2014 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002015 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2016 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002017 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002018 changing an item changes the contents of both |List|s. Also
2019 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002020
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002021count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002022 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002023 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002024 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002025 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002026 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2027
2028
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002029 *cscope_connection()*
2030cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2031 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2032 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2033 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2034 if there are no cscope connections;
2035 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2036
2037 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2038 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2039
2040 {num} Description of existence check
2041 ----- ------------------------------
2042 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2043 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2044 {dbpath}.
2045 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2046 {dbpath}.
2047 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2048 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2049 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2050 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2051
2052 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2053
2054 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2055
2056 # pid database name prepend path
2057 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2058<
2059 Invocation Return Val ~
2060 ---------- ---------- >
2061 cscope_connection() 1
2062 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2063 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2064 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2065 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2066 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2067 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2068 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2069<
2070cursor({lnum}, {col}) *cursor()*
2071 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002072 The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002073 Does not change the jumplist.
2074 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2075 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2076 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002077 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002078 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2079 line.
2080 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
2081
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002082
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002083deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002084 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2085 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002086 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2087 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
2088 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002089 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002090 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2091 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2092 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2093 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2094 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2095 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002096 *E724*
2097 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002098 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2099 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002100 Also see |copy()|.
2101
2102delete({fname}) *delete()*
2103 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002104 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2105 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002106 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002107
2108 *did_filetype()*
2109did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2110 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2111 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2112 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2113 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2114 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2115 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2116 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2117 file.
2118
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002119diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2120 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2121 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2122 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2123 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2124 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2125 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2126 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2127
2128diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2129 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2130 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2131 diff change zero is returned.
2132 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2133 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2134 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2135 line.
2136 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2137 syntax information about the highlighting.
2138
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002139empty({expr}) *empty()*
2140 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002141 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
2142 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2143 For a long |List| this is much faster then comparing the
2144 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002145
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002146escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2147 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2148 backslash. Example: >
2149 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2150< results in: >
2151 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002152
2153< *eval()*
2154eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2155 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2156 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002157 Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002158
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002159eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2160 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2161 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2162 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2163 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2164
2165executable({expr}) *executable()*
2166 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2167 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002168 arguments.
2169 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2170 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2171 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2172 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2173 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2174 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2175 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2176 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2177 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2178 extension.
2179 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2180 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002181 The result is a Number:
2182 1 exists
2183 0 does not exist
2184 -1 not implemented on this system
2185
2186 *exists()*
2187exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2188 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2189 which contains one of these:
2190 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2191 not if it really works)
2192 +option-name Vim option that works.
2193 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2194 done by comparing with an empty
2195 string)
2196 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2197 or user defined function (see
2198 |user-functions|).
2199 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002200 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002201 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2202 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
2203 that this may cause functions to be
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002204 invoked cause an error message for an
2205 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002206 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2207 command or command modifier |:command|.
2208 Returns:
2209 1 for match with start of a command
2210 2 full match with a command
2211 3 matches several user commands
2212 To check for a supported command
2213 always check the return value to be 2.
2214 #event autocommand defined for this event
2215 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2216 pattern (the pattern is taken
2217 literally and compared to the
2218 autocommand patterns character by
2219 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002220 #group autocommand group exists
2221 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2222 event.
2223 #group#event#pattern
2224 autocommand defined for this group,
2225 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002226 ##event autocommand for this event is
2227 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002228 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2229
2230 Examples: >
2231 exists("&shortname")
2232 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2233 exists("*strftime")
2234 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2235 exists("bufcount")
2236 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002237 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002238 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002239 exists("#filetypeindent")
2240 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2241 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002242 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002243< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2244 name.
2245 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2246 variable itself! For example: >
2247 exists(bufcount)
2248< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
2249 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
2250 exists.
2251
2252expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2253 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2254 The result is a String.
2255
2256 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2257 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2258 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2259
2260 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2261 for a non-existing file is not included.
2262
2263 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2264 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2265 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2266
2267 % current file name
2268 # alternate file name
2269 #n alternate file name n
2270 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2271 <afile> autocmd file name
2272 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2273 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2274 <sfile> sourced script file name
2275 <cword> word under the cursor
2276 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2277 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2278 message |server2client()|
2279 Modifiers:
2280 :p expand to full path
2281 :h head (last path component removed)
2282 :t tail (last path component only)
2283 :r root (one extension removed)
2284 :e extension only
2285
2286 Example: >
2287 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2288< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2289 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2290 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2291< Use this: >
2292 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2293< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2294 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2295 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2296 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2297 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2298<
2299 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2300 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2301 to modify normal file names.
2302
2303 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2304 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2305 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2306 '/' added.
2307
2308 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2309 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2310 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2311 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002312 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2313 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2314 files in the current directory and below: >
2315 :echo expand("**/README")
2316<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002317 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2318 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2319 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2320 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2321 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2322 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2323 "$FOOBAR".
2324
2325 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2326 getting the raw output of an external command.
2327
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002328extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002329 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |List|s or both Dictionaries.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002330
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002331 If they are |List|s: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002332 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2333 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2334 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2335 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002336 Examples: >
2337 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2338 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002339< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2340 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002341 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002342<
2343 If they are Dictionaries:
2344 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2345 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2346 used to decide what to do:
2347 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2348 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00002349 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002350 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2351
2352 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2353 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2354 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2355 Returns {expr1}.
2356
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002357
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002358filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2359 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2360 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2361 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2362 expression, which is used as a String.
2363 *file_readable()*
2364 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2365
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002366
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002367filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002368 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002369 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002370 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002371 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002372 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002373 Examples: >
2374 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2375< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2376 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2377< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2378 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002379< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002380
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002381 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2382 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2383 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2384
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002385 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2386 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002387 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002388
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002389< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002390 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2391 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002392
2393
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002394finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
2395 Find directory {name} in {path}.
2396 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2397 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
2398 {name} in {path}.
2399 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
2400 When the found directory is below the current directory a
2401 relative path is returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
2402 Example: >
2403 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2404< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2405 the file "tags.vim".
2406 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2407
2408findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2409 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
2410
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002411filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2412 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2413 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2414 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2415 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2416
2417fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2418 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2419 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2420 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2421 Example: >
2422 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2423< results in: >
2424 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2425< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2426 |expand()| first then.
2427
2428foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2429 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2430 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2431 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2432
2433foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2434 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2435 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2436 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2437
2438foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2439 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2440 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2441 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2442 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2443 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2444 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2445 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2446 previous line is usually available.
2447
2448 *foldtext()*
2449foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2450 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2451 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2452 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2453 The returned string looks like this: >
2454 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2455< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2456 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2457 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2458 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2459 options is removed.
2460 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2461
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002462foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2463 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2464 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2465 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2466 returned.
2467 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2468 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2469 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2470 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2471
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002472 *foreground()*
2473foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2474 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2475 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2476 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2477 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2478 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2479 Win32 console version}
2480
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002481
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002482function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002483 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002484 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2485
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002486
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002487garbagecollect() *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002488 Cleanup unused |List|s and Dictionaries that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002489 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2490 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2491 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2492 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2493 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002494 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
2495 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
2496 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002497
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002498get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002499 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002500 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2501 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002502get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002503 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002504 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2505 {default} is omitted.
2506
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002507 *getbufline()*
2508getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002509 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2510 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
2511 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002512
2513 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2514
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002515 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2516 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002517
2518 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002519 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002520
2521 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2522 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002523 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002524 returned.
2525
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002526 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002527 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002528
2529 Example: >
2530 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002531
2532getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2533 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2534 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2535 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002536 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2537 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2538 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002539 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2540 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2541 returned, there is no error message.
2542 Examples: >
2543 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2544 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2545<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002546getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2547 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2548 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2549 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2550 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2551 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2552 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2553 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2554 not consumed. If a normal character is
2555 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2556 non-zero value is returned.
2557 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2558 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2559 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2560 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2561 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2562 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2563 user that a character has to be typed.
2564 There is no mapping for the character.
2565 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2566 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2567 sequence. Examples: >
2568 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2569 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2570< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2571 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2572 :function FindChar()
2573 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2574 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2575 : normal l
2576 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2577 : break
2578 : endif
2579 : endwhile
2580 :endfunction
2581
2582getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2583 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2584 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2585 These values are added together:
2586 2 shift
2587 4 control
2588 8 alt (meta)
2589 16 mouse double click
2590 32 mouse triple click
2591 64 mouse quadruple click
2592 128 Macintosh only: command
2593 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2594 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2595 with no modifier.
2596
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002597getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2598 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2599 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2600 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2601 Example: >
2602 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002603< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002604
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002605getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002606 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2607 byte count. The first column is 1.
2608 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2609 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002610 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2611
2612getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
2613 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
2614 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00002615 : normal Ex command
2616 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
2617 / forward search command
2618 ? backward search command
2619 @ |input()| command
2620 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00002621 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2622 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
2623 otherwise.
2624 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002625
2626 *getcwd()*
2627getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2628 working directory.
2629
2630getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2631 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2632 given file {fname}.
2633 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2634 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2635
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002636getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2637 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2638 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2639 |hl-Normal|.
2640 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2641 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2642 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2643 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
2644 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not you your vimrc or
2645 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2646 for a valid name does not work.
2647 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2648 function just after the GUI has started.
2649
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002650getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2651 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2652 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2653 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2654 empty string is returned.
2655 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2656 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2657 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2658 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2659 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2660 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2661< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2662 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002663
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002664getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2665 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2666 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2667 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2668 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2669 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2670
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002671getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2672 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2673 file of the given file {fname}.
2674 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2675 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2676 results:
2677 Normal file "file"
2678 Directory "dir"
2679 Symbolic link "link"
2680 Block device "bdev"
2681 Character device "cdev"
2682 Socket "socket"
2683 FIFO "fifo"
2684 All other "other"
2685 Example: >
2686 getftype("/home")
2687< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2688 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2689 "file" are returned.
2690
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002691 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002692getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2693 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2694 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002695 getline(1)
2696< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2697 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2698 To get the line under the cursor: >
2699 getline(".")
2700< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2701 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2702
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002703 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
2704 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002705 including line {end}.
2706 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2707 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002708 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002709 Example: >
2710 :let start = line('.')
2711 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2712 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2713
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00002714getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
2715 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
2716 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
2717 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002718 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
2719 returned. Otherwise, same as getqflist().
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002720
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002721getqflist() *getqflist()*
2722 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2723 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2724 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2725 bufname() to get the name
2726 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2727 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002728 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2729 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002730 nr error number
2731 text description of the error
2732 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2733 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2734
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002735 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
2736 returned.
2737
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002738 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2739 do something with them: >
2740 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2741 :for d in getqflist()
2742 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2743 :endfor
2744
2745
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002746getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002747 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002748 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002749 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2750< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002751 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002752 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2753 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2754 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002755 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2756
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002757
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002758getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2759 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2760 The value will be one of:
2761 "v" for |characterwise| text
2762 "V" for |linewise| text
2763 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2764 0 for an empty or unknown register
2765 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2766 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2767
2768 *getwinposx()*
2769getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2770 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2771 -1 if the information is not available.
2772
2773 *getwinposy()*
2774getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2775 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2776 information is not available.
2777
2778getwinvar({nr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2779 The result is the value of option or local window variable
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00002780 {varname} in window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current
2781 window is used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002782 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
2783 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
2784 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002785 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2786 Examples: >
2787 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2788 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2789<
2790 *glob()*
2791glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2792 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2793 characters.
2794 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2795 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2796
2797 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2798 any external command. Example: >
2799 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2800 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2801< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2802 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2803
2804 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2805 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2806
2807globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2808 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2809 the results. Example: >
2810 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2811< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2812 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2813 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2814 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2815 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2816 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2817 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2818 error message.
2819 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2820 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2821
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002822 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
2823 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
2824 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
2825 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
2826<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002827 *has()*
2828has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2829 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2830 string. See |feature-list| below.
2831 Also see |exists()|.
2832
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002833
2834has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002835 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
2836 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002837
2838
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002839hasmapto({what} [, {mode}]) *hasmapto()*
2840 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2841 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2842 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2843 {mode}.
2844 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2845 buffer are checked for a match.
2846 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2847 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2848 n Normal mode
2849 v Visual mode
2850 o Operator-pending mode
2851 i Insert mode
2852 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2853 c Command-line mode
2854 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2855
2856 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2857 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2858 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2859 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2860 :endif
2861< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
2862 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
2863
2864histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
2865 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
2866 one of: *hist-names*
2867 "cmd" or ":" command line history
2868 "search" or "/" search pattern history
2869 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
2870 "input" or "@" input line history
2871 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
2872 shifted to become the newest entry.
2873 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
2874 otherwise 0 is returned.
2875
2876 Example: >
2877 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
2878 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
2879< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2880
2881histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002882 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002883 for the possible values of {history}.
2884
2885 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
2886 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
2887 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
2888 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
2889 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
2890 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
2891 if it exists.
2892
2893 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
2894 otherwise 0 is returned.
2895
2896 Examples:
2897 Clear expression register history: >
2898 :call histdel("expr")
2899<
2900 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
2901 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
2902<
2903 The following three are equivalent: >
2904 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
2905 :call histdel("search", -1)
2906 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
2907<
2908 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
2909 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
2910 :call histdel("search", -1)
2911 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
2912
2913histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
2914 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
2915 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
2916 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
2917 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
2918 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
2919
2920 Examples:
2921 Redo the second last search from history. >
2922 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
2923
2924< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
2925 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
2926 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
2927<
2928histnr({history}) *histnr()*
2929 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
2930 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
2931 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
2932
2933 Example: >
2934 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
2935<
2936hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
2937 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
2938 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
2939 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
2940 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
2941 item.
2942 *highlight_exists()*
2943 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
2944
2945 *hlID()*
2946hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
2947 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
2948 zero is returned.
2949 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
2950 group. For example, to get the background color of the
2951 "Comment" group: >
2952 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
2953< *highlightID()*
2954 Obsolete name: highlightID().
2955
2956hostname() *hostname()*
2957 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002958 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002959 256 characters long are truncated.
2960
2961iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
2962 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
2963 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
2964 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
2965 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
2966 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
2967 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
2968 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
2969 can be done.
2970 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
2971 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
2972 UTF-8 and use: >
2973 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
2974< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
2975 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
2976 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
2977 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
2978
2979 *indent()*
2980indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
2981 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
2982 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
2983 |getline()|.
2984 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
2985
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002986
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002987index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002988 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002989 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002990 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
2991 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002992 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
2993 case must match.
2994 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
2995 Example: >
2996 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00002997 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002998
2999
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003000input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003001 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
3002 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
3003 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003004 prompt to start a new line.
3005 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3006 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
3007 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
3008 for lines typed for input().
3009 Example: >
3010 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3011 : echo "Cheers!"
3012 :endif
3013<
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003014 If the optional {text} is present and not empty, this is used
3015 for the default reply, as if the user typed this. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003016 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3017
3018< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3019 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
3020 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
3021 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
3022 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
3023 more information. Example: >
3024 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3025<
3026 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3027 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003028 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3029 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3030 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3031 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3032 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3033 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3034 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3035
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003036 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003037 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3038 :function GetFoo()
3039 : call inputsave()
3040 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3041 : call inputrestore()
3042 :endfunction
3043
3044inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
3045 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
3046 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
3047 Example: >
3048 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3049 :if n != ""
3050 : let &sw = n
3051 :endif
3052< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3053 omitted an empty string is returned.
3054 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3055 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003056 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003057
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003058inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
3059 {textlist} must be a list of strings. This list is displayed,
3060 one string per line. The user will be prompted to enter a
3061 number, which is returned.
3062 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
3063 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
3064 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3065 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3066 is returned.
3067 Make sure {textlist} has less then 'lines' entries, otherwise
3068 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
3069 the start of the string. Example: >
3070 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3071 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3072
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003073inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
3074 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
3075 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3076 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3077 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3078
3079inputsave() *inputsave()*
3080 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3081 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3082 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3083 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3084 many inputrestore() calls.
3085 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3086
3087inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3088 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3089 two exceptions:
3090 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3091 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3092 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3093 |history| stack.
3094 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3095 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003096 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003097
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003098insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003099 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003100 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
3101 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
3102 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3103 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003104 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003105 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3106 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3107 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003108< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003109 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
3110 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |List|s.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003111
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003112isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3113 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3114 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3115 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3116 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3117
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003118islocked({expr}) *islocked()*
3119 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3120 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003121 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3122 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003123 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3124 :lockvar 1 alist
3125 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3126 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3127
3128< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
3129 message. Use |exists()| to check for existance.
3130
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003131items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003132 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3133 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3134 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3135 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003136
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003137
3138join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3139 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3140 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3141 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3142 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3143 add it there too: >
3144 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003145< String items are used as-is. |List|s and Dictionaries are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003146 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3147 The opposite function is |split()|.
3148
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003149keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003150 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003151 arbitrary order.
3152
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003153 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003154len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3155 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3156 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003157 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003158 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003159 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3160 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003161 Otherwise an error is given.
3162
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003163 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3164libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3165 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3166 with single argument {argument}.
3167 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3168 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3169 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3170 limited.
3171 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3172 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3173 to Vim.
3174 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3175 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3176 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3177 null-terminated string.
3178 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3179
3180 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3181 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3182 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3183 very probably crash.
3184
3185 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3186 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3187 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3188 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3189 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3190 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3191 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3192 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3193 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3194 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3195
3196 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
3197 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
3198 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3199 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3200 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3201 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3202 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3203 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3204 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3205 feature is present}
3206 Examples: >
3207 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
3208 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
3209<
3210 *libcallnr()*
3211libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3212 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3213 int instead of a string.
3214 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3215 feature is present}
3216 Example (not very useful...): >
3217 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3218 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3219<
3220 *line()*
3221line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3222 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3223 . the cursor position
3224 $ the last line in the current buffer
3225 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3226 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003227 w0 first line visible in current window
3228 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003229 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
3230 Examples: >
3231 line(".") line number of the cursor
3232 line("'t") line number of mark t
3233 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3234< *last-position-jump*
3235 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3236 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3237 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003238
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003239line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3240 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3241 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3242 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3243 line returns 1.
3244 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3245 below the last line: >
3246 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3247< This is the file size plus one.
3248 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3249 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3250 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3251
3252lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3253 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3254 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3255 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3256 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3257 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3258 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3259
3260localtime() *localtime()*
3261 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3262 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3263
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003264
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003265map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003266 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003267 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3268 {string}.
3269 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003270 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003271 Example: >
3272 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003273< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003274
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003275 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003276 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003277 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3278 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003279
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003280 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3281 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003282 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003283
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003284< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003285 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3286 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003287
3288
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003289maparg({name}[, {mode}]) *maparg()*
3290 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3291 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003292 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003293 "n" Normal
3294 "v" Visual
3295 "o" Operator-pending
3296 "i" Insert
3297 "c" Cmd-line
3298 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3299 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003300 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003301 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3302 command. The returned String has special characters
3303 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3304 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3305 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00003306 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
3307 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
3308 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
3309
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003310
3311mapcheck({name}[, {mode}]) *mapcheck()*
3312 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3313 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3314 {name}.
3315 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3316 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3317
3318 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3319 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3320 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3321 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3322 mapcheck("b") no no no
3323
3324 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3325 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3326 mapping for {name} exactly.
3327 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3328 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3329 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3330 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3331 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3332 then the global mappings.
3333 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3334 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3335 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3336 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3337 :endif
3338< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3339 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3340
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003341match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003342 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
3343 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
3344 String, |List|s and Dictionaries are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003345 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3346 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3347 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003348 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003349 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3350 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003351 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
3352 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 2
3353< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003354 *strpbrk()*
3355 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3356 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3357< *strcasestr()*
3358 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3359 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3360 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3361<
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003362 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003363 is found in a String the search for the next one starts on
3364 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003365 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003366< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003367
3368 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003369 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003370 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003371 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003372 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3373< result is again "4". >
3374 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3375< result is again "4". >
3376 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3377< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003378 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3379 the index is counted from the end.
3380 If {start} is out of range (> strlen({expr} for a String or
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003381 > len({expr} for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003382
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003383 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3384 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3385 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3386 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3387
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003388matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003389 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3390 the match. Example: >
3391 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3392< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003393 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3394 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3395 do it with matchend(): >
3396 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3397 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3398< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3399
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003400 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3401 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3402< results in "7". >
3403 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3404< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003405 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003406
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003407matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003408 Same as match(), but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003409 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3410 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
3411 in |:substitute|.
3412 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3413
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003414matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003415 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3416 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3417< results in "ing".
3418 When there is no match "" is returned.
3419 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3420 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3421< results in "ing". >
3422 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3423< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003424 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003425 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003426
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003427 *max()*
3428max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3429 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3430 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003431 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003432
3433 *min()*
3434min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3435 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3436 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003437 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003438
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003439 *mkdir()* *E749*
3440mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3441 Create directory {name}.
3442 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3443 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3444 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3445 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3446 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3447 for others.
3448 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3449 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3450 :if exists("*mkdir")
3451<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003452 *mode()*
3453mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3454 n Normal
3455 v Visual by character
3456 V Visual by line
3457 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3458 s Select by character
3459 S Select by line
3460 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3461 i Insert
3462 R Replace
3463 c Command-line
3464 r Hit-enter prompt
3465 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3466 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3467
3468nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3469 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3470 that is not blank. Example: >
3471 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3472< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3473 below it, zero is returned.
3474 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3475
3476nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3477 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3478 value {expr}. Examples: >
3479 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3480 nr2char(32) returns " "
3481< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3482 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3483< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3484 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3485 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003486 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003487
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003488prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3489 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3490 that is not blank. Example: >
3491 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3492< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3493 above it, zero is returned.
3494 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3495
3496
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003497printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
3498 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
3499 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003500 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003501< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003502 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003503
3504 Often used items are:
3505 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003506 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
3507 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003508 %c single byte
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003509 %d decimal number
3510 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
3511 %x hex number
3512 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
3513 %X hex number using upper case letters
3514 %o octal number
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003515 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003516
3517 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
3518 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
3519 the result.
3520
3521 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003522 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003523
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003524 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003525
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003526 flags
3527 Zero or more of the following flags:
3528
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003529 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
3530 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
3531 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
3532 of the number is increased to force the first
3533 character of the output string to a zero (except
3534 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
3535 precision of zero).
3536 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
3537 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
3538 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003539
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003540 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
3541 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
3542 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
3543 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
3544 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003545
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003546 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
3547 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
3548 The converted value is padded on the right with
3549 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
3550 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003551
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003552 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
3553 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003554
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003555 + A sign must always be placed before a number
3556 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
3557 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003558
3559 field-width
3560 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003561 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
3562 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
3563 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
3564 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003565
3566 .precision
3567 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
3568 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
3569 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
3570 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
3571 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00003572 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003573
3574 type
3575 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
3576 be applied, see below.
3577
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003578 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
3579 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
3580 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
3581 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
3582 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
3583 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003584 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003585< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003586 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003587
3588 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003589
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003590 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
3591 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
3592 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
3593 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003594 conversions.
3595 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
3596 digits that must appear; if the converted value
3597 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
3598 zeros.
3599 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
3600 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
3601 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
3602 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
3603
3604 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
3605 resulting character is written.
3606
3607 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
3608 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
3609 specified are used.
3610
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003611 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
3612 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003613
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003614 Each argument can be Number or String and is converted
3615 automatically to fit the conversion specifier. Any other
3616 argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003617
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00003618 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003619 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
3620 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003621 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003622
3623
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003624pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
3625 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
3626 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
3627
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003628
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003629 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003630range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003631 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003632 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3633 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3634 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3635 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3636 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003637 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
3638 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
3639 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003640 Examples: >
3641 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
3642 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3643 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
3644 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003645 range(0) " []
3646 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003647<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003648 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003649readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003650 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
3651 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003652 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3653 NL appears somewhere).
3654 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3655 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3656 added.
3657 - No CR characters are removed.
3658 Otherwise:
3659 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3660 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3661 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003662 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
3663 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
3664 lines of a file: >
3665 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
3666 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
3667 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003668< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
3669 are returned, or as many as there are.
3670 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003671 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
3672 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
3673 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003674 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3675 the result is an empty list.
3676 Also see |writefile()|.
3677
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003678 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3679remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3680 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3681 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
3682 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3683 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3684 remote_read() is stored there.
3685 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3686 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3687 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3688 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3689 and the result will be the empty string.
3690 Examples: >
3691 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3692 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3693<
3694
3695remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3696 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3697 This works like: >
3698 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3699< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3700 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3701 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00003702 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
3703 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003704 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3705 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3706 Win32 console version}
3707
3708
3709remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3710 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3711 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3712 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3713 name of a variable.
3714 Returns zero if none are available.
3715 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3716 See also |clientserver|.
3717 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3718 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3719 Examples: >
3720 :let repl = ""
3721 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3722
3723remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3724 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3725 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3726 See also |clientserver|.
3727 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3728 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3729 Example: >
3730 :echo remote_read(id)
3731<
3732 *remote_send()* *E241*
3733remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003734 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3735 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3736 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003737 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
3738 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
3739 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003740 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3741 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3742 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3743 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3744 up the display.
3745 Examples: >
3746 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3747 \ remote_read(serverid)
3748
3749 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3750 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3751 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3752 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003753<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003754remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003755 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003756 return it.
3757 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3758 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3759 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3760 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3761 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003762 Example: >
3763 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003764 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003765remove({dict}, {key})
3766 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3767 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3768< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3769
3770 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003771
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003772rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3773 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3774 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3775 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3776 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
3777 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3778
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003779repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
3780 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
3781 result. Example: >
3782 :let seperator = repeat('-', 80)
3783< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003784 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003785 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003786 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
3787< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003788
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003789
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003790resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
3791 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
3792 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
3793 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
3794 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
3795 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
3796 stopped after 100 iterations.
3797 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
3798 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
3799 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
3800 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
3801 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
3802
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003803 *reverse()*
3804reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
3805 {list}.
3806 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3807 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
3808
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003809search({pattern} [, {flags}]) *search()*
3810 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003811 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003812 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
3813 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003814 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003815 'w' wrap around the end of the file
3816 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003817 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the
3818 cursor.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003819 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
3820
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003821 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
3822 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
3823 flag.
3824
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003825 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
3826 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
3827 flag is used).
3828 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
3829 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003830
3831 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
3832 :let n = 1
3833 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
3834 : exe "argument " . n
3835 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
3836 : " first search to find match at start of file
3837 : normal G$
3838 : let flags = "w"
3839 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
3840 : s/foo/bar/g
3841 : let flags = "W"
3842 : endwhile
3843 : update " write the file if modified
3844 : let n = n + 1
3845 :endwhile
3846<
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00003847
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00003848searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
3849 Search for the declaration of {name}.
3850
3851 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
3852 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
3853 first match in the function.
3854
3855 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
3856 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
3857 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
3858
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00003859 Moves the cursor to the found match.
3860 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
3861 Example: >
3862 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
3863 echo getline('.')
3864 endif
3865<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003866 *searchpair()*
3867searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
3868 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
3869 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
3870 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00003871 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
3872 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
3873 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
3874 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
3875 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
3876 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003877
3878 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
3879 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
3880 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
3881 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
3882 typical use is: >
3883 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
3884< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
3885
3886 {flags} are used like with |search()|. Additionally:
3887 'n' do Not move the cursor
3888 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
3889 outer pair
3890 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
3891 the match; will only be > 1 when 'r' is used.
3892
3893 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
3894 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
3895 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
3896 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
3897 or a string.
3898 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
3899 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
3900 and -1 returned.
3901
3902 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
3903 patterns are used like it's on.
3904
3905 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
3906 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
3907 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
3908 if 1
3909 if 2
3910 endif 2
3911 endif 1
3912< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
3913 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
3914 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
3915 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
3916 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
3917 "endif 2".
3918 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
3919 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
3920 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
3921 the matching start.
3922
3923 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
3924
3925 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
3926 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
3927
3928< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
3929 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
3930 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
3931 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
3932 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
3933 match.
3934 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
3935
3936 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
3937
3938< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
3939 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
3940 highlighting recognized as strings: >
3941
3942 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
3943 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
3944<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003945 *searchpairpos()*
3946searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003947 Same as searchpair(), but returns a |List| with the line and
3948 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
3949 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003950 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
3951 returns [0, 0].
3952>
3953 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
3954<
3955 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
3956
3957searchpos({pattern} [, {flags}]) *searchpos()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003958 Same as search(), but returns a |List| with the line and
3959 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
3960 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
3961 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
3962 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00003963>
3964 :let [lnum,col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
3965<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003966server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
3967 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
3968 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
3969 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3970 Note:
3971 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003972 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003973 before calling any commands that waits for input.
3974 See also |clientserver|.
3975 Example: >
3976 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
3977<
3978serverlist() *serverlist()*
3979 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
3980 When there are no servers or the information is not available
3981 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
3982 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3983 Example: >
3984 :echo serverlist()
3985<
3986setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
3987 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
3988 {val}.
3989 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
3990 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
3991 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
3992 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3993 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
3994 Examples: >
3995 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
3996 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
3997< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3998
3999setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
4000 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
4001 {pos}. The first position is 1.
4002 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
4003 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004004 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
4005 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
4006 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
4007 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
4008 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004009 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
4010 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
4011 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
4012 line.
4013
4014setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004015 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
4016 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004017 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
4018 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004019 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
4020 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004021 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004022< When {line} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004023 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
4024 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
4025< This is equivalent to: >
4026 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
4027 : call setline(n, l)
4028 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004029< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
4030
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004031setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
4032 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
4033 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004034 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
4035 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004036 Otherwise, same as setqflist().
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004037
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004038setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00004039 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
4040 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
4041 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
4042 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004043
4044 filename name of a file
4045 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004046 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004047 col column number
4048 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
4049 when zero: "col" is byte index
4050 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004051 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004052 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004053
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004054 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
4055 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
4056 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004057 If the "filename" entry is not present or neither the "lnum"
4058 or "pattern" entries are present, then the item will not be
4059 handled as an error line.
4060 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
4061 be used.
4062
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00004063 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
4064 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
4065 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
4066 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
4067 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
4068 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
4069
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00004070 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
4071
4072 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
4073 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
4074 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
4075
4076
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004077 *setreg()*
4078setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
4079 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
4080 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
4081 then the value is appended.
4082 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
4083 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
4084 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
4085 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
4086 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
4087 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
4088 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
4089 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
4090
4091 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
4092 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
4093 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
4094 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4095
4096 Examples: >
4097 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
4098 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
4099 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
4100
4101< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
4102 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004103 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004104 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
4105 ....
4106 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
4107
4108< You can also change the type of a register by appending
4109 nothing: >
4110 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
4111
4112setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
4113 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004114 {val}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004115 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
4116 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
4117 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
4118 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
4119 Examples: >
4120 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
4121 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
4122< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4123
4124simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
4125 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
4126 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
4127 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
4128 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
4129 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
4130 not removed either.
4131 Example: >
4132 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
4133< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
4134 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
4135 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
4136 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
4137 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
4138
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004139
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004140sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004141 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
4142 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4143 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
4144< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004145 Numbers sort after Strings, |List|s after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004146 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004147 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004148 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
4149 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004150 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
4151 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
4152 sorts before the second one. Example: >
4153 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
4154 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
4155 endfunc
4156 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004157<
4158
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004159 *soundfold()*
4160soundfold({word})
4161 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
4162 language in 'spellang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004163 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
4164 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004165 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
4166 the method can be quite slow.
4167
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004168 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00004169spellbadword([{sentence}])
4170 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
4171 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
4172 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
4173 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
4174
4175 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
4176 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
4177 result is an empty string.
4178
4179 The return value is a list with two items:
4180 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
4181 - The type of the spelling error:
4182 "bad" spelling mistake
4183 "rare" rare word
4184 "local" word only valid in another region
4185 "caps" word should start with Capital
4186 Example: >
4187 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
4188< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
4189
4190 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
4191 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
4192 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004193
4194 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004195spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004196 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004197 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
4198 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
4199
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004200 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
4201 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
4202 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
4203
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004204 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
4205 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00004206 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
4207 replace a line.
4208
4209 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00004210 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
4211 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004212
4213 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004214 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
4215 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004216
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004217
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004218split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004219 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
4220 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
4221 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004222 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004223 removing the matched characters.
4224 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
4225 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00004226 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
4227 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004228 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004229 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004230< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004231 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00004232< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
4233 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
4234< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004235 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
4236 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
4237< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004238
4239
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004240strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
4241 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
4242 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
4243 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
4244 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
4245 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
4246 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
4247 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
4248 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
4249 Examples: >
4250 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
4251 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
4252 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
4253 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
4254 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
4255 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004256< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4257 :if exists("*strftime")
4258
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004259stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
4260 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4261 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004262 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
4263 This can be used to find a second match: >
4264 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
4265 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
4266< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004267 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004268 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004269 See also |strridx()|.
4270 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004271 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
4272 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
4273 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004274< *strstr()* *strchr()*
4275 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
4276 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
4277
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004278 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004279string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
4280 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
4281 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004282 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004283 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004284 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004285 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004286 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004287 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004288 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004289
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004290 *strlen()*
4291strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004292 {expr} in bytes.
4293 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
4294 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004295
4296 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004297<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004298 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
4299 For other types an error is given.
4300 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004301
4302strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
4303 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004304 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004305 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
4306 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
4307 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
4308 end of the {src}. >
4309 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
4310 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
4311 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
4312 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
4313< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
4314 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
4315 strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3)
4316<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004317strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
4318 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4319 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
4320 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
4321 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
4322 match: >
4323 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
4324 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
4325< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004326 For pattern searches use |match()|.
4327 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004328 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004329 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004330 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004331< *strrchr()*
4332 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
4333 function strrchr().
4334
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004335strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
4336 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
4337 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
4338 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
4339 echo strtrans(@a)
4340< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
4341 starting a new line.
4342
4343submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
4344 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
4345 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
4346 the whole matched text is returned.
4347 Example: >
4348 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
4349< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
4350 A line break is included as a newline character.
4351
4352substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
4353 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
4354 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
4355 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
4356 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
4357 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
4358 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
4359 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
4360 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
4361 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
4362 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
4363 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
4364 unmodified.
4365 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
4366 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
4367 Example: >
4368 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
4369< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
4370 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
4371< results in "TESTING".
4372
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004373synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004374 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004375 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004376 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
4377 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004378
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004379 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004380 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
4381
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004382 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
4383 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
4384 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
4385 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
4386 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
4387 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
4388 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
4389
4390 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
4391 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
4392<
4393synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
4394 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
4395 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
4396 about a syntax item.
4397 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
4398 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
4399 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
4400 used (GUI, cterm or term).
4401 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
4402 {what} result
4403 "name" the name of the syntax item
4404 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
4405 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
4406 term: empty string)
4407 "bg" background color (like "fg")
4408 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
4409 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
4410 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
4411 "bold" "1" if bold
4412 "italic" "1" if italic
4413 "reverse" "1" if reverse
4414 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
4415 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004416 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004417
4418 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
4419 cursor): >
4420 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
4421<
4422synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
4423 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
4424 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
4425 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
4426 ":highlight link" are followed.
4427
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004428system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
4429 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
4430 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
4431 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
4432 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004433 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004434 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
4435 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
4436 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004437 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
4438 The result is a String. Example: >
4439
4440 :let files = system("ls")
4441
4442< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
4443 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
4444 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
4445 The command executed is constructed using several options:
4446 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
4447 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
4448 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
4449 concatenated commands.
4450
4451 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
4452 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00004453
4454 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
4455 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
4456 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004457 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
4458 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
4459
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004460
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004461tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004462 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004463 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
4464 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
4465 omitted the current tab page is used.
4466 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
4467 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
4468 tablist = []
4469 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
4470 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
4471 endfor
4472< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
4473
4474
4475tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004476 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4477 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
4478 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
4479 page is returned (the tab page count).
4480 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
4481
4482
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004483tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
4484 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {arg}.
4485 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
4486 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
4487 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
4488 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
4489 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
4490 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
4491 Useful examples: >
4492 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
4493 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
4494< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
4495
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004496taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
4497 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00004498 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
4499 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004500 name Name of the tag.
4501 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004502 defined.
4503 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
4504 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004505 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004506 entry depends on the language specific
4507 kind values generated by the ctags
4508 tool.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004509 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004510 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004511 The "kind" entry is only available when using Exuberant ctags
4512 generated tags file. More entries may be present, depending
4513 on the content of the tags file: access, implementation,
4514 inherits and signature. Refer to the ctags documentation for
4515 information about these fields. For C code the fields
4516 "struct", "class" and "enum" may appear, they give the name of
4517 the entity the tag is contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004518
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004519 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
4520 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004521
4522 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
4523
4524 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
4525 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
4526 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
4527
4528 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
4529 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
4530 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
4531
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00004532 *tagfiles()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004533tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
4534 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00004535
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004536
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004537tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
4538 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
4539 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
4540 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
4541 :let tmpfile = tempname()
4542 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
4543< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
4544 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
4545 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
4546 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
4547 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
4548 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
4549
4550tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
4551 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
4552 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
4553 the string).
4554
4555toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
4556 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
4557 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
4558 the string).
4559
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00004560tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
4561 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
4562 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
4563 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
4564 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
4565 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
4566 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
4567
4568 Examples: >
4569 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
4570< returns "Hello THere" >
4571 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
4572< returns "{blob}"
4573
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004574 *type()*
4575type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004576 Number: 0
4577 String: 1
4578 Funcref: 2
4579 List: 3
4580 Dictionary: 4
4581 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004582 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
4583 :if type(myvar) == type("")
4584 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
4585 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004586 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004587
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004588values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004589 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
4590 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004591
4592
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004593virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
4594 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
4595 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
4596 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
4597 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
4598 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
4599 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
4600 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004601 For the use of {expr} see |col()|. Additionally you can use
4602 [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line and column number.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004603 For the byte position use |col()|.
4604 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
4605 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
4606 The accepted positions are:
4607 . the cursor position
4608 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
4609 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
4610 plus one)
4611 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
4612 returned)
4613 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
4614 Examples: >
4615 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
4616 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
4617 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
4618< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
4619
4620visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
4621 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
4622 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
4623 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
4624 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
4625 block-wise Visual mode respectively.
4626 Example: >
4627 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
4628< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
4629 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
4630 Visual mode that was used.
4631
4632 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
4633 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
4634 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
4635 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
4636
4637 *winbufnr()*
4638winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004639 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004640 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
4641 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4642 Example: >
4643 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
4644<
4645 *wincol()*
4646wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
4647 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
4648 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
4649
4650winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
4651 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
4652 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
4653 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4654 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
4655 Examples: >
4656 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
4657<
4658 *winline()*
4659winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
4660 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
4661 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004662 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
4663 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004664
4665 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004666winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4667 window. The top window has number 1.
4668 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00004669 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004670 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
4671 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
4672 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
4673 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
4674 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004675
4676 *winrestcmd()*
4677winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
4678 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
4679 are opened or closed and the current window is unchanged.
4680 Example: >
4681 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
4682 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
4683 :exe cmd
4684
4685winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
4686 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
4687 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
4688 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4689 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
4690 Examples: >
4691 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
4692 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
4693 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
4694 :endif
4695<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004696 *writefile()*
4697writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004698 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004699 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
4700 Number.
4701 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
4702 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
4703 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
4704 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
4705 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
4706 to writefile().
4707 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
4708 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
4709 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
4710 fails.
4711 Also see |readfile()|.
4712 To copy a file byte for byte: >
4713 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
4714 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
4715<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004716
4717 *feature-list*
4718There are three types of features:
47191. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
4720 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
4721 :if has("cindent")
47222. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
4723 Example: >
4724 :if has("gui_running")
4725< *has-patch*
47263. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
4727 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
4728 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
4729 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
4730
4731all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
4732amiga Amiga version of Vim.
4733arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
4734arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00004735autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004736balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00004737balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004738beos BeOS version of Vim.
4739browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
4740 work.
4741builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
4742byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
4743cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
4744clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
4745clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
4746cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
4747cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
4748cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
4749comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
4750cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
4751cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
4752compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
4753debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
4754dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
4755dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
4756diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
4757digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
4758dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
4759dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
4760dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
4761ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
4762emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
4763eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
4764 true, of course!
4765ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
4766extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
4767 |'hlsearch'|
4768farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
4769file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004770filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
4771 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004772find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
4773 |+find_in_path|.
4774fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
4775 Windows this is not present).
4776folding Compiled with |folding| support.
4777footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
4778fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
4779gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
4780gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
4781gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004782gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
4783gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00004784gui_kde Compiled with KDE GUI |KVim|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004785gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
4786gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
4787gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
4788gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
4789gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
4790gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
4791hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
4792iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
4793insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
4794 Insert mode.
4795jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
4796keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
4797langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
4798libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
4799linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
4800 support.
4801lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
4802listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
4803 and the argument list |arglist|.
4804localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
4805mac Macintosh version of Vim.
4806macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
4807menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
4808mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
4809modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
4810mouse Compiled with support mouse.
4811mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
4812mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
4813mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
4814mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
4815mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
4816mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
4817multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
4818multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
4819multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00004820mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004821netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00004822netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004823ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
4824os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
4825osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
4826path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
4827perl Compiled with Perl interface.
4828postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
4829printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004830profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004831python Compiled with Python interface.
4832qnx QNX version of Vim.
4833quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
4834rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
4835ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
4836scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
4837showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
4838signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
4839smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00004840sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004841statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
4842 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
4843sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00004844spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
4845syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004846syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
4847 current buffer.
4848system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
4849tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
4850 |tag-binary-search|.
4851tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
4852 |tag-old-static|.
4853tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
4854 files |tag-any-white|.
4855tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
4856terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
4857termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
4858textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
4859tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
4860 or terminfo file.
4861title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
4862toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
4863unix Unix version of Vim.
4864user_commands User-defined commands.
4865viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
4866vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
4867vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
4868virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
4869visual Compiled with Visual mode.
4870visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
4871 |blockwise-operators|.
4872vms VMS version of Vim.
4873vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
4874wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
4875wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
4876windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
4877winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
4878win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
4879win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
4880win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
4881win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
4882win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
4883writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
4884xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
4885xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
4886xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
4887xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
4888xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
4889xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
4890 xterm screen.
4891x11 Compiled with X11 support.
4892
4893 *string-match*
4894Matching a pattern in a String
4895
4896A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
4897the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
4898everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
4899like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
4900line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
4901with ".". Example: >
4902 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
4903 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
4904 aa
4905 xx
4906 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
4907 a
4908 x
4909
4910Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
4911"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
4912"\n".
4913
4914==============================================================================
49155. Defining functions *user-functions*
4916
4917New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
4918functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
4919commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
4920
4921The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
4922builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
4923avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
4924the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
4925
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004926It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
4927|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004928
4929 *local-function*
4930A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
4931can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
4932and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
4933function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
4934instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
4935
4936 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
4937:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
4938
4939:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004940 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
4941 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004942 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004943
4944:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
4945 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
4946 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00004947<
4948 *:function-verbose*
4949When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
4950last defined. Example: >
4951
4952 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
4953 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
4954 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
4955<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00004956See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00004957
4958 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004959:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004960 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
4961 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
4962 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004963
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004964 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
4965 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004966 :function dict.init(arg)
4967< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
4968 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
4969 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
4970 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
4971 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
4972 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004973 *E127* *E122*
4974 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
4975 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
4976 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
4977 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004978
4979 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
4980
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004981 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
4982 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
4983 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
4984 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
4985 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
4986 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
4987 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004988
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004989 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
4990 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004991
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004992 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004993 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004994 local variable "self" will then be set to the
4995 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004996
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004997 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
4998 will not be changed by the function.
4999
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005000 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
5001:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
5002 by its own, without other commands.
5003
5004 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
5005:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005006 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
5007 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005008 :delfunc dict.init
5009< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
5010 function is deleted if there are no more references to
5011 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005012 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
5013:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
5014 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
5015 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
5016 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
5017 the number 0 is returned.
5018 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
5019 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
5020
5021 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
5022 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
5023 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
5024 are executed first. This process applies to all
5025 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
5026 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
5027
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005028 *function-argument* *a:var*
5029An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
5030be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
5031 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
5032Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
5033arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
5034may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
5035as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005036can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
5037that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005038 *E742*
5039The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005040However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can changes their contents.
5041Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
5042it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
5043|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005044
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005045When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
5046to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
5047may be larger.
5048
5049It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
5050still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
5051until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
5052inside a function body.
5053
5054 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005055Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
5056will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
5057accessed with "g:".
5058
5059Example: >
5060 :function Table(title, ...)
5061 : echohl Title
5062 : echo a:title
5063 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005064 : echo a:0 . " items:"
5065 : for s in a:000
5066 : echon ' ' . s
5067 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005068 :endfunction
5069
5070This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005071 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
5072 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005073
5074To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
5075 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
5076 : if a:n2 == 0
5077 : return "fail"
5078 : endif
5079 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
5080 : return "ok"
5081 :endfunction
5082
5083This function can then be called with: >
5084 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
5085 :if success == "ok"
5086 : echo div
5087 :endif
5088
5089An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
5090with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
5091 :function Foo()
5092 : execute Bar()
5093 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
5094 :endfunction
5095
5096 :function Bar()
5097 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
5098 :endfunction
5099
5100The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
5101the caller to set the names.
5102
5103 *:cal* *:call* *E107*
5104:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
5105 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
5106 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
5107 used.
5108 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
5109 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
5110 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
5111 function.
5112 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
5113 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
5114 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
5115 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
5116 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
5117 this works:
5118 *function-range-example* >
5119 :function Mynumber(arg)
5120 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
5121 :endfunction
5122 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
5123<
5124 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
5125 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
5126 the range.
5127
5128 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
5129
5130 :function Cont() range
5131 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
5132 :endfunction
5133 :4,8call Cont()
5134<
5135 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
5136 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
5137
5138 *E132*
5139The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
5140option.
5141
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005142
5143AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005144 *autoload-functions*
5145When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005146only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
5147the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
5148
5149
5150Using an autocommand ~
5151
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005152This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
5153
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005154The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
5155You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
5156That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
5157again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
5158
5159Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
5160function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005161
5162 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
5163
5164The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
5165"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
5166
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005167
5168Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005169 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005170This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
5171
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005172Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
5173exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
5174like this: >
5175
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005176 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005177
5178When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
5179"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
5180"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
5181then define the function like this: >
5182
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005183 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005184 echo "Done!"
5185 endfunction
5186
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00005187The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005188exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
5189called.
5190
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005191It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
5192a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005193
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005194 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005195
5196Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
5197
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005198This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
5199
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005200 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005201
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00005202However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
5203for an unknown variable.
5204
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005205When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
5206be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
5207
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00005208 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
5209 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005210
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00005211Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
5212defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
5213function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005214And you will get an error message every time.
5215
5216Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
5217other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
5218Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005219
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005220==============================================================================
52216. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
5222
5223Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
5224This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
5225{} like this: >
5226 my_{adjective}_variable
5227
5228When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
5229that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
5230name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
5231"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
5232"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
5233
5234One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
5235value. For example, the statement >
5236 echo my_{&background}_message
5237
5238would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
5239on the current value of 'background'.
5240
5241You can use multiple brace pairs: >
5242 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
5243..or even nest them: >
5244 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
5245where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
5246
5247However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005248variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005249 :let foo='a + b'
5250 :echo c{foo}d
5251.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
5252
5253 *curly-braces-function-names*
5254You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
5255Example: >
5256 :let func_end='whizz'
5257 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
5258
5259This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
5260
5261==============================================================================
52627. Commands *expression-commands*
5263
5264:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
5265 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
5266 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
5267 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
5268 is created.
5269
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005270:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
5271 Set a list item to the result of the expression
5272 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
5273 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
5274 the index can be repeated.
5275 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
5276
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005277 *E711* *E719*
5278:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005279 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
5280 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005281 correct number of items.
5282 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
5283 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
5284 When the selected range of items is partly past the
5285 end of the list, items will be added.
5286
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005287 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005288:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
5289:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
5290:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
5291 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
5292 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
5293
5294
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005295:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
5296 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
5297 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005298:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
5299 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
5300 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
5301 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005302
5303:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
5304 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
5305 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
5306 must be the name of a writable register (see
5307 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
5308 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
5309 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
5310 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
5311 characterwise.
5312 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
5313 :let @/ = ""
5314< This is different from searching for an empty string,
5315 that would match everywhere.
5316
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005317:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
5318 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
5319 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
5320
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005321:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
5322 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005323 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
5324 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005325 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
5326 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00005327 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005328 Example: >
5329 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005330
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005331:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
5332 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
5333 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
5334
5335:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
5336:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
5337 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
5338 {expr1}.
5339
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005340:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005341:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5342:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
5343:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005344 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
5345 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
5346
5347:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005348:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5349:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
5350:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005351 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
5352 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
5353
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005354:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005355 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005356 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
5357 {name2}, etc.
5358 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005359 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005360 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
5361 command as mentioned above.
5362 Example: >
5363 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005364< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
5365 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
5366 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
5367 :let x = [0, 1]
5368 :let i = 0
5369 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
5370 :echo x
5371< The result is [0, 2].
5372
5373:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
5374:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
5375:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
5376 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005377 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005378
5379:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005380 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005381 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
5382 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
5383 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005384 Example: >
5385 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
5386<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005387:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
5388:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
5389:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
5390 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005391 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005392 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005393:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005394 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
5395 here: *E738*
5396 g: global variables.
5397 b: local buffer variables.
5398 w: local window variables.
5399 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005400
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005401:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
5402 variable is indicated before the value:
5403 <nothing> String
5404 # Number
5405 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005406
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005407
5408:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
5409 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
5410 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005411 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005412 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
5413 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005414 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005415 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
5416 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005417< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005418 :unlet dict['two']
5419 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005420
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005421:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
5422 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
5423 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
5424 A locked variable can be deleted: >
5425 :lockvar v
5426 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
5427 :unlet v
5428< *E741*
5429 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
5430 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
5431
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005432 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
5433 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
5434 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005435 cannot add or remove items, but can
5436 still change their values.
5437 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005438 the items. If an item is a |List| or
5439 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005440 items, but can still change the
5441 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005442 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
5443 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
5444 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
5445 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
5446 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005447 *E743*
5448 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
5449 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
5450 loops.
5451
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005452 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
5453 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
5454 locked when used through the other variable. Example:
5455 >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005456 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
5457 :let cl = l
5458 :lockvar l
5459 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
5460< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
5461 See |deepcopy()|.
5462
5463
5464:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
5465 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
5466 opposite of |:lockvar|.
5467
5468
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005469:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
5470:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5471 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5472
5473 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
5474 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
5475 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
5476 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
5477 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
5478 part was not executed either.
5479
5480 You can use this to remain compatible with older
5481 versions: >
5482 :if version >= 500
5483 : version-5-specific-commands
5484 :endif
5485< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
5486 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
5487 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
5488 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
5489 avoid problems: >
5490 :if version >= 600
5491 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
5492 :endif
5493<
5494 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
5495 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
5496
5497 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
5498:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5499 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
5500 executed.
5501
5502 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
5503:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
5504 is no extra ":endif".
5505
5506:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005507 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005508:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
5509 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5510 When an error is detected from a command inside the
5511 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005512 Example: >
5513 :let lnum = 1
5514 :while lnum <= line("$")
5515 :call FixLine(lnum)
5516 :let lnum = lnum + 1
5517 :endwhile
5518<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005519 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005520 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005521
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005522:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005523:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
5524 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005525 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005526 value of each item.
5527 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005528 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00005529 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
5530 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005531 :for item in copy(mylist)
5532< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
5533 next item in the list, before executing the commands
5534 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
5535 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
5536 it will not be found. Thus the following example
5537 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
5538 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005539 :call remove(mylist, 0)
5540 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005541< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
5542 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
5543 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005544 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
5545 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
5546 to allow multiple item types.
5547
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005548:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
5549:endfo[r]
5550 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
5551 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
5552 {var2}, etc. Example: >
5553 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
5554 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
5555 :endfor
5556<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005557 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005558:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
5559 to the start of the loop.
5560 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5561 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5562 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5563 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5564 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5565 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005566
5567 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005568:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
5569 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
5570 ":endfor".
5571 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5572 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5573 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5574 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5575 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5576 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005577
5578:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
5579:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
5580 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
5581 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
5582 or autocommand invocations.
5583
5584 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
5585 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
5586 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
5587 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
5588 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
5589 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
5590 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
5591 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
5592 Example: >
5593 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
5594 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
5595<
5596 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
5597 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
5598 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
5599 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
5600 processing is not terminated.
5601
5602 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
5603 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
5604 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
5605 other errors are converted to a value of the form
5606 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
5607 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
5608 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
5609 the error number.
5610 Examples: >
5611 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
5612 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
5613<
5614 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
5615:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
5616 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
5617 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
5618 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
5619 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
5620 commands are skipped.
5621 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
5622 Examples: >
5623 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
5624 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
5625 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
5626 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
5627 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
5628 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
5629 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
5630 :catch " same as /.*/
5631<
5632 Another character can be used instead of / around the
5633 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
5634 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
5635 {pattern}.
5636 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
5637 an error message because it may vary in different
5638 locales.
5639
5640 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
5641:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
5642 are executed whenever the part between the matching
5643 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
5644 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
5645 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
5646 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
5647
5648 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
5649:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
5650 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
5651 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
5652 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
5653 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
5654 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
5655 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
5656 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
5657 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
5658 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
5659 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
5660 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
5661 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
5662 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
5663 is terminated.
5664 Example: >
5665 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
5666<
5667
5668 *:ec* *:echo*
5669:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
5670 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
5671 Also see |:comment|.
5672 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
5673 cursor to the first column.
5674 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5675 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5676 Example: >
5677 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
5678< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
5679 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
5680 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
5681 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
5682 command. Example: >
5683 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
5684<
5685 *:echon*
5686:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
5687 |:comment|.
5688 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5689 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5690 Example: >
5691 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
5692<
5693 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
5694 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
5695 command: >
5696 :!echo % --> filename
5697< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
5698 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
5699< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
5700 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
5701 :echo % --> nothing
5702< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
5703 :echo "%" --> %
5704< This just echoes the '%' character. >
5705 :echo expand("%") --> filename
5706< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
5707
5708 *:echoh* *:echohl*
5709:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
5710 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
5711 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
5712 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
5713< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
5714 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
5715
5716 *:echom* *:echomsg*
5717:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
5718 message in the |message-history|.
5719 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5720 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
5721 displayed, not interpreted.
5722 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5723 Example: >
5724 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
5725<
5726 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
5727:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
5728 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
5729 script or function the line number will be added.
5730 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5731 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
5732 the message is raised as an error exception instead
5733 (see |try-echoerr|).
5734 Example: >
5735 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
5736< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
5737 And to get a beep: >
5738 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
5739<
5740 *:exe* *:execute*
5741:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
5742 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
5743 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
5744 used as the processed command, command line editing
5745 keys are not recognized.
5746 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5747 Examples: >
5748 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
5749 :execute "normal " count . "w"
5750<
5751 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
5752 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
5753 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
5754
5755< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
5756 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
5757 command: >
5758 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
5759< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
5760
5761 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005762 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
5763 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005764 :execute 'while i > 5'
5765 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
5766<
5767 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
5768 completely in the executed string: >
5769 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
5770<
5771
5772 *:comment*
5773 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
5774 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
5775 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
5776 comment. Example: >
5777 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
5778
5779==============================================================================
57808. Exception handling *exception-handling*
5781
5782The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
5783explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
5784
5785Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
5786|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
5787exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
5788
5789
5790TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
5791
5792Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
5793use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
5794a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
5795 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
5796|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
5797a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
5798be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
5799which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
5800clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
5801
5802 :try
5803 : ...
5804 : ... TRY BLOCK
5805 : ...
5806 :catch /{pattern}/
5807 : ...
5808 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5809 : ...
5810 :catch /{pattern}/
5811 : ...
5812 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5813 : ...
5814 :finally
5815 : ...
5816 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
5817 : ...
5818 :endtry
5819
5820The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
5821appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
5822from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
5823 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
5824is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
5825script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
5826 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
5827lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
5828patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
5829after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
5830executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
5831":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
5832(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
5833continues in the following line as usual.
5834 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
5835":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
5836that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
5837finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
5838the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
5839the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
5840see |try-nesting|.
5841 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
5842remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
5843not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
5844try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
5845a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
5846execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
5847exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5848 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
5849thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
5850clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
5851catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
5852following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
5853clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5854
5855The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
5856a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
5857try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
5858from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
5859sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
5860":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
5861":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
5862from the finally clause.
5863 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
5864try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
5865clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
5866":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
5867clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
5868":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
5869this pending exception or command is discarded.
5870
5871For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
5872
5873
5874NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
5875
5876Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
5877conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
5878clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
5879catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
5880of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
5881checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
5882try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
5883otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
5884nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
5885one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
5886the inner try conditional.
5887
5888When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
5889finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
5890An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
5891thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
5892implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
5893as usual.
5894
5895For examples see |throw-catch|.
5896
5897
5898EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
5899
5900Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
5901'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
5902script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
5903finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
5904a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
5905(see |debug-scripts|).
5906
5907
5908THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
5909
5910You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
5911and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
5912 :throw 4711
5913 :throw "string"
5914< *throw-expression*
5915You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
5916first, and the result is thrown: >
5917 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
5918 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
5919
5920An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
5921command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
5922The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
5923 Example: >
5924
5925 :function! Foo(arg)
5926 : try
5927 : throw a:arg
5928 : catch /foo/
5929 : endtry
5930 : return 1
5931 :endfunction
5932 :
5933 :function! Bar()
5934 : echo "in Bar"
5935 : return 4710
5936 :endfunction
5937 :
5938 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
5939
5940This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
5941executed. >
5942 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
5943however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
5944
5945Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
5946abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
5947exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
5948 Example: >
5949
5950 :if Foo("arrgh")
5951 : echo "then"
5952 :else
5953 : echo "else"
5954 :endif
5955
5956Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
5957
5958 *catch-order*
5959Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
5960commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
5961command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
5962gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
5963 Example: >
5964
5965 :function! Foo(value)
5966 : try
5967 : throw a:value
5968 : catch /^\d\+$/
5969 : echo "Number thrown"
5970 : catch /.*/
5971 : echo "String thrown"
5972 : endtry
5973 :endfunction
5974 :
5975 :call Foo(0x1267)
5976 :call Foo('string')
5977
5978The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
5979An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
5980specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
5981specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
5982
5983 : catch /.*/
5984 : echo "String thrown"
5985 : catch /^\d\+$/
5986 : echo "Number thrown"
5987
5988The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
5989never taken.
5990
5991 *throw-variables*
5992If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
5993in the variable |v:exception|: >
5994
5995 : catch /^\d\+$/
5996 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
5997
5998You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
5999|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
6000exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
6001 Example: >
6002
6003 :function! Caught()
6004 : if v:exception != ""
6005 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
6006 : else
6007 : echo 'Nothing caught'
6008 : endif
6009 :endfunction
6010 :
6011 :function! Foo()
6012 : try
6013 : try
6014 : try
6015 : throw 4711
6016 : finally
6017 : call Caught()
6018 : endtry
6019 : catch /.*/
6020 : call Caught()
6021 : throw "oops"
6022 : endtry
6023 : catch /.*/
6024 : call Caught()
6025 : finally
6026 : call Caught()
6027 : endtry
6028 :endfunction
6029 :
6030 :call Foo()
6031
6032This displays >
6033
6034 Nothing caught
6035 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
6036 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
6037 Nothing caught
6038
6039A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
6040number in the script or function where it has been used: >
6041
6042 :function! LineNumber()
6043 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
6044 :endfunction
6045 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
6046<
6047 *try-nested*
6048An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
6049a surrounding try conditional: >
6050
6051 :try
6052 : try
6053 : throw "foo"
6054 : catch /foobar/
6055 : echo "foobar"
6056 : finally
6057 : echo "inner finally"
6058 : endtry
6059 :catch /foo/
6060 : echo "foo"
6061 :endtry
6062
6063The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
6064clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
6065conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
6066
6067 *throw-from-catch*
6068You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
6069catch clause: >
6070
6071 :function! Foo()
6072 : throw "foo"
6073 :endfunction
6074 :
6075 :function! Bar()
6076 : try
6077 : call Foo()
6078 : catch /foo/
6079 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
6080 : throw "bar"
6081 : endtry
6082 :endfunction
6083 :
6084 :try
6085 : call Bar()
6086 :catch /.*/
6087 : echo "Caught" v:exception
6088 :endtry
6089
6090This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
6091
6092 *rethrow*
6093There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
6094"v:exception" instead: >
6095
6096 :function! Bar()
6097 : try
6098 : call Foo()
6099 : catch /.*/
6100 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
6101 : throw v:exception
6102 : endtry
6103 :endfunction
6104< *try-echoerr*
6105Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
6106exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
6107Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
6108denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
6109the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
6110
6111 :try
6112 : try
6113 : asdf
6114 : catch /.*/
6115 : echoerr v:exception
6116 : endtry
6117 :catch /.*/
6118 : echo v:exception
6119 :endtry
6120
6121This code displays
6122
6123 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
6124
6125
6126CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
6127
6128Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
6129user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
6130an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
6131a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
6132catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
6133a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
6134normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
6135(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
6136to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
6137clause has been executed.)
6138Example: >
6139
6140 :try
6141 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
6142 : set ts=17
6143 :
6144 : " Do the hard work here.
6145 :
6146 :finally
6147 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
6148 : unlet s:saved_ts
6149 :endtry
6150
6151This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
6152changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
6153that function or script part.
6154
6155 *break-finally*
6156Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
6157a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
6158 Example: >
6159
6160 :let first = 1
6161 :while 1
6162 : try
6163 : if first
6164 : echo "first"
6165 : let first = 0
6166 : continue
6167 : else
6168 : throw "second"
6169 : endif
6170 : catch /.*/
6171 : echo v:exception
6172 : break
6173 : finally
6174 : echo "cleanup"
6175 : endtry
6176 : echo "still in while"
6177 :endwhile
6178 :echo "end"
6179
6180This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
6181
6182 :function! Foo()
6183 : try
6184 : return 4711
6185 : finally
6186 : echo "cleanup\n"
6187 : endtry
6188 : echo "Foo still active"
6189 :endfunction
6190 :
6191 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
6192
6193This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
6194extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
6195return value.)
6196
6197 *except-from-finally*
6198Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
6199a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
6200cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
6201exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
6202 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
6203working correctly: >
6204
6205 :try
6206 : try
6207 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
6208 : while 1
6209 : endwhile
6210 : finally
6211 : unlet novar
6212 : endtry
6213 :catch /novar/
6214 :endtry
6215 :echo "Script still running"
6216 :sleep 1
6217
6218If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
6219think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
6220|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
6221
6222
6223CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
6224
6225If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
6226watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
6227presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
6228exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
6229the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
6230the error exception is.
6231 Error exceptions have the following format: >
6232
6233 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
6234or >
6235 Vim:{errmsg}
6236
6237{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
6238the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
6239when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
6240a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
6241a space.
6242
6243Examples:
6244
6245The command >
6246 :unlet novar
6247normally produces the error message >
6248 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6249which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6250 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
6251
6252The command >
6253 :dwim
6254normally produces the error message >
6255 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6256which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6257 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6258
6259You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
6260 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
6261or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
6262 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
6263
6264Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
6265 :function nofunc
6266and >
6267 :delfunction nofunc
6268both produce the error message >
6269 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6270which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6271 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6272or >
6273 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6274respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
6275command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
6276 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
6277
6278Some commands like >
6279 :let x = novar
6280produce multiple error messages, here: >
6281 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6282 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6283Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
6284one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
6285 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
6286
6287You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
6288 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
6289
6290You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
6291 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
6292
6293You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
6294 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
6295<
6296 *catch-text*
6297NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
6298 :catch /No such variable/
6299only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
6300a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
6301cite the message text in a comment: >
6302 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
6303
6304
6305IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
6306
6307You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
6308
6309 :try
6310 : write
6311 :catch
6312 :endtry
6313
6314But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
6315catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
6316be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
6317
6318 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
6319
6320There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
6321writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
6322then hide the error from the user.
6323 It is much better to use >
6324
6325 :try
6326 : write
6327 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6328 :endtry
6329
6330which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
6331intentionally.
6332
6333For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
6334even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
6335command: >
6336 :silent! nunmap k
6337This works also when a try conditional is active.
6338
6339
6340CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
6341
6342When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
6343the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
6344script is not terminated, then.
6345 Example: >
6346
6347 :function! TASK1()
6348 : sleep 10
6349 :endfunction
6350
6351 :function! TASK2()
6352 : sleep 20
6353 :endfunction
6354
6355 :while 1
6356 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
6357 : try
6358 : if command == ""
6359 : continue
6360 : elseif command == "END"
6361 : break
6362 : elseif command == "TASK1"
6363 : call TASK1()
6364 : elseif command == "TASK2"
6365 : call TASK2()
6366 : else
6367 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
6368 : continue
6369 : endif
6370 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6371 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
6372 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
6373 : endtry
6374 :endwhile
6375
6376You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
6377a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
6378
6379For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
6380your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
6381command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
6382
6383
6384CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
6385
6386The commands >
6387
6388 :catch /.*/
6389 :catch //
6390 :catch
6391
6392catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
6393explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
6394a script in order to catch unexpected things.
6395 Example: >
6396
6397 :try
6398 :
6399 : " do the hard work here
6400 :
6401 :catch /MyException/
6402 :
6403 : " handle known problem
6404 :
6405 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6406 : echo "Script interrupted"
6407 :catch /.*/
6408 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
6409 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
6410 :endtry
6411 :" end of script
6412
6413Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
6414strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
6415specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
6416 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
6417by pressing CTRL-C: >
6418
6419 :while 1
6420 : try
6421 : sleep 1
6422 : catch
6423 : endtry
6424 :endwhile
6425
6426
6427EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
6428
6429Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
6430
6431 :autocmd User x try
6432 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
6433 :autocmd User x catch
6434 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
6435 :autocmd User x endtry
6436 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
6437 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
6438 :
6439 :try
6440 : doautocmd User x
6441 :catch
6442 : echo v:exception
6443 :endtry
6444
6445This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
6446
6447 *except-autocmd-Pre*
6448For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
6449command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
6450of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
6451abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
6452 Example: >
6453
6454 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
6455 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
6456 :
6457 :try
6458 : write
6459 :catch
6460 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
6461 :endtry
6462
6463Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
6464you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
6465autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
6466script displays: >
6467
6468 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
6469<
6470 *except-autocmd-Post*
6471For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
6472command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
6473an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
6474is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
6475 Example: >
6476
6477 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
6478 :
6479 :try
6480 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6481 :catch
6482 : echo v:exception
6483 :endtry
6484
6485This just displays: >
6486
6487 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
6488
6489If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
6490fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
6491 Example: >
6492
6493 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
6494 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
6495 :
6496 :try
6497 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6498 :catch
6499 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6500 :endtry
6501<
6502You can also use ":silent!": >
6503
6504 :let x = "ok"
6505 :let v:errmsg = ""
6506 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
6507 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
6508 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
6509 :try
6510 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6511 :catch
6512 :endtry
6513 :echo x
6514
6515This displays "after fail".
6516
6517If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
6518autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
6519
6520 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
6521 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
6522 :
6523 :try
6524 : write
6525 :catch
6526 : echo v:exception
6527 :endtry
6528<
6529 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
6530For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
6531autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
6532of the command.
6533 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
6534had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
6535some way. >
6536
6537 :if !exists("cnt")
6538 : let cnt = 0
6539 :
6540 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
6541 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
6542 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
6543 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6544 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6545 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
6546 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
6547 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6548 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6549 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
6550 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6551 :endif
6552 :
6553 :try
6554 : write
6555 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
6556 : if &modified
6557 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
6558 : else
6559 : echo "Error after writing"
6560 : endif
6561 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6562 : echo "Error on writing"
6563 :endtry
6564
6565When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
6566first >
6567 File successfully written!
6568then >
6569 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
6570then >
6571 Error after writing
6572etc.
6573
6574 *except-autocmd-ill*
6575You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
6576The following code is ill-formed: >
6577
6578 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
6579 :
6580 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
6581 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
6582 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
6583 :
6584 :write
6585
6586
6587EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
6588
6589Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
6590pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
6591similar things in Vim.
6592 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
6593class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
6594string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
6595 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
6596it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
6597for an error when writing "myfile".
6598 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
6599base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
6600parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
6601 Example: >
6602
6603 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
6604 : if a:a < 0
6605 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
6606 : endif
6607 :endfunction
6608 :
6609 :function! Add(a, b)
6610 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
6611 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
6612 : let c = a:a + a:b
6613 : if c < 0
6614 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
6615 : endif
6616 : return c
6617 :endfunction
6618 :
6619 :function! Div(a, b)
6620 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
6621 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
6622 : if (a:b == 0)
6623 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
6624 : endif
6625 : return a:a / a:b
6626 :endfunction
6627 :
6628 :function! Write(file)
6629 : try
6630 : execute "write" a:file
6631 : catch /^Vim(write):/
6632 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
6633 : endtry
6634 :endfunction
6635 :
6636 :try
6637 :
6638 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
6639 :
6640 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
6641 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6642 : echo "Range error in" function
6643 :
6644 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
6645 : echo "Math error"
6646 :
6647 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
6648 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
6649 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6650 : if file !~ '^/'
6651 : let file = dir . "/" . file
6652 : endif
6653 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
6654 :
6655 :catch /^EXCEPT/
6656 : echo "Unspecified error"
6657 :
6658 :endtry
6659
6660The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
6661a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
6662exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
6663 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
6664failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
6665
6666
6667PECULIARITIES
6668 *except-compat*
6669The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
6670exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
6671and/or a catch clause.
6672
6673In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
6674continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
6675after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
6676functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
6677or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
6678(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
6679
6680This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
6681immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
6682conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
6683be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
6684termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
6685catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
6686by specifying a finally clause.)
6687
6688When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
6689behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
6690scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
6691
6692However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
6693commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
6694conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
6695script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
6696error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
6697messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
6698|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
6699not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
6700where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
6701error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
6702scripts.
6703
6704 *except-syntax-err*
6705Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
6706the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
6707clauses, however, is executed.
6708 Example: >
6709
6710 :try
6711 : try
6712 : throw 4711
6713 : catch /\(/
6714 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
6715 : catch
6716 : echo "inner catch-all"
6717 : finally
6718 : echo "inner finally"
6719 : endtry
6720 :catch
6721 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
6722 : finally
6723 : echo "outer finally"
6724 :endtry
6725
6726This displays: >
6727 inner finally
6728 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
6729 outer finally
6730The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
6731
6732 *except-single-line*
6733The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
6734a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
6735"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
6736 Example: >
6737 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
6738raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
6739argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
6740error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
6741displayed.
6742
6743 *except-several-errors*
6744When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
6745usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
6746 Example: >
6747 echo novar
6748causes >
6749 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6750 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6751The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6752 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
6753< *except-syntax-error*
6754But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
6755the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
6756 Example: >
6757 unlet novar #
6758causes >
6759 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6760 E488: Trailing characters
6761The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6762 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
6763This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
6764not intended by the user. Example: >
6765 try
6766 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
6767 catch /.*/
6768 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
6769 endtry
6770This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
6771a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
6772
6773==============================================================================
67749. Examples *eval-examples*
6775
6776Printing in Hex ~
6777>
6778 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
6779 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
6780 : let n = a:nr
6781 : let r = ""
6782 : while n
6783 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
6784 : let n = n / 16
6785 : endwhile
6786 : return r
6787 :endfunc
6788
6789 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
6790 :" character Hex string.
6791 :func String2Hex(str)
6792 : let out = ''
6793 : let ix = 0
6794 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
6795 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
6796 : let ix = ix + 1
6797 : endwhile
6798 : return out
6799 :endfunc
6800
6801Example of its use: >
6802 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
6803result: "20" >
6804 :echo String2Hex("32")
6805result: "3332"
6806
6807
6808Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
6809
6810Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
6811":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
6812platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
6813function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
6814with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
6815>
6816 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
6817 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
6818 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
6819 : return -1
6820 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
6821 : return 1
6822 : else
6823 : return 0
6824 : endif
6825 :endfunction
6826
6827 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
6828 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
6829 : if (a:start >= a:end)
6830 : return
6831 : endif
6832 : let partition = a:start - 1
6833 : let middle = partition
6834 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
6835 : let i = a:start
6836 : while (i <= a:end)
6837 : let str = getline(i)
6838 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
6839 : if (result <= 0)
6840 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
6841 : let partition = partition + 1
6842 : if (result == 0)
6843 : let middle = partition
6844 : endif
6845 : if (i != partition)
6846 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6847 : call setline(i, str2)
6848 : call setline(partition, str)
6849 : endif
6850 : endif
6851 : let i = i + 1
6852 : endwhile
6853
6854 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
6855 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
6856 : " the end of the partition.
6857 : if (middle != partition)
6858 : let str = getline(middle)
6859 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6860 : call setline(middle, str2)
6861 : call setline(partition, str)
6862 : endif
6863 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
6864 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
6865 :endfunc
6866
6867 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
6868 :" function that will compare two lines.
6869 :func! Sort(cmp) range
6870 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
6871 :endfunc
6872
6873 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
6874 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
6875<
6876 *sscanf*
6877There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
6878line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
6879how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
6880"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
6881 :" Set up the match bit
6882 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
6883 :"get the part matching the whole expression
6884 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
6885 :"get each item out of the match
6886 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
6887 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
6888 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
6889
6890The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
6891"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
6892
6893==============================================================================
689410. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
6895
6896When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
6897evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
6898to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
6899recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
6900and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
6901only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
6902recognized.
6903
6904Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
6905missing: >
6906
6907 :if 1
6908 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
6909 :else
6910 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
6911 :endif
6912
6913==============================================================================
691411. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
6915
6916The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
6917options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
6918these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
6919these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
Bram Moolenaarebefac62005-12-28 22:39:57 +00006920a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006921The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006922
6923These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
6924 - changing the buffer text
6925 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
6926 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
6927 - executing a shell command
6928 - reading or writing a file
6929 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00006930 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006931This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
6932
6933 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00006934:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006935 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
6936 'foldexpr'.
6937
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00006938 *sandbox-option*
6939A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaard1f56e62006-02-22 21:25:37 +00006940have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risc. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00006941restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
6942location. Insecure in this context are:
6943- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directlry
6944- while executing in the sandbox
6945- value coming from a modeline
6946
6947Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
6948option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
6949
6950==============================================================================
695112. Textlock *textlock*
6952
6953In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
6954to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
6955is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
6956actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
6957happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
6958
6959This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
6960 - changing the buffer text
6961 - jumping to another buffer or window
6962 - editing another file
6963 - closing a window or quitting Vim
6964 - etc.
6965
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006966
6967 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: