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Bram Moolenaar009d84a2016-01-28 14:12:00 +01001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.4. Last change: 2016 Jan 28
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005
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 Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +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 Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000040There are six types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaar5302d9e2011-09-14 17:55:08 +020042Number A 32 or 64 bit signed number. |expr-number| *Number*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000043 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
44
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000045Float A floating point number. |floating-point-format| *Float*
46 {only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
47 Examples: 123.456 1.15e-6 -1.1e3
48
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000049String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000050 |expr-string| Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000051
52Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
53 Example: function("strlen")
54
55List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
56 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000057
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000058Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
59 value. |Dictionary|
60 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
61
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000062The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
63are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000064
65Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
Bram Moolenaar24ea3ba2010-09-19 19:01:21 +020066the Number. Examples:
67 Number 123 --> String "123" ~
68 Number 0 --> String "0" ~
69 Number -1 --> String "-1" ~
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +020070 *octal*
Bram Moolenaarfa735342016-01-03 22:14:44 +010071Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits to
72a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9", Octal "017", and Binary "0b10" numbers are
73recognized. If the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero.
74Examples:
Bram Moolenaar24ea3ba2010-09-19 19:01:21 +020075 String "456" --> Number 456 ~
76 String "6bar" --> Number 6 ~
77 String "foo" --> Number 0 ~
78 String "0xf1" --> Number 241 ~
79 String "0100" --> Number 64 ~
Bram Moolenaarfa735342016-01-03 22:14:44 +010080 String "0b101" --> Number 5 ~
Bram Moolenaar24ea3ba2010-09-19 19:01:21 +020081 String "-8" --> Number -8 ~
82 String "+8" --> Number 0 ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000083
84To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
85 :echo "0100" + 0
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +000086< 64 ~
87
88To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different
89base, use |str2nr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000090
91For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
92
93Note that in the command >
94 :if "foo"
95"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
Bram Moolenaar3a0d8092012-10-21 03:02:54 +020096use empty(): >
97 :if !empty("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000098< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
99List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000100
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000101 *E805* *E806* *E808*
102When mixing Number and Float the Number is converted to Float. Otherwise
103there is no automatic conversion of Float. You can use str2float() for String
104to Float, printf() for Float to String and float2nr() for Float to Number.
105
Bram Moolenaar13d5aee2016-01-21 23:36:05 +0100106 *E891* *E892* *E893* *E894*
107When expecting a Float a Number can also be used, but nothing else.
108
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000109 *E706* *sticky-type-checking*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000110You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
111to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000112equivalent though, as well are Float and Number. Consider this sequence of
113commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000114 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000115 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000116 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error! l is still a Number
117 :let l = 4.4 " changes type from Number to Float
118 :let l = "string" " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000119
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000120
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001211.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000122 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000123A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000124in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
125around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000126
127 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
128 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000129< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000130A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:", "t:" or "b:". You
Bram Moolenaar7cba6c02013-09-05 22:13:31 +0200131can use "g:" but the following name must still start with a capital. You
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000132cannot have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000133
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000134A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
135Dictionary entry. Example: >
136 :function dict.init() dict
137 : let self.val = 0
138 :endfunction
139
140The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
141function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
142
143A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
144 :call Fn()
145 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000146
147The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000148 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000149
150You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
151arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000152 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000153
154
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001551.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7e38ea22014-04-05 22:55:53 +0200156 *list* *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000157A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000158can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000159position in the sequence.
160
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000161
162List creation ~
163 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000164A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000165Examples: >
166 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
167 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000168
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000169An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000170List of Lists: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000171 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000172
173An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
174
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000175
176List index ~
177 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000178An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000179after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
180 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000181 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000182
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000183When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000184 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000185<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000186A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
187the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000188 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
189
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000190To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000191is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000192 :echo get(mylist, idx)
193 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
194
195
196List concatenation ~
197
198Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
199 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000200 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000201
202To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
203it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
204
205
206Sublist ~
207
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000208A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
209separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000210 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000211
212Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000213similar to -1. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000214 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
215 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
216 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000217
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000218If the first index is beyond the last item of the List or the second item is
219before the first item, the result is an empty list. There is no error
220message.
221
222If the second index is equal to or greater than the length of the list the
223length minus one is used: >
Bram Moolenaar9e54a0e2006-04-14 20:42:25 +0000224 :let mylist = [0, 1, 2, 3]
225 :echo mylist[2:8] " result: [2, 3]
226
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000227NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000228using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000229mylist[s : e].
230
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000231
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000232List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000233 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000234When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
235variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
236change "bb": >
237 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
238 :let bb = aa
239 :call add(aa, 4)
240 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000241< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000242
243Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
244works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000245a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000246 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
247 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000248 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000249 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
250 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000251< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000252 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000253< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000254
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000255To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000256copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000257
258The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000259List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000260the same value. >
261 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
262 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
263 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000264< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000265 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000266< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000267
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000268Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
269same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000270exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
271different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
272variables. Example: >
273 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000274< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000275 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000276< 0
277
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000278Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000279can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000280
281 :let a = 5
282 :let b = "5"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000283 :echo a == b
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000284< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000285 :echo [a] == [b]
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000286< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000287
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000288
289List unpack ~
290
291To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
292square brackets, like list items: >
293 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
294
295When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
296this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
297and a variable name: >
298 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
299
300This works like: >
301 :let var1 = mylist[0]
302 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000303 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000304
305Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
306empty list then.
307
308
309List modification ~
310 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000311To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000312 :let list[4] = "four"
313 :let listlist[0][3] = item
314
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000315To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000316modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000317 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
318
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000319Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
320examples: >
321 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
322 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
323 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000324 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000325 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
326 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000327 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000328 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000329 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000330 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000331
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000332Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000333 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
334 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
Bram Moolenaar327aa022014-03-25 18:24:23 +0100335 :call uniq(sort(list)) " sort and remove duplicates
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000336
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000337
338For loop ~
339
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000340The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
341to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000342 :for item in mylist
343 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000344 :endfor
345
346This works like: >
347 :let index = 0
348 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000349 : let item = mylist[index]
350 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000351 : let index = index + 1
352 :endwhile
353
354Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000355results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000356the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000357
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000358If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000359function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000360
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000361Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000362requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
363 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
364 : call Doit(lnum, col)
365 :endfor
366
367This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
368must remain the same to avoid an error.
369
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000370It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000371 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
372 : call Doit(i, j)
373 : if !empty(rest)
374 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
375 : endif
376 :endfor
377
378
379List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000380 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000382 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000383 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000384 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
385 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
386 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000387 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
388 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000389 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
390 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000391 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
392 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000393 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
394 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000395
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000396Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
397example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
398 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
399
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000400
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004011.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar7e38ea22014-04-05 22:55:53 +0200402 *dict* *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000403A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000404entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
405ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000406
407
408Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000409 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000410A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000411braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
412only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000413 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
414 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000415< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000416A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
417String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000418entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000419Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000420
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000421A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000422nested Dictionary: >
423 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
424
425An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
426
427
428Accessing entries ~
429
430The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
431 :let val = mydict["one"]
432 :let mydict["four"] = 4
433
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000434You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000435
436For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
437form can be used |expr-entry|: >
438 :let val = mydict.one
439 :let mydict.four = 4
440
441Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
442key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000443 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000444
445
446Dictionary to List conversion ~
447
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000448You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000449turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
450
451Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
452 :for key in keys(mydict)
453 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
454 :endfor
455
456The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
457 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
458
459To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
460 :for v in values(mydict)
461 : echo "value: " . v
462 :endfor
463
464If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000465a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000466 :for [key, value] in items(mydict)
467 : echo key . ': ' . value
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000468 :endfor
469
470
471Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000472 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000473Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
474Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
475Dictionary: >
476 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
477 :let adict = onedict
478 :let adict['a'] = 11
479 :echo onedict['a']
480 11
481
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000482Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
483more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000484
485
486Dictionary modification ~
487 *dict-modification*
488To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
489use |:let| this way: >
490 :let dict[4] = "four"
491 :let dict['one'] = item
492
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000493Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
494Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
495 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
496 :unlet dict.aaa
497 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000498
499Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000500 :call extend(adict, bdict)
501This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
502in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000503Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
504expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
505adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000506
507Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000508 :call filter(dict, 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000509This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000510
511
512Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar26402cb2013-02-20 21:26:00 +0100513 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725* *E862*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000514When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000515special way with a dictionary. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000516 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000517 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000518 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000519 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
520 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000521
522This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
523Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
524the function was invoked from.
525
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000526It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
527Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
528
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000529 *numbered-function* *anonymous-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000530To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
531assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000532 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
Bram Moolenaar5a5f4592015-04-13 12:43:06 +0200533 :function mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000534 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000535 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000536 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000537
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000538The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000539that references this function. The function can only be used through a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000540|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
541remaining that refers to it.
542
543It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000544
Bram Moolenaar1affd722010-08-04 17:49:30 +0200545If you get an error for a numbered function, you can find out what it is with
546a trick. Assuming the function is 42, the command is: >
547 :function {42}
548
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000549
550Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000551 *E715*
552Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000553 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
554 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
555 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
556 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
557 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
558 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
559 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
560 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000561
562
5631.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000564 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000565If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
566function.
567
568When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
569start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
570stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
571
572When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
573start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
574stored in the session file |session-file|.
575
576variable name can be stored where ~
577my_var_6 not
578My_Var_6 session file
579MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
580
581
582It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
583|curly-braces-names|.
584
585==============================================================================
5862. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
587
588Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
589
590|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
591
592|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
593
594|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
595
596|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
597 expr5 != expr5 not equal
598 expr5 > expr5 greater than
599 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
600 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
601 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
602 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
603 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
604
605 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
606 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
607 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
608 matching case
609
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000610 expr5 is expr5 same |List| instance
611 expr5 isnot expr5 different |List| instance
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000612
613|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000614 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
615 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
616
617|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
618 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
619 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
620
621|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
622 - expr7 unary minus
623 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000624
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000625|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a |List|
626 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a |List|
627 expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary|
628 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with |Funcref| variable
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000629
630|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000631 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000632 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000633 [expr1, ...] |List|
634 {expr1: expr1, ...} |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000635 &option option value
636 (expr1) nested expression
637 variable internal variable
638 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
639 $VAR environment variable
640 @r contents of register 'r'
641 function(expr1, ...) function call
642 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
643
644
645".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
646Example: >
647 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
648
649All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
650
651
652expr1 *expr1* *E109*
653-----
654
655expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
656
657The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
658non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
659otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
660Example: >
661 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
662
663Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
664other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
665Example: >
666 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
667
668To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
669 :echo lnum == 1
670 :\ ? "top"
671 :\ : lnum == 1000
672 :\ ? "last"
673 :\ : lnum
674
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000675You should always put a space before the ':', otherwise it can be mistaken for
676use in a variable such as "a:1".
677
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000678
679expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
680---------------
681
682 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
683The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
684are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
685
686 input output ~
687n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
688zero zero zero zero
689zero non-zero non-zero zero
690non-zero zero non-zero zero
691non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
692
693The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
694
695 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
696
697Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
698
699 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
700
701Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
702arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
703
704 let a = 1
705 echo a || b
706
707This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
708so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
709
710 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
711
712This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
713only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
714
715
716expr4 *expr4*
717-----
718
719expr5 {cmp} expr5
720
721Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
722if it evaluates to true.
723
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000724 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000725 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
726 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
727 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
728 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
729 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +0200730 *expr-is* *expr-isnot* *expr-is#* *expr-isnot#*
731 *expr-is?* *expr-isnot?*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000732 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
733equal == ==# ==?
734not equal != !=# !=?
735greater than > ># >?
736greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
737smaller than < <# <?
738smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
739regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
740regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +0200741same instance is is# is?
742different instance isnot isnot# isnot?
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000743
744Examples:
745"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
746"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
747"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
748
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000749 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000750A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
751"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
752Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000753
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000754 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000755A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
756equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000757recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
758
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000759 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000760A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
761equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000762
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +0200763When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| or a |Dictionary| this checks if the
764expressions are referring to the same |List| or |Dictionary| instance. A copy
765of a |List| is different from the original |List|. When using "is" without
766a |List| or a |Dictionary| it is equivalent to using "equal", using "isnot"
767equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a different type means the
768values are different: "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'" is false and "0 is []" is
Bram Moolenaard09acef2012-09-21 14:54:30 +0200769false and not an error. "is#"/"isnot#" and "is?"/"isnot?" can be used to match
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +0200770and ignore case.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000771
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000772When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000773and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000774because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
775
776When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
777results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
778necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
779
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000780When using the operators with a trailing '#', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000781'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp(): case matters.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000782
783When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000784'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp(): case is ignored.
785
786'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000787
788The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
789argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
790This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
791matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
792portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
793single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
794Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
795(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
796can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
797 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
798 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
799
800
801expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
802---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000803expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000804expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
805expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000806
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +0000807For |Lists| only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000808result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000809
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +0100810expr7 * expr7 .. Number multiplication *expr-star*
811expr7 / expr7 .. Number division *expr-/*
812expr7 % expr7 .. Number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000813
814For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +0100815For bitwise operators see |and()|, |or()| and |xor()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000816
817Note the difference between "+" and ".":
818 "123" + "456" = 579
819 "123" . "456" = "123456"
820
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000821Since '.' has the same precedence as '+' and '-', you need to read: >
822 1 . 90 + 90.0
823As: >
824 (1 . 90) + 90.0
825That works, since the String "190" is automatically converted to the Number
826190, which can be added to the Float 90.0. However: >
827 1 . 90 * 90.0
828Should be read as: >
829 1 . (90 * 90.0)
830Since '.' has lower precedence than '*'. This does NOT work, since this
831attempts to concatenate a Float and a String.
832
833When dividing a Number by zero the result depends on the value:
834 0 / 0 = -0x80000000 (like NaN for Float)
835 >0 / 0 = 0x7fffffff (like positive infinity)
836 <0 / 0 = -0x7fffffff (like negative infinity)
837 (before Vim 7.2 it was always 0x7fffffff)
838
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000839When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
840
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000841None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000842
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000843. and % do not work for Float. *E804*
844
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000845
846expr7 *expr7*
847-----
848! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
849- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
850+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
851
852For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
853For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
854For '+' the number is unchanged.
855
856A String will be converted to a Number first.
857
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000858These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000859 !-1 == 0
860 !!8 == 1
861 --9 == 9
862
863
864expr8 *expr8*
865-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000866expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000867
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000868If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
869expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100870Number. This doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings, see |byteidx()| for
871an alternative.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000872
Bram Moolenaar256972a2015-12-29 19:10:25 +0100873Index zero gives the first byte. This is like it works in C. Careful:
874text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the byte under the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000875cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000876 :let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000877
878If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaar85084ef2016-01-17 22:26:33 +0100879String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backward
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000880compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
881
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000882If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000883for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000884error. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000885 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
886
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000887Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
888|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
889error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000890
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000891
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000892expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000893
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000894If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
895from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100896expr1b are used as a Number. This doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings, see
897|byteidx()| for computing the indexes.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000898
899If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
900string minus one is used.
901
902A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
903the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
904
905If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
906expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
907
908Examples: >
909 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
910 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
911 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
912 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100913<
914 *sublist* *slice*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000915If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000916the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000917just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000918 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
919 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
920 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
921
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000922Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
923error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000924
Bram Moolenaarda440d22016-01-16 21:27:23 +0100925Watch out for confusion between a namespace and a variable followed by a colon
926for a sublist: >
927 mylist[n:] " uses variable n
928 mylist[s:] " uses namespace s:, error!
929
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000930
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000931expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000932
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000933If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
934name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
935expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000936
937The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
938but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
939
940There must not be white space before or after the dot.
941
942Examples: >
943 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
944 :echo dict.one
945 :echo dict .2
946
947Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
948always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
949
950
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000951expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000952
953When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
954
955
956
957 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000958number
959------
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +0100960number number constant *expr-number*
961 *hex-number* *octal-number*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000962
963Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
964
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000965 *floating-point-format*
966Floating point numbers can be written in two forms:
967
968 [-+]{N}.{M}
Bram Moolenaar8a94d872015-01-25 13:02:57 +0100969 [-+]{N}.{M}[eE][-+]{exp}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000970
971{N} and {M} are numbers. Both {N} and {M} must be present and can only
972contain digits.
973[-+] means there is an optional plus or minus sign.
974{exp} is the exponent, power of 10.
975Only a decimal point is accepted, not a comma. No matter what the current
976locale is.
977{only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
978
979Examples:
980 123.456
981 +0.0001
982 55.0
983 -0.123
984 1.234e03
985 1.0E-6
986 -3.1416e+88
987
988These are INVALID:
989 3. empty {M}
990 1e40 missing .{M}
991
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +0000992 *float-pi* *float-e*
993A few useful values to copy&paste: >
994 :let pi = 3.14159265359
995 :let e = 2.71828182846
996
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000997Rationale:
998Before floating point was introduced, the text "123.456" was interpreted as
999the two numbers "123" and "456", both converted to a string and concatenated,
1000resulting in the string "123456". Since this was considered pointless, and we
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00001001could not find it intentionally being used in Vim scripts, this backwards
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001002incompatibility was accepted in favor of being able to use the normal notation
1003for floating point numbers.
1004
1005 *floating-point-precision*
1006The precision and range of floating points numbers depends on what "double"
1007means in the library Vim was compiled with. There is no way to change this at
1008runtime.
1009
1010The default for displaying a |Float| is to use 6 decimal places, like using
1011printf("%g", f). You can select something else when using the |printf()|
1012function. Example: >
1013 :echo printf('%.15e', atan(1))
1014< 7.853981633974483e-01
1015
1016
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001017
Bram Moolenaar979243b2015-06-26 19:35:49 +02001018string *string* *String* *expr-string* *E114*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001019------
1020"string" string constant *expr-quote*
1021
1022Note that double quotes are used.
1023
1024A string constant accepts these special characters:
1025\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
1026\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
1027\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
1028\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
1029\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
1030\X.. same as \x..
1031\X. same as \x.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001032\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001033 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
Bram Moolenaar541f92d2015-06-19 13:27:23 +02001034\U.... same as \u but allows up to 8 hex numbers.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001035\b backspace <BS>
1036\e escape <Esc>
1037\f formfeed <FF>
1038\n newline <NL>
1039\r return <CR>
1040\t tab <Tab>
1041\\ backslash
1042\" double quote
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02001043\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W. This is for use
1044 in mappings, the 0x80 byte is escaped. Don't use <Char-xxxx> to get a
1045 utf-8 character, use \uxxxx as mentioned above.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001046
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001047Note that "\xff" is stored as the byte 255, which may be invalid in some
1048encodings. Use "\u00ff" to store character 255 according to the current value
1049of 'encoding'.
1050
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001051Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
1052
1053
1054literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
1055---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001056'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001057
1058Note that single quotes are used.
1059
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001060This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001061meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001062
1063Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001064to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001065 if a =~ "\\s*"
1066 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001067
1068
1069option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
1070------
1071&option option value, local value if possible
1072&g:option global option value
1073&l:option local option value
1074
1075Examples: >
1076 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
1077 if &insertmode
1078
1079Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
1080and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
1081anyway.
1082
1083
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001084register *expr-register* *@r*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001085--------
1086@r contents of register 'r'
1087
1088The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
1089Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001090register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00001091registers.
1092
1093When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
1094evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001095
1096
1097nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
1098-------
1099(expr1) nested expression
1100
1101
1102environment variable *expr-env*
1103--------------------
1104$VAR environment variable
1105
1106The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
1107result is an empty string.
1108 *expr-env-expand*
1109Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
1110expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
1111are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
1112the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
1113fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
1114does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar34401cc2014-08-29 15:12:19 +02001115 :echo $shell
1116 :echo expand("$shell")
1117The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $shell
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001118variable (if your shell supports it).
1119
1120
1121internal variable *expr-variable*
1122-----------------
1123variable internal variable
1124See below |internal-variables|.
1125
1126
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001127function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001128-------------
1129function(expr1, ...) function call
1130See below |functions|.
1131
1132
1133==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +020011343. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E461*
1135
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001136An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1137cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1138|curly-braces-names|.
1139
1140An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001141An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1142|:unlet|.
1143Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1144been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001145
1146There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1147specified by what is prepended:
1148
1149 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1150|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1151|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001152|tabpage-variable| t: Local to the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001153|global-variable| g: Global.
1154|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1155|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1156|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
Bram Moolenaar75b81562014-04-06 14:09:13 +02001157|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001158
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001159The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1160delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001161 :for k in keys(s:)
1162 : unlet s:[k]
1163 :endfor
1164<
Bram Moolenaar531da592013-05-06 05:58:55 +02001165 *buffer-variable* *b:var* *b:*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001166A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1167Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1168This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1169|:bdelete|.
1170
1171One local buffer variable is predefined:
Bram Moolenaarbf884932013-04-05 22:26:15 +02001172 *b:changedtick* *changetick*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001173b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1174 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1175 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1176 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1177 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001178 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1179 : call My_Update()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001180 :endif
1181<
Bram Moolenaar531da592013-05-06 05:58:55 +02001182 *window-variable* *w:var* *w:*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001183A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1184is deleted when the window is closed.
1185
Bram Moolenaarad3b3662013-05-17 18:14:19 +02001186 *tabpage-variable* *t:var* *t:*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001187A variable name that is preceded with "t:" is local to the current tab page,
1188It is deleted when the tab page is closed. {not available when compiled
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001189without the |+windows| feature}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001190
Bram Moolenaar531da592013-05-06 05:58:55 +02001191 *global-variable* *g:var* *g:*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001192Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001193access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001194place if you like.
1195
Bram Moolenaar531da592013-05-06 05:58:55 +02001196 *local-variable* *l:var* *l:*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001197Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001198But you can also prepend "l:" if you like. However, without prepending "l:"
1199you may run into reserved variable names. For example "count". By itself it
1200refers to "v:count". Using "l:count" you can have a local variable with the
1201same name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001202
1203 *script-variable* *s:var*
1204In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1205accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1206
1207They can be used in:
1208- commands executed while the script is sourced
1209- functions defined in the script
1210- autocommands defined in the script
1211- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1212 defined in the script (recursively)
1213- user defined commands defined in the script
1214Thus not in:
1215- other scripts sourced from this one
1216- mappings
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001217- menus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001218- etc.
1219
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001220Script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1221Take this example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001222
1223 let s:counter = 0
1224 function MyCounter()
1225 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1226 echo s:counter
1227 endfunction
1228 command Tick call MyCounter()
1229
1230You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1231that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1232"Tick" was defined is used.
1233
1234Another example that does the same: >
1235
1236 let s:counter = 0
1237 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1238
1239When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001240script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001241defined.
1242
1243The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1244function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1245
1246 let s:counter = 0
1247 function StartCounting(incr)
1248 if a:incr
1249 function MyCounter()
1250 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1251 endfunction
1252 else
1253 function MyCounter()
1254 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1255 endfunction
1256 endif
1257 endfunction
1258
1259This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1260when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1261called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1262
1263When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1264They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1265maintain a counter: >
1266
1267 if !exists("s:counter")
1268 let s:counter = 1
1269 echo "script executed for the first time"
1270 else
1271 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1272 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1273 endif
1274
1275Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1276variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1277
1278
Bram Moolenaar531da592013-05-06 05:58:55 +02001279Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var* *v:*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001280
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001281 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1282v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1283 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1284 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1285
1286 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1287v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1288 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1289
1290 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1291v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1292 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1293
1294 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001295v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1296 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1297 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1298 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001299 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1300 highlighted text is used.
1301 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1302
1303 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1304v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
Bram Moolenaar00654022011-02-25 14:42:19 +01001305 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option. The first
1306 window has number zero (unlike most other places where a
1307 window gets a number).
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001308
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001309 *v:char* *char-variable*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001310v:char Argument for evaluating 'formatexpr' and used for the typed
Bram Moolenaar945e2db2010-06-05 17:43:32 +02001311 character when using <expr> in an abbreviation |:map-<expr>|.
Bram Moolenaare6ae6222013-05-21 21:01:10 +02001312 It is also used by the |InsertCharPre| and |InsertEnter| events.
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001313
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001314 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1315v:charconvert_from
1316 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1317 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1318
1319 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1320v:charconvert_to
1321 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1322 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1323
1324 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1325v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1326 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1327 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1328 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1329 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1330 possible to append this variable directly after the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001331 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001332 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1333 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1334 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1335 in 'printexpr'.
1336
1337 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1338v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1339 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1340 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1341 can be used.
1342
Bram Moolenaar42a45122015-07-10 17:56:23 +02001343 *v:completed_item* *completed_item-variable*
1344v:completed_item
1345 |Dictionary| containing the |complete-items| for the most
1346 recently completed word after |CompleteDone|. The
1347 |Dictionary| is empty if the completion failed.
1348
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001349 *v:count* *count-variable*
1350v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001351 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001352 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1353< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1354 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001355 When there are two counts, as in "3d2w", they are multiplied,
1356 just like what happens in the command, "d6w" for the example.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001357 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001358 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1359
1360 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1361v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1362 used.
1363
1364 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1365v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1366 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1367 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1368 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1369 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1370 command.
1371 See |multi-lang|.
1372
1373 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001374v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001375 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1376 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1377 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1378 Example: >
1379 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +02001380< Note: if another deadly signal is caught when v:dying is one,
1381 VimLeave autocommands will not be executed.
1382
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001383 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1384v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1385 Example: >
1386 :let v:errmsg = ""
1387 :silent! next
1388 :if v:errmsg != ""
1389 : ... handle error
1390< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1391
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01001392 *v:errors* *errors-variable*
Bram Moolenaar683fa182015-11-30 21:38:24 +01001393v:errors Errors found by assert functions, such as |assert_true()|.
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01001394 This is a list of strings.
1395 The assert functions append an item when an assert fails.
1396 To remove old results make it empty: >
1397 :let v:errors = []
1398< If v:errors is set to anything but a list it is made an empty
1399 list by the assert function.
1400
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001401 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1402v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1403 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1404 Example: >
1405 :try
1406 : throw "oops"
1407 :catch /.*/
1408 : echo "caught" v:exception
1409 :endtry
1410< Output: "caught oops".
1411
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01001412 *v:false* *false-variable*
1413v:false A Number with value zero. Used to put "false" in JSON. See
1414 |jsonencode()|.
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01001415 When used as a string this evaluates to "false". >
1416 echo v:false
1417< false ~
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01001418
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001419 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1420v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1421 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1422 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1423 deleted file no longer exists
1424 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1425 changed and buffer is modified
1426 changed file contents has changed
1427 mode mode of file changed
1428 time only file timestamp changed
1429
1430 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1431v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1432 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1433 do with the affected buffer:
1434 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1435 the file was deleted).
1436 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1437 was no autocommand. Except that when
1438 only the timestamp changed nothing
1439 will happen.
1440 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1441 everything that needs to be done.
1442 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1443 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1444
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001445 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001446v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001447 option used for ~
1448 'charconvert' file to be converted
1449 'diffexpr' original file
1450 'patchexpr' original file
1451 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001452 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001453
1454 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1455v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1456 evaluating:
1457 option used for ~
1458 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1459 'diffexpr' output of diff
1460 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1461 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001462 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001463 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1464 file and different from v:fname_in.
1465
1466 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1467v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1468 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1469
1470 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1471v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1472 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1473
1474 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1475v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1476 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001477 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001478
1479 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1480v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001481 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001482
1483 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1484v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001485 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001486
1487 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1488v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001489 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001490
Bram Moolenaar817a8802013-11-09 01:44:43 +01001491 *v:hlsearch* *hlsearch-variable*
Bram Moolenaar76440e22014-11-27 19:14:49 +01001492v:hlsearch Variable that indicates whether search highlighting is on.
1493 Setting it makes sense only if 'hlsearch' is enabled which
1494 requires |+extra_search|. Setting this variable to zero acts
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01001495 like the |:nohlsearch| command, setting it to one acts like >
Bram Moolenaar817a8802013-11-09 01:44:43 +01001496 let &hlsearch = &hlsearch
Bram Moolenaar86ae7202015-07-10 19:31:35 +02001497< Note that the value is restored when returning from a
1498 function. |function-search-undo|.
1499
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001500 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1501v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1502 events. Values:
1503 i Insert mode
1504 r Replace mode
1505 v Virtual Replace mode
1506
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001507 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001508v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001509 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1510 Read-only.
1511
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001512 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1513v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1514 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1515 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1516 The value is system dependent.
1517 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1518 command.
1519 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1520 in a different language than what is used for character
1521 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1522
1523 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1524v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1525 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1526 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1527 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1528 command. See |multi-lang|.
1529
1530 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar368373e2010-07-19 20:46:22 +02001531v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr|, 'formatexpr' and
1532 'indentexpr' expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel'
1533 and 'guitabtooltip'. Only valid while one of these
1534 expressions is being evaluated. Read-only when in the
1535 |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001536
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00001537 *v:mouse_win* *mouse_win-variable*
1538v:mouse_win Window number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1539 First window has number 1, like with |winnr()|. The value is
1540 zero when there was no mouse button click.
1541
1542 *v:mouse_lnum* *mouse_lnum-variable*
1543v:mouse_lnum Line number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1544 This is the text line number, not the screen line number. The
1545 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1546
1547 *v:mouse_col* *mouse_col-variable*
1548v:mouse_col Column number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1549 This is the screen column number, like with |virtcol()|. The
1550 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1551
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01001552 *v:none* *none-variable*
1553v:none An empty String. Used to put an empty item in JSON. See
1554 |jsonencode()|.
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01001555 When used as a number this evaluates to zero.
1556 When used as a string this evaluates to "none". >
1557 echo v:none
1558< none ~
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01001559
1560 *v:null* *null-variable*
1561v:null An empty String. Used to put "null" in JSON. See
1562 |jsonencode()|.
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01001563 When used as a number this evaluates to zero.
1564 When used as a string this evaluates to "null". >
1565 echo v:null
1566< null ~
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01001567
Bram Moolenaard812df62008-11-09 12:46:09 +00001568 *v:oldfiles* *oldfiles-variable*
1569v:oldfiles List of file names that is loaded from the |viminfo| file on
1570 startup. These are the files that Vim remembers marks for.
1571 The length of the List is limited by the ' argument of the
1572 'viminfo' option (default is 100).
Bram Moolenaar8d043172014-01-23 14:24:41 +01001573 When the |viminfo| file is not used the List is empty.
Bram Moolenaard812df62008-11-09 12:46:09 +00001574 Also see |:oldfiles| and |c_#<|.
1575 The List can be modified, but this has no effect on what is
1576 stored in the |viminfo| file later. If you use values other
1577 than String this will cause trouble.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001578 {only when compiled with the |+viminfo| feature}
Bram Moolenaard812df62008-11-09 12:46:09 +00001579
Bram Moolenaar53744302015-07-17 17:38:22 +02001580 *v:option_new*
1581v:option_new New value of the option. Valid while executing an |OptionSet|
1582 autocommand.
1583 *v:option_old*
1584v:option_old Old value of the option. Valid while executing an |OptionSet|
1585 autocommand.
1586 *v:option_type*
1587v:option_type Scope of the set command. Valid while executing an
1588 |OptionSet| autocommand. Can be either "global" or "local"
Bram Moolenaar8af1fbf2008-01-05 12:35:21 +00001589 *v:operator* *operator-variable*
1590v:operator The last operator given in Normal mode. This is a single
1591 character except for commands starting with <g> or <z>,
1592 in which case it is two characters. Best used alongside
1593 |v:prevcount| and |v:register|. Useful if you want to cancel
1594 Operator-pending mode and then use the operator, e.g.: >
1595 :omap O <Esc>:call MyMotion(v:operator)<CR>
1596< The value remains set until another operator is entered, thus
1597 don't expect it to be empty.
1598 v:operator is not set for |:delete|, |:yank| or other Ex
1599 commands.
1600 Read-only.
1601
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001602 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1603v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1604 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
Bram Moolenaar8af1fbf2008-01-05 12:35:21 +00001605 you want to cancel Visual or Operator-pending mode and then
1606 use the count, e.g.: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001607 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1608< Read-only.
1609
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001610 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001611v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001612 See |profiling|.
1613
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001614 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1615v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
Bram Moolenaard38b0552012-04-25 19:07:41 +02001616 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for |view|,
1617 |evim| etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001618 Read-only.
1619
Bram Moolenaara1706c92014-04-01 19:55:49 +02001620 *v:progpath* *progpath-variable*
1621v:progpath Contains the command with which Vim was invoked, including the
1622 path. Useful if you want to message a Vim server using a
1623 |--remote-expr|.
Bram Moolenaarc7f02552014-04-01 21:00:59 +02001624 To get the full path use: >
1625 echo exepath(v:progpath)
1626< NOTE: This does not work when the command is a relative path
1627 and the current directory has changed.
Bram Moolenaara1706c92014-04-01 19:55:49 +02001628 Read-only.
1629
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001630 *v:register* *register-variable*
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01001631v:register The name of the register in effect for the current normal mode
Bram Moolenaard38b0552012-04-25 19:07:41 +02001632 command (regardless of whether that command actually used a
1633 register). Or for the currently executing normal mode mapping
1634 (use this in custom commands that take a register).
1635 If none is supplied it is the default register '"', unless
1636 'clipboard' contains "unnamed" or "unnamedplus", then it is
1637 '*' or '+'.
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01001638 Also see |getreg()| and |setreg()|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001639
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001640 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1641v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1642 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1643 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1644 typed command.
1645 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1646 hit-enter prompt.
1647
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001648 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1649v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1650 Read-only.
1651
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001652
1653v:searchforward *v:searchforward* *searchforward-variable*
1654 Search direction: 1 after a forward search, 0 after a
1655 backward search. It is reset to forward when directly setting
1656 the last search pattern, see |quote/|.
1657 Note that the value is restored when returning from a
1658 function. |function-search-undo|.
1659 Read-write.
1660
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001661 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1662v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1663 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1664 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1665 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1666 executed. Read-only.
1667 Example: >
1668 :!mv foo bar
1669 :if v:shell_error
1670 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1671 :endif
1672< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1673
1674 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1675v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1676
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001677 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1678v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1679 the swap file found. Read-only.
1680
1681 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1682v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1683 for handling an existing swap file:
1684 'o' Open read-only
1685 'e' Edit anyway
1686 'r' Recover
1687 'd' Delete swapfile
1688 'q' Quit
1689 'a' Abort
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001690 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001691 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1692 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1693
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001694 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001695v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001696 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001697 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001698 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001699 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001700
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001701 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1702v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001703 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001704 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1705 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1706 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1707 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1708 terminal.
1709 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1710 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1711 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1712 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1713 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1714
1715 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1716v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1717 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1718 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1719 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1720
1721 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1722v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001723 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001724 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1725 Example: >
1726 :try
1727 : throw "oops"
1728 :catch /.*/
1729 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1730 :endtry
1731< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1732
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01001733 *v:true* *true-variable*
1734v:true A Number with value one. Used to put "true" in JSON. See
1735 |jsonencode()|.
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01001736 When used as a string this evaluates to "true". >
1737 echo v:true
1738< true ~
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001739 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001740v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001741 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001742 |filter()|. Read-only.
1743
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001744 *v:version* *version-variable*
1745v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1746 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1747 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1748 compatibility.
1749 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
Bram Moolenaar6716d9a2014-04-02 12:12:08 +02001750 if has("patch-7.4.123")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001751< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1752 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1753 completely different.
1754
1755 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1756v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1757
Bram Moolenaar727c8762010-10-20 19:17:48 +02001758 *v:windowid* *windowid-variable*
1759v:windowid When any X11 based GUI is running or when running in a
1760 terminal and Vim connects to the X server (|-X|) this will be
Bram Moolenaar264e9fd2010-10-27 12:33:17 +02001761 set to the window ID.
1762 When an MS-Windows GUI is running this will be set to the
1763 window handle.
1764 Otherwise the value is zero.
1765 Note: for windows inside Vim use |winnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar727c8762010-10-20 19:17:48 +02001766
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001767==============================================================================
17684. Builtin Functions *functions*
1769
1770See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1771
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001772(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001773
1774USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1775
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001776abs( {expr}) Float or Number absolute value of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001777acos( {expr}) Float arc cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001778add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaaracb4f222016-01-10 15:59:26 +01001779alloc_fail( {id}, {countdown}, {repeat})
1780 none make memory allocation fail
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01001781and( {expr}, {expr}) Number bitwise AND
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001782append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001783append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001784argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001785argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar683fa182015-11-30 21:38:24 +01001786arglistid( [{winnr} [, {tabnr}]])
Bram Moolenaar2d1fe052014-05-28 18:22:57 +02001787 Number argument list id
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001788argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001789argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01001790assert_equal( {exp}, {act} [, {msg}]) none assert {exp} equals {act}
1791assert_exception({error} [, {msg}]) none assert {error} is in v:exception
Bram Moolenaara260b872016-01-15 20:48:22 +01001792assert_fails( {cmd} [, {error}]) none assert {cmd} fails
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01001793assert_false( {actual} [, {msg}]) none assert {actual} is false
1794assert_true( {actual} [, {msg}]) none assert {actual} is true
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001795asin( {expr}) Float arc sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001796atan( {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001797atan2( {expr}, {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001798browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1799 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001800browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001801bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001802buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1803bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001804bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaar12969c02015-09-08 23:36:10 +02001805bufnr( {expr} [, {create}]) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001806bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1807byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001808byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar0ffbbf92013-11-02 23:29:26 +01001809byteidxcomp( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001810call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1811 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001812ceil( {expr}) Float round {expr} up
1813changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01001814char2nr( {expr}[, {utf8}]) Number ASCII/UTF8 value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001815cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001816clearmatches() none clear all matches
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001817col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001818complete( {startcol}, {matches}) none set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001819complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001820complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001821confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1822 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaar3b5f9292016-01-28 22:37:01 +01001823connect( {address}, {mode} [, {callback}])
1824 Number open a channel
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001825copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001826cos( {expr}) Float cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001827cosh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a991dd2014-10-02 01:41:41 +02001828count( {list}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]])
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001829 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001830cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1831 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar2f3b5102014-11-19 18:54:17 +01001832cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {off}])
1833 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {off}
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001834cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaar92dff182014-02-11 19:15:50 +01001835deepcopy( {expr} [, {noref}]) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaarda440d22016-01-16 21:27:23 +01001836delete( {fname} [, {flags}]) Number delete the file or directory {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001837did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001838diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1839diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001840empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001841escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001842eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001843eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001844executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaarc7f02552014-04-01 21:00:59 +02001845exepath( {expr}) String full path of the command {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001846exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001847extend( {expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001848 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001849exp( {expr}) Float exponential of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar146e9c32012-03-07 19:18:23 +01001850expand( {expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list}]])
1851 any expand special keywords in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001852feedkeys( {string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001853filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001854filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001855filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1856 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001857finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001858 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001859findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001860 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001861float2nr( {expr}) Number convert Float {expr} to a Number
1862floor( {expr}) Float round {expr} down
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001863fmod( {expr1}, {expr2}) Float remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00001864fnameescape( {fname}) String escape special characters in {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001865fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001866foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1867foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001868foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001869foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001870foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001871foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001872function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01001873garbagecollect( [{atexit}]) none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001874get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001875get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001876getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1877 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01001878getbufvar( {expr}, {varname} [, {def}])
1879 any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001880getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1881getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaarfc39ecf2015-08-11 20:34:49 +02001882getcharsearch() Dict last character search
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001883getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1884getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarfb539272014-08-22 19:21:47 +02001885getcmdtype() String return current command-line type
1886getcmdwintype() String return current command-line window type
Bram Moolenaar6f6c0f82014-05-28 20:31:42 +02001887getcurpos() List position of the cursor
Bram Moolenaarc9703302016-01-17 21:49:33 +01001888getcwd( [{winnr} [, {tabnr}]]) String get the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar6f6c0f82014-05-28 20:31:42 +02001889getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001890getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1891getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001892getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001893getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001894getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1895getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001896getloclist( {nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001897getmatches() List list of current matches
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00001898getpid() Number process ID of Vim
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001899getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001900getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaarb7cb42b2014-04-02 19:55:10 +02001901getreg( [{regname} [, 1 [, {list}]]])
1902 String or List contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001903getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01001904gettabvar( {nr}, {varname} [, {def}])
1905 any variable {varname} in tab {nr} or {def}
1906gettabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {name} [, {def}])
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001907 any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001908getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1909getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01001910getwinvar( {nr}, {varname} [, {def}])
1911 any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaard8b77f72015-03-05 21:21:19 +01001912glob( {expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list} [, {alllinks}]]])
Bram Moolenaar146e9c32012-03-07 19:18:23 +01001913 any expand file wildcards in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5837f1f2015-03-21 18:06:14 +01001914glob2regpat( {expr}) String convert a glob pat into a search pat
Bram Moolenaard8b77f72015-03-05 21:21:19 +01001915globpath( {path}, {expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list} [, {alllinks}]]])
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00001916 String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001917has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001918has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaarc9703302016-01-17 21:49:33 +01001919haslocaldir( [{winnr} [, {tabnr}]])
1920 Number TRUE if the window executed |:lcd|
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001921hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1922 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001923histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1924histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1925histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1926histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1927hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1928hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1929hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001930iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1931indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001932index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1933 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001934input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1935 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001936inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001937inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001938inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1939inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001940inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001941insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01001942invert( {expr}) Number bitwise invert
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001943isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001944islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001945items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001946join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01001947jsondecode( {string}) any decode JSON
1948jsonencode( {expr}) String encode JSON
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001949keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001950len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1951libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001952libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1953line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1954line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001955lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001956localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001957log( {expr}) Float natural logarithm (base e) of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001958log10( {expr}) Float logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10
Bram Moolenaard38b0552012-04-25 19:07:41 +02001959luaeval( {expr}[, {expr}]) any evaluate |Lua| expression
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001960map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02001961maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr} [, {dict}]]])
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01001962 String or Dict
1963 rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001964mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1965 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001966match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001967 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001968matchadd( {group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
1969 Number highlight {pattern} with {group}
Bram Moolenaarb3414592014-06-17 17:48:32 +02001970matchaddpos( {group}, {list}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
1971 Number highlight positions with {group}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001972matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001973matchdelete( {id}) Number delete match identified by {id}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001974matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001975 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001976matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1977 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001978matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1979 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001980max( {list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1981min( {list}) Number minimum value of items in {list}
1982mkdir( {name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001983 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001984mode( [expr]) String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01001985mzeval( {expr}) any evaluate |MzScheme| expression
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001986nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01001987nr2char( {expr}[, {utf8}]) String single char with ASCII/UTF8 value {expr}
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01001988or( {expr}, {expr}) Number bitwise OR
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001989pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaare9b892e2016-01-17 21:15:58 +01001990perleval( {expr}) any evaluate |Perl| expression
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001991pow( {x}, {y}) Float {x} to the power of {y}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001992prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001993printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
1994pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02001995pyeval( {expr}) any evaluate |Python| expression
1996py3eval( {expr}) any evaluate |python3| expression
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001997range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1998 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001999readfile( {fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00002000 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002001reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
2002reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002003remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
2004 String send expression
2005remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
2006remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
2007 Number check for reply string
2008remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
2009remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
2010 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002011remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002012remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002013rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
2014repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
2015resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002016reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002017round( {expr}) Float round off {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9a773482013-06-11 18:40:13 +02002018screenattr( {row}, {col}) Number attribute at screen position
2019screenchar( {row}, {col}) Number character at screen position
Bram Moolenaar9750bb12012-12-05 16:10:42 +01002020screencol() Number current cursor column
2021screenrow() Number current cursor row
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00002022search( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
2023 Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002024searchdecl( {name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002025 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00002026searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002027 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00002028searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00002029 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00002030searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00002031 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar3b5f9292016-01-28 22:37:01 +01002032sendexpr( {handle}, {expr} [, {callback}])
2033 any send {expr} over JSON channel {handle}
2034sendraw( {handle}, {string} [, {callback}])
2035 any send {string} over raw channel {handle}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002036server2client( {clientid}, {string})
2037 Number send reply string
2038serverlist() String get a list of available servers
2039setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaardbd24b52015-08-11 14:26:19 +02002040setcharsearch( {dict}) Dict set character search from {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002041setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
2042setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00002043setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
2044 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00002045setmatches( {list}) Number restore a list of matches
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002046setpos( {expr}, {list}) Number set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00002047setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002048setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02002049settabvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in tab page {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00002050settabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window
2051 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002052setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaaraf9aeb92013-02-13 17:35:04 +01002053sha256( {string}) String SHA256 checksum of {string}
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00002054shellescape( {string} [, {special}])
2055 String escape {string} for use as shell
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00002056 command argument
Bram Moolenaar2d17fa32012-10-21 00:45:18 +02002057shiftwidth() Number effective value of 'shiftwidth'
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002058simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002059sin( {expr}) Float sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002060sinh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f894962011-06-19 02:55:37 +02002061sort( {list} [, {func} [, {dict}]])
2062 List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00002063soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00002064spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00002065spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
2066 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002067split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002068 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01002069sqrt( {expr}) Float square root of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002070str2float( {expr}) Float convert String to Float
2071str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert String to Number
Bram Moolenaar641e48c2015-06-25 16:09:26 +02002072strchars( {expr} [, {skipcc}]) Number character length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02002073strdisplaywidth( {expr} [, {col}]) Number display length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002074strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00002075stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
2076 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002077string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002078strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
2079strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
2080 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002081strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
2082 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002083strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02002084strwidth( {expr}) Number display cell length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaar41571762014-04-02 19:00:58 +02002085submatch( {nr}[, {list}]) String or List
2086 specific match in ":s" or substitute()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002087substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
2088 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002089synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002090synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
2091 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
2092synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaar483c5d82010-10-20 18:45:33 +02002093synconcealed( {lnum}, {col}) List info about concealing
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002094synstack( {lnum}, {col}) List stack of syntax IDs at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00002095system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaar39c29ed2014-04-05 19:44:40 +02002096systemlist( {expr} [, {input}]) List output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00002097tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
2098tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
2099tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
2100 Number number of current window in tab page
2101taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002102tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002103tempname() String name for a temporary file
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002104tan( {expr}) Float tangent of {expr}
2105tanh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002106tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
2107toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00002108tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
2109 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01002110trunc( {expr}) Float truncate Float {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002111type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02002112undofile( {name}) String undo file name for {name}
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002113undotree() List undo file tree
Bram Moolenaar327aa022014-03-25 18:24:23 +01002114uniq( {list} [, {func} [, {dict}]])
2115 List remove adjacent duplicates from a list
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002116values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002117virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
2118visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
Bram Moolenaar8738fc12013-02-20 17:59:11 +01002119wildmenumode() Number whether 'wildmenu' mode is active
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002120winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
2121wincol() Number window column of the cursor
2122winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
2123winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00002124winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002125winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002126winrestview( {dict}) none restore view of current window
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00002127winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002128winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaared767a22016-01-03 22:49:16 +01002129wordcount() Dict get byte/char/word statistics
Bram Moolenaar6b2e9382014-11-05 18:06:01 +01002130writefile( {list}, {fname} [, {flags}])
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002131 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01002132xor( {expr}, {expr}) Number bitwise XOR
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002133
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002134abs({expr}) *abs()*
2135 Return the absolute value of {expr}. When {expr} evaluates to
2136 a |Float| abs() returns a |Float|. When {expr} can be
2137 converted to a |Number| abs() returns a |Number|. Otherwise
2138 abs() gives an error message and returns -1.
2139 Examples: >
2140 echo abs(1.456)
2141< 1.456 >
2142 echo abs(-5.456)
2143< 5.456 >
2144 echo abs(-4)
2145< 4
2146 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2147
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002148
2149acos({expr}) *acos()*
2150 Return the arc cosine of {expr} measured in radians, as a
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002151 |Float| in the range of [0, pi].
2152 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002153 [-1, 1].
2154 Examples: >
2155 :echo acos(0)
2156< 1.570796 >
2157 :echo acos(-0.5)
2158< 2.094395
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002159 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002160
2161
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002162add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002163 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
2164 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002165 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
2166 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002167< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002168 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002169 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002170
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002171
Bram Moolenaar75bdf6a2016-01-07 21:25:08 +01002172alloc_fail({id}, {countdown}, {repeat}) *alloc_fail()*
2173 This is for testing: If the memory allocation with {id} is
2174 called, then decrement {countdown}, and when it reaches zero
2175 let memory allocation fail {repeat} times. When {repeat} is
2176 smaller than one it fails one time.
2177
2178
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01002179and({expr}, {expr}) *and()*
2180 Bitwise AND on the two arguments. The arguments are converted
2181 to a number. A List, Dict or Float argument causes an error.
2182 Example: >
2183 :let flag = and(bits, 0x80)
2184
2185
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002186append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002187 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
2188 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002189 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
2190 the current buffer.
2191 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002192 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002193 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002194 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002195 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002196<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002197 *argc()*
2198argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
2199 current window. See |arglist|.
2200
2201 *argidx()*
2202argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
2203 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
2204
Bram Moolenaar2d1fe052014-05-28 18:22:57 +02002205 *arglistid()*
2206arglistid([{winnr}, [ {tabnr} ]])
2207 Return the argument list ID. This is a number which
2208 identifies the argument list being used. Zero is used for the
Bram Moolenaarfb539272014-08-22 19:21:47 +02002209 global argument list. See |arglist|.
2210 Return -1 if the arguments are invalid.
Bram Moolenaar2d1fe052014-05-28 18:22:57 +02002211
2212 Without arguments use the current window.
2213 With {winnr} only use this window in the current tab page.
2214 With {winnr} and {tabnr} use the window in the specified tab
2215 page.
2216
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002217 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00002218argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002219 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
2220 Example: >
2221 :let i = 0
2222 :while i < argc()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002223 : let f = escape(fnameescape(argv(i)), '.')
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002224 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
2225 : let i = i + 1
2226 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00002227< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
2228 returned.
2229
Bram Moolenaar683fa182015-11-30 21:38:24 +01002230 *assert_equal()*
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01002231assert_equal({expected}, {actual} [, {msg}])
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002232 When {expected} and {actual} are not equal an error message is
2233 added to |v:errors|.
2234 There is no automatic conversion, the String "4" is different
2235 from the Number 4. And the number 4 is different from the
2236 Float 4.0. The value of 'ignorecase' is not used here, case
2237 always matters.
Bram Moolenaar683fa182015-11-30 21:38:24 +01002238 When {msg} is omitted an error in the form "Expected
2239 {expected} but got {actual}" is produced.
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002240 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar683fa182015-11-30 21:38:24 +01002241 assert_equal('foo', 'bar')
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002242< Will result in a string to be added to |v:errors|:
2243 test.vim line 12: Expected 'foo' but got 'bar' ~
2244
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01002245assert_exception({error} [, {msg}]) *assert_exception()*
2246 When v:exception does not contain the string {error} an error
2247 message is added to |v:errors|.
2248 This can be used to assert that a command throws an exception.
2249 Using the error number, followed by a colon, avoids problems
2250 with translations: >
2251 try
2252 commandthatfails
2253 call assert_false(1, 'command should have failed')
2254 catch
2255 call assert_exception('E492:')
2256 endtry
2257
Bram Moolenaara260b872016-01-15 20:48:22 +01002258assert_fails({cmd} [, {error}]) *assert_fails()*
2259 Run {cmd} and add an error message to |v:errors| if it does
2260 NOT produce an error.
2261 When {error} is given it must match |v:errmsg|.
2262
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01002263assert_false({actual} [, {msg}]) *assert_false()*
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002264 When {actual} is not false an error message is added to
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01002265 |v:errors|, like with |assert_equal()|.
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002266 A value is false when it is zero. When "{actual}" is not a
2267 number the assert fails.
Bram Moolenaar683fa182015-11-30 21:38:24 +01002268 When {msg} is omitted an error in the form "Expected False but
2269 got {actual}" is produced.
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002270
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01002271assert_true({actual} [, {msg}]) *assert_true()*
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002272 When {actual} is not true an error message is added to
Bram Moolenaara803c7f2016-01-15 15:31:39 +01002273 |v:errors|, like with |assert_equal()|.
2274 A value is true when it is a non-zero number. When {actual}
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002275 is not a number the assert fails.
Bram Moolenaar683fa182015-11-30 21:38:24 +01002276 When {msg} is omitted an error in the form "Expected True but
2277 got {actual}" is produced.
Bram Moolenaar43345542015-11-29 17:35:35 +01002278
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002279asin({expr}) *asin()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002280 Return the arc sine of {expr} measured in radians, as a |Float|
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002281 in the range of [-pi/2, pi/2].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002282 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002283 [-1, 1].
2284 Examples: >
2285 :echo asin(0.8)
2286< 0.927295 >
2287 :echo asin(-0.5)
2288< -0.523599
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002289 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002290
2291
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002292atan({expr}) *atan()*
2293 Return the principal value of the arc tangent of {expr}, in
2294 the range [-pi/2, +pi/2] radians, as a |Float|.
2295 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2296 Examples: >
2297 :echo atan(100)
2298< 1.560797 >
2299 :echo atan(-4.01)
2300< -1.326405
2301 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2302
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002303
2304atan2({expr1}, {expr2}) *atan2()*
2305 Return the arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}, measured in
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002306 radians, as a |Float| in the range [-pi, pi].
2307 {expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002308 Examples: >
2309 :echo atan2(-1, 1)
2310< -0.785398 >
2311 :echo atan2(1, -1)
2312< 2.356194
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002313 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002314
2315
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002316 *browse()*
2317browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
2318 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
2319 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2320 The input fields are:
2321 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
2322 {title} title for the requester
2323 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2324 {default} default file name
2325 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2326 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2327
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002328 *browsedir()*
2329browsedir({title}, {initdir})
2330 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
2331 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2332 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
2333 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
2334 to be used.
2335 The input fields are:
2336 {title} title for the requester
2337 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2338 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2339 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2340
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002341bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
2342 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2343 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002344 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002345 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002346 exactly. The name can be:
2347 - Relative to the current directory.
2348 - A full path.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002349 - The name of a buffer with 'buftype' set to "nofile".
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002350 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002351 Unlisted buffers will be found.
2352 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
2353 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
2354 long name to be able to find them.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002355 bufexists() may report a buffer exists, but to use the name
2356 with a |:buffer| command you may need to use |expand()|. Esp
2357 for MS-Windows 8.3 names in the form "c:\DOCUME~1"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002358 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
2359 file name.
2360 *buffer_exists()*
2361 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
2362
2363buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
2364 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2365 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002366 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002367
2368bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
2369 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2370 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002371 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002372
2373bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
2374 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
2375 ":ls" command.
2376 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
2377 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
2378 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002379 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002380 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
2381 match an empty string is returned.
2382 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
2383 alternate buffer.
2384 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002385 or middle of the buffer name is accepted. If you only want a
2386 full match then put "^" at the start and "$" at the end of the
2387 pattern.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002388 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
2389 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
2390 buffers are searched for.
2391 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
2392 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
2393 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
2394< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
2395 string is returned. >
2396 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
2397 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
2398 bufname("%") name of current buffer
2399 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
2400< *buffer_name()*
2401 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
2402
2403 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002404bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
2405 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002406 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002407 above.
2408 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
2409 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
2410 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002411 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
2412 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
2413< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
2414 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
2415 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
2416 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
2417 *buffer_number()*
2418 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
2419 *last_buffer_nr()*
2420 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
2421
2422bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
2423 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
2424 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002425 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002426 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
2427
2428 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
2429
2430< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
2431 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002432 Only deals with the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002433
2434
2435byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
2436 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
2437 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
2438 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
2439 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
2440 one.
2441 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
2442 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
2443 feature}
2444
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00002445byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
2446 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
2447 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
2448 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
2449 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
Bram Moolenaar0ffbbf92013-11-02 23:29:26 +01002450 Composing characters are not counted separately, their byte
2451 length is added to the preceding base character. See
2452 |byteidxcomp()| below for counting composing characters
2453 separately.
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00002454 Example : >
2455 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
2456< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
2457 same: >
2458 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
2459 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
2460< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
2461 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
Bram Moolenaar0ffbbf92013-11-02 23:29:26 +01002462 in bytes is returned.
2463
2464byteidxcomp({expr}, {nr}) *byteidxcomp()*
2465 Like byteidx(), except that a composing character is counted
2466 as a separate character. Example: >
2467 let s = 'e' . nr2char(0x301)
2468 echo byteidx(s, 1)
2469 echo byteidxcomp(s, 1)
2470 echo byteidxcomp(s, 2)
2471< The first and third echo result in 3 ('e' plus composing
2472 character is 3 bytes), the second echo results in 1 ('e' is
2473 one byte).
2474 Only works different from byteidx() when 'encoding' is set to
2475 a Unicode encoding.
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00002476
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002477call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002478 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002479 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002480 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002481 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
2482 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002483 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
2484 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002485
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002486ceil({expr}) *ceil()*
2487 Return the smallest integral value greater than or equal to
2488 {expr} as a |Float| (round up).
2489 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2490 Examples: >
2491 echo ceil(1.456)
2492< 2.0 >
2493 echo ceil(-5.456)
2494< -5.0 >
2495 echo ceil(4.0)
2496< 4.0
2497 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2498
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00002499changenr() *changenr()*
2500 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
2501 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
2502 with the |:undo| command.
2503 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
2504 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
2505 one less than the number of the undone change.
2506
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01002507char2nr({expr}[, {utf8}]) *char2nr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002508 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
2509 char2nr(" ") returns 32
2510 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01002511< When {utf8} is omitted or zero, the current 'encoding' is used.
2512 Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002513 char2nr("á") returns 225
2514 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01002515< With {utf8} set to 1, always treat as utf-8 characters.
2516 A combining character is a separate character.
Bram Moolenaar97293012011-07-18 19:40:27 +02002517 |nr2char()| does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002518
2519cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
2520 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
2521 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
2522 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
2523 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
2524 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
2525 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00002526 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002527
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00002528clearmatches() *clearmatches()*
2529 Clears all matches previously defined by |matchadd()| and the
2530 |:match| commands.
2531
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002532 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00002533col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002534 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2535 . the cursor position
2536 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
Bram Moolenaar1aeaf8c2012-05-18 13:46:39 +02002537 number of bytes in the cursor line plus one)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002538 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2539 returned)
Bram Moolenaare3faf442014-12-14 01:27:49 +01002540 v In Visual mode: the start of the Visual area (the
2541 cursor is the end). When not in Visual mode
2542 returns the cursor position. Differs from |'<| in
2543 that it's updated right away.
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002544 Additionally {expr} can be [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line
2545 and column number. Most useful when the column is "$", to get
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002546 the last column of a specific line. When "lnum" or "col" is
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002547 out of range then col() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002548 To get the line number use |line()|. To get both use
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002549 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002550 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
2551 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2552 Examples: >
2553 col(".") column of cursor
2554 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
2555 col("'t") column of mark t
2556 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002557< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002558 For an uppercase mark the column may actually be in another
2559 buffer.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002560 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
2561 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
2562 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
2563 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
2564 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
2565 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
2566 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
2567<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002568
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002569complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
2570 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2571 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002572 with CTRL-R = |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O or
2573 with an expression mapping.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002574 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2575 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2576 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2577 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2578 match.
2579 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2580 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2581 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002582 inserting anything that would cause completion to stop.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002583 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2584 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2585 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2586 Example: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002587 inoremap <F5> <C-R>=ListMonths()<CR>
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002588
2589 func! ListMonths()
2590 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2591 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2592 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2593 return ''
2594 endfunc
2595< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2596 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2597
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002598complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2599 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2600 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2601 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2602 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2603 the list.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002604 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002605 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002606
2607complete_check() *complete_check()*
2608 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2609 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2610 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2611 zero otherwise.
2612 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2613 'completefunc' option.
2614
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002615 *confirm()*
2616confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2617 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2618 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2619 choice this is 1.
2620 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2621 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002622
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002623 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2624 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2625 used (and translated).
2626 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2627 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002628
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002629 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2630 by '\n', e.g. >
2631 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2632< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2633 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2634 not need to be the first letter: >
2635 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2636< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2637 the default shortcut key.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002638
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002639 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2640 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2641 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2642 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002643
2644 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
2645 is only used for the icon of the GTK, Mac, Motif and Win32
2646 GUI. It can be one of these values: "Error", "Question",
2647 "Info", "Warning" or "Generic". Only the first character is
2648 relevant. When {type} is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2649
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002650 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2651 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2652
2653 An example: >
2654 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2655 :if choice == 0
2656 : echo "make up your mind!"
2657 :elseif choice == 3
2658 : echo "tasteful"
2659 :else
2660 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2661 :endif
2662< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2663 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002664 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002665 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2666 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2667 the horizontal layout is always used.
2668
Bram Moolenaar3b5f9292016-01-28 22:37:01 +01002669connect({address}, {mode} [, {callback}]) *connect()*
2670 Open a channel to {address}. See |channel|.
2671
2672 {address} has the form "hostname:port", e.g.,
2673 "localhost:8765".
2674
2675 {mode} is either "json" or "raw". See |channel-mode| for the
2676 meaning.
2677
2678 {callback} is a function that handles received messages on the
2679 channel. See |channel-callback|.
2680
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002681 *copy()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002682copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002683 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002684 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2685 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002686 copy, and vice versa. But the items are identical, thus
2687 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002688 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002689
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002690cos({expr}) *cos()*
2691 Return the cosine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
2692 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2693 Examples: >
2694 :echo cos(100)
2695< 0.862319 >
2696 :echo cos(-4.01)
2697< -0.646043
2698 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2699
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002700
2701cosh({expr}) *cosh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002702 Return the hyperbolic cosine of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002703 [1, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002704 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002705 Examples: >
2706 :echo cosh(0.5)
2707< 1.127626 >
2708 :echo cosh(-0.5)
2709< -1.127626
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002710 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002711
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002712
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002713count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002714 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002715 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002716 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002717 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002718 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2719
2720
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002721 *cscope_connection()*
2722cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2723 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2724 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2725 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2726 if there are no cscope connections;
2727 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2728
2729 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2730 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2731
2732 {num} Description of existence check
2733 ----- ------------------------------
2734 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2735 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2736 {dbpath}.
2737 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2738 {dbpath}.
2739 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2740 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2741 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2742 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2743
2744 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2745
2746 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2747
2748 # pid database name prepend path
2749 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2750<
2751 Invocation Return Val ~
2752 ---------- ---------- >
2753 cscope_connection() 1
2754 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2755 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2756 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2757 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2758 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2759 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2760 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2761<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002762cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2763cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002764 Positions the cursor at the column (byte count) {col} in the
2765 line {lnum}. The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar493c1782014-05-28 14:34:46 +02002766
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002767 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar493c1782014-05-28 14:34:46 +02002768 with two, three or four item:
2769 [{lnum}, {col}, {off}]
2770 [{lnum}, {col}, {off}, {curswant}]
Bram Moolenaar946e27a2014-06-25 18:50:27 +02002771 This is like the return value of |getpos()| or |getcurpos()|,
Bram Moolenaar6f6c0f82014-05-28 20:31:42 +02002772 but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar493c1782014-05-28 14:34:46 +02002773
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002774 Does not change the jumplist.
2775 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2776 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2777 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002778 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002779 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2780 line.
2781 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar6f6c0f82014-05-28 20:31:42 +02002782 If {curswant} is given it is used to set the preferred column
Bram Moolenaar34401cc2014-08-29 15:12:19 +02002783 for vertical movement. Otherwise {col} is used.
Bram Moolenaar2f3b5102014-11-19 18:54:17 +01002784
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002785 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2786 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00002787 position within a <Tab> or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar798b30b2009-04-22 10:56:16 +00002788 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002789
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002790
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002791deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002792 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002793 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002794 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2795 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002796 copy, and vice versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002797 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002798 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2799 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2800 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2801 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2802 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2803 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002804 *E724*
2805 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002806 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2807 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002808 Also see |copy()|.
2809
Bram Moolenaarda440d22016-01-16 21:27:23 +01002810delete({fname} [, {flags}]) *delete()*
2811 Without {flags} or with {flags} empty: Deletes the file by the
Bram Moolenaar43a34f92016-01-17 15:56:34 +01002812 name {fname}. This also works when {fname} is a symbolic link.
Bram Moolenaarda440d22016-01-16 21:27:23 +01002813
2814 When {flags} is "d": Deletes the directory by the name
Bram Moolenaar43a34f92016-01-17 15:56:34 +01002815 {fname}. This fails when directory {fname} is not empty.
Bram Moolenaarda440d22016-01-16 21:27:23 +01002816
2817 When {flags} is "rf": Deletes the directory by the name
Bram Moolenaar43a34f92016-01-17 15:56:34 +01002818 {fname} and everything in it, recursively. BE CAREFUL!
2819 A symbolic link itself is deleted, not what it points to.
Bram Moolenaarda440d22016-01-16 21:27:23 +01002820
2821 The result is a Number, which is 0 if the delete operation was
2822 successful and -1 when the deletion failed or partly failed.
2823
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002824 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarac7bd632013-03-19 11:35:58 +01002825 To delete a line from the buffer use |:delete|. Use |:exe|
2826 when the line number is in a variable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002827
2828 *did_filetype()*
2829did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2830 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2831 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2832 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2833 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2834 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2835 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2836 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2837 file.
2838
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002839diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2840 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2841 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2842 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2843 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2844 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2845 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2846 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2847
2848diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2849 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2850 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2851 diff change zero is returned.
2852 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2853 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2854 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2855 line.
2856 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2857 syntax information about the highlighting.
2858
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002859empty({expr}) *empty()*
2860 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002861 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002862 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
Bram Moolenaar009d84a2016-01-28 14:12:00 +01002863 |v:false|, |v:none| and |v:null| are empty, |v:true| is not.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002864 For a long |List| this is much faster than comparing the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002865 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002866
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002867escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2868 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2869 backslash. Example: >
2870 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2871< results in: >
2872 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002873< Also see |shellescape()|.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002874
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002875 *eval()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002876eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2877 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002878 This works for Numbers, Floats, Strings and composites of
2879 them. Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing
2880 functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002881
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002882eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2883 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2884 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2885 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2886 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2887
2888executable({expr}) *executable()*
2889 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2890 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002891 arguments.
2892 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2893 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2894 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2895 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002896 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2897 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002898 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002899 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002900 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2901 extension.
2902 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2903 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002904 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2905 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2906 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002907 The result is a Number:
2908 1 exists
2909 0 does not exist
2910 -1 not implemented on this system
2911
Bram Moolenaarc7f02552014-04-01 21:00:59 +02002912exepath({expr}) *exepath()*
2913 If {expr} is an executable and is either an absolute path, a
2914 relative path or found in $PATH, return the full path.
2915 Note that the current directory is used when {expr} starts
2916 with "./", which may be a problem for Vim: >
2917 echo exepath(v:progpath)
Bram Moolenaar7e38ea22014-04-05 22:55:53 +02002918< If {expr} cannot be found in $PATH or is not executable then
Bram Moolenaarc7f02552014-04-01 21:00:59 +02002919 an empty string is returned.
2920
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002921 *exists()*
2922exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2923 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2924 which contains one of these:
2925 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2926 not if it really works)
2927 +option-name Vim option that works.
2928 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2929 done by comparing with an empty
2930 string)
2931 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2932 or user defined function (see
Bram Moolenaarbcb98982014-05-01 14:08:19 +02002933 |user-functions|). Also works for a
2934 variable that is a Funcref.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002935 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002936 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002937 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2938 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00002939 that evaluating an index may cause an
2940 error message for an invalid
2941 expression. E.g.: >
2942 :let l = [1, 2, 3]
2943 :echo exists("l[5]")
2944< 0 >
2945 :echo exists("l[xx]")
2946< E121: Undefined variable: xx
2947 0
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002948 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2949 command or command modifier |:command|.
2950 Returns:
2951 1 for match with start of a command
2952 2 full match with a command
2953 3 matches several user commands
2954 To check for a supported command
2955 always check the return value to be 2.
Bram Moolenaar14716812006-05-04 21:54:08 +00002956 :2match The |:2match| command.
2957 :3match The |:3match| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002958 #event autocommand defined for this event
2959 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2960 pattern (the pattern is taken
2961 literally and compared to the
2962 autocommand patterns character by
2963 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002964 #group autocommand group exists
2965 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2966 event.
2967 #group#event#pattern
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002968 autocommand defined for this group,
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002969 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002970 ##event autocommand for this event is
2971 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002972 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2973
2974 Examples: >
2975 exists("&shortname")
2976 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2977 exists("*strftime")
2978 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2979 exists("bufcount")
2980 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002981 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002982 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002983 exists("#filetypeindent")
2984 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2985 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002986 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002987< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2988 name.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002989 There must be no extra characters after the name, although in
2990 a few cases this is ignored. That may become more strict in
2991 the future, thus don't count on it!
2992 Working example: >
2993 exists(":make")
2994< NOT working example: >
2995 exists(":make install")
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00002996
2997< Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2998 variable itself. For example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002999 exists(bufcount)
3000< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00003001 but gets the value of "bufcount", and checks if that exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003002
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003003exp({expr}) *exp()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02003004 Return the exponential of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003005 [0, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02003006 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003007 Examples: >
3008 :echo exp(2)
3009< 7.389056 >
3010 :echo exp(-1)
3011< 0.367879
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02003012 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003013
3014
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +01003015expand({expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list}]]) *expand()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003016 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +01003017 'wildignorecase' applies.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003018
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +01003019 If {list} is given and it is non-zero, a List will be returned.
3020 Otherwise the result is a String and when there are several
3021 matches, they are separated by <NL> characters. [Note: in
3022 version 5.0 a space was used, which caused problems when a
3023 file name contains a space]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003024
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003025 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
Bram Moolenaarec7944a2013-06-12 21:29:15 +02003026 for a non-existing file is not included, unless {expr} does
3027 not start with '%', '#' or '<', see below.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003028
3029 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
3030 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
3031 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
3032
3033 % current file name
3034 # alternate file name
3035 #n alternate file name n
3036 <cfile> file name under the cursor
3037 <afile> autocmd file name
3038 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
3039 <amatch> autocmd matched name
Bram Moolenaara6878372014-03-22 21:02:50 +01003040 <sfile> sourced script file or function name
Bram Moolenaar81af9252010-12-10 20:35:50 +01003041 <slnum> sourced script file line number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003042 <cword> word under the cursor
3043 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
3044 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
3045 message |server2client()|
3046 Modifiers:
3047 :p expand to full path
3048 :h head (last path component removed)
3049 :t tail (last path component only)
3050 :r root (one extension removed)
3051 :e extension only
3052
3053 Example: >
3054 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
3055< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
3056 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
3057 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
3058< Use this: >
3059 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
3060< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
3061 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
3062 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
3063 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
3064 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
3065<
3066 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
3067 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
3068 to modify normal file names.
3069
3070 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
3071 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
3072 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
3073 '/' added.
3074
3075 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
3076 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
3077 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
Bram Moolenaar146e9c32012-03-07 19:18:23 +01003078 {nosuf} argument is given and it is non-zero.
3079 Names for non-existing files are included. The "**" item can
3080 be used to search in a directory tree. For example, to find
3081 all "README" files in the current directory and below: >
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003082 :echo expand("**/README")
3083<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003084 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
3085 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
Bram Moolenaar34401cc2014-08-29 15:12:19 +02003086 slow, because a shell may be used to do the expansion. See
3087 |expr-env-expand|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003088 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003089 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003090 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
3091 "$FOOBAR".
3092
3093 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
3094 getting the raw output of an external command.
3095
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003096extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003097 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
3098 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003099
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003100 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003101 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
3102 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
3103 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
3104 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003105 Examples: >
3106 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
3107 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaardc9cf9c2008-08-08 10:36:31 +00003108< When {expr1} is the same List as {expr2} then the number of
3109 items copied is equal to the original length of the List.
3110 E.g., when {expr3} is 1 you get N new copies of the first item
3111 (where N is the original length of the List).
3112 Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003113 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003114 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003115<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003116 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003117 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
3118 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
3119 used to decide what to do:
3120 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
3121 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00003122 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003123 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
3124
3125 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
3126 make a copy of {expr1} first.
3127 {expr2} remains unchanged.
Bram Moolenaarf2571c62015-06-09 19:44:55 +02003128 When {expr1} is locked and {expr2} is not empty the operation
3129 fails.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003130 Returns {expr1}.
3131
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003132
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00003133feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) *feedkeys()*
3134 Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
Bram Moolenaar0a988df2015-01-27 15:19:24 +01003135 come from a mapping or were typed by the user.
3136 By default the string is added to the end of the typeahead
3137 buffer, thus if a mapping is still being executed the
3138 characters come after them. Use the 'i' flag to insert before
3139 other characters, they will be executed next, before any
3140 characters from a mapping.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00003141 The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
3142 {string}.
3143 To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
3144 and "\..." notation |expr-quote|. For example,
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00003145 feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the <Enter> key. But
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00003146 feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
3147 If {mode} is absent, keys are remapped.
3148 {mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003149 'm' Remap keys. This is default.
3150 'n' Do not remap keys.
3151 't' Handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
3152 if coming from a mapping. This matters for undo,
3153 opening folds, etc.
Bram Moolenaar0a988df2015-01-27 15:19:24 +01003154 'i' Insert the string instead of appending (see above).
Bram Moolenaar25281632016-01-21 23:32:32 +01003155 'x' Execute commands until typeahead is empty. This is
3156 similar to using ":normal!". You can call feedkeys()
3157 several times without 'x' and then one time with 'x'
3158 (possibly with an empty {string}) to execute all the
3159 typeahead.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00003160 Return value is always 0.
3161
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003162filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
3163 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
3164 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
3165 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
3166 expression, which is used as a String.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003167 If you don't care about the file being readable you can use
3168 |glob()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003169 *file_readable()*
3170 Obsolete name: file_readable().
3171
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003172
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003173filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
3174 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
3175 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003176 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If {file} is a
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003177 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
3178
3179
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003180filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003181 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003182 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003183 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003184 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003185 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003186 Examples: >
3187 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
3188< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
3189 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
3190< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
3191 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003192< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003193
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003194 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
3195 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
3196 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
3197
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003198 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3199 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00003200 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003201
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003202< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003203 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3204 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003205
3206
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003207finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar5b6b1ca2007-03-27 08:19:43 +00003208 Find directory {name} in {path}. Supports both downwards and
3209 upwards recursive directory searches. See |file-searching|
3210 for the syntax of {path}.
3211 Returns the path of the first found match. When the found
3212 directory is below the current directory a relative path is
3213 returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003214 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
3215 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00003216 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00003217 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003218 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02003219 {only available when compiled with the |+file_in_path|
3220 feature}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003221
3222findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
3223 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00003224 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
3225 Example: >
3226 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003227< Searches from the directory of the current file upwards until
3228 it finds the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003229
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003230float2nr({expr}) *float2nr()*
3231 Convert {expr} to a Number by omitting the part after the
3232 decimal point.
3233 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a Number.
3234 When the value of {expr} is out of range for a |Number| the
3235 result is truncated to 0x7fffffff or -0x7fffffff. NaN results
3236 in -0x80000000.
3237 Examples: >
3238 echo float2nr(3.95)
3239< 3 >
3240 echo float2nr(-23.45)
3241< -23 >
3242 echo float2nr(1.0e100)
3243< 2147483647 >
3244 echo float2nr(-1.0e150)
3245< -2147483647 >
3246 echo float2nr(1.0e-100)
3247< 0
3248 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
3249
3250
3251floor({expr}) *floor()*
3252 Return the largest integral value less than or equal to
3253 {expr} as a |Float| (round down).
3254 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
3255 Examples: >
3256 echo floor(1.856)
3257< 1.0 >
3258 echo floor(-5.456)
3259< -6.0 >
3260 echo floor(4.0)
3261< 4.0
3262 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
3263
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003264
3265fmod({expr1}, {expr2}) *fmod()*
3266 Return the remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}, even if the
3267 division is not representable. Returns {expr1} - i * {expr2}
3268 for some integer i such that if {expr2} is non-zero, the
3269 result has the same sign as {expr1} and magnitude less than
3270 the magnitude of {expr2}. If {expr2} is zero, the value
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02003271 returned is zero. The value returned is a |Float|.
3272 {expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003273 Examples: >
3274 :echo fmod(12.33, 1.22)
3275< 0.13 >
3276 :echo fmod(-12.33, 1.22)
3277< -0.13
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02003278 {only available when compiled with |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003279
3280
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00003281fnameescape({string}) *fnameescape()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003282 Escape {string} for use as file name command argument. All
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00003283 characters that have a special meaning, such as '%' and '|'
3284 are escaped with a backslash.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003285 For most systems the characters escaped are
3286 " \t\n*?[{`$\\%#'\"|!<". For systems where a backslash
3287 appears in a filename, it depends on the value of 'isfname'.
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00003288 A leading '+' and '>' is also escaped (special after |:edit|
3289 and |:write|). And a "-" by itself (special after |:cd|).
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00003290 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00003291 :let fname = '+some str%nge|name'
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00003292 :exe "edit " . fnameescape(fname)
3293< results in executing: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00003294 edit \+some\ str\%nge\|name
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00003295
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003296fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
3297 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
3298 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
3299 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
3300 Example: >
3301 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
3302< results in: >
3303 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003304< Note: Environment variables don't work in {fname}, use
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003305 |expand()| first then.
3306
3307foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
3308 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
3309 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
3310 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
3311
3312foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
3313 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
3314 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
3315 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
3316
3317foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
3318 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003319 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003320 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
3321 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
3322 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
3323 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
3324 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
3325 previous line is usually available.
3326
3327 *foldtext()*
3328foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
3329 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
3330 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
3331 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
3332 The returned string looks like this: >
3333 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003334< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003335 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
3336 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
3337 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
3338 options is removed.
3339 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
3340
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00003341foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
3342 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
3343 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
3344 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
3345 returned.
3346 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
3347 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
3348 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
3349 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
3350
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003351 *foreground()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003352foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003353 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
3354 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
3355 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
3356 |remote_foreground()| instead.
3357 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3358 Win32 console version}
3359
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003360
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003361function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003362 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003363 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
3364
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003365
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01003366garbagecollect([{atexit}]) *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003367 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00003368 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
3369 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
3370 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
3371 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
3372 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003373 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
3374 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
3375 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01003376 When the optional {atexit} argument is one, garbage
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00003377 collection will also be done when exiting Vim, if it wasn't
3378 done before. This is useful when checking for memory leaks.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00003379
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003380get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003381 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003382 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
3383 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003384get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003385 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003386 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
3387 {default} is omitted.
3388
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003389 *getbufline()*
3390getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003391 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
3392 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
3393 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003394
3395 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3396
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00003397 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
3398 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003399
3400 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003401 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003402
3403 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
3404 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003405 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003406 returned.
3407
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00003408 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003409 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003410
3411 Example: >
3412 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003413
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003414getbufvar({expr}, {varname} [, {def}]) *getbufvar()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003415 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
3416 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
3417 must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003418 When {varname} is empty returns a dictionary with all the
3419 buffer-local variables.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00003420 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
3421 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
3422 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003423 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003424 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist {def} or an empty
3425 string is returned, there is no error message.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003426 Examples: >
3427 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
3428 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
3429<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003430getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003431 Get a single character from the user or input stream.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003432 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
3433 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003434 Return zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003435 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003436 not consumed. Return zero if no character available.
3437
Bram Moolenaardfb18412013-12-11 18:53:29 +01003438 Without [expr] and when [expr] is 0 a whole character or
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003439 special key is returned. If it is an 8-bit character, the
3440 result is a number. Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
3441 Otherwise a String is returned with the encoded character.
3442 For a special key it's a sequence of bytes starting with 0x80
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003443 (decimal: 128). This is the same value as the string
3444 "\<Key>", e.g., "\<Left>". The returned value is also a
3445 String when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used that is
3446 not included in the character.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003447
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +02003448 When [expr] is 0 and Esc is typed, there will be a short delay
3449 while Vim waits to see if this is the start of an escape
3450 sequence.
3451
Bram Moolenaardfb18412013-12-11 18:53:29 +01003452 When [expr] is 1 only the first byte is returned. For a
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003453 one-byte character it is the character itself as a number.
3454 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003455
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01003456 Use getcharmod() to obtain any additional modifiers.
3457
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003458 When the user clicks a mouse button, the mouse event will be
3459 returned. The position can then be found in |v:mouse_col|,
3460 |v:mouse_lnum| and |v:mouse_win|. This example positions the
3461 mouse as it would normally happen: >
3462 let c = getchar()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003463 if c == "\<LeftMouse>" && v:mouse_win > 0
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003464 exe v:mouse_win . "wincmd w"
3465 exe v:mouse_lnum
3466 exe "normal " . v:mouse_col . "|"
3467 endif
3468<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003469 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
3470 user that a character has to be typed.
3471 There is no mapping for the character.
3472 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
3473 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
3474 sequence. Examples: >
3475 getchar() == "\<Del>"
3476 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
3477< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
3478 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
3479 :function FindChar()
3480 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
3481 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
3482 : normal l
3483 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
3484 : break
3485 : endif
3486 : endwhile
3487 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaared32d942014-12-06 23:33:00 +01003488<
Bram Moolenaar2b8388b2015-02-28 13:11:45 +01003489 You may also receive synthetic characters, such as
Bram Moolenaared32d942014-12-06 23:33:00 +01003490 |<CursorHold>|. Often you will want to ignore this and get
3491 another character: >
3492 :function GetKey()
3493 : let c = getchar()
3494 : while c == "\<CursorHold>"
3495 : let c = getchar()
3496 : endwhile
3497 : return c
3498 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003499
3500getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
3501 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
3502 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
3503 These values are added together:
3504 2 shift
3505 4 control
3506 8 alt (meta)
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01003507 16 meta (when it's different from ALT)
3508 32 mouse double click
3509 64 mouse triple click
3510 96 mouse quadruple click (== 32 + 64)
3511 128 command (Macintosh only)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003512 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003513 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003514 without a modifier.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003515
Bram Moolenaardbd24b52015-08-11 14:26:19 +02003516getcharsearch() *getcharsearch()*
3517 Return the current character search information as a {dict}
3518 with the following entries:
3519
3520 char character previously used for a character
3521 search (|t|, |f|, |T|, or |F|); empty string
3522 if no character search has been performed
3523 forward direction of character search; 1 for forward,
3524 0 for backward
3525 until type of character search; 1 for a |t| or |T|
3526 character search, 0 for an |f| or |F|
3527 character search
3528
3529 This can be useful to always have |;| and |,| search
3530 forward/backward regardless of the direction of the previous
3531 character search: >
3532 :nnoremap <expr> ; getcharsearch().forward ? ';' : ','
3533 :nnoremap <expr> , getcharsearch().forward ? ',' : ';'
3534< Also see |setcharsearch()|.
3535
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003536getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
3537 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
3538 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
3539 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
3540 Example: >
3541 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003542< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003543
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003544getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003545 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
3546 byte count. The first column is 1.
3547 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
Bram Moolenaar5b435d62012-04-05 17:33:26 +02003548 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=| or an expression mapping.
3549 Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003550 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
3551
3552getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
3553 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
3554 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003555 : normal Ex command
3556 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
3557 / forward search command
3558 ? backward search command
3559 @ |input()| command
3560 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaar6e932462014-09-09 18:48:09 +02003561 = |i_CTRL-R_=|
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003562 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
Bram Moolenaar5b435d62012-04-05 17:33:26 +02003563 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=| or an expression mapping.
3564 Returns an empty string otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003565 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003566
Bram Moolenaarfb539272014-08-22 19:21:47 +02003567getcmdwintype() *getcmdwintype()*
3568 Return the current |command-line-window| type. Possible return
3569 values are the same as |getcmdtype()|. Returns an empty string
3570 when not in the command-line window.
3571
Bram Moolenaar6f6c0f82014-05-28 20:31:42 +02003572 *getcurpos()*
3573getcurpos() Get the position of the cursor. This is like getpos('.'), but
3574 includes an extra item in the list:
Bram Moolenaar345efa02016-01-15 20:57:49 +01003575 [bufnum, lnum, col, off, curswant] ~
Bram Moolenaar6f6c0f82014-05-28 20:31:42 +02003576 The "curswant" number is the preferred column when moving the
3577 cursor vertically.
3578 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
3579 let save_cursor = getcurpos()
3580 MoveTheCursorAround
3581 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaarfb539272014-08-22 19:21:47 +02003582<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003583 *getcwd()*
Bram Moolenaarc9703302016-01-17 21:49:33 +01003584getcwd([{winnr} [, {tabnr}]])
3585 The result is a String, which is the name of the current
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003586 working directory.
Bram Moolenaarc9703302016-01-17 21:49:33 +01003587 Without arguments, for the current window.
3588
3589 With {winnr} return the local current directory of this window
3590 in the current tab page.
3591 With {winnr} and {tabnr} return the local current directory of
3592 the window in the specified tab page.
3593 Return an empty string if the arguments are invalid.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003594
3595getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
3596 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
3597 given file {fname}.
3598 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
3599 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard827ada2007-06-19 15:19:55 +00003600 If the size of {fname} is too big to fit in a Number then -2
3601 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003602
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003603getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
3604 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
3605 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
3606 |hl-Normal|.
3607 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
3608 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
3609 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
3610 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00003611 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003612 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
3613 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003614 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
3615 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003616
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003617getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
3618 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
3619 permissions of the given file {fname}.
3620 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
3621 empty string is returned.
3622 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
3623 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
3624 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
3625 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
Bram Moolenaar9b451252012-08-15 17:43:31 +02003626 is replaced with the string "-". Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003627 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
Bram Moolenaar9b451252012-08-15 17:43:31 +02003628 :echo getfperm(expand("~/.vimrc"))
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003629< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
3630 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003631
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003632getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
3633 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
3634 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
3635 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
3636 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
3637 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
3638
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003639getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
3640 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
3641 file of the given file {fname}.
3642 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
3643 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
3644 results:
3645 Normal file "file"
3646 Directory "dir"
3647 Symbolic link "link"
3648 Block device "bdev"
3649 Character device "cdev"
3650 Socket "socket"
3651 FIFO "fifo"
3652 All other "other"
3653 Example: >
3654 getftype("/home")
3655< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
3656 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
Bram Moolenaar13d5aee2016-01-21 23:36:05 +01003657 "file" are returned. On MS-Windows a symbolic link to a
3658 directory returns "dir" instead of "link".
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003659
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003660 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003661getline({lnum} [, {end}])
3662 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
3663 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003664 getline(1)
3665< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
3666 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
3667 To get the line under the cursor: >
3668 getline(".")
3669< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
3670 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
3671
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003672 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
3673 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003674 including line {end}.
3675 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
3676 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003677 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003678 Example: >
3679 :let start = line('.')
3680 :let end = search("^$") - 1
3681 :let lines = getline(start, end)
3682
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003683< To get lines from another buffer see |getbufline()|
3684
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00003685getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
3686 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
3687 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
3688 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003689 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003690 returned. Otherwise, same as |getqflist()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003691
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003692getmatches() *getmatches()*
3693 Returns a |List| with all matches previously defined by
3694 |matchadd()| and the |:match| commands. |getmatches()| is
3695 useful in combination with |setmatches()|, as |setmatches()|
3696 can restore a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|.
3697 Example: >
3698 :echo getmatches()
3699< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3700 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3701 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3702 :let m = getmatches()
3703 :call clearmatches()
3704 :echo getmatches()
3705< [] >
3706 :call setmatches(m)
3707 :echo getmatches()
3708< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3709 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3710 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3711 :unlet m
3712<
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +02003713 *getpid()*
3714getpid() Return a Number which is the process ID of the Vim process.
3715 On Unix and MS-Windows this is a unique number, until Vim
3716 exits. On MS-DOS it's always zero.
3717
3718 *getpos()*
3719getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
3720 see |line()|. For getting the cursor position see
3721 |getcurpos()|.
3722 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
3723 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
3724 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
3725 is the buffer number of the mark.
3726 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
3727 column is 1.
3728 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
3729 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
3730 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
3731 character.
3732 Note that for '< and '> Visual mode matters: when it is "V"
3733 (visual line mode) the column of '< is zero and the column of
3734 '> is a large number.
3735 This can be used to save and restore the position of a mark: >
3736 let save_a_mark = getpos("'a")
3737 ...
Bram Moolenaared32d942014-12-06 23:33:00 +01003738 call setpos("'a", save_a_mark)
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +02003739< Also see |getcurpos()| and |setpos()|.
3740
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003741
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003742getqflist() *getqflist()*
3743 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
3744 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
3745 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
3746 bufname() to get the name
3747 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
3748 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003749 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
3750 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003751 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003752 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003753 text description of the error
3754 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
3755 valid non-zero: recognized error message
3756
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003757 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003758 returned. Quickfix list entries with non-existing buffer
3759 number are returned with "bufnr" set to zero.
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003760
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003761 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
3762 do something with them: >
3763 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
3764 :for d in getqflist()
3765 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
3766 :endfor
3767
3768
Bram Moolenaarb7cb42b2014-04-02 19:55:10 +02003769getreg([{regname} [, 1 [, {list}]]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003770 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003771 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003772 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
3773< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003774 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003775 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
3776 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
3777 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaarb7cb42b2014-04-02 19:55:10 +02003778 If {list} is present and non-zero result type is changed to
3779 |List|. Each list item is one text line. Use it if you care
3780 about zero bytes possibly present inside register: without
3781 third argument both NLs and zero bytes are represented as NLs
3782 (see |NL-used-for-Nul|).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003783 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3784
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003785
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003786getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
3787 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
3788 The value will be one of:
3789 "v" for |characterwise| text
3790 "V" for |linewise| text
3791 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
Bram Moolenaar32b92012014-01-14 12:33:36 +01003792 "" for an empty or unknown register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003793 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
3794 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3795
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003796gettabvar({tabnr}, {varname} [, {def}]) *gettabvar()*
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02003797 Get the value of a tab-local variable {varname} in tab page
3798 {tabnr}. |t:var|
3799 Tabs are numbered starting with one.
Bram Moolenaar0e2ea1b2014-09-09 16:13:08 +02003800 When {varname} is empty a dictionary with all tab-local
3801 variables is returned.
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02003802 Note that the name without "t:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003803 When the tab or variable doesn't exist {def} or an empty
3804 string is returned, there is no error message.
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02003805
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003806gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname} [, {def}]) *gettabwinvar()*
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003807 Get the value of window-local variable {varname} in window
3808 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
3809 When {varname} starts with "&" get the value of a window-local
3810 option.
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003811 When {varname} is empty a dictionary with all window-local
3812 variables is returned.
3813 Note that {varname} must be the name without "w:".
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003814 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
3815 use |getwinvar()|.
3816 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
3817 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
3818 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
3819 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003820 When the tab, window or variable doesn't exist {def} or an
3821 empty string is returned, there is no error message.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003822 Examples: >
3823 :let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
3824 :echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00003825<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003826 *getwinposx()*
3827getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
3828 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
3829 -1 if the information is not available.
3830
3831 *getwinposy()*
3832getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003833 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003834 information is not available.
3835
Bram Moolenaar63dbda12013-02-20 21:12:10 +01003836getwinvar({winnr}, {varname} [, {def}]) *getwinvar()*
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003837 Like |gettabwinvar()| for the current tabpage.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003838 Examples: >
3839 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
3840 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
3841<
Bram Moolenaard8b77f72015-03-05 21:21:19 +01003842glob({expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list} [, {alllinks}]]]) *glob()*
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003843 Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. See |wildcards| for the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003844 use of special characters.
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +01003845
3846 Unless the optional {nosuf} argument is given and is non-zero,
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003847 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3848 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3849 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar81af9252010-12-10 20:35:50 +01003850 'wildignorecase' always applies.
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +01003851
3852 When {list} is present and it is non-zero the result is a List
3853 with all matching files. The advantage of using a List is,
3854 you also get filenames containing newlines correctly.
3855 Otherwise the result is a String and when there are several
3856 matches, they are separated by <NL> characters.
3857
3858 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty String or List.
Bram Moolenaard8b77f72015-03-05 21:21:19 +01003859
Bram Moolenaar61d35bd2012-03-28 20:51:51 +02003860 A name for a non-existing file is not included. A symbolic
3861 link is only included if it points to an existing file.
Bram Moolenaard8b77f72015-03-05 21:21:19 +01003862 However, when the {alllinks} argument is present and it is
3863 non-zero then all symbolic links are included.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003864
3865 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
3866 any external command. Example: >
3867 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
3868 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
3869< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003870 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003871
3872 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
3873 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
3874
Bram Moolenaar5837f1f2015-03-21 18:06:14 +01003875glob2regpat({expr}) *glob2regpat()*
3876 Convert a file pattern, as used by glob(), into a search
3877 pattern. The result can be used to match with a string that
3878 is a file name. E.g. >
3879 if filename =~ glob2regpat('Make*.mak')
3880< This is equivalent to: >
3881 if filename =~ '^Make.*\.mak$'
Bram Moolenaar3b5f9292016-01-28 22:37:01 +01003882< When {expr} is an empty string the result is "^$", match an
3883 empty string.
3884
Bram Moolenaard8b77f72015-03-05 21:21:19 +01003885 *globpath()*
3886globpath({path}, {expr} [, {nosuf} [, {list} [, {allinks}]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003887 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
3888 the results. Example: >
3889 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
Bram Moolenaar1b1063a2014-05-07 18:35:30 +02003890<
3891 {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003892 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003893 |glob()|. A path separator is inserted when needed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003894 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
3895 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
3896 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
3897 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
3898 error message.
Bram Moolenaar1b1063a2014-05-07 18:35:30 +02003899
3900 Unless the optional {nosuf} argument is given and is non-zero,
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003901 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3902 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3903 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003904
Bram Moolenaar1b1063a2014-05-07 18:35:30 +02003905 When {list} is present and it is non-zero the result is a List
3906 with all matching files. The advantage of using a List is, you
3907 also get filenames containing newlines correctly. Otherwise
3908 the result is a String and when there are several matches,
3909 they are separated by <NL> characters. Example: >
3910 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim", 0, 1)
3911<
Bram Moolenaard8b77f72015-03-05 21:21:19 +01003912 {allinks} is used as with |glob()|.
3913
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003914 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
3915 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
3916 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
3917 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003918< Upwards search and limiting the depth of "**" is not
3919 supported, thus using 'path' will not always work properly.
3920
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003921 *has()*
3922has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
3923 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
3924 string. See |feature-list| below.
3925 Also see |exists()|.
3926
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003927
3928has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003929 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
3930 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003931
Bram Moolenaarc9703302016-01-17 21:49:33 +01003932haslocaldir([{winnr} [, {tabnr}]]) *haslocaldir()*
3933 The result is a Number, which is 1 when the window has set a
3934 local path via |:lcd|, and 0 otherwise.
3935
3936 Without arguments use the current window.
3937 With {winnr} use this window in the current tab page.
3938 With {winnr} and {tabnr} use the window in the specified tab
3939 page.
3940 Return 0 if the arguments are invalid.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003941
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003942hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003943 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
3944 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
3945 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
3946 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003947 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00003948 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
3949 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003950 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
3951 buffer are checked for a match.
3952 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
3953 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
3954 n Normal mode
3955 v Visual mode
3956 o Operator-pending mode
3957 i Insert mode
3958 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
3959 c Command-line mode
3960 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
3961
3962 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003963 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003964 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
3965 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
3966 :endif
3967< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
3968 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
3969
3970histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
3971 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
3972 one of: *hist-names*
3973 "cmd" or ":" command line history
3974 "search" or "/" search pattern history
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003975 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003976 "input" or "@" input line history
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02003977 "debug" or ">" debug command history
3978 The {history} string does not need to be the whole name, one
3979 character is sufficient.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003980 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
3981 shifted to become the newest entry.
3982 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
3983 otherwise 0 is returned.
3984
3985 Example: >
3986 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
3987 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
3988< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3989
3990histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003991 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003992 for the possible values of {history}.
3993
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003994 If the parameter {item} evaluates to a String, it is used as a
3995 regular expression. All entries matching that expression will
3996 be removed from the history (if there are any).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003997 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003998 If {item} evaluates to a Number, it will be interpreted as
3999 an index, see |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will
4000 be removed if it exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004001
4002 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
4003 otherwise 0 is returned.
4004
4005 Examples:
4006 Clear expression register history: >
4007 :call histdel("expr")
4008<
4009 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
4010 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
4011<
4012 The following three are equivalent: >
4013 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
4014 :call histdel("search", -1)
4015 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
4016<
4017 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
4018 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
4019 :call histdel("search", -1)
4020 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
4021
4022histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
4023 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
4024 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
4025 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
4026 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
4027 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
4028
4029 Examples:
4030 Redo the second last search from history. >
4031 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
4032
4033< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
4034 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
4035 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
4036<
4037histnr({history}) *histnr()*
4038 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
4039 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
4040 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
4041
4042 Example: >
4043 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
4044<
4045hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
4046 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
4047 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
4048 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
4049 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
4050 item.
4051 *highlight_exists()*
4052 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
4053
4054 *hlID()*
4055hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
4056 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
4057 zero is returned.
4058 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004059 group. For example, to get the background color of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004060 "Comment" group: >
4061 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
4062< *highlightID()*
4063 Obsolete name: highlightID().
4064
4065hostname() *hostname()*
4066 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004067 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004068 256 characters long are truncated.
4069
4070iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
4071 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
4072 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004073 When the conversion completely fails an empty string is
4074 returned. When some characters could not be converted they
4075 are replaced with "?".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004076 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
4077 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
4078 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
4079 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
4080 can be done.
4081 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
4082 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
4083 UTF-8 and use: >
4084 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
4085< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
4086 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
4087 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02004088 {only available when compiled with the |+multi_byte| feature}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004089
4090 *indent()*
4091indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
4092 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
4093 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
4094 |getline()|.
4095 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
4096
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004097
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004098index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004099 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004100 value equal to {expr}. There is no automatic conversion, so
4101 the String "4" is different from the Number 4. And the number
4102 4 is different from the Float 4.0. The value of 'ignorecase'
4103 is not used here, case always matters.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004104 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
4105 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004106 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
4107 case must match.
4108 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
4109 Example: >
4110 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004111 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004112
4113
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004114input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004115 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004116 the command-line. The {prompt} argument is either a prompt
4117 string, or a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used
4118 in the prompt to start a new line.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004119 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
4120 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004121 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004122 for lines typed for input().
4123 Example: >
4124 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
4125 : echo "Cheers!"
4126 :endif
4127<
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004128 If the optional {text} argument is present and not empty, this
4129 is used for the default reply, as if the user typed this.
4130 Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004131 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
4132
4133< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
4134 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004135 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004136 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004137 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004138 more information. Example: >
4139 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
4140<
4141 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
4142 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004143 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
4144 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
4145 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
4146 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
4147 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
4148 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
4149 |:execute| or |:normal|.
4150
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004151 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004152 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
4153 :function GetFoo()
4154 : call inputsave()
4155 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
4156 : call inputrestore()
4157 :endfunction
4158
4159inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004160 Like |input()|, but when the GUI is running and text dialogs
4161 are supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004162 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2d17fa32012-10-21 00:45:18 +02004163 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", shiftwidth())
4164 :if n != ""
4165 : let &sw = n
4166 :endif
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004167< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
4168 omitted an empty string is returned.
4169 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
4170 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004171 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004172
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00004173inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004174 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
4175 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
4176 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00004177 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004178 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00004179 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
4180 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
4181 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004182 Make sure {textlist} has less than 'lines' entries, otherwise
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004183 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004184 the start of the string. And put a prompt in the first item.
4185 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00004186 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
4187 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
4188
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004189inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004190 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous |inputsave()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004191 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
4192 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
4193 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
4194
4195inputsave() *inputsave()*
4196 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
4197 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
4198 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
4199 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
4200 many inputrestore() calls.
4201 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
4202
4203inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
4204 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
4205 two exceptions:
4206 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
4207 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
4208 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
4209 |history| stack.
4210 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
4211 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00004212 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004213
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004214insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004215 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004216 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004217 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004218 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
4219 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004220 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004221 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
4222 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
4223 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004224< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004225 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004226 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004227
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01004228invert({expr}) *invert()*
4229 Bitwise invert. The argument is converted to a number. A
4230 List, Dict or Float argument causes an error. Example: >
4231 :let bits = invert(bits)
4232
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004233isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
4234 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
4235 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
4236 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
4237 is any expression, which is used as a String.
4238
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004239islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004240 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
4241 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004242 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
4243 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004244 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
4245 :lockvar 1 alist
4246 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
4247 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
4248
4249< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004250 message. Use |exists()| to check for existence.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004251
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004252items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004253 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
4254 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
4255 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
4256 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004257
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004258
4259join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
4260 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
4261 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
4262 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
4263 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
4264 add it there too: >
4265 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004266< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004267 converted into a string like with |string()|.
4268 The opposite function is |split()|.
4269
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01004270jsondecode({string}) *jsondecode()*
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01004271 This parses a JSON formatted string and returns the equivalent
4272 in Vim values. See |jsonencode()| for the relation between
4273 JSON and Vim values.
4274 The decoding is permissive:
4275 - A trailing comma in an array and object is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar009d84a2016-01-28 14:12:00 +01004276 - An empty item in an array, two commas with nothing or white
4277 space in between, results in v:none.
4278 - When an object member name is not a string it is converted
4279 to a string. E.g. the number 123 is used as the string
4280 "123".
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01004281 - More floating point numbers are recognized, e.g. "1." for
4282 "1.0".
Bram Moolenaar009d84a2016-01-28 14:12:00 +01004283 The result must be a valid Vim type:
4284 - An empty object member name is not allowed.
4285 - Duplicate object member names are not allowed.
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01004286
4287jsonencode({expr}) *jsonencode()*
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01004288 Encode {expr} as JSON and return this as a string.
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01004289 The encoding is specified in:
Bram Moolenaar009d84a2016-01-28 14:12:00 +01004290 https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7159.html
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01004291 Vim values are converted as follows:
4292 Number decimal number
4293 Float floating point number
4294 String in double quotes (possibly null)
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01004295 Funcref not possible, error
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01004296 List as an array (possibly null); when
4297 used recursively: []
4298 Dict as an object (possibly null); when
4299 used recursively: {}
4300 v:false "false"
4301 v:true "true"
4302 v:none nothing
4303 v:null "null"
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01004304 Note that using v:none is permitted, although the JSON
4305 standard does not allow empty items. This can be useful for
4306 omitting items in an array:
4307 [0,,,,,5] ~
4308 This is much more efficient than:
4309 [0,null,null,null,null,5] ~
4310 But a strict JSON parser will not accept it.
Bram Moolenaar520e1e42016-01-23 19:46:28 +01004311
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004312keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004313 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004314 arbitrary order.
4315
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00004316 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004317len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
4318 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
4319 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004320 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004321 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004322 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
4323 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004324 Otherwise an error is given.
4325
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004326 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
4327libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
4328 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
4329 with single argument {argument}.
4330 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
4331 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
4332 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
4333 limited.
4334 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
4335 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
4336 to Vim.
4337 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
4338 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
4339 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
4340 null-terminated string.
4341 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
4342
4343 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
4344 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
4345 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
4346 very probably crash.
4347
4348 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
4349 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
4350 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
4351 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
4352 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
4353 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
4354 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
4355 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
4356 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
4357 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
4358
4359 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004360 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004361 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
4362 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
4363 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
4364 the DLL is not in the usual places.
4365 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
4366 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004367 {only in Win32 and some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004368 feature is present}
4369 Examples: >
4370 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004371<
4372 *libcallnr()*
4373libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004374 Just like |libcall()|, but used for a function that returns an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004375 int instead of a string.
4376 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
4377 feature is present}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004378 Examples: >
4379 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004380 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
4381 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
4382<
4383 *line()*
4384line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
4385 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
4386 . the cursor position
4387 $ the last line in the current buffer
4388 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
4389 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00004390 w0 first line visible in current window
4391 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar9ecd0232008-06-20 15:31:51 +00004392 v In Visual mode: the start of the Visual area (the
4393 cursor is the end). When not in Visual mode
4394 returns the cursor position. Differs from |'<| in
4395 that it's updated right away.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004396 Note that a mark in another file can be used. The line number
4397 then applies to another buffer.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004398 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
4399 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004400 Examples: >
4401 line(".") line number of the cursor
4402 line("'t") line number of mark t
4403 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
4404< *last-position-jump*
4405 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
4406 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004407 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 1 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal! g`\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00004408
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004409line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
4410 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
4411 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
4412 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
Bram Moolenaarb6b046b2011-12-30 13:11:27 +01004413 line returns 1. 'encoding' matters, 'fileencoding' is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004414 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
4415 below the last line: >
4416 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
Bram Moolenaarb6b046b2011-12-30 13:11:27 +01004417< This is the buffer size plus one. If 'fileencoding' is empty
4418 it is the file size plus one.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004419 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
4420 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
4421 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
4422
4423lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
4424 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
4425 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
4426 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
4427 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
4428 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
4429 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
4430
4431localtime() *localtime()*
4432 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
4433 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
4434
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004435
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02004436log({expr}) *log()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02004437 Return the natural logarithm (base e) of {expr} as a |Float|.
4438 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02004439 (0, inf].
4440 Examples: >
4441 :echo log(10)
4442< 2.302585 >
4443 :echo log(exp(5))
4444< 5.0
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02004445 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02004446
4447
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004448log10({expr}) *log10()*
4449 Return the logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10 as a |Float|.
4450 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4451 Examples: >
4452 :echo log10(1000)
4453< 3.0 >
4454 :echo log10(0.01)
4455< -2.0
4456 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4457
Bram Moolenaard38b0552012-04-25 19:07:41 +02004458luaeval({expr}[, {expr}]) *luaeval()*
4459 Evaluate Lua expression {expr} and return its result converted
4460 to Vim data structures. Second {expr} may hold additional
4461 argument accessible as _A inside first {expr}.
4462 Strings are returned as they are.
4463 Boolean objects are converted to numbers.
4464 Numbers are converted to |Float| values if vim was compiled
4465 with |+float| and to numbers otherwise.
4466 Dictionaries and lists obtained by vim.eval() are returned
4467 as-is.
4468 Other objects are returned as zero without any errors.
4469 See |lua-luaeval| for more details.
4470 {only available when compiled with the |+lua| feature}
4471
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004472map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004473 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004474 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
4475 {string}.
4476 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar627b1d32009-11-17 11:20:35 +00004477 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item
4478 and for a |List| |v:key| has the index of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004479 Example: >
4480 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004481< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004482
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004483 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004484 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004485 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
4486 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004487
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004488 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
4489 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02004490 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' v:val . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004491
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004492< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00004493 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
4494 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004495
4496
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004497maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr} [, {dict}]]]) *maparg()*
4498 When {dict} is omitted or zero: Return the rhs of mapping
4499 {name} in mode {mode}. The returned String has special
4500 characters translated like in the output of the ":map" command
4501 listing.
4502
4503 When there is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is
4504 returned.
4505
4506 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
4507 command.
4508
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00004509 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004510 "n" Normal
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004511 "v" Visual (including Select)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004512 "o" Operator-pending
4513 "i" Insert
4514 "c" Cmd-line
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004515 "s" Select
4516 "x" Visual
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004517 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
4518 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00004519 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004520
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004521 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
4522 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004523
4524 When {dict} is there and it is non-zero return a dictionary
4525 containing all the information of the mapping with the
4526 following items:
4527 "lhs" The {lhs} of the mapping.
4528 "rhs" The {rhs} of the mapping as typed.
4529 "silent" 1 for a |:map-silent| mapping, else 0.
Bram Moolenaar05365702010-10-27 18:34:44 +02004530 "noremap" 1 if the {rhs} of the mapping is not remappable.
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004531 "expr" 1 for an expression mapping (|:map-<expr>|).
4532 "buffer" 1 for a buffer local mapping (|:map-local|).
4533 "mode" Modes for which the mapping is defined. In
4534 addition to the modes mentioned above, these
4535 characters will be used:
4536 " " Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
4537 "!" Insert and Commandline mode
Bram Moolenaar166af9b2010-11-16 20:34:40 +01004538 (|mapmode-ic|)
Bram Moolenaar05365702010-10-27 18:34:44 +02004539 "sid" The script local ID, used for <sid> mappings
4540 (|<SID>|).
Bram Moolenaardfb18412013-12-11 18:53:29 +01004541 "nowait" Do not wait for other, longer mappings.
4542 (|:map-<nowait>|).
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004543
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004544 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
4545 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00004546 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
4547 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
4548 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
4549
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004550
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004551mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004552 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
4553 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
4554 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004555 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
4556 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004557 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
4558 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
4559
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004560 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004561 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
4562 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
4563 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
4564 mapcheck("b") no no no
4565
4566 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
4567 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
4568 mapping for {name} exactly.
4569 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
4570 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
4571 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
4572 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
4573 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
4574 then the global mappings.
4575 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
4576 without being ambiguous. Example: >
4577 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
4578 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
4579 :endif
4580< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
4581 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
4582
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004583match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004584 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
4585 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004586 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004587 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004588 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
4589 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004590 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004591 If there is no match -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar20f90cf2011-05-19 12:22:51 +02004592 For getting submatches see |matchlist()|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004593 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004594 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004595 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004596< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004597 *strpbrk()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004598 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004599 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
4600< *strcasestr()*
4601 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
4602 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
4603 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
4604<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004605 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004606 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004607 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004608 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004609 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
4610< result is again "4". >
4611 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
4612< result is again "4". >
4613 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
4614< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004615 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004616 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
4617 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
4618 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
4619 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004620 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
4621 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00004622 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
4623 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004624
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004625 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00004626 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004627 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
4628 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
4629< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004630 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
4631 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004632
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004633 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
4634 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004635 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004636 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
4637
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004638 *matchadd()* *E798* *E799* *E801*
Bram Moolenaarf9132812015-07-21 19:19:13 +02004639matchadd({group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id} [, {dict}]]])
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004640 Defines a pattern to be highlighted in the current window (a
4641 "match"). It will be highlighted with {group}. Returns an
4642 identification number (ID), which can be used to delete the
4643 match using |matchdelete()|.
Bram Moolenaar8e69b4a2013-11-09 03:41:58 +01004644 Matching is case sensitive and magic, unless case sensitivity
4645 or magicness are explicitly overridden in {pattern}. The
4646 'magic', 'smartcase' and 'ignorecase' options are not used.
Bram Moolenaarf9132812015-07-21 19:19:13 +02004647 The "Conceal" value is special, it causes the match to be
4648 concealed.
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004649
4650 The optional {priority} argument assigns a priority to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004651 match. A match with a high priority will have its
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004652 highlighting overrule that of a match with a lower priority.
4653 A priority is specified as an integer (negative numbers are no
4654 exception). If the {priority} argument is not specified, the
4655 default priority is 10. The priority of 'hlsearch' is zero,
4656 hence all matches with a priority greater than zero will
4657 overrule it. Syntax highlighting (see 'syntax') is a separate
4658 mechanism, and regardless of the chosen priority a match will
4659 always overrule syntax highlighting.
4660
4661 The optional {id} argument allows the request for a specific
4662 match ID. If a specified ID is already taken, an error
4663 message will appear and the match will not be added. An ID
4664 is specified as a positive integer (zero excluded). IDs 1, 2
4665 and 3 are reserved for |:match|, |:2match| and |:3match|,
Bram Moolenaar6561d522015-07-21 15:48:27 +02004666 respectively. If the {id} argument is not specified or -1,
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004667 |matchadd()| automatically chooses a free ID.
4668
Bram Moolenaar85084ef2016-01-17 22:26:33 +01004669 The optional {dict} argument allows for further custom
4670 values. Currently this is used to specify a match specific
Bram Moolenaar6561d522015-07-21 15:48:27 +02004671 conceal character that will be shown for |hl-Conceal|
4672 highlighted matches. The dict can have the following members:
4673
4674 conceal Special character to show instead of the
4675 match (only for |hl-Conceal| highlighed
4676 matches, see |:syn-cchar|)
4677
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004678 The number of matches is not limited, as it is the case with
4679 the |:match| commands.
4680
4681 Example: >
4682 :highlight MyGroup ctermbg=green guibg=green
4683 :let m = matchadd("MyGroup", "TODO")
4684< Deletion of the pattern: >
4685 :call matchdelete(m)
4686
4687< A list of matches defined by |matchadd()| and |:match| are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004688 available from |getmatches()|. All matches can be deleted in
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004689 one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004690
Bram Moolenaar6561d522015-07-21 15:48:27 +02004691matchaddpos({group}, {pos}[, {priority}[, {id}[, {dict}]]]) *matchaddpos()*
Bram Moolenaarb3414592014-06-17 17:48:32 +02004692 Same as |matchadd()|, but requires a list of positions {pos}
4693 instead of a pattern. This command is faster than |matchadd()|
4694 because it does not require to handle regular expressions and
4695 sets buffer line boundaries to redraw screen. It is supposed
4696 to be used when fast match additions and deletions are
4697 required, for example to highlight matching parentheses.
4698
4699 The list {pos} can contain one of these items:
Bram Moolenaarb6da44a2014-06-25 18:15:22 +02004700 - A number. This whole line will be highlighted. The first
Bram Moolenaarb3414592014-06-17 17:48:32 +02004701 line has number 1.
4702 - A list with one number, e.g., [23]. The whole line with this
4703 number will be highlighted.
4704 - A list with two numbers, e.g., [23, 11]. The first number is
Bram Moolenaarb6da44a2014-06-25 18:15:22 +02004705 the line number, the second one is the column number (first
4706 column is 1, the value must correspond to the byte index as
4707 |col()| would return). The character at this position will
4708 be highlighted.
Bram Moolenaarb3414592014-06-17 17:48:32 +02004709 - A list with three numbers, e.g., [23, 11, 3]. As above, but
Bram Moolenaarb6da44a2014-06-25 18:15:22 +02004710 the third number gives the length of the highlight in bytes.
Bram Moolenaarb3414592014-06-17 17:48:32 +02004711
4712 The maximum number of positions is 8.
4713
4714 Example: >
4715 :highlight MyGroup ctermbg=green guibg=green
4716 :let m = matchaddpos("MyGroup", [[23, 24], 34])
4717< Deletion of the pattern: >
4718 :call matchdelete(m)
4719
4720< Matches added by |matchaddpos()| are returned by
4721 |getmatches()| with an entry "pos1", "pos2", etc., with the
4722 value a list like the {pos} item.
4723 These matches cannot be set via |setmatches()|, however they
4724 can still be deleted by |clearmatches()|.
4725
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004726matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004727 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004728 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
4729 Return a |List| with two elements:
4730 The name of the highlight group used
4731 The pattern used.
4732 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
4733 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004734 This is useful to save and restore a |:match|.
4735 Highlighting matches using the |:match| commands are limited
4736 to three matches. |matchadd()| does not have this limitation.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004737
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004738matchdelete({id}) *matchdelete()* *E802* *E803*
4739 Deletes a match with ID {id} previously defined by |matchadd()|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004740 or one of the |:match| commands. Returns 0 if successful,
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004741 otherwise -1. See example for |matchadd()|. All matches can
4742 be deleted in one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004743
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004744matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004745 Same as |match()|, but return the index of first character
4746 after the match. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004747 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
4748< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004749 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
4750 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
4751 do it with matchend(): >
4752 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
4753 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
4754< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
4755
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004756 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for |match()|. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004757 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
4758< results in "7". >
4759 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
4760< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004761 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004762
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004763matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004764 Same as |match()|, but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004765 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
4766 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00004767 in |:substitute|. When an optional submatch didn't match an
4768 empty string is used. Example: >
4769 echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
4770< Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004771 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
4772
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004773matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004774 Same as |match()|, but return the matched string. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004775 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
4776< results in "ing".
4777 When there is no match "" is returned.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004778 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for |match()|. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004779 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
4780< results in "ing". >
4781 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
4782< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004783 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004784 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004785
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004786 *max()*
4787max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
4788 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4789 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004790 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004791
4792 *min()*
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00004793min({list}) Return the minimum value of all items in {list}.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004794 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4795 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004796 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004797
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004798 *mkdir()* *E739*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004799mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
4800 Create directory {name}.
4801 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
4802 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
4803 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
4804 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004805 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
Bram Moolenaared39e1d2008-08-09 17:55:22 +00004806 for others. This is only used for the last part of {name}.
4807 Thus if you create /tmp/foo/bar then /tmp/foo will be created
4808 with 0755.
4809 Example: >
4810 :call mkdir($HOME . "/tmp/foo/bar", "p", 0700)
4811< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004812 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4813 :if exists("*mkdir")
4814<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004815 *mode()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004816mode([expr]) Return a string that indicates the current mode.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004817 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
4818 a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then the full mode is
4819 returned, otherwise only the first letter is returned. Note
4820 that " " and "0" are also non-empty strings.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004821
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004822 n Normal
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004823 no Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004824 v Visual by character
4825 V Visual by line
4826 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
4827 s Select by character
4828 S Select by line
4829 CTRL-S Select blockwise
4830 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004831 R Replace |R|
4832 Rv Virtual Replace |gR|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004833 c Command-line
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004834 cv Vim Ex mode |gQ|
4835 ce Normal Ex mode |Q|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004836 r Hit-enter prompt
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004837 rm The -- more -- prompt
4838 r? A |:confirm| query of some sort
4839 ! Shell or external command is executing
4840 This is useful in the 'statusline' option or when used
4841 with |remote_expr()| In most other places it always returns
4842 "c" or "n".
4843 Also see |visualmode()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004844
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01004845mzeval({expr}) *mzeval()*
4846 Evaluate MzScheme expression {expr} and return its result
Bram Moolenaard38b0552012-04-25 19:07:41 +02004847 converted to Vim data structures.
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01004848 Numbers and strings are returned as they are.
4849 Pairs (including lists and improper lists) and vectors are
4850 returned as Vim |Lists|.
4851 Hash tables are represented as Vim |Dictionary| type with keys
4852 converted to strings.
4853 All other types are converted to string with display function.
4854 Examples: >
4855 :mz (define l (list 1 2 3))
4856 :mz (define h (make-hash)) (hash-set! h "list" l)
4857 :echo mzeval("l")
4858 :echo mzeval("h")
4859<
4860 {only available when compiled with the |+mzscheme| feature}
4861
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004862nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
4863 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
4864 that is not blank. Example: >
4865 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
4866< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4867 below it, zero is returned.
4868 See also |prevnonblank()|.
4869
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01004870nr2char({expr}[, {utf8}]) *nr2char()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004871 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
4872 value {expr}. Examples: >
4873 nr2char(64) returns "@"
4874 nr2char(32) returns " "
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01004875< When {utf8} is omitted or zero, the current 'encoding' is used.
4876 Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004877 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
Bram Moolenaard35d7842013-01-23 17:17:10 +01004878< With {utf8} set to 1, always return utf-8 characters.
4879 Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004880 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
4881 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004882 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004883
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01004884or({expr}, {expr}) *or()*
4885 Bitwise OR on the two arguments. The arguments are converted
4886 to a number. A List, Dict or Float argument causes an error.
4887 Example: >
4888 :let bits = or(bits, 0x80)
4889
4890
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004891pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
4892 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
4893 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
4894 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
4895 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
4896 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
4897< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
4898 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
4899
Bram Moolenaare9b892e2016-01-17 21:15:58 +01004900perleval({expr}) *perleval()*
4901 Evaluate Perl expression {expr} in scalar context and return
4902 its result converted to Vim data structures. If value can't be
Bram Moolenaar85084ef2016-01-17 22:26:33 +01004903 converted, it is returned as a string Perl representation.
4904 Note: If you want an array or hash, {expr} must return a
4905 reference to it.
Bram Moolenaare9b892e2016-01-17 21:15:58 +01004906 Example: >
4907 :echo perleval('[1 .. 4]')
4908< [1, 2, 3, 4]
4909 {only available when compiled with the |+perl| feature}
4910
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004911pow({x}, {y}) *pow()*
4912 Return the power of {x} to the exponent {y} as a |Float|.
4913 {x} and {y} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4914 Examples: >
4915 :echo pow(3, 3)
4916< 27.0 >
4917 :echo pow(2, 16)
4918< 65536.0 >
4919 :echo pow(32, 0.20)
4920< 2.0
4921 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4922
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004923prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
4924 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
4925 that is not blank. Example: >
4926 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
4927< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4928 above it, zero is returned.
4929 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
4930
4931
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004932printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
4933 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
4934 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004935 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004936< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004937 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004938
4939 Often used items are:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004940 %s string
Bram Moolenaar3ab72c52012-11-14 18:10:56 +01004941 %6S string right-aligned in 6 display cells
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004942 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004943 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
4944 %c single byte
4945 %d decimal number
4946 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
4947 %x hex number
4948 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
4949 %X hex number using upper case letters
4950 %o octal number
4951 %f floating point number in the form 123.456
4952 %e floating point number in the form 1.234e3
4953 %E floating point number in the form 1.234E3
4954 %g floating point number, as %f or %e depending on value
4955 %G floating point number, as %f or %E depending on value
4956 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004957
4958 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
4959 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
4960 the result.
4961
4962 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004963 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004964
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004965 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004966
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004967 flags
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004968 Zero or more of the following flags:
4969
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004970 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
4971 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
4972 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
4973 of the number is increased to force the first
4974 character of the output string to a zero (except
4975 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
4976 precision of zero).
4977 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
4978 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
4979 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004980
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004981 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
4982 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
4983 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
4984 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
4985 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004986
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004987 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
4988 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
4989 The converted value is padded on the right with
4990 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
4991 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004992
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004993 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
4994 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004995
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004996 + A sign must always be placed before a number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004997 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004998 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004999
5000 field-width
5001 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00005002 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
5003 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
5004 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
5005 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005006
5007 .precision
5008 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
5009 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
5010 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
5011 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
5012 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00005013 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005014 For floating point it is the number of digits after
5015 the decimal point.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005016
5017 type
5018 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
5019 be applied, see below.
5020
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005021 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
5022 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005023 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005024 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
5025 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
5026 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005027 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005028< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005029 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005030
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005031 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005032
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005033 *printf-d* *printf-o* *printf-x* *printf-X*
5034 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005035 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
5036 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
5037 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005038 conversions.
5039 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
5040 digits that must appear; if the converted value
5041 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
5042 zeros.
5043 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
5044 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
5045 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
5046 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
5047
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005048 *printf-c*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005049 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
5050 resulting character is written.
5051
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005052 *printf-s*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005053 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
5054 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
5055 specified are used.
Bram Moolenaar0122c402015-02-03 19:13:34 +01005056 *printf-S*
Bram Moolenaar3ab72c52012-11-14 18:10:56 +01005057 S The text of the String argument is used. If a
5058 precision is specified, no more display cells than the
5059 number specified are used. Without the |+multi_byte|
5060 feature works just like 's'.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005061
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005062 *printf-f* *E807*
5063 f The Float argument is converted into a string of the
5064 form 123.456. The precision specifies the number of
5065 digits after the decimal point. When the precision is
5066 zero the decimal point is omitted. When the precision
5067 is not specified 6 is used. A really big number
5068 (out of range or dividing by zero) results in "inf".
5069 "0.0 / 0.0" results in "nan".
5070 Example: >
5071 echo printf("%.2f", 12.115)
5072< 12.12
5073 Note that roundoff depends on the system libraries.
5074 Use |round()| when in doubt.
5075
5076 *printf-e* *printf-E*
5077 e E The Float argument is converted into a string of the
5078 form 1.234e+03 or 1.234E+03 when using 'E'. The
5079 precision specifies the number of digits after the
5080 decimal point, like with 'f'.
5081
5082 *printf-g* *printf-G*
5083 g G The Float argument is converted like with 'f' if the
5084 value is between 0.001 (inclusive) and 10000000.0
5085 (exclusive). Otherwise 'e' is used for 'g' and 'E'
5086 for 'G'. When no precision is specified superfluous
5087 zeroes and '+' signs are removed, except for the zero
5088 immediately after the decimal point. Thus 10000000.0
5089 results in 1.0e7.
5090
5091 *printf-%*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005092 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
5093 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005094
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005095 When a Number argument is expected a String argument is also
5096 accepted and automatically converted.
5097 When a Float or String argument is expected a Number argument
5098 is also accepted and automatically converted.
5099 Any other argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005100
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00005101 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005102 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
5103 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005104 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00005105
5106
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00005107pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
5108 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
5109 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005110 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
5111 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005112
Bram Moolenaare6ae6222013-05-21 21:01:10 +02005113 *E860*
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02005114py3eval({expr}) *py3eval()*
5115 Evaluate Python expression {expr} and return its result
5116 converted to Vim data structures.
5117 Numbers and strings are returned as they are (strings are
Bram Moolenaar2b8388b2015-02-28 13:11:45 +01005118 copied though, Unicode strings are additionally converted to
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02005119 'encoding').
5120 Lists are represented as Vim |List| type.
5121 Dictionaries are represented as Vim |Dictionary| type with
5122 keys converted to strings.
5123 {only available when compiled with the |+python3| feature}
5124
5125 *E858* *E859*
5126pyeval({expr}) *pyeval()*
5127 Evaluate Python expression {expr} and return its result
5128 converted to Vim data structures.
5129 Numbers and strings are returned as they are (strings are
5130 copied though).
5131 Lists are represented as Vim |List| type.
Bram Moolenaard09acef2012-09-21 14:54:30 +02005132 Dictionaries are represented as Vim |Dictionary| type,
5133 non-string keys result in error.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02005134 {only available when compiled with the |+python| feature}
5135
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005136 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005137range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005138 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005139 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
5140 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
5141 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
5142 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
5143 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00005144 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
5145 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
5146 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005147 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005148 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005149 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
5150 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005151 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00005152 range(0) " []
5153 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005154<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005155 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005156readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005157 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
5158 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005159 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
5160 NL appears somewhere).
Bram Moolenaar06583f12010-08-07 20:30:49 +02005161 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar86ae7202015-07-10 19:31:35 +02005162 When {binary} contains "b" binary mode is used:
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005163 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
5164 added.
5165 - No CR characters are removed.
5166 Otherwise:
5167 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
5168 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
Bram Moolenaar06583f12010-08-07 20:30:49 +02005169 - When 'encoding' is Unicode any UTF-8 byte order mark is
5170 removed from the text.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005171 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
5172 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
5173 lines of a file: >
5174 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
5175 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
5176 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005177< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
5178 are returned, or as many as there are.
5179 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005180 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
5181 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
5182 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005183 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
5184 the result is an empty list.
5185 Also see |writefile()|.
5186
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005187reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
5188 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
5189 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
5190 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
5191 Without an argument it returns the current time.
5192 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
5193 specified in the argument.
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00005194 With two arguments it returns the time passed between {start}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005195 and {end}.
5196 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
5197 reltime().
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005198 {only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005199
5200reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
5201 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
5202 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
5203 microseconds. Example: >
5204 let start = reltime()
5205 call MyFunction()
5206 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
5207< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
5208 The accuracy depends on the system.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005209 Leading spaces are used to make the string align nicely. You
5210 can use split() to remove it. >
5211 echo split(reltimestr(reltime(start)))[0]
5212< Also see |profiling|.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005213 {only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005214
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005215 *remote_expr()* *E449*
5216remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005217 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005218 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00005219 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
5220 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
5221 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005222 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
5223 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
5224 remote_read() is stored there.
5225 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
5226 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5227 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
5228 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
5229 and the result will be the empty string.
5230 Examples: >
5231 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
5232 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
5233<
5234
5235remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
5236 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
5237 This works like: >
5238 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
5239< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
5240 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
5241 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00005242 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
5243 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005244 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5245 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
5246 Win32 console version}
5247
5248
5249remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
5250 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
5251 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005252 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005253 name of a variable.
5254 Returns zero if none are available.
5255 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
5256 See also |clientserver|.
5257 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5258 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
5259 Examples: >
5260 :let repl = ""
5261 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
5262
5263remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
5264 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
5265 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
5266 See also |clientserver|.
5267 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5268 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
5269 Example: >
5270 :echo remote_read(id)
5271<
5272 *remote_send()* *E241*
5273remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005274 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00005275 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
5276 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00005277 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
5278 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
5279 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005280 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
5281 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5282 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
5283 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
5284 up the display.
5285 Examples: >
5286 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
5287 \ remote_read(serverid)
5288
5289 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
5290 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
5291 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
5292 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005293<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005294remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005295 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005296 return the item.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005297 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005298 return a List with these items. When {idx} points to the same
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005299 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
5300 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
5301 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005302 Example: >
5303 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005304 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005305remove({dict}, {key})
5306 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
5307 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
5308< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
5309
5310 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005311
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005312rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
5313 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
5314 should also work to move files across file systems. The
5315 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
5316 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
Bram Moolenaar798b30b2009-04-22 10:56:16 +00005317 NOTE: If {to} exists it is overwritten without warning.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005318 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5319
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00005320repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
5321 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
5322 result. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00005323 :let separator = repeat('-', 80)
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00005324< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005325 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005326 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005327 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
5328< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00005329
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005330
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005331resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
5332 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
5333 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
5334 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
5335 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
5336 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
5337 stopped after 100 iterations.
5338 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
5339 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
5340 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
5341 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
5342 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
5343
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005344 *reverse()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005345reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005346 {list}.
5347 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
5348 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
5349
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005350round({expr}) *round()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005351 Round off {expr} to the nearest integral value and return it
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005352 as a |Float|. If {expr} lies halfway between two integral
5353 values, then use the larger one (away from zero).
5354 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5355 Examples: >
5356 echo round(0.456)
5357< 0.0 >
5358 echo round(4.5)
5359< 5.0 >
5360 echo round(-4.5)
5361< -5.0
5362 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaar34feacb2012-12-05 19:01:43 +01005363
Bram Moolenaar9a773482013-06-11 18:40:13 +02005364screenattr(row, col) *screenattr()*
5365 Like screenchar(), but return the attribute. This is a rather
5366 arbitrary number that can only be used to compare to the
5367 attribute at other positions.
5368
5369screenchar(row, col) *screenchar()*
5370 The result is a Number, which is the character at position
5371 [row, col] on the screen. This works for every possible
5372 screen position, also status lines, window separators and the
5373 command line. The top left position is row one, column one
5374 The character excludes composing characters. For double-byte
5375 encodings it may only be the first byte.
5376 This is mainly to be used for testing.
5377 Returns -1 when row or col is out of range.
5378
Bram Moolenaar34feacb2012-12-05 19:01:43 +01005379screencol() *screencol()*
5380 The result is a Number, which is the current screen column of
5381 the cursor. The leftmost column has number 1.
5382 This function is mainly used for testing.
5383
5384 Note: Always returns the current screen column, thus if used
5385 in a command (e.g. ":echo screencol()") it will return the
5386 column inside the command line, which is 1 when the command is
5387 executed. To get the cursor position in the file use one of
5388 the following mappings: >
5389 nnoremap <expr> GG ":echom ".screencol()."\n"
5390 nnoremap <silent> GG :echom screencol()<CR>
5391<
5392screenrow() *screenrow()*
5393 The result is a Number, which is the current screen row of the
5394 cursor. The top line has number one.
5395 This function is mainly used for testing.
5396
5397 Note: Same restrictions as with |screencol()|.
5398
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00005399search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005400 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00005401 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005402
Bram Moolenaar2df58b42012-11-28 18:21:11 +01005403 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
Bram Moolenaarb8ff1fb2012-02-04 21:59:01 +01005404 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
5405 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaarb8ff1fb2012-02-04 21:59:01 +01005406
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005407 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaarad4d8a12015-12-28 19:20:36 +01005408 'b' search Backward instead of forward
5409 'c' accept a match at the Cursor position
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005410 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00005411 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaarad4d8a12015-12-28 19:20:36 +01005412 'p' return number of matching sub-Pattern (see below)
5413 's' Set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
5414 'w' Wrap around the end of the file
5415 'W' don't Wrap around the end of the file
5416 'z' start searching at the cursor column instead of zero
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005417 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
5418
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00005419 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
5420 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
5421 flag.
5422
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005423 'ignorecase', 'smartcase' and 'magic' are used.
Bram Moolenaarad4d8a12015-12-28 19:20:36 +01005424
Bram Moolenaar85084ef2016-01-17 22:26:33 +01005425 When the 'z' flag is not given, searching always starts in
Bram Moolenaarad4d8a12015-12-28 19:20:36 +01005426 column zero and then matches before the cursor are skipped.
5427 When the 'c' flag is present in 'cpo' the next search starts
5428 after the match. Without the 'c' flag the next search starts
5429 one column further.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005430
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005431 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
5432 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
5433 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
5434 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
5435 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
5436< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
5437 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00005438 A zero value is equal to not giving the argument.
5439
5440 When the {timeout} argument is given the search stops when
Bram Moolenaar1aeaf8c2012-05-18 13:46:39 +02005441 more than this many milliseconds have passed. Thus when
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00005442 {timeout} is 500 the search stops after half a second.
5443 The value must not be negative. A zero value is like not
5444 giving the argument.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005445 {only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005446
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00005447 *search()-sub-match*
5448 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
5449 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
5450 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005451 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005452
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005453 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
5454 flag is used.
5455
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005456 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
5457 :let n = 1
5458 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
5459 : exe "argument " . n
5460 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
5461 : " first search to find match at start of file
5462 : normal G$
5463 : let flags = "w"
5464 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005465 : s/foo/bar/g
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005466 : let flags = "W"
5467 : endwhile
5468 : update " write the file if modified
5469 : let n = n + 1
5470 :endwhile
5471<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005472 Example for using some flags: >
5473 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
5474< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
5475 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
5476 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
5477 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
5478 line:
5479 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
5480 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
5481 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
5482 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
5483 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
5484
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005485
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00005486searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
5487 Search for the declaration of {name}.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005488
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00005489 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
5490 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
5491 first match in the function.
5492
5493 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
5494 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
5495 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
5496
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00005497 Moves the cursor to the found match.
5498 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
5499 Example: >
5500 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
5501 echo getline('.')
5502 endif
5503<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005504 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00005505searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
5506 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005507 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
5508 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
5509 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005510 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
5511 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
5512 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
5513 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
5514 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
5515 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005516
5517 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
5518 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
5519 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
5520 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
5521 typical use is: >
5522 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
5523< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
5524
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005525 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
5526 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005527 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005528 outer pair. Implies the 'W' flag.
5529 'm' Return number of matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00005530 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005531 Note: it's nearly always a good idea to use the 'W' flag, to
5532 avoid wrapping around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005533
5534 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
5535 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
5536 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
5537 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
5538 or a string.
5539 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
5540 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
5541 and -1 returned.
5542
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00005543 For {stopline} and {timeout} see |search()|.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005544
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005545 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
5546 patterns are used like it's on.
5547
5548 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
5549 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
5550 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
5551 if 1
5552 if 2
5553 endif 2
5554 endif 1
5555< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
5556 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
5557 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005558 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005559 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
5560 "endif 2".
5561 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
5562 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
5563 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
5564 the matching start.
5565
5566 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
5567
5568 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
5569 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
5570
5571< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
5572 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
5573 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
5574 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
5575 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
5576 match.
5577 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
5578
5579 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
5580
5581< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
5582 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
5583 highlighting recognized as strings: >
5584
5585 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
5586 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
5587<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00005588 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00005589searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
5590 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005591 Same as |searchpair()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005592 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
5593 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00005594 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005595 returns [0, 0]. >
5596
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00005597 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
5598<
5599 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
5600
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00005601searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *searchpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005602 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005603 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
5604 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
5605 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
5606 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00005607 Example: >
5608 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
5609
5610< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
5611 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
5612 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
5613< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
5614 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
5615
Bram Moolenaar3b5f9292016-01-28 22:37:01 +01005616sendexpr({handle}, {expr} [, {callback}]) *sendexpr()*
5617 Send {expr} over JSON channel {handle}. See |channel-use|.
5618
5619 When {callback} is given returns immediately. Without
5620 {callback} waits for a JSON response and returns the decoded
5621 expression. When there is an error or timeout returns an
5622 empty string.
5623
5624 When {callback} is zero no response is expected.
5625 Otherwise {callback} must be a Funcref or the name of a
5626 function. It is called when the response is received. See
5627 |channel-callback|.
5628
5629sendraw({handle}, {string} [, {callback}]) *sendraw()*
5630 Send {string} over raw channel {handle}. See |channel-raw|.
5631 Works like |sendexpr()|, but does not decode the response.
5632
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005633server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
5634 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
5635 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
5636 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
5637 Note:
5638 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005639 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005640 before calling any commands that waits for input.
5641 See also |clientserver|.
5642 Example: >
5643 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
5644<
5645serverlist() *serverlist()*
5646 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
5647 When there are no servers or the information is not available
5648 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
5649 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
5650 Example: >
5651 :echo serverlist()
5652<
5653setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
5654 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
5655 {val}.
5656 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
5657 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
5658 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
5659 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
5660 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
5661 Examples: >
5662 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
5663 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
5664< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5665
Bram Moolenaar12969c02015-09-08 23:36:10 +02005666setcharsearch({dict}) *setcharsearch()*
Bram Moolenaardbd24b52015-08-11 14:26:19 +02005667 Set the current character search information to {dict},
5668 which contains one or more of the following entries:
5669
5670 char character which will be used for a subsequent
5671 |,| or |;| command; an empty string clears the
5672 character search
5673 forward direction of character search; 1 for forward,
5674 0 for backward
5675 until type of character search; 1 for a |t| or |T|
5676 character search, 0 for an |f| or |F|
5677 character search
5678
5679 This can be useful to save/restore a user's character search
5680 from a script: >
5681 :let prevsearch = getcharsearch()
5682 :" Perform a command which clobbers user's search
5683 :call setcharsearch(prevsearch)
5684< Also see |getcharsearch()|.
5685
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005686setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
5687 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005688 {pos}. The first position is 1.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005689 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
5690 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005691 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
5692 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
5693 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
5694 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
5695 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005696 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
5697 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
5698 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
5699 line.
5700
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005701setline({lnum}, {text}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaarb8ff1fb2012-02-04 21:59:01 +01005702 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {text}. To insert
5703 lines use |append()|.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005704 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005705 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {text} will be
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005706 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005707 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
5708 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005709 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005710< When {text} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005711 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
5712 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
5713< This is equivalent to: >
Bram Moolenaar53bfca22012-04-13 23:04:47 +02005714 :for [n, l] in [[5, 'aaa'], [6, 'bbb'], [7, 'ccc']]
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005715 : call setline(n, l)
5716 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005717< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
5718
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00005719setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
5720 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
5721 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005722 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
5723 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00005724 Otherwise, same as |setqflist()|.
5725 Also see |location-list|.
5726
5727setmatches({list}) *setmatches()*
5728 Restores a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|. Returns 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005729 if successful, otherwise -1. All current matches are cleared
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00005730 before the list is restored. See example for |getmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005731
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005732 *setpos()*
5733setpos({expr}, {list})
5734 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
5735 . the cursor
5736 'x mark x
5737
Bram Moolenaar493c1782014-05-28 14:34:46 +02005738 {list} must be a |List| with four or five numbers:
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005739 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
Bram Moolenaar493c1782014-05-28 14:34:46 +02005740 [bufnum, lnum, col, off, curswant]
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005741
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005742 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005743 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005744 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
5745 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
5746 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005747 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005748
5749 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005750 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark. If "col" is
5751 smaller than 1 then 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005752
5753 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
5754 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005755 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005756 character.
5757
Bram Moolenaar493c1782014-05-28 14:34:46 +02005758 The "curswant" number is only used when setting the cursor
5759 position. It sets the preferred column for when moving the
5760 cursor vertically. When the "curswant" number is missing the
5761 preferred column is not set. When it is present and setting a
5762 mark position it is not used.
5763
Bram Moolenaardfb18412013-12-11 18:53:29 +01005764 Note that for '< and '> changing the line number may result in
5765 the marks to be effectively be swapped, so that '< is always
5766 before '>.
5767
Bram Moolenaar08250432008-02-13 11:42:46 +00005768 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
5769 An error message is given if {expr} is invalid.
5770
Bram Moolenaar6f6c0f82014-05-28 20:31:42 +02005771 Also see |getpos()| and |getcurpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005772
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005773 This does not restore the preferred column for moving
Bram Moolenaar493c1782014-05-28 14:34:46 +02005774 vertically; if you set the cursor position with this, |j| and
5775 |k| motions will jump to previous columns! Use |cursor()| to
5776 also set the preferred column. Also see the "curswant" key in
5777 |winrestview()|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005778
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005779
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00005780setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00005781 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
5782 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
5783 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
5784 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005785
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005786 bufnr buffer number; must be the number of a valid
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005787 buffer
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005788 filename name of a file; only used when "bufnr" is not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005789 present or it is invalid.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005790 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005791 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005792 col column number
5793 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005794 when zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005795 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005796 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005797 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005798
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005799 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
5800 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
5801 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005802 If the "filename" and "bufnr" entries are not present or
5803 neither the "lnum" or "pattern" entries are present, then the
5804 item will not be handled as an error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005805 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
5806 be used.
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02005807 If you supply an empty {list}, the quickfix list will be
5808 cleared.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005809 Note that the list is not exactly the same as what
5810 |getqflist()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005811
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00005812 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
5813 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
5814 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
5815 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
5816 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
5817 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
5818
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005819 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
5820
5821 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
5822 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
5823 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
5824
5825
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005826 *setreg()*
5827setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
5828 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
Bram Moolenaar5a50c222014-04-02 22:17:10 +02005829 {value} may be any value returned by |getreg()|, including
5830 a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005831 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
5832 then the value is appended.
Bram Moolenaarc6485bc2010-07-28 17:02:55 +02005833 {options} can also contain a register type specification:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005834 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
5835 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
5836 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
5837 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
5838 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
5839 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005840 in the longest line (counting a <Tab> as 1 character).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005841
5842 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
Bram Moolenaar5a50c222014-04-02 22:17:10 +02005843 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL> for
5844 string {value} and linewise mode for list {value}. Blockwise
5845 mode is never selected automatically.
5846 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
5847
5848 *E883*
Bram Moolenaar34401cc2014-08-29 15:12:19 +02005849 Note: you may not use |List| containing more than one item to
Bram Moolenaar5a50c222014-04-02 22:17:10 +02005850 set search and expression registers. Lists containing no
5851 items act like empty strings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005852
5853 Examples: >
5854 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
5855 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
5856 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
5857
5858< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
Bram Moolenaar5a50c222014-04-02 22:17:10 +02005859 register (note: you may not reliably restore register value
5860 without using the third argument to |getreg()| as without it
5861 newlines are represented as newlines AND Nul bytes are
5862 represented as newlines as well, see |NL-used-for-Nul|). >
5863 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1, 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005864 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
5865 ....
5866 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
5867
5868< You can also change the type of a register by appending
5869 nothing: >
5870 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
5871
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02005872settabvar({tabnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabvar()*
5873 Set tab-local variable {varname} to {val} in tab page {tabnr}.
5874 |t:var|
5875 Note that the variable name without "t:" must be used.
5876 Tabs are numbered starting with one.
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02005877 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5878
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00005879settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabwinvar()*
5880 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
5881 {val}.
5882 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
5883 use |setwinvar()|.
5884 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005885 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
5886 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
5887 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
5888 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00005889 Examples: >
5890 :call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
5891 :call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
5892< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5893
5894setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
5895 Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005896 Examples: >
5897 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
5898 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005899
Bram Moolenaaraf9aeb92013-02-13 17:35:04 +01005900sha256({string}) *sha256()*
Bram Moolenaar2b8388b2015-02-28 13:11:45 +01005901 Returns a String with 64 hex characters, which is the SHA256
Bram Moolenaaraf9aeb92013-02-13 17:35:04 +01005902 checksum of {string}.
5903 {only available when compiled with the |+cryptv| feature}
5904
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005905shellescape({string} [, {special}]) *shellescape()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005906 Escape {string} for use as a shell command argument.
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005907 On MS-Windows and MS-DOS, when 'shellslash' is not set, it
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005908 will enclose {string} in double quotes and double all double
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005909 quotes within {string}.
5910 For other systems, it will enclose {string} in single quotes
5911 and replace all "'" with "'\''".
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005912 When the {special} argument is present and it's a non-zero
5913 Number or a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then special
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005914 items such as "!", "%", "#" and "<cword>" will be preceded by
5915 a backslash. This backslash will be removed again by the |:!|
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005916 command.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005917 The "!" character will be escaped (again with a |non-zero-arg|
5918 {special}) when 'shell' contains "csh" in the tail. That is
5919 because for csh and tcsh "!" is used for history replacement
5920 even when inside single quotes.
5921 The <NL> character is also escaped. With a |non-zero-arg|
5922 {special} and 'shell' containing "csh" in the tail it's
5923 escaped a second time.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005924 Example of use with a |:!| command: >
5925 :exe '!dir ' . shellescape(expand('<cfile>'), 1)
5926< This results in a directory listing for the file under the
5927 cursor. Example of use with |system()|: >
5928 :call system("chmod +w -- " . shellescape(expand("%")))
Bram Moolenaar26df0922014-02-23 23:39:13 +01005929< See also |::S|.
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005930
5931
Bram Moolenaar2d17fa32012-10-21 00:45:18 +02005932shiftwidth() *shiftwidth()*
5933 Returns the effective value of 'shiftwidth'. This is the
5934 'shiftwidth' value unless it is zero, in which case it is the
Bram Moolenaar009d84a2016-01-28 14:12:00 +01005935 'tabstop' value. This function was introduced with patch
5936 7.3.694 in 2012, everybody should have it by now.
Bram Moolenaar2d17fa32012-10-21 00:45:18 +02005937
5938
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005939simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
5940 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
5941 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
5942 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
5943 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
5944 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
5945 not removed either.
5946 Example: >
5947 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
5948< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
5949 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
5950 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
5951 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
5952 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
5953
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005954
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005955sin({expr}) *sin()*
5956 Return the sine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
5957 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5958 Examples: >
5959 :echo sin(100)
5960< -0.506366 >
5961 :echo sin(-4.01)
5962< 0.763301
5963 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5964
5965
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005966sinh({expr}) *sinh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005967 Return the hyperbolic sine of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005968 [-inf, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005969 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005970 Examples: >
5971 :echo sinh(0.5)
5972< 0.521095 >
5973 :echo sinh(-0.9)
5974< -1.026517
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005975 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005976
5977
Bram Moolenaar5f894962011-06-19 02:55:37 +02005978sort({list} [, {func} [, {dict}]]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaar327aa022014-03-25 18:24:23 +01005979 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}.
5980
5981 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005982 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
Bram Moolenaar822ff862014-06-12 21:46:14 +02005983
Bram Moolenaar946e27a2014-06-25 18:50:27 +02005984< When {func} is omitted, is empty or zero, then sort() uses the
5985 string representation of each item to sort on. Numbers sort
5986 after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers. For sorting text in the
5987 current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaar327aa022014-03-25 18:24:23 +01005988
Bram Moolenaar34401cc2014-08-29 15:12:19 +02005989 When {func} is given and it is '1' or 'i' then case is
Bram Moolenaar946e27a2014-06-25 18:50:27 +02005990 ignored.
5991
5992 When {func} is given and it is 'n' then all items will be
5993 sorted numerical (Implementation detail: This uses the
5994 strtod() function to parse numbers, Strings, Lists, Dicts and
5995 Funcrefs will be considered as being 0).
5996
Bram Moolenaarb00da1d2015-12-03 16:33:12 +01005997 When {func} is given and it is 'N' then all items will be
5998 sorted numerical. This is like 'n' but a string containing
5999 digits will be used as the number they represent.
6000
Bram Moolenaar13d5aee2016-01-21 23:36:05 +01006001 When {func} is given and it is 'f' then all items will be
6002 sorted numerical. All values must be a Number or a Float.
6003
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006004 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
6005 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006006 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 or
6007 bigger if the first one sorts after the second one, -1 or
6008 smaller if the first one sorts before the second one.
Bram Moolenaar327aa022014-03-25 18:24:23 +01006009
6010 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
6011 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
6012
Bram Moolenaar8bb1c3e2014-07-04 16:43:17 +02006013 The sort is stable, items which compare equal (as number or as
6014 string) will keep their relative position. E.g., when sorting
Bram Moolenaardb6ea062014-07-10 22:01:47 +02006015 on numbers, text strings will sort next to each other, in the
Bram Moolenaar8bb1c3e2014-07-04 16:43:17 +02006016 same order as they were originally.
6017
Bram Moolenaar327aa022014-03-25 18:24:23 +01006018 Also see |uniq()|.
6019
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006020 Example: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00006021 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
6022 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
6023 endfunc
6024 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006025< A shorter compare version for this specific simple case, which
6026 ignores overflow: >
6027 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
6028 return a:i1 - a:i2
6029 endfunc
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00006030<
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00006031 *soundfold()*
6032soundfold({word})
6033 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006034 language in 'spelllang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00006035 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
6036 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00006037 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
6038 the method can be quite slow.
6039
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00006040 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00006041spellbadword([{sentence}])
6042 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
6043 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
6044 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
6045 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
6046
6047 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
6048 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
6049 result is an empty string.
6050
6051 The return value is a list with two items:
6052 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
6053 - The type of the spelling error:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006054 "bad" spelling mistake
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00006055 "rare" rare word
6056 "local" word only valid in another region
6057 "caps" word should start with Capital
6058 Example: >
6059 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
6060< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
6061
6062 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
6063 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
6064 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00006065
6066 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00006067spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006068 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00006069 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
6070 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
6071
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00006072 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
6073 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
6074 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
6075
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00006076 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
6077 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00006078 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
6079 replace a line.
6080
6081 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00006082 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
6083 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00006084
6085 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00006086 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
6087 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00006088
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00006089
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00006090split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006091 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
6092 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
6093 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00006094 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar97d62492012-11-15 21:28:22 +01006095 removing the matched characters. 'ignorecase' is not used
6096 here, add \c to ignore case. |/\c|
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00006097 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
6098 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00006099 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
6100 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00006101 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00006102 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00006103< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00006104 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar12969c02015-09-08 23:36:10 +02006105< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs' at
6106 the end of the pattern: >
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00006107 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
6108< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00006109 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
6110 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
6111< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00006112
6113
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006114sqrt({expr}) *sqrt()*
6115 Return the non-negative square root of Float {expr} as a
6116 |Float|.
6117 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|. When {expr}
6118 is negative the result is NaN (Not a Number).
6119 Examples: >
6120 :echo sqrt(100)
6121< 10.0 >
6122 :echo sqrt(-4.01)
6123< nan
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00006124 "nan" may be different, it depends on system libraries.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006125 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
6126
6127
6128str2float( {expr}) *str2float()*
6129 Convert String {expr} to a Float. This mostly works the same
6130 as when using a floating point number in an expression, see
6131 |floating-point-format|. But it's a bit more permissive.
6132 E.g., "1e40" is accepted, while in an expression you need to
6133 write "1.0e40".
6134 Text after the number is silently ignored.
6135 The decimal point is always '.', no matter what the locale is
6136 set to. A comma ends the number: "12,345.67" is converted to
6137 12.0. You can strip out thousands separators with
6138 |substitute()|: >
6139 let f = str2float(substitute(text, ',', '', 'g'))
6140< {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
6141
6142
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00006143str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
6144 Convert string {expr} to a number.
Bram Moolenaarfa735342016-01-03 22:14:44 +01006145 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 2, 8, 10 or 16.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00006146 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
6147 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
6148 with the default String to Number conversion.
6149 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
Bram Moolenaarfa735342016-01-03 22:14:44 +01006150 different base the result will be zero. Similarly, when
6151 {base} is 8 a leading "0" is ignored, and when {base} is 2 a
6152 leading "0b" or "0B" is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00006153 Text after the number is silently ignored.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006154
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00006155
Bram Moolenaar979243b2015-06-26 19:35:49 +02006156strchars({expr} [, {skipcc}]) *strchars()*
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02006157 The result is a Number, which is the number of characters
Bram Moolenaar979243b2015-06-26 19:35:49 +02006158 in String {expr}.
6159 When {skipcc} is omitted or zero, composing characters are
6160 counted separately.
6161 When {skipcc} set to 1, Composing characters are ignored.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02006162 Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strwidth()|.
6163
Bram Moolenaar86ae7202015-07-10 19:31:35 +02006164
6165 {skipcc} is only available after 7.4.755. For backward
6166 compatibility, you can define a wrapper function: >
6167 if has("patch-7.4.755")
6168 function s:strchars(str, skipcc)
6169 return strchars(a:str, a:skipcc)
6170 endfunction
6171 else
6172 function s:strchars(str, skipcc)
6173 if a:skipcc
6174 return strlen(substitute(a:str, ".", "x", "g"))
6175 else
6176 return strchars(a:str)
6177 endif
6178 endfunction
6179 endif
6180<
6181
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02006182strdisplaywidth({expr}[, {col}]) *strdisplaywidth()*
6183 The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
Bram Moolenaar979243b2015-06-26 19:35:49 +02006184 String {expr} occupies on the screen when it starts at {col}.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02006185 When {col} is omitted zero is used. Otherwise it is the
6186 screen column where to start. This matters for Tab
6187 characters.
Bram Moolenaar4d32c2d2010-07-18 22:10:01 +02006188 The option settings of the current window are used. This
6189 matters for anything that's displayed differently, such as
6190 'tabstop' and 'display'.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02006191 When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
6192 Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
6193 Also see |strlen()|, |strwidth()| and |strchars()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02006194
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006195strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
6196 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
6197 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
6198 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
6199 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
6200 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
6201 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
6202 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
6203 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
6204 Examples: >
6205 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
6206 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
6207 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
6208 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
6209 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
6210 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00006211< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
6212 :if exists("*strftime")
6213
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006214stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
6215 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
6216 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006217 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
6218 This can be used to find a second match: >
Bram Moolenaar81af9252010-12-10 20:35:50 +01006219 :let colon1 = stridx(line, ":")
6220 :let colon2 = stridx(line, ":", colon1 + 1)
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006221< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006222 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006223 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006224 See also |strridx()|.
6225 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006226 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
6227 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
6228 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006229< *strstr()* *strchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006230 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
6231 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
6232
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00006233 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00006234string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006235 Float, String or a composition of them, then the result can be
6236 parsed back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00006237 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006238 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00006239 Number 123
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006240 Float 123.123456 or 1.123456e8
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006241 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00006242 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00006243 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006244 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006245 Also see |strtrans()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00006246
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006247 *strlen()*
6248strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00006249 {expr} in bytes.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00006250 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
6251 For other types an error is given.
Bram Moolenaar641e48c2015-06-25 16:09:26 +02006252 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters use
6253 |strchars()|.
6254 Also see |len()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strwidth()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006255
6256strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
6257 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00006258 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006259 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
6260 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
6261 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
6262 end of the {src}. >
6263 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
6264 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
6265 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006266 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006267< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
6268 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00006269 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006270<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006271strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
6272 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
6273 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
6274 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
6275 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
6276 match: >
6277 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
6278 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
6279< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006280 For pattern searches use |match()|.
6281 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00006282 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00006283 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006284 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006285< *strrchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006286 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
6287 function strrchr().
6288
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006289strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
6290 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
6291 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
6292 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
6293 echo strtrans(@a)
6294< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
6295 starting a new line.
6296
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02006297strwidth({expr}) *strwidth()*
6298 The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
6299 String {expr} occupies. A Tab character is counted as one
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02006300 cell, alternatively use |strdisplaywidth()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02006301 When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
6302 Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02006303 Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strchars()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02006304
Bram Moolenaar41571762014-04-02 19:00:58 +02006305submatch({nr}[, {list}]) *submatch()*
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02006306 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command or
6307 substitute() function.
6308 Returns the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr}
6309 is 0 the whole matched text is returned.
Bram Moolenaar41571762014-04-02 19:00:58 +02006310 Note that a NL in the string can stand for a line break of a
6311 multi-line match or a NUL character in the text.
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02006312 Also see |sub-replace-expression|.
Bram Moolenaar41571762014-04-02 19:00:58 +02006313
6314 If {list} is present and non-zero then submatch() returns
6315 a list of strings, similar to |getline()| with two arguments.
6316 NL characters in the text represent NUL characters in the
6317 text.
6318 Only returns more than one item for |:substitute|, inside
6319 |substitute()| this list will always contain one or zero
6320 items, since there are no real line breaks.
6321
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006322 Example: >
6323 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
6324< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
6325 A line break is included as a newline character.
6326
6327substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
6328 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02006329 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}.
6330 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
6331 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
6332
6333 This works like the ":substitute" command (without any flags).
6334 But the matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic'
6335 option is set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts
Bram Moolenaar2df58b42012-11-28 18:21:11 +01006336 portable). 'ignorecase' is still relevant, use |/\c| or |/\C|
6337 if you want to ignore or match case and ignore 'ignorecase'.
6338 'smartcase' is not used. See |string-match| for how {pat} is
6339 used.
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02006340
6341 A "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006342 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006343 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006344 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02006345
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006346 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
6347 unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02006348
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006349 Example: >
6350 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
6351< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
6352 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
6353< results in "TESTING".
Bram Moolenaar251e1912011-06-19 05:09:16 +02006354
6355 When {sub} starts with "\=", the remainder is interpreted as
6356 an expression. See |sub-replace-expression|. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar20f90cf2011-05-19 12:22:51 +02006357 :echo substitute(s, '%\(\x\x\)',
6358 \ '\=nr2char("0x" . submatch(1))', 'g')
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006359
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00006360synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006361 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00006362 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006363 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
6364 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00006365
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00006366 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00006367 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
Bram Moolenaarca635012015-09-25 20:34:21 +02006368 Note that when the position is after the last character,
6369 that's where the cursor can be in Insert mode, synID() returns
6370 zero.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00006371
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006372 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006373 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006374 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
6375 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
6376 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
6377 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
6378 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
6379
6380 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
6381 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
6382<
Bram Moolenaar7510fe72010-07-25 12:46:44 +02006383
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006384synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
6385 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
6386 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
6387 about a syntax item.
6388 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006389 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006390 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
6391 used (GUI, cterm or term).
6392 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
6393 {what} result
6394 "name" the name of the syntax item
6395 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
6396 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
6397 term: empty string)
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00006398 "bg" background color (as with "fg")
Bram Moolenaar12682fd2010-03-10 13:43:49 +01006399 "font" font name (only available in the GUI)
6400 |highlight-font|
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00006401 "sp" special color (as with "fg") |highlight-guisp|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006402 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
6403 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
6404 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00006405 "sp#" like "fg#" for "sp"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006406 "bold" "1" if bold
6407 "italic" "1" if italic
6408 "reverse" "1" if reverse
6409 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
Bram Moolenaar12682fd2010-03-10 13:43:49 +01006410 "standout" "1" if standout
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006411 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006412 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006413
6414 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
6415 cursor): >
6416 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
6417<
6418synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
6419 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
6420 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
6421 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
6422 ":highlight link" are followed.
6423
Bram Moolenaar483c5d82010-10-20 18:45:33 +02006424synconcealed({lnum}, {col}) *synconcealed()*
6425 The result is a List. The first item in the list is 0 if the
6426 character at the position {lnum} and {col} is not part of a
6427 concealable region, 1 if it is. The second item in the list is
6428 a string. If the first item is 1, the second item contains the
6429 text which will be displayed in place of the concealed text,
6430 depending on the current setting of 'conceallevel'. The third
6431 and final item in the list is a unique number representing the
6432 specific syntax region matched. This allows detection of the
6433 beginning of a new concealable region if there are two
6434 consecutive regions with the same replacement character.
6435 For an example use see $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/2html.vim .
6436
6437
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00006438synstack({lnum}, {col}) *synstack()*
6439 Return a |List|, which is the stack of syntax items at the
6440 position {lnum} and {col} in the current window. Each item in
6441 the List is an ID like what |synID()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00006442 The first item in the List is the outer region, following are
6443 items contained in that one. The last one is what |synID()|
6444 returns, unless not the whole item is highlighted or it is a
6445 transparent item.
6446 This function is useful for debugging a syntax file.
6447 Example that shows the syntax stack under the cursor: >
6448 for id in synstack(line("."), col("."))
6449 echo synIDattr(id, "name")
6450 endfor
Bram Moolenaar0bc380a2010-07-10 13:52:13 +02006451< When the position specified with {lnum} and {col} is invalid
6452 nothing is returned. The position just after the last
6453 character in a line and the first column in an empty line are
6454 valid positions.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00006455
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00006456system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
Bram Moolenaar39c29ed2014-04-05 19:44:40 +02006457 Get the output of the shell command {expr} as a string. See
6458 |systemlist()| to get the output as a List.
Bram Moolenaar57ebe6e2014-04-05 18:55:46 +02006459
6460 When {input} is given and is a string this string is written
6461 to a file and passed as stdin to the command. The string is
6462 written as-is, you need to take care of using the correct line
6463 separators yourself.
6464 If {input} is given and is a |List| it is written to the file
6465 in a way |writefile()| does with {binary} set to "b" (i.e.
6466 with a newline between each list item with newlines inside
6467 list items converted to NULs).
6468 Pipes are not used.
6469
Bram Moolenaar52a72462014-08-29 15:53:52 +02006470 When prepended by |:silent| the shell will not be set to
6471 cooked mode. This is meant to be used for commands that do
6472 not need the user to type. It avoids stray characters showing
6473 up on the screen which require |CTRL-L| to remove. >
6474 :silent let f = system('ls *.vim')
6475<
Bram Moolenaar26df0922014-02-23 23:39:13 +01006476 Note: Use |shellescape()| or |::S| with |expand()| or
6477 |fnamemodify()| to escape special characters in a command
6478 argument. Newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail.
6479 The characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also
6480 cause trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006481 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006482
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00006483 The result is a String. Example: >
6484 :let files = system("ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h')))
Bram Moolenaar26df0922014-02-23 23:39:13 +01006485 :let files = system('ls ' . expand('%:h:S'))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006486
6487< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
6488 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
6489 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
Bram Moolenaar9d98fe92013-08-03 18:35:36 +02006490 To avoid the string being truncated at a NUL, all NUL
6491 characters are replaced with SOH (0x01).
6492
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006493 The command executed is constructed using several options:
6494 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
6495 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
6496 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
6497 concatenated commands.
6498
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00006499 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
6500 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
6501
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006502 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
6503 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00006504
6505 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
6506 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
6507 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006508 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
6509 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
6510
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006511
Bram Moolenaar39c29ed2014-04-05 19:44:40 +02006512systemlist({expr} [, {input}]) *systemlist()*
6513 Same as |system()|, but returns a |List| with lines (parts of
6514 output separated by NL) with NULs transformed into NLs. Output
6515 is the same as |readfile()| will output with {binary} argument
6516 set to "b".
6517
6518 Returns an empty string on error, so be careful not to run
6519 into |E706|.
6520
6521
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00006522tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006523 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00006524 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
6525 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
6526 omitted the current tab page is used.
6527 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
6528 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
Bram Moolenaar61d35bd2012-03-28 20:51:51 +02006529 let buflist = []
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00006530 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
Bram Moolenaar61d35bd2012-03-28 20:51:51 +02006531 call extend(buflist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00006532 endfor
6533< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
6534
6535
6536tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00006537 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
6538 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
6539 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
6540 page is returned (the tab page count).
6541 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
6542
6543
Bram Moolenaar76f3b1a2014-03-27 22:30:07 +01006544tabpagewinnr({tabarg} [, {arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
Bram Moolenaard04f4402010-08-15 13:30:34 +02006545 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {tabarg}.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00006546 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
6547 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
6548 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
6549 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
6550 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
6551 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
6552 Useful examples: >
6553 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
6554 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
6555< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
6556
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00006557 *tagfiles()*
6558tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
6559 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
6560
6561
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006562taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
6563 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00006564 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
6565 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00006566 name Name of the tag.
6567 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006568 defined. It is either relative to the
6569 current directory or a full path.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006570 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
6571 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00006572 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006573 entry depends on the language specific
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006574 kind values. Only available when
6575 using a tags file generated by
6576 Exuberant ctags or hdrtag.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00006577 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006578 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006579 More entries may be present, depending on the content of the
6580 tags file: access, implementation, inherits and signature.
6581 Refer to the ctags documentation for information about these
6582 fields. For C code the fields "struct", "class" and "enum"
6583 may appear, they give the name of the entity the tag is
6584 contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00006585
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00006586 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
6587 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006588
6589 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
6590
6591 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
Bram Moolenaara3e6bc92013-01-30 14:18:00 +01006592 used in {expr}. This also make the function work faster.
6593 Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information about the tag
6594 search regular expression pattern.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00006595
6596 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
6597 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
6598 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
6599
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006600tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
6601 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006602 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006603 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
6604 :let tmpfile = tempname()
6605 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006606< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory |tempfile|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006607 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
6608 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
6609
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02006610
6611tan({expr}) *tan()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02006612 Return the tangent of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02006613 in the range [-inf, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02006614 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02006615 Examples: >
6616 :echo tan(10)
6617< 0.648361 >
6618 :echo tan(-4.01)
6619< -1.181502
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02006620 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02006621
6622
6623tanh({expr}) *tanh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02006624 Return the hyperbolic tangent of {expr} as a |Float| in the
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02006625 range [-1, 1].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02006626 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02006627 Examples: >
6628 :echo tanh(0.5)
6629< 0.462117 >
6630 :echo tanh(-1)
6631< -0.761594
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02006632 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02006633
6634
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006635tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
6636 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
6637 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
6638 the string).
6639
6640toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
6641 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
6642 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
6643 the string).
6644
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00006645tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
6646 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
6647 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
6648 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
6649 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
6650 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
6651 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
6652
6653 Examples: >
6654 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
6655< returns "Hello THere" >
6656 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
6657< returns "{blob}"
6658
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006659trunc({expr}) *trunc()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00006660 Return the largest integral value with magnitude less than or
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006661 equal to {expr} as a |Float| (truncate towards zero).
6662 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
6663 Examples: >
6664 echo trunc(1.456)
6665< 1.0 >
6666 echo trunc(-5.456)
6667< -5.0 >
6668 echo trunc(4.0)
6669< 4.0
6670 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
6671
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006672 *type()*
6673type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00006674 Number: 0
6675 String: 1
6676 Funcref: 2
6677 List: 3
6678 Dictionary: 4
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006679 Float: 5
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01006680 Boolean: 6 (v:false and v:true)
6681 None 7 (v:null and v:none)
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00006682 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006683 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
6684 :if type(myvar) == type("")
6685 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
6686 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00006687 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006688 :if type(myvar) == type(0.0)
Bram Moolenaar705ada12016-01-24 17:56:50 +01006689 :if type(myvar) == type(v:false)
6690 :if type(myvar) == type(v:none
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006691
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02006692undofile({name}) *undofile()*
6693 Return the name of the undo file that would be used for a file
6694 with name {name} when writing. This uses the 'undodir'
6695 option, finding directories that exist. It does not check if
Bram Moolenaar860cae12010-06-05 23:22:07 +02006696 the undo file exists.
Bram Moolenaar945e2db2010-06-05 17:43:32 +02006697 {name} is always expanded to the full path, since that is what
6698 is used internally.
Bram Moolenaar80716072012-05-01 21:14:34 +02006699 If {name} is empty undofile() returns an empty string, since a
6700 buffer without a file name will not write an undo file.
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02006701 Useful in combination with |:wundo| and |:rundo|.
6702 When compiled without the +persistent_undo option this always
6703 returns an empty string.
6704
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02006705undotree() *undotree()*
6706 Return the current state of the undo tree in a dictionary with
6707 the following items:
6708 "seq_last" The highest undo sequence number used.
6709 "seq_cur" The sequence number of the current position in
6710 the undo tree. This differs from "seq_last"
6711 when some changes were undone.
6712 "time_cur" Time last used for |:earlier| and related
6713 commands. Use |strftime()| to convert to
6714 something readable.
6715 "save_last" Number of the last file write. Zero when no
6716 write yet.
Bram Moolenaar730cde92010-06-27 05:18:54 +02006717 "save_cur" Number of the current position in the undo
6718 tree.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02006719 "synced" Non-zero when the last undo block was synced.
6720 This happens when waiting from input from the
6721 user. See |undo-blocks|.
6722 "entries" A list of dictionaries with information about
6723 undo blocks.
6724
6725 The first item in the "entries" list is the oldest undo item.
6726 Each List item is a Dictionary with these items:
6727 "seq" Undo sequence number. Same as what appears in
6728 |:undolist|.
6729 "time" Timestamp when the change happened. Use
6730 |strftime()| to convert to something readable.
6731 "newhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
6732 that was added. This marks the last change
6733 and where further changes will be added.
6734 "curhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
6735 that was undone. This marks the current
6736 position in the undo tree, the block that will
6737 be used by a redo command. When nothing was
6738 undone after the last change this item will
6739 not appear anywhere.
6740 "save" Only appears on the last block before a file
6741 write. The number is the write count. The
6742 first write has number 1, the last one the
6743 "save_last" mentioned above.
6744 "alt" Alternate entry. This is again a List of undo
6745 blocks. Each item may again have an "alt"
6746 item.
6747
Bram Moolenaar327aa022014-03-25 18:24:23 +01006748uniq({list} [, {func} [, {dict}]]) *uniq()* *E882*
6749 Remove second and succeeding copies of repeated adjacent
6750 {list} items in-place. Returns {list}. If you want a list
6751 to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
6752 :let newlist = uniq(copy(mylist))
6753< The default compare function uses the string representation of
6754 each item. For the use of {func} and {dict} see |sort()|.
6755
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006756values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006757 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006758 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006759
6760
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006761virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
6762 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
6763 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
6764 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
6765 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
6766 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
6767 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
Bram Moolenaar61d35bd2012-03-28 20:51:51 +02006768 set to 8, it returns 8. |conceal| is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00006769 For the byte position use |col()|.
6770 For the use of {expr} see |col()|.
6771 When 'virtualedit' is used {expr} can be [lnum, col, off], where
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00006772 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00006773 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar97293012011-07-18 19:40:27 +02006774 character. When "off" is omitted zero is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006775 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
6776 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
6777 The accepted positions are:
6778 . the cursor position
6779 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
6780 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
6781 plus one)
6782 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
6783 returned)
Bram Moolenaare3faf442014-12-14 01:27:49 +01006784 v In Visual mode: the start of the Visual area (the
6785 cursor is the end). When not in Visual mode
6786 returns the cursor position. Differs from |'<| in
6787 that it's updated right away.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006788 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
6789 Examples: >
6790 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
6791 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006792 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
6793< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006794 A more advanced example that echoes the maximum length of
6795 all lines: >
6796 echo max(map(range(1, line('$')), "virtcol([v:val, '$'])"))
6797
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006798
6799visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
6800 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006801 used in the current buffer. Initially it returns an empty
6802 string, but once Visual mode has been used, it returns "v",
6803 "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a single CTRL-V character) for
6804 character-wise, line-wise, or block-wise Visual mode
6805 respectively.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006806 Example: >
6807 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
6808< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
6809 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
6810 Visual mode that was used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006811 If Visual mode is active, use |mode()| to get the Visual mode
6812 (e.g., in a |:vmap|).
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00006813 *non-zero-arg*
6814 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
6815 a non-empty String, then the Visual mode will be cleared and
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006816 the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00006817 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared. A List,
6818 Dictionary or Float is not a Number or String, thus does not
6819 cause the mode to be cleared.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006820
Bram Moolenaar8738fc12013-02-20 17:59:11 +01006821wildmenumode() *wildmenumode()*
6822 Returns non-zero when the wildmenu is active and zero
6823 otherwise. See 'wildmenu' and 'wildmode'.
6824 This can be used in mappings to handle the 'wildcharm' option
6825 gracefully. (Makes only sense with |mapmode-c| mappings).
6826
6827 For example to make <c-j> work like <down> in wildmode, use: >
6828 :cnoremap <expr> <C-j> wildmenumode() ? "\<Down>\<Tab>" : "\<c-j>"
6829<
6830 (Note, this needs the 'wildcharm' option set appropriately).
6831
6832
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006833 *winbufnr()*
6834winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00006835 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006836 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
6837 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
6838 Example: >
6839 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
6840<
6841 *wincol()*
6842wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
6843 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
6844 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
6845
6846winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
6847 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
6848 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
6849 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
6850 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
6851 Examples: >
6852 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
6853<
6854 *winline()*
6855winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006856 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006857 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00006858 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
6859 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006860
6861 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00006862winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
6863 window. The top window has number 1.
6864 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar2df58b42012-11-28 18:21:11 +01006865 last window is returned (the window count). >
6866 let window_count = winnr('$')
6867< When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00006868 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006869 If there is no previous window or it is in another tab page 0
6870 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00006871 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
6872 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006873 Also see |tabpagewinnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006874
6875 *winrestcmd()*
6876winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
6877 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006878 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
6879 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006880 Example: >
6881 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
6882 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
6883 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006884<
6885 *winrestview()*
6886winrestview({dict})
6887 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
6888 the view of the current window.
Bram Moolenaar82c25852014-05-28 16:47:16 +02006889 Note: The {dict} does not have to contain all values, that are
6890 returned by |winsaveview()|. If values are missing, those
6891 settings won't be restored. So you can use: >
6892 :call winrestview({'curswant': 4})
6893<
6894 This will only set the curswant value (the column the cursor
6895 wants to move on vertical movements) of the cursor to column 5
6896 (yes, that is 5), while all other settings will remain the
6897 same. This is useful, if you set the cursor position manually.
6898
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006899 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
6900 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
6901
6902 *winsaveview()*
6903winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
6904 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
6905 restore the view.
6906 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
6907 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
6908 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00006909 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
Bram Moolenaar07d87792014-07-19 14:04:47 +02006910 not opened when moving around. This may have side effects.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006911 The return value includes:
6912 lnum cursor line number
Bram Moolenaar82c25852014-05-28 16:47:16 +02006913 col cursor column (Note: the first column
6914 zero, as opposed to what getpos()
6915 returns)
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006916 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
6917 curswant column for vertical movement
6918 topline first line in the window
6919 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
6920 leftcol first column displayed
6921 skipcol columns skipped
6922 Note that no option values are saved.
6923
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006924
6925winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
6926 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
6927 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
6928 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
6929 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
6930 Examples: >
6931 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
6932 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
6933 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
6934 :endif
6935<
Bram Moolenaared767a22016-01-03 22:49:16 +01006936wordcount() *wordcount()*
6937 The result is a dictionary of byte/chars/word statistics for
6938 the current buffer. This is the same info as provided by
6939 |g_CTRL-G|
6940 The return value includes:
6941 bytes Number of bytes in the buffer
6942 chars Number of chars in the buffer
6943 words Number of words in the buffer
6944 cursor_bytes Number of bytes before cursor position
6945 (not in Visual mode)
6946 cursor_chars Number of chars before cursor position
6947 (not in Visual mode)
6948 cursor_words Number of words before cursor position
6949 (not in Visual mode)
6950 visual_bytes Number of bytes visually selected
6951 (only in Visual mode)
6952 visual_chars Number of chars visually selected
6953 (only in Visual mode)
6954 visual_words Number of chars visually selected
6955 (only in Visual mode)
6956
6957
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006958 *writefile()*
Bram Moolenaar6b2e9382014-11-05 18:06:01 +01006959writefile({list}, {fname} [, {flags}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006960 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006961 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
6962 Number.
Bram Moolenaar6b2e9382014-11-05 18:06:01 +01006963 When {flags} contains "b" then binary mode is used: There will
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006964 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
6965 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
Bram Moolenaar6b2e9382014-11-05 18:06:01 +01006966
6967 When {flags} contains "a" then append mode is used, lines are
6968 append to the file: >
6969 :call writefile(["foo"], "event.log", "a")
6970 :call writefile(["bar"], "event.log", "a")
6971>
6972< All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006973 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
6974 to writefile().
6975 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
6976 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
6977 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
6978 fails.
6979 Also see |readfile()|.
6980 To copy a file byte for byte: >
6981 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
6982 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01006983
6984
6985xor({expr}, {expr}) *xor()*
6986 Bitwise XOR on the two arguments. The arguments are converted
6987 to a number. A List, Dict or Float argument causes an error.
6988 Example: >
6989 :let bits = xor(bits, 0x80)
Bram Moolenaar6ee8d892012-01-10 14:55:01 +01006990<
Bram Moolenaard6e256c2011-12-14 15:32:50 +01006991
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006992
6993 *feature-list*
Bram Moolenaar946e27a2014-06-25 18:50:27 +02006994There are four types of features:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000069951. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
6996 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
6997 :if has("cindent")
69982. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
6999 Example: >
7000 :if has("gui_running")
7001< *has-patch*
Bram Moolenaar7e38ea22014-04-05 22:55:53 +020070023. Included patches. The "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been
7003 included. Note that this form does not check the version of Vim, you need
7004 to inspect |v:version| for that.
7005 Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007006 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
Bram Moolenaar7e38ea22014-04-05 22:55:53 +02007007< Note that it's possible for patch 147 to be omitted even though 148 is
7008 included.
7009
70104. Beyond a certain version or at a certain version and including a specific
Bram Moolenaarbcb98982014-05-01 14:08:19 +02007011 patch. The "patch-7.4.237" feature means that the Vim version is 7.5 or
7012 later, or it is version 7.4 and patch 237 was included.
7013 Note that this only works for patch 7.4.237 and later, before that you
7014 need to use the example above that checks v:version. Example: >
7015 :if has("patch-7.4.248")
Bram Moolenaar7e38ea22014-04-05 22:55:53 +02007016< Note that it's possible for patch 147 to be omitted even though 148 is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007017 included.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007018
Bram Moolenaar7cba6c02013-09-05 22:13:31 +02007019acl Compiled with |ACL| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007020all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
7021amiga Amiga version of Vim.
7022arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
7023arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00007024autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007025balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00007026balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007027beos BeOS version of Vim.
7028browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
7029 work.
Bram Moolenaar30b65812012-07-12 22:01:11 +02007030browsefilter Compiled with support for |browsefilter|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007031builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
7032byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
7033cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
7034clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
7035clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
7036cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
7037cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
7038cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
7039comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007040compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007041cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
7042cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007043debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
7044dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
7045dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
7046diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
7047digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
Bram Moolenaarb5a7a8b2014-08-06 14:52:30 +02007048directx Compiled with support for Direct-X and 'renderoptions'.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007049dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007050dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007051dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007052ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
7053emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
7054eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
7055 true, of course!
7056ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
7057extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
7058 |'hlsearch'|
7059farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
7060file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007061filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
7062 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007063find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
7064 |+find_in_path|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007065float Compiled with support for |Float|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007066fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
7067 Windows this is not present).
7068folding Compiled with |folding| support.
7069footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
7070fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
7071gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
7072gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
7073gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007074gui_gnome Compiled with Gnome support (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007075gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
7076gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
7077gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
7078gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
7079gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007080gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007081gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
7082gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007083hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
7084iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
7085insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
7086 Insert mode.
7087jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
7088keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
7089langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
7090libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
Bram Moolenaar597a4222014-06-25 14:39:50 +02007091linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat', 'showbreak' and
7092 'breakindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007093lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
7094listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
7095 and the argument list |arglist|.
7096localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
Bram Moolenaar0ba04292010-07-14 23:23:17 +02007097lua Compiled with Lua interface |Lua|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007098mac Macintosh version of Vim.
7099macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
7100menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
7101mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
7102modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
7103mouse Compiled with support mouse.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007104mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
7105mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
7106mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
7107mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007108mouse_sysmouse Compiled with support for sysmouse (*BSD console mouse)
Bram Moolenaar9b451252012-08-15 17:43:31 +02007109mouse_sgr Compiled with support for sgr mouse.
Bram Moolenaarf1568ec2011-12-14 21:17:39 +01007110mouse_urxvt Compiled with support for urxvt mouse.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007111mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007112mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
Bram Moolenaar42022d52008-12-09 09:57:49 +00007113multi_byte Compiled with support for 'encoding'
7114multi_byte_encoding 'encoding' is set to a multi-byte encoding.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007115multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
7116multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00007117mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaarb26e6322010-05-22 21:34:09 +02007118netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and connected.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007119netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007120ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
7121os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007122path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
7123perl Compiled with Perl interface.
Bram Moolenaar55debbe2010-05-23 23:34:36 +02007124persistent_undo Compiled with support for persistent undo history.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007125postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
7126printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00007127profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar446beb42011-05-10 17:18:44 +02007128python Compiled with Python 2.x interface. |has-python|
7129python3 Compiled with Python 3.x interface. |has-python|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007130qnx QNX version of Vim.
7131quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00007132reltime Compiled with |reltime()| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007133rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
7134ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
7135scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
7136showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
7137signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
7138smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00007139sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007140spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
Bram Moolenaaref94eec2009-11-11 13:22:11 +00007141startuptime Compiled with |--startuptime| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007142statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
7143 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
7144sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00007145syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007146syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
7147 current buffer.
7148system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
7149tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
7150 |tag-binary-search|.
7151tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
7152 |tag-old-static|.
7153tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
7154 files |tag-any-white|.
7155tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
7156terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
7157termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
7158textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
7159tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
7160 or terminfo file.
7161title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
7162toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
7163unix Unix version of Vim.
7164user_commands User-defined commands.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007165vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007166vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place. |startup|
7167viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007168virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
7169visual Compiled with Visual mode.
7170visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
7171 |blockwise-operators|.
7172vms VMS version of Vim.
7173vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
7174wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
7175wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007176win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01007177win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95 and later, 32 or
7178 64 bits)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007179win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007180win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007181win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01007182winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
7183windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007184writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
7185xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
7186xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
Bram Moolenaar7cba6c02013-09-05 22:13:31 +02007187xpm Compiled with pixmap support.
7188xpm_w32 Compiled with pixmap support for Win32. (Only for
7189 backward compatibility. Use "xpm" instead.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007190xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
7191xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
7192xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
7193xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
7194 xterm screen.
7195x11 Compiled with X11 support.
7196
7197 *string-match*
7198Matching a pattern in a String
7199
7200A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
7201the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
7202everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
7203like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
7204line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
7205with ".". Example: >
7206 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
7207 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
7208 aa
7209 xx
7210 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
7211 a
7212 x
7213
7214Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
7215"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
7216"\n".
7217
7218==============================================================================
72195. Defining functions *user-functions*
7220
7221New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
7222functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
7223commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
7224
7225The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
7226builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
7227avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
7228the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
7229
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00007230It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
7231|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007232
7233 *local-function*
7234A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
7235can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
7236and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00007237function from a mapping defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007238instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
Bram Moolenaarbcb98982014-05-01 14:08:19 +02007239There are only script-local functions, no buffer-local or window-local
7240functions.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007241
7242 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
7243:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
7244
7245:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007246 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
7247 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007248 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00007249
7250:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
7251 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
7252 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00007253<
7254 *:function-verbose*
7255When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
7256last defined. Example: >
7257
7258 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
7259 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
7260 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
7261<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00007262See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00007263
Bram Moolenaarbcb98982014-05-01 14:08:19 +02007264 *E124* *E125* *E853* *E884*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00007265:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007266 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
7267 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
Bram Moolenaarbcb98982014-05-01 14:08:19 +02007268 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above). Note
7269 that using "b:" or "g:" is not allowed. (since patch
7270 7.4.260 E884 is given if the function name has a colon
7271 in the name, e.g. for "foo:bar()". Before that patch
7272 no error was given).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007273
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007274 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
7275 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007276 :function dict.init(arg)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007277< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007278 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007279 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007280 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
7281 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
7282 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007283 *E127* *E122*
7284 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
7285 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
7286 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
7287 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00007288
7289 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
7290
Bram Moolenaar8d043172014-01-23 14:24:41 +01007291 *:func-range* *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007292 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
7293 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
7294 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
7295 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
7296 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
7297 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar2df58b42012-11-28 18:21:11 +01007298 The cursor is still moved to the first line of the
7299 range, as is the case with all Ex commands.
Bram Moolenaar8d043172014-01-23 14:24:41 +01007300 *:func-abort*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007301 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
7302 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar8d043172014-01-23 14:24:41 +01007303 *:func-dict*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00007304 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007305 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00007306 local variable "self" will then be set to the
7307 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007308
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007309 *function-search-undo*
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00007310 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007311 will not be changed by the function. This also
7312 implies that the effect of |:nohlsearch| is undone
7313 when the function returns.
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00007314
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007315 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
7316:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
7317 by its own, without other commands.
7318
7319 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
7320:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007321 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
7322 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007323 :delfunc dict.init
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007324< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007325 function is deleted if there are no more references to
7326 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007327 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
7328:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
7329 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
7330 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
7331 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
7332 the number 0 is returned.
7333 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
7334 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
7335
7336 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
7337 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
7338 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
7339 are executed first. This process applies to all
7340 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
7341 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
7342
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00007343 *function-argument* *a:var*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007344An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00007345be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007346 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740* *...*
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00007347Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
7348arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
7349may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
7350as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007351can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
7352that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007353 *E742*
7354The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00007355However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can change their contents.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007356Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
7357it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
7358|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007359
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00007360When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
7361to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
7362may be larger.
7363
7364It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
7365still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
7366until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
7367inside a function body.
7368
7369 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007370Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
7371will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
7372accessed with "g:".
7373
7374Example: >
7375 :function Table(title, ...)
7376 : echohl Title
7377 : echo a:title
7378 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00007379 : echo a:0 . " items:"
7380 : for s in a:000
7381 : echon ' ' . s
7382 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007383 :endfunction
7384
7385This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00007386 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
7387 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007388
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007389To return more than one value, return a |List|: >
7390 :function Compute(n1, n2)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007391 : if a:n2 == 0
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007392 : return ["fail", 0]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007393 : endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007394 : return ["ok", a:n1 / a:n2]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007395 :endfunction
7396
7397This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007398 :let [success, div] = Compute(102, 6)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007399 :if success == "ok"
7400 : echo div
7401 :endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007402<
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00007403 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007404:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
7405 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
7406 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007407 used. The returned value is discarded.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007408 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
7409 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
7410 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
7411 function.
7412 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
7413 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
7414 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
7415 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007416 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007417 this works:
7418 *function-range-example* >
7419 :function Mynumber(arg)
7420 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
7421 :endfunction
7422 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
7423<
7424 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
7425 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
7426 the range.
7427
7428 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
7429
7430 :function Cont() range
7431 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
7432 :endfunction
7433 :4,8call Cont()
7434<
7435 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
7436 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
7437
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007438 When the function returns a composite value it can be further
7439 dereferenced, but the range will not be used then. Example: >
7440 :4,8call GetDict().method()
7441< Here GetDict() gets the range but method() does not.
7442
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007443 *E132*
7444The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
7445option.
7446
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007447
7448AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007449 *autoload-functions*
7450When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007451only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
7452the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
7453
7454
7455Using an autocommand ~
7456
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00007457This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
7458
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007459The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
7460You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007461That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007462again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
7463
7464Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
7465function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007466
7467 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
7468
7469The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
7470"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
7471
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007472
7473Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007474 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00007475This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
7476
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007477Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
7478exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
7479like this: >
7480
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00007481 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007482
7483When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
7484"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
7485"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
7486then define the function like this: >
7487
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00007488 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007489 echo "Done!"
7490 endfunction
7491
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00007492The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007493exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
7494called.
7495
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00007496It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
7497a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007498
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00007499 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007500
7501Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
7502
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007503This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
7504
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00007505 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007506
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00007507However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
7508for an unknown variable.
7509
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007510When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
7511be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
7512
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00007513 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
7514 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007515
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00007516Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
7517defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
7518function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007519And you will get an error message every time.
7520
7521Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007522other and vice versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00007523Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00007524
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00007525Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
7526|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
7527
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007528==============================================================================
75296. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
7530
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +01007531In most places where you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name"
7532variable. This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions
7533wrapped in braces {} like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007534 my_{adjective}_variable
7535
7536When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
7537that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
7538name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
7539"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
7540"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
7541
7542One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007543value. For example, the statement >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007544 echo my_{&background}_message
7545
7546would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
7547on the current value of 'background'.
7548
7549You can use multiple brace pairs: >
7550 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
7551..or even nest them: >
7552 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
7553where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
7554
7555However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00007556variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007557 :let foo='a + b'
7558 :echo c{foo}d
7559.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
7560
7561 *curly-braces-function-names*
7562You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
7563Example: >
7564 :let func_end='whizz'
7565 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
7566
7567This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
7568
Bram Moolenaar84f72352012-03-11 15:57:40 +01007569This does NOT work: >
7570 :let i = 3
7571 :let @{i} = '' " error
7572 :echo @{i} " error
7573
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007574==============================================================================
75757. Commands *expression-commands*
7576
7577:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
7578 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
7579 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
7580 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
7581 is created.
7582
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00007583:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
7584 Set a list item to the result of the expression
7585 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
7586 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
7587 the index can be repeated.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007588 This cannot be used to add an item to a |List|.
7589 This cannot be used to set a byte in a String. You
7590 can do that like this: >
7591 :let var = var[0:2] . 'X' . var[4:]
7592<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007593 *E711* *E719*
7594:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007595 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
7596 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00007597 correct number of items.
7598 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
7599 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
7600 When the selected range of items is partly past the
7601 end of the list, items will be added.
7602
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00007603 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007604:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
7605:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
7606:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
7607 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
7608 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
7609
7610
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007611:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
7612 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
7613 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007614:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
7615 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
7616 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
7617 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007618
7619:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
7620 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
7621 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
7622 must be the name of a writable register (see
7623 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
7624 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
7625 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
7626 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
7627 characterwise.
7628 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
7629 :let @/ = ""
7630< This is different from searching for an empty string,
7631 that would match everywhere.
7632
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007633:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007634 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007635 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
7636
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007637:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-&*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007638 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00007639 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
7640 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007641 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
7642 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00007643 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00007644 Example: >
7645 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007646
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007647:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
7648 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
7649 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
7650
7651:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
7652:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
7653 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
7654 {expr1}.
7655
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007656:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007657:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
7658:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
7659:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007660 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
7661 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
7662
7663:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007664:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
7665:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
7666:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007667 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
7668 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
7669
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00007670:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007671 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00007672 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
7673 {name2}, etc.
7674 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007675 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00007676 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
7677 command as mentioned above.
7678 Example: >
7679 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007680< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
7681 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
7682 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
7683 :let x = [0, 1]
7684 :let i = 0
7685 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
7686 :echo x
7687< The result is [0, 2].
7688
7689:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
7690:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
7691:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
7692 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007693 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00007694
7695:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007696 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007697 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
7698 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
7699 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00007700 Example: >
7701 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
7702<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007703:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
7704:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
7705:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
7706 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007707 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +02007708
7709 *E121*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007710:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00007711 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
7712 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00007713 g: global variables
7714 b: local buffer variables
7715 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00007716 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00007717 s: script-local variables
7718 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00007719 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007720
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00007721:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
7722 variable is indicated before the value:
7723 <nothing> String
7724 # Number
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00007725 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007726
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007727
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007728:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108* *E795*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007729 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
7730 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007731 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007732 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
7733 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007734 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00007735 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
7736 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007737< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00007738 :unlet dict['two']
7739 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00007740< This is especially useful to clean up used global
7741 variables and script-local variables (these are not
7742 deleted when the script ends). Function-local
7743 variables are automatically deleted when the function
7744 ends.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007745
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007746:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
7747 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
7748 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
7749 A locked variable can be deleted: >
7750 :lockvar v
7751 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
7752 :unlet v
7753< *E741*
7754 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
Bram Moolenaar8a94d872015-01-25 13:02:57 +01007755 error message: "E741: Value is locked: {name}"
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007756
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007757 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
7758 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
7759 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007760 cannot add or remove items, but can
7761 still change their values.
7762 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007763 the items. If an item is a |List| or
7764 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007765 items, but can still change the
7766 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007767 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
7768 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
7769 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
7770 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
7771 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007772 *E743*
7773 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
7774 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
7775 loops.
7776
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00007777 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
7778 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00007779 locked when used through the other variable.
7780 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00007781 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
7782 :let cl = l
7783 :lockvar l
7784 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
7785< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
7786 See |deepcopy()|.
7787
7788
7789:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
7790 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
7791 opposite of |:lockvar|.
7792
7793
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007794:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
7795:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
7796 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
7797
7798 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
7799 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
7800 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
Bram Moolenaar85084ef2016-01-17 22:26:33 +01007801 backward compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007802 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
7803 part was not executed either.
7804
7805 You can use this to remain compatible with older
7806 versions: >
7807 :if version >= 500
7808 : version-5-specific-commands
7809 :endif
7810< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
7811 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
7812 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
7813 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
7814 avoid problems: >
7815 :if version >= 600
7816 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
7817 :endif
7818<
7819 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
7820 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
7821
7822 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
7823:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
7824 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
7825 executed.
7826
7827 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
7828:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
7829 is no extra ":endif".
7830
7831:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007832 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007833:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
7834 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
7835 When an error is detected from a command inside the
7836 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007837 Example: >
7838 :let lnum = 1
7839 :while lnum <= line("$")
7840 :call FixLine(lnum)
7841 :let lnum = lnum + 1
7842 :endwhile
7843<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007844 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00007845 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007846
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00007847:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007848:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
7849 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00007850 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00007851 value of each item.
7852 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007853 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00007854 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
7855 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00007856 :for item in copy(mylist)
7857< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
7858 next item in the list, before executing the commands
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007859 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00007860 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
7861 it will not be found. Thus the following example
7862 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01007863 for item in mylist
7864 call remove(mylist, 0)
7865 endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00007866< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
7867 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
7868 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007869 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
7870 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01007871 to allow multiple item types: >
7872 for item in ["foo", ["bar"]]
7873 echo item
7874 unlet item " E706 without this
7875 endfor
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007876
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007877:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
7878:endfo[r]
7879 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
7880 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
7881 {var2}, etc. Example: >
7882 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
7883 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
7884 :endfor
7885<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007886 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007887:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
7888 to the start of the loop.
7889 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
7890 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
7891 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
7892 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
7893 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
7894 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007895
7896 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00007897:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
7898 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
7899 ":endfor".
7900 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
7901 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
7902 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
7903 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
7904 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
7905 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007906
7907:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
7908:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
7909 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
7910 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
7911 or autocommand invocations.
7912
7913 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
7914 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
7915 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
7916 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
7917 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
7918 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
7919 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
7920 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
7921 Example: >
7922 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
7923 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
7924<
7925 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
7926 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
7927 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
7928 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
7929 processing is not terminated.
7930
7931 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
7932 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
7933 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
7934 other errors are converted to a value of the form
7935 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
7936 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
7937 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
7938 the error number.
7939 Examples: >
7940 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
7941 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
7942<
7943 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01007944:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next |:catch|,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007945 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
7946 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
7947 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
7948 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
7949 commands are skipped.
7950 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
7951 Examples: >
7952 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
7953 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
7954 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
7955 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
7956 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
7957 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
7958 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
7959 :catch " same as /.*/
7960<
7961 Another character can be used instead of / around the
7962 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
7963 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
7964 {pattern}.
Bram Moolenaar7e38ea22014-04-05 22:55:53 +02007965 Information about the exception is available in
7966 |v:exception|. Also see |throw-variables|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007967 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
7968 an error message because it may vary in different
7969 locales.
7970
7971 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
7972:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
7973 are executed whenever the part between the matching
7974 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
7975 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
7976 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
7977 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
7978
7979 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
7980:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
7981 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
7982 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
7983 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
7984 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
7985 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
7986 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
7987 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
7988 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
7989 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
7990 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
7991 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
7992 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
7993 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
7994 is terminated.
7995 Example: >
7996 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
Bram Moolenaar662db672011-03-22 14:05:35 +01007997< Note that "catch" may need to be on a separate line
7998 for when an error causes the parsing to skip the whole
7999 line and not see the "|" that separates the commands.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008000
8001 *:ec* *:echo*
8002:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
8003 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
8004 Also see |:comment|.
8005 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
8006 cursor to the first column.
8007 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
8008 Cannot be followed by a comment.
8009 Example: >
8010 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008011< *:echo-redraw*
8012 A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
8013 And since Vim mostly postpones redrawing until it's
8014 finished with a sequence of commands this happens
8015 quite often. To avoid that a command from before the
8016 ":echo" causes a redraw afterwards (redraws are often
8017 postponed until you type something), force a redraw
8018 with the |:redraw| command. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008019 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
8020<
8021 *:echon*
8022:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
8023 |:comment|.
8024 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
8025 Cannot be followed by a comment.
8026 Example: >
8027 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
8028<
8029 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
8030 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
8031 command: >
8032 :!echo % --> filename
8033< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
8034 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
8035< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
8036 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
8037 :echo % --> nothing
8038< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
8039 :echo "%" --> %
8040< This just echoes the '%' character. >
8041 :echo expand("%") --> filename
8042< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
8043
8044 *:echoh* *:echohl*
8045:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
8046 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
8047 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
8048 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
8049< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
8050 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
8051
8052 *:echom* *:echomsg*
8053:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
8054 message in the |message-history|.
8055 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
8056 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
8057 displayed, not interpreted.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008058 The parsing works slightly different from |:echo|,
8059 more like |:execute|. All the expressions are first
8060 evaluated and concatenated before echoing anything.
8061 The expressions must evaluate to a Number or String, a
8062 Dictionary or List causes an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008063 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
8064 Example: >
8065 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008066< See |:echo-redraw| to avoid the message disappearing
8067 when the screen is redrawn.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008068 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
8069:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
8070 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
8071 script or function the line number will be added.
8072 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008073 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008074 the message is raised as an error exception instead
8075 (see |try-echoerr|).
8076 Example: >
8077 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
8078< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
8079 And to get a beep: >
8080 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
8081<
8082 *:exe* *:execute*
8083:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02008084 of {expr1} as an Ex command.
8085 Multiple arguments are concatenated, with a space in
8086 between. To avoid the extra space use the "."
8087 operator to concatenate strings into one argument.
8088 {expr1} is used as the processed command, command line
8089 editing keys are not recognized.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008090 Cannot be followed by a comment.
8091 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02008092 :execute "buffer" nextbuf
8093 :execute "normal" count . "w"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008094<
8095 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
8096 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
8097 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
8098
8099< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
8100 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
8101 command: >
8102 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
8103< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
8104
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008105 Be careful to correctly escape special characters in
8106 file names. The |fnameescape()| function can be used
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00008107 for Vim commands, |shellescape()| for |:!| commands.
8108 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008109 :execute "e " . fnameescape(filename)
Bram Moolenaar251835e2014-02-24 02:51:51 +01008110 :execute "!ls " . shellescape(filename, 1)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008111<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008112 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaar76f3b1a2014-03-27 22:30:07 +01008113 starting or ending "if", "while" and "for" does not
8114 always work, because when commands are skipped the
8115 ":execute" is not evaluated and Vim loses track of
8116 where blocks start and end. Also "break" and
8117 "continue" should not be inside ":execute".
8118 This example does not work, because the ":execute" is
8119 not evaluated and Vim does not see the "while", and
8120 gives an error for finding an ":endwhile": >
8121 :if 0
8122 : execute 'while i > 5'
8123 : echo "test"
8124 : endwhile
8125 :endif
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008126<
8127 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
8128 completely in the executed string: >
8129 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
8130<
8131
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01008132 *:exe-comment*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008133 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
8134 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
8135 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
8136 comment. Example: >
8137 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
8138
8139==============================================================================
81408. Exception handling *exception-handling*
8141
8142The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
8143explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
8144
8145Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
8146|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
8147exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
8148
8149
8150TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
8151
8152Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
8153use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
8154a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
8155 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
8156|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
8157a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
8158be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
8159which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
8160clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
8161
8162 :try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008163 : ...
8164 : ... TRY BLOCK
8165 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008166 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008167 : ...
8168 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
8169 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008170 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008171 : ...
8172 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
8173 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008174 :finally
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008175 : ...
8176 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
8177 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008178 :endtry
8179
8180The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
8181appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
8182from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
8183 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
8184is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
8185script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
8186 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
8187lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
8188patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
8189after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
8190executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
8191":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
8192(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
8193continues in the following line as usual.
8194 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
8195":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
8196that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
8197finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
8198the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
8199the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
8200see |try-nesting|.
8201 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008202remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008203not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
8204try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
8205a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
8206execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
8207exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
8208 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008209thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008210clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
8211catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
8212following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
8213clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
8214
8215The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
8216a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
8217try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
8218from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
8219sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
8220":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
8221":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
8222from the finally clause.
8223 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
8224try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
8225clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
8226":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
8227clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
8228":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
8229this pending exception or command is discarded.
8230
8231For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
8232
8233
8234NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
8235
8236Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
8237conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
8238clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
8239catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
8240of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
8241checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
8242try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008243otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008244nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
8245one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
8246the inner try conditional.
8247
8248When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
8249finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
8250An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
8251thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
8252implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
8253as usual.
8254
8255For examples see |throw-catch|.
8256
8257
8258EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
8259
8260Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
8261'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
8262script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
8263finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
8264a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
8265(see |debug-scripts|).
8266
8267
8268THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
8269
8270You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
8271and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
8272 :throw 4711
8273 :throw "string"
8274< *throw-expression*
8275You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
8276first, and the result is thrown: >
8277 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
8278 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
8279
8280An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
8281command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
8282The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
8283 Example: >
8284
8285 :function! Foo(arg)
8286 : try
8287 : throw a:arg
8288 : catch /foo/
8289 : endtry
8290 : return 1
8291 :endfunction
8292 :
8293 :function! Bar()
8294 : echo "in Bar"
8295 : return 4710
8296 :endfunction
8297 :
8298 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
8299
8300This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
8301executed. >
8302 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
8303however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
8304
8305Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008306abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008307exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
8308 Example: >
8309
8310 :if Foo("arrgh")
8311 : echo "then"
8312 :else
8313 : echo "else"
8314 :endif
8315
8316Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
8317
8318 *catch-order*
8319Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
8320commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
8321command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
8322gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
8323 Example: >
8324
8325 :function! Foo(value)
8326 : try
8327 : throw a:value
8328 : catch /^\d\+$/
8329 : echo "Number thrown"
8330 : catch /.*/
8331 : echo "String thrown"
8332 : endtry
8333 :endfunction
8334 :
8335 :call Foo(0x1267)
8336 :call Foo('string')
8337
8338The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
8339An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
8340specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
8341specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
8342
8343 : catch /.*/
8344 : echo "String thrown"
8345 : catch /^\d\+$/
8346 : echo "Number thrown"
8347
8348The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
8349never taken.
8350
8351 *throw-variables*
8352If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
8353in the variable |v:exception|: >
8354
8355 : catch /^\d\+$/
8356 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
8357
8358You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
8359|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
8360exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
8361 Example: >
8362
8363 :function! Caught()
8364 : if v:exception != ""
8365 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
8366 : else
8367 : echo 'Nothing caught'
8368 : endif
8369 :endfunction
8370 :
8371 :function! Foo()
8372 : try
8373 : try
8374 : try
8375 : throw 4711
8376 : finally
8377 : call Caught()
8378 : endtry
8379 : catch /.*/
8380 : call Caught()
8381 : throw "oops"
8382 : endtry
8383 : catch /.*/
8384 : call Caught()
8385 : finally
8386 : call Caught()
8387 : endtry
8388 :endfunction
8389 :
8390 :call Foo()
8391
8392This displays >
8393
8394 Nothing caught
8395 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
8396 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
8397 Nothing caught
8398
8399A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
8400number in the script or function where it has been used: >
8401
8402 :function! LineNumber()
8403 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
8404 :endfunction
8405 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
8406<
8407 *try-nested*
8408An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
8409a surrounding try conditional: >
8410
8411 :try
8412 : try
8413 : throw "foo"
8414 : catch /foobar/
8415 : echo "foobar"
8416 : finally
8417 : echo "inner finally"
8418 : endtry
8419 :catch /foo/
8420 : echo "foo"
8421 :endtry
8422
8423The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
8424clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
8425conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
8426
8427 *throw-from-catch*
8428You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
8429catch clause: >
8430
8431 :function! Foo()
8432 : throw "foo"
8433 :endfunction
8434 :
8435 :function! Bar()
8436 : try
8437 : call Foo()
8438 : catch /foo/
8439 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
8440 : throw "bar"
8441 : endtry
8442 :endfunction
8443 :
8444 :try
8445 : call Bar()
8446 :catch /.*/
8447 : echo "Caught" v:exception
8448 :endtry
8449
8450This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
8451
8452 *rethrow*
8453There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
8454"v:exception" instead: >
8455
8456 :function! Bar()
8457 : try
8458 : call Foo()
8459 : catch /.*/
8460 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
8461 : throw v:exception
8462 : endtry
8463 :endfunction
8464< *try-echoerr*
8465Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
8466exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
8467Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
8468denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
8469the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
8470
8471 :try
8472 : try
8473 : asdf
8474 : catch /.*/
8475 : echoerr v:exception
8476 : endtry
8477 :catch /.*/
8478 : echo v:exception
8479 :endtry
8480
8481This code displays
8482
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008483 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008484
8485
8486CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
8487
8488Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
8489user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008490an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008491a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
8492catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
8493a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
8494normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
8495(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008496to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008497clause has been executed.)
8498Example: >
8499
8500 :try
8501 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
8502 : set ts=17
8503 :
8504 : " Do the hard work here.
8505 :
8506 :finally
8507 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
8508 : unlet s:saved_ts
8509 :endtry
8510
8511This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
8512changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
8513that function or script part.
8514
8515 *break-finally*
8516Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
8517a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
8518 Example: >
8519
8520 :let first = 1
8521 :while 1
8522 : try
8523 : if first
8524 : echo "first"
8525 : let first = 0
8526 : continue
8527 : else
8528 : throw "second"
8529 : endif
8530 : catch /.*/
8531 : echo v:exception
8532 : break
8533 : finally
8534 : echo "cleanup"
8535 : endtry
8536 : echo "still in while"
8537 :endwhile
8538 :echo "end"
8539
8540This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
8541
8542 :function! Foo()
8543 : try
8544 : return 4711
8545 : finally
8546 : echo "cleanup\n"
8547 : endtry
8548 : echo "Foo still active"
8549 :endfunction
8550 :
8551 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
8552
8553This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008554extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008555return value.)
8556
8557 *except-from-finally*
8558Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
8559a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
8560cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
8561exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
8562 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
8563working correctly: >
8564
8565 :try
8566 : try
8567 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
8568 : while 1
8569 : endwhile
8570 : finally
8571 : unlet novar
8572 : endtry
8573 :catch /novar/
8574 :endtry
8575 :echo "Script still running"
8576 :sleep 1
8577
8578If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
8579think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
8580|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
8581
8582
8583CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
8584
8585If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
8586watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
8587presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
8588exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
8589the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
8590the error exception is.
8591 Error exceptions have the following format: >
8592
8593 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
8594or >
8595 Vim:{errmsg}
8596
8597{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008598the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008599when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
8600a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
8601a space.
8602
8603Examples:
8604
8605The command >
8606 :unlet novar
8607normally produces the error message >
8608 E108: No such variable: "novar"
8609which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
8610 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
8611
8612The command >
8613 :dwim
8614normally produces the error message >
8615 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
8616which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
8617 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
8618
8619You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
8620 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
8621or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
8622 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
8623
8624Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
8625 :function nofunc
8626and >
8627 :delfunction nofunc
8628both produce the error message >
8629 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
8630which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
8631 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
8632or >
8633 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
8634respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
8635command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
8636 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
8637
8638Some commands like >
8639 :let x = novar
8640produce multiple error messages, here: >
8641 E121: Undefined variable: novar
8642 E15: Invalid expression: novar
8643Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
8644one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
8645 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
8646
8647You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
8648 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
8649
8650You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
8651 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
8652
8653You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
8654 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
8655<
8656 *catch-text*
8657NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
8658 :catch /No such variable/
Bram Moolenaar2b8388b2015-02-28 13:11:45 +01008659only works in the English locale, but not when the user has selected
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008660a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
8661cite the message text in a comment: >
8662 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
8663
8664
8665IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
8666
8667You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
8668
8669 :try
8670 : write
8671 :catch
8672 :endtry
8673
8674But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
8675catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
8676be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
8677
8678 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
8679
8680There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
8681writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
8682then hide the error from the user.
8683 It is much better to use >
8684
8685 :try
8686 : write
8687 :catch /^Vim(write):/
8688 :endtry
8689
8690which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
8691intentionally.
8692
8693For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
8694even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
8695command: >
8696 :silent! nunmap k
8697This works also when a try conditional is active.
8698
8699
8700CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
8701
8702When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008703the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008704script is not terminated, then.
8705 Example: >
8706
8707 :function! TASK1()
8708 : sleep 10
8709 :endfunction
8710
8711 :function! TASK2()
8712 : sleep 20
8713 :endfunction
8714
8715 :while 1
8716 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
8717 : try
8718 : if command == ""
8719 : continue
8720 : elseif command == "END"
8721 : break
8722 : elseif command == "TASK1"
8723 : call TASK1()
8724 : elseif command == "TASK2"
8725 : call TASK2()
8726 : else
8727 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
8728 : continue
8729 : endif
8730 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
8731 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
8732 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
8733 : endtry
8734 :endwhile
8735
8736You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008737a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008738
8739For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
8740your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
8741command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
8742
8743
8744CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
8745
8746The commands >
8747
8748 :catch /.*/
8749 :catch //
8750 :catch
8751
8752catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
8753explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
8754a script in order to catch unexpected things.
8755 Example: >
8756
8757 :try
8758 :
8759 : " do the hard work here
8760 :
8761 :catch /MyException/
8762 :
8763 : " handle known problem
8764 :
8765 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
8766 : echo "Script interrupted"
8767 :catch /.*/
8768 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
8769 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
8770 :endtry
8771 :" end of script
8772
8773Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
8774strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
8775specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
8776 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
8777by pressing CTRL-C: >
8778
8779 :while 1
8780 : try
8781 : sleep 1
8782 : catch
8783 : endtry
8784 :endwhile
8785
8786
8787EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
8788
8789Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
8790
8791 :autocmd User x try
8792 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
8793 :autocmd User x catch
8794 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
8795 :autocmd User x endtry
8796 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
8797 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
8798 :
8799 :try
8800 : doautocmd User x
8801 :catch
8802 : echo v:exception
8803 :endtry
8804
8805This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
8806
8807 *except-autocmd-Pre*
8808For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
8809command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
8810of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
8811abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
8812 Example: >
8813
8814 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
8815 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
8816 :
8817 :try
8818 : write
8819 :catch
8820 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
8821 :endtry
8822
8823Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
8824you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
8825autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
8826script displays: >
8827
8828 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
8829<
8830 *except-autocmd-Post*
8831For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
8832command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
8833an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
8834is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
8835 Example: >
8836
8837 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
8838 :
8839 :try
8840 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
8841 :catch
8842 : echo v:exception
8843 :endtry
8844
8845This just displays: >
8846
8847 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
8848
8849If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
8850fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
8851 Example: >
8852
8853 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
8854 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
8855 :
8856 :try
8857 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
8858 :catch
8859 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
8860 :endtry
8861<
8862You can also use ":silent!": >
8863
8864 :let x = "ok"
8865 :let v:errmsg = ""
8866 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
8867 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
8868 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
8869 :try
8870 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
8871 :catch
8872 :endtry
8873 :echo x
8874
8875This displays "after fail".
8876
8877If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
8878autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
8879
8880 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
8881 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
8882 :
8883 :try
8884 : write
8885 :catch
8886 : echo v:exception
8887 :endtry
8888<
8889 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
8890For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
8891autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
8892of the command.
8893 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008894had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008895some way. >
8896
8897 :if !exists("cnt")
8898 : let cnt = 0
8899 :
8900 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
8901 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
8902 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
8903 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
8904 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
8905 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
8906 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
8907 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
8908 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
8909 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
8910 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
8911 :endif
8912 :
8913 :try
8914 : write
8915 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
8916 : if &modified
8917 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
8918 : else
8919 : echo "Error after writing"
8920 : endif
8921 :catch /^Vim(write):/
8922 : echo "Error on writing"
8923 :endtry
8924
8925When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
8926first >
8927 File successfully written!
8928then >
8929 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
8930then >
8931 Error after writing
8932etc.
8933
8934 *except-autocmd-ill*
8935You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
8936The following code is ill-formed: >
8937
8938 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
8939 :
8940 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
8941 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
8942 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
8943 :
8944 :write
8945
8946
8947EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
8948
8949Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
8950pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
8951similar things in Vim.
8952 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
8953class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
8954string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
8955 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
8956it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
8957for an error when writing "myfile".
8958 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
8959base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
8960parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
8961 Example: >
8962
8963 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
8964 : if a:a < 0
8965 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
8966 : endif
8967 :endfunction
8968 :
8969 :function! Add(a, b)
8970 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
8971 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
8972 : let c = a:a + a:b
8973 : if c < 0
8974 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
8975 : endif
8976 : return c
8977 :endfunction
8978 :
8979 :function! Div(a, b)
8980 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
8981 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
8982 : if (a:b == 0)
8983 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
8984 : endif
8985 : return a:a / a:b
8986 :endfunction
8987 :
8988 :function! Write(file)
8989 : try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008990 : execute "write" fnameescape(a:file)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008991 : catch /^Vim(write):/
8992 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
8993 : endtry
8994 :endfunction
8995 :
8996 :try
8997 :
8998 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
8999 :
9000 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
9001 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
9002 : echo "Range error in" function
9003 :
9004 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
9005 : echo "Math error"
9006 :
9007 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
9008 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
9009 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
9010 : if file !~ '^/'
9011 : let file = dir . "/" . file
9012 : endif
9013 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
9014 :
9015 :catch /^EXCEPT/
9016 : echo "Unspecified error"
9017 :
9018 :endtry
9019
9020The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
9021a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
9022exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
9023 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
9024failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
9025
9026
9027PECULIARITIES
9028 *except-compat*
9029The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
9030exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
9031and/or a catch clause.
9032
9033In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
9034continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
9035after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
9036functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
9037or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
9038(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
9039
9040This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
9041immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00009042conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
9043be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009044termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
9045catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
9046by specifying a finally clause.)
9047
9048When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
9049behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
9050scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
9051
9052However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
9053commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
9054conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
9055script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
9056error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
9057messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00009058|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
9059not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009060where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
9061error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
9062scripts.
9063
9064 *except-syntax-err*
9065Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
9066the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
9067clauses, however, is executed.
9068 Example: >
9069
9070 :try
9071 : try
9072 : throw 4711
9073 : catch /\(/
9074 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
9075 : catch
9076 : echo "inner catch-all"
9077 : finally
9078 : echo "inner finally"
9079 : endtry
9080 :catch
9081 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
9082 : finally
9083 : echo "outer finally"
9084 :endtry
9085
9086This displays: >
9087 inner finally
9088 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
9089 outer finally
9090The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
9091
9092 *except-single-line*
9093The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
9094a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
9095"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
9096 Example: >
9097 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
9098raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
9099argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
9100error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
9101displayed.
9102
9103 *except-several-errors*
9104When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
9105usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
9106 Example: >
9107 echo novar
9108causes >
9109 E121: Undefined variable: novar
9110 E15: Invalid expression: novar
9111The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
9112 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
9113< *except-syntax-error*
9114But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
9115the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
9116 Example: >
9117 unlet novar #
9118causes >
9119 E108: No such variable: "novar"
9120 E488: Trailing characters
9121The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
9122 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
9123This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
9124not intended by the user. Example: >
9125 try
9126 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
9127 catch /.*/
9128 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
9129 endtry
9130This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
9131a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
9132
9133==============================================================================
91349. Examples *eval-examples*
9135
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009136Printing in Binary ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009137>
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01009138 :" The function Nr2Bin() returns the binary string representation of a number.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009139 :func Nr2Bin(nr)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009140 : let n = a:nr
9141 : let r = ""
9142 : while n
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009143 : let r = '01'[n % 2] . r
9144 : let n = n / 2
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009145 : endwhile
9146 : return r
9147 :endfunc
9148
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009149 :" The function String2Bin() converts each character in a string to a
9150 :" binary string, separated with dashes.
9151 :func String2Bin(str)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009152 : let out = ''
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009153 : for ix in range(strlen(a:str))
9154 : let out = out . '-' . Nr2Bin(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
9155 : endfor
9156 : return out[1:]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009157 :endfunc
9158
9159Example of its use: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009160 :echo Nr2Bin(32)
9161result: "100000" >
9162 :echo String2Bin("32")
9163result: "110011-110010"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009164
9165
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009166Sorting lines ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009167
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009168This example sorts lines with a specific compare function. >
9169
9170 :func SortBuffer()
9171 : let lines = getline(1, '$')
9172 : call sort(lines, function("Strcmp"))
9173 : call setline(1, lines)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009174 :endfunction
9175
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009176As a one-liner: >
9177 :call setline(1, sort(getline(1, '$'), function("Strcmp")))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009178
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009179
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009180scanf() replacement ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009181 *sscanf*
9182There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
9183line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
9184how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
9185"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
9186 :" Set up the match bit
9187 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
9188 :"get the part matching the whole expression
9189 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
9190 :"get each item out of the match
9191 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
9192 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
9193 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
9194
9195The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
9196"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
9197
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009198
9199getting the scriptnames in a Dictionary ~
9200 *scriptnames-dictionary*
9201The |:scriptnames| command can be used to get a list of all script files that
9202have been sourced. There is no equivalent function or variable for this
9203(because it's rarely needed). In case you need to manipulate the list this
9204code can be used: >
9205 " Get the output of ":scriptnames" in the scriptnames_output variable.
9206 let scriptnames_output = ''
9207 redir => scriptnames_output
9208 silent scriptnames
9209 redir END
9210
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00009211 " Split the output into lines and parse each line. Add an entry to the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009212 " "scripts" dictionary.
9213 let scripts = {}
9214 for line in split(scriptnames_output, "\n")
9215 " Only do non-blank lines.
9216 if line =~ '\S'
9217 " Get the first number in the line.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00009218 let nr = matchstr(line, '\d\+')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009219 " Get the file name, remove the script number " 123: ".
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00009220 let name = substitute(line, '.\+:\s*', '', '')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009221 " Add an item to the Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00009222 let scripts[nr] = name
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009223 endif
9224 endfor
9225 unlet scriptnames_output
9226
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009227==============================================================================
922810. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
9229
9230When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
9231evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
9232to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
9233recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
9234and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
9235only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
9236recognized.
9237
9238Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
9239missing: >
9240
9241 :if 1
9242 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
9243 :else
9244 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
9245 :endif
9246
9247==============================================================================
924811. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
9249
Bram Moolenaar368373e2010-07-19 20:46:22 +02009250The 'foldexpr', 'formatexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and
9251'foldtext' options may be evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are
9252protected from these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some
9253safety for when these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when
9254the command from a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00009255The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009256
9257These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
9258 - changing the buffer text
9259 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
9260 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00009261 - setting certain v: variables (see |v:var|) *E794*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009262 - executing a shell command
9263 - reading or writing a file
9264 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00009265 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00009266This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
9267
9268 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00009269:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00009270 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
9271 'foldexpr'.
9272
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00009273 *sandbox-option*
9274A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00009275have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00009276restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
9277location. Insecure in this context are:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00009278- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directory
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00009279- while executing in the sandbox
9280- value coming from a modeline
9281
9282Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
9283option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
9284
9285==============================================================================
928612. Textlock *textlock*
9287
9288In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
9289to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
9290is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00009291actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00009292happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
9293
9294This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
9295 - changing the buffer text
9296 - jumping to another buffer or window
9297 - editing another file
9298 - closing a window or quitting Vim
9299 - etc.
9300
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00009301
9302 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: