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Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2005 Sep 12
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000031
32{Vi does not have any of these commands}
33
34==============================================================================
351. Variables *variables*
36
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000371.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000038 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000039There are five types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000040
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000041Number A 32 bit signed number.
42 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
43
44String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
45 Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
46
47Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
48 Example: function("strlen")
49
50List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
51 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000052
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000053Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
54 value. |Dictionary|
55 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
56
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000057The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
58are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000059
60Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
61the Number. Examples: >
62 Number 123 --> String "123"
63 Number 0 --> String "0"
64 Number -1 --> String "-1"
65
66Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
67to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
68the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples: >
69 String "456" --> Number 456
70 String "6bar" --> Number 6
71 String "foo" --> Number 0
72 String "0xf1" --> Number 241
73 String "0100" --> Number 64
74 String "-8" --> Number -8
75 String "+8" --> Number 0
76
77To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
78 :echo "0100" + 0
79
80For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
81
82Note that in the command >
83 :if "foo"
84"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
85use strlen(): >
86 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000087< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
88List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000089
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000090 *E706*
91You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
92to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000093equivalent though. Consider this sequence of commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000094 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000095 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000096 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000097
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +000098
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000991.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000100 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000101A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000102in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
103around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000104
105 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
106 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000107< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000108A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:" or "b:". You cannot
109have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000110
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000111A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
112Dictionary entry. Example: >
113 :function dict.init() dict
114 : let self.val = 0
115 :endfunction
116
117The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
118function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
119
120A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
121 :call Fn()
122 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000123
124The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000125 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000126
127You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
128arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000129 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000130
131
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001321.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000133 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000134A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
135can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
136position in the sequence.
137
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000138
139List creation ~
140 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000141A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000142Examples: >
143 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
144 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000145
146An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000147nested List: >
148 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000149
150An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
151
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000152
153List index ~
154 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000155An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000156after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
157 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000158 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000159
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000160When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000161 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000162<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000163A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
164the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000165 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
166
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000167To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000168is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000169 :echo get(mylist, idx)
170 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
171
172
173List concatenation ~
174
175Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
176 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000177 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000178
179To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
180it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
181
182
183Sublist ~
184
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000185A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
186separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000187 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000188
189Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
190similar to -1. The difference is that there is no error if the items are not
191available. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000192 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
193 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
194 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000195
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000196The second index can be just before the first index. In that case the result
197is an empty list. If the second index is lower, this results in an error. >
198 :echo mylist[2:1] " result: []
199 :echo mylist[2:0] " error!
200
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000201NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
202using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
203mylist[s : e].
204
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000205
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000206List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000207 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000208When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
209variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
210change "bb": >
211 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
212 :let bb = aa
213 :call add(aa, 4)
214 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000215< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000216
217Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
218works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000219a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000220 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
221 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000222 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000223 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
224 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000225< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000226 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000227< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000228
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000229To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000230copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000231
232The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000233List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000234the same value. >
235 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
236 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
237 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000238< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000239 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000240< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000241
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000242Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
243same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000244exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
245different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
246variables. Example: >
247 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000248< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000249 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000250< 0
251
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000252Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
253can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a string: >
254
255 :let a = 5
256 :let b = "5"
257 echo a == b
258< 1 >
259 echo [a] == [b]
260< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000261
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000262
263List unpack ~
264
265To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
266square brackets, like list items: >
267 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
268
269When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
270this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
271and a variable name: >
272 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
273
274This works like: >
275 :let var1 = mylist[0]
276 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000277 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000278
279Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
280empty list then.
281
282
283List modification ~
284 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000285To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000286 :let list[4] = "four"
287 :let listlist[0][3] = item
288
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000289To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000290modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000291 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
292
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000293Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
294examples: >
295 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
296 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
297 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000298 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000299 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
300 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000301 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000302 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000303 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000304 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000305
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000306Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000307 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
308 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
309
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000310
311For loop ~
312
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000313The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
314to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000315 :for item in mylist
316 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000317 :endfor
318
319This works like: >
320 :let index = 0
321 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000322 : let item = mylist[index]
323 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000324 : let index = index + 1
325 :endwhile
326
327Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000328results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000329the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000330
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000331If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000332function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000333
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000334Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
335requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
336 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
337 : call Doit(lnum, col)
338 :endfor
339
340This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
341must remain the same to avoid an error.
342
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000343It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000344 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
345 : call Doit(i, j)
346 : if !empty(rest)
347 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
348 : endif
349 :endfor
350
351
352List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000353 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000354Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000355 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000356 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000357 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
358 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
359 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000360 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
361 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000362 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
363 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000364 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
365 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000366 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
367 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000368
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000369Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
370example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
371 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
372
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000373
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003741.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000375 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000376A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000377entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
378ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000379
380
381Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000382 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000383A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000384braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
385only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000386 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
387 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000388< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000389A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
390String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000391entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
392Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000393
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000394A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000395nested Dictionary: >
396 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
397
398An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
399
400
401Accessing entries ~
402
403The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
404 :let val = mydict["one"]
405 :let mydict["four"] = 4
406
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000407You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000408
409For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
410form can be used |expr-entry|: >
411 :let val = mydict.one
412 :let mydict.four = 4
413
414Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
415key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000416 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000417
418
419Dictionary to List conversion ~
420
421You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
422turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
423
424Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
425 :for key in keys(mydict)
426 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
427 :endfor
428
429The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
430 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
431
432To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
433 :for v in values(mydict)
434 : echo "value: " . v
435 :endfor
436
437If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000438a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000439 :for entry in items(mydict)
440 : echo entry[0] . ': ' . entry[1]
441 :endfor
442
443
444Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000445 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000446Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
447Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
448Dictionary: >
449 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
450 :let adict = onedict
451 :let adict['a'] = 11
452 :echo onedict['a']
453 11
454
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000455Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
456more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000457
458
459Dictionary modification ~
460 *dict-modification*
461To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
462use |:let| this way: >
463 :let dict[4] = "four"
464 :let dict['one'] = item
465
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000466Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
467Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
468 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
469 :unlet dict.aaa
470 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000471
472Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000473 :call extend(adict, bdict)
474This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
475in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000476Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
477expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
478adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000479
480Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +0000481 :call filter(dict 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000482This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000483
484
485Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000486 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000487When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
488special way with a dictionary. Example: >
489 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000490 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000491 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000492 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
493 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000494
495This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
496Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
497the function was invoked from.
498
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000499It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
500Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
501
502 *numbered-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000503To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
504assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000505 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
506 :function mydict.len() dict
507 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000508 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000509 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000510
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000511The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
512that references this function. The function can only be used through a
513|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
514remaining that refers to it.
515
516It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000517
518
519Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000520 *E715*
521Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000522 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
523 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
524 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
525 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
526 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
527 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
528 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
529 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000530
531
5321.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000533 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000534If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
535function.
536
537When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
538start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
539stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
540
541When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
542start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
543stored in the session file |session-file|.
544
545variable name can be stored where ~
546my_var_6 not
547My_Var_6 session file
548MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
549
550
551It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
552|curly-braces-names|.
553
554==============================================================================
5552. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
556
557Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
558
559|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
560
561|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
562
563|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
564
565|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
566 expr5 != expr5 not equal
567 expr5 > expr5 greater than
568 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
569 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
570 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
571 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
572 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
573
574 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
575 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
576 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
577 matching case
578
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000579 expr5 is expr5 same List instance
580 expr5 isnot expr5 different List instance
581
582|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000583 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
584 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
585
586|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
587 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
588 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
589
590|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
591 - expr7 unary minus
592 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000593
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000594
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000595|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a List
596 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a List
597 expr8.name entry in a Dictionary
598 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with Funcref variable
599
600|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000601 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000602 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000603 [expr1, ...] List
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000604 {expr1: expr1, ...} Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000605 &option option value
606 (expr1) nested expression
607 variable internal variable
608 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
609 $VAR environment variable
610 @r contents of register 'r'
611 function(expr1, ...) function call
612 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
613
614
615".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
616Example: >
617 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
618
619All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
620
621
622expr1 *expr1* *E109*
623-----
624
625expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
626
627The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
628non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
629otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
630Example: >
631 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
632
633Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
634other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
635Example: >
636 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
637
638To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
639 :echo lnum == 1
640 :\ ? "top"
641 :\ : lnum == 1000
642 :\ ? "last"
643 :\ : lnum
644
645
646expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
647---------------
648
649 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
650The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
651are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
652
653 input output ~
654n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
655zero zero zero zero
656zero non-zero non-zero zero
657non-zero zero non-zero zero
658non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
659
660The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
661
662 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
663
664Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
665
666 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
667
668Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
669arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
670
671 let a = 1
672 echo a || b
673
674This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
675so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
676
677 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
678
679This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
680only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
681
682
683expr4 *expr4*
684-----
685
686expr5 {cmp} expr5
687
688Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
689if it evaluates to true.
690
691 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
692 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
693 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
694 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
695 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
696 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000697 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000698 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
699equal == ==# ==?
700not equal != !=# !=?
701greater than > ># >?
702greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
703smaller than < <# <?
704smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
705regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
706regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000707same instance is
708different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000709
710Examples:
711"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
712"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
713"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
714
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000715 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000716A List can only be compared with a List and only "equal", "not equal" and "is"
717can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively. Ignoring
718case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
719
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000720 *E735* *E736*
721A Dictionary can only be compared with a Dictionary and only "equal", "not
722equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the Dictionary,
723recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
724
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000725 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000726A Funcref can only be compared with a Funcref and only "equal" and "not equal"
727can be used. Case is never ignored.
728
729When using "is" or "isnot" with a List this checks if the expressions are
730referring to the same List instance. A copy of a List is different from the
731original List. When using "is" without a List it is equivalent to using
732"equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
733different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
734is false.
735
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000736When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
737and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
738because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
739
740When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
741results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
742necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
743
744When using the operators with a trailing '#", or the short version and
745'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp().
746
747When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
748'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp().
749
750The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
751argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
752This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
753matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
754portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
755single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
756Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
757(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
758can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
759 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
760 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
761
762
763expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
764---------------
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000765expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or List concatenation *expr-+*
766expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
767expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000768
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000769For Lists only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The result
770is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
771
772expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
773expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
774expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000775
776For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
777
778Note the difference between "+" and ".":
779 "123" + "456" = 579
780 "123" . "456" = "123456"
781
782When the righthand side of '/' is zero, the result is 0x7fffffff.
783When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
784
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000785None of these work for Funcrefs.
786
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000787
788expr7 *expr7*
789-----
790! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
791- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
792+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
793
794For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
795For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
796For '+' the number is unchanged.
797
798A String will be converted to a Number first.
799
800These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
801 !-1 == 0
802 !!8 == 1
803 --9 == 9
804
805
806expr8 *expr8*
807-----
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000808expr8[expr1] item of String or List *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000809
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000810If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
811expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000812Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000813
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000814Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
815text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
816cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000817 :let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1]
818
819If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000820String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
821compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
822
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000823If expr8 is a List then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000824for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
825error. Example: >
826 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
827
828Generally, if a List index is equal to or higher than the length of the List,
829or more negative than the length of the List, this results in an error.
830
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000831
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000832expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000833
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000834If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
835from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000836expr1b are used as a Number. Note that this doesn't recognize multi-byte
837encodings.
838
839If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
840string minus one is used.
841
842A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
843the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
844
845If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
846expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
847
848Examples: >
849 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
850 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
851 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
852 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
853
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000854If expr8 is a List this results in a new List with the items indicated by the
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000855indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained just
856above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
857 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
858 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
859 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
860
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000861Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a Funcref results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000862
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000863
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000864expr8.name entry in a Dictionary *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000865
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000866If expr8 is a Dictionary and it is followed by a dot, then the following name
867will be used as a key in the Dictionary. This is just like: expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000868
869The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
870but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
871
872There must not be white space before or after the dot.
873
874Examples: >
875 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
876 :echo dict.one
877 :echo dict .2
878
879Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
880always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
881
882
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000883expr8(expr1, ...) Funcref function call
884
885When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
886
887
888
889 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000890number
891------
892number number constant *expr-number*
893
894Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
895
896
897string *expr-string* *E114*
898------
899"string" string constant *expr-quote*
900
901Note that double quotes are used.
902
903A string constant accepts these special characters:
904\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
905\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
906\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
907\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
908\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
909\X.. same as \x..
910\X. same as \x.
911\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
912 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
913\U.... same as \u....
914\b backspace <BS>
915\e escape <Esc>
916\f formfeed <FF>
917\n newline <NL>
918\r return <CR>
919\t tab <Tab>
920\\ backslash
921\" double quote
922\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W.
923
924Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
925
926
927literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
928---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000929'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000930
931Note that single quotes are used.
932
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000933This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000934meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000935
936Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
937to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
938 if a =~ "\\s*"
939 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000940
941
942option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
943------
944&option option value, local value if possible
945&g:option global option value
946&l:option local option value
947
948Examples: >
949 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
950 if &insertmode
951
952Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
953and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
954anyway.
955
956
957register *expr-register*
958--------
959@r contents of register 'r'
960
961The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
962Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +0000963register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
964registers.
965
966When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
967evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000968
969
970nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
971-------
972(expr1) nested expression
973
974
975environment variable *expr-env*
976--------------------
977$VAR environment variable
978
979The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
980result is an empty string.
981 *expr-env-expand*
982Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
983expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
984are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
985the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
986fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
987does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
988 :echo $version
989 :echo expand("$version")
990The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
991variable (if your shell supports it).
992
993
994internal variable *expr-variable*
995-----------------
996variable internal variable
997See below |internal-variables|.
998
999
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001000function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001001-------------
1002function(expr1, ...) function call
1003See below |functions|.
1004
1005
1006==============================================================================
10073. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E121*
1008 *E461*
1009An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1010cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1011|curly-braces-names|.
1012
1013An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001014An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1015|:unlet|.
1016Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1017been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001018
1019There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1020specified by what is prepended:
1021
1022 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1023|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1024|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
1025|global-variable| g: Global.
1026|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1027|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1028|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
1029|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
1030
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001031The scope name by itself can be used as a Dictionary. For example, to delete
1032all script-local variables: >
1033 :for k in keys(s:)
1034 : unlet s:[k]
1035 :endfor
1036<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001037 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1038A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1039Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1040This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1041|:bdelete|.
1042
1043One local buffer variable is predefined:
1044 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1045b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1046 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1047 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1048 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1049 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
1050 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1051 : call My_Update()
1052 :endif
1053<
1054 *window-variable* *w:var*
1055A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1056is deleted when the window is closed.
1057
1058 *global-variable* *g:var*
1059Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
1060access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
1061place if you like.
1062
1063 *local-variable* *l:var*
1064Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
1065But you can also prepend "l:" if you like.
1066
1067 *script-variable* *s:var*
1068In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1069accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1070
1071They can be used in:
1072- commands executed while the script is sourced
1073- functions defined in the script
1074- autocommands defined in the script
1075- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1076 defined in the script (recursively)
1077- user defined commands defined in the script
1078Thus not in:
1079- other scripts sourced from this one
1080- mappings
1081- etc.
1082
1083script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1084Take this example:
1085
1086 let s:counter = 0
1087 function MyCounter()
1088 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1089 echo s:counter
1090 endfunction
1091 command Tick call MyCounter()
1092
1093You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1094that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1095"Tick" was defined is used.
1096
1097Another example that does the same: >
1098
1099 let s:counter = 0
1100 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1101
1102When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001103script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001104defined.
1105
1106The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1107function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1108
1109 let s:counter = 0
1110 function StartCounting(incr)
1111 if a:incr
1112 function MyCounter()
1113 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1114 endfunction
1115 else
1116 function MyCounter()
1117 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1118 endfunction
1119 endif
1120 endfunction
1121
1122This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1123when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1124called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1125
1126When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1127They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1128maintain a counter: >
1129
1130 if !exists("s:counter")
1131 let s:counter = 1
1132 echo "script executed for the first time"
1133 else
1134 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1135 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1136 endif
1137
1138Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1139variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1140
1141
1142Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1143
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001144 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1145v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1146 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1147 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1148
1149 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1150v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1151 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1152
1153 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1154v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1155 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1156
1157 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001158v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1159 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1160 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1161 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001162 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1163 highlighted text is used.
1164 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1165
1166 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1167v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1168 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1169
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001170 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1171v:charconvert_from
1172 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1173 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1174
1175 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1176v:charconvert_to
1177 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1178 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1179
1180 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1181v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1182 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1183 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1184 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1185 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1186 possible to append this variable directly after the
1187 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
1188 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1189 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1190 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1191 in 'printexpr'.
1192
1193 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1194v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1195 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1196 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1197 can be used.
1198
1199 *v:count* *count-variable*
1200v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
1201 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
1202 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1203< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1204 get when typing ':' after a count.
1205 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1206
1207 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1208v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1209 used.
1210
1211 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1212v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1213 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1214 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1215 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1216 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1217 command.
1218 See |multi-lang|.
1219
1220 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
1221v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
1222 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1223 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1224 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1225 Example: >
1226 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
1227<
1228 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1229v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1230 Example: >
1231 :let v:errmsg = ""
1232 :silent! next
1233 :if v:errmsg != ""
1234 : ... handle error
1235< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1236
1237 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1238v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1239 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1240 Example: >
1241 :try
1242 : throw "oops"
1243 :catch /.*/
1244 : echo "caught" v:exception
1245 :endtry
1246< Output: "caught oops".
1247
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001248 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1249v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1250 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1251 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1252 deleted file no longer exists
1253 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1254 changed and buffer is modified
1255 changed file contents has changed
1256 mode mode of file changed
1257 time only file timestamp changed
1258
1259 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1260v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1261 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1262 do with the affected buffer:
1263 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1264 the file was deleted).
1265 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1266 was no autocommand. Except that when
1267 only the timestamp changed nothing
1268 will happen.
1269 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1270 everything that needs to be done.
1271 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1272 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1273
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001274 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
1275v:fname_in The name of the input file. Only valid while evaluating:
1276 option used for ~
1277 'charconvert' file to be converted
1278 'diffexpr' original file
1279 'patchexpr' original file
1280 'printexpr' file to be printed
1281
1282 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1283v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1284 evaluating:
1285 option used for ~
1286 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1287 'diffexpr' output of diff
1288 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1289 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
1290 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
1291 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1292 file and different from v:fname_in.
1293
1294 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1295v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1296 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1297
1298 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1299v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1300 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1301
1302 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1303v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1304 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001305 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001306
1307 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1308v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001309 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001310
1311 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1312v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001313 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001314
1315 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1316v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001317 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001318
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001319 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1320v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1321 events. Values:
1322 i Insert mode
1323 r Replace mode
1324 v Virtual Replace mode
1325
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001326 *v:key* *key-variable*
1327v:key Key of the current item of a Dictionary. Only valid while
1328 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1329 Read-only.
1330
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001331 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1332v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1333 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1334 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1335 The value is system dependent.
1336 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1337 command.
1338 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1339 in a different language than what is used for character
1340 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1341
1342 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1343v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1344 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1345 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1346 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1347 command. See |multi-lang|.
1348
1349 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001350v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr| and 'indentexpr'
1351 expressions. Only valid while one of these expressions is
1352 being evaluated. Read-only when in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001353
1354 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1355v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1356 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
1357 you want to cancel Visual mode and then use the count. >
1358 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1359< Read-only.
1360
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001361 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
1362v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
1363 See |profiling|.
1364
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001365 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1366v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1367 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1368 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1369 Read-only.
1370
1371 *v:register* *register-variable*
1372v:register The name of the register supplied to the last normal mode
1373 command. Empty if none were supplied. |getreg()| |setreg()|
1374
1375 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1376v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1377 Read-only.
1378
1379 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1380v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1381 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1382 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1383 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1384 executed. Read-only.
1385 Example: >
1386 :!mv foo bar
1387 :if v:shell_error
1388 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1389 :endif
1390< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1391
1392 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1393v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1394
1395 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1396v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
1397 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
1398 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1399 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1400 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1401 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1402 terminal.
1403 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1404 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1405 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1406 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1407 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1408
1409 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1410v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1411 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1412 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1413 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1414
1415 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1416v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
1417 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
1418 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1419 Example: >
1420 :try
1421 : throw "oops"
1422 :catch /.*/
1423 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1424 :endtry
1425< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1426
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001427 *v:val* *val-variable*
1428v:val Value of the current item of a List or Dictionary. Only valid
1429 while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
1430 |filter()|. Read-only.
1431
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001432 *v:version* *version-variable*
1433v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1434 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1435 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1436 compatibility.
1437 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1438 if has("patch123")
1439< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1440 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1441 completely different.
1442
1443 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1444v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1445
1446==============================================================================
14474. Builtin Functions *functions*
1448
1449See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1450
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001451(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001452
1453USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1454
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001455add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to List {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001456append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001457append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001458argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001459argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001460argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
1461browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1462 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001463browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001464bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001465buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1466bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001467bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1468bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1469bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1470byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001471byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001472call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1473 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001474char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001475cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001476col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001477complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
1478complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001479confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1480 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001481copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001482count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1483 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001484cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1485 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001486cursor( {lnum}, {col}) Number position cursor at {lnum}, {col}
1487deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001488delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1489did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001490diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1491diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001492empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001493escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001494eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001495eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001496executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1497exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
1498expand( {expr}) String expand special keywords in {expr}
1499filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001500filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1501 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001502finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
1503 String Find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001504findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001505 String Find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001506filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
1507fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001508foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1509foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001510foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001511foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001512foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001513function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001514get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001515get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001516getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1517 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001518getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1519getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001520getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
1521getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1522getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
1523getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001524getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1525getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001526getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001527getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001528getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001529getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1530getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001531getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001532getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001533getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001534getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1535getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1536getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) variable {varname} in window {nr}
1537glob( {expr}) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1538globpath( {path}, {expr}) String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
1539has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001540has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001541hasmapto( {what} [, {mode}]) Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
1542histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1543histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1544histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1545histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1546hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1547hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1548hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001549iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1550indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001551index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1552 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001553input( {prompt} [, {text}]) String get input from the user
1554inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001555inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1556inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001557inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001558insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001559isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001560islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001561items( {dict}) List List of key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001562join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001563keys( {dict}) List List of keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001564len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1565libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001566libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1567line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1568line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001569lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001570localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001571map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001572maparg( {name}[, {mode}]) String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1573mapcheck( {name}[, {mode}]) String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001574match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001575 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001576matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001577 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001578matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1579 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001580matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1581 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001582max({list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1583min({list}) Number minumum value of items in {list}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001584mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
1585 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001586mode() String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001587nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1588nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
1589prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00001590printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001591range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1592 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001593readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
1594 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001595remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1596 String send expression
1597remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1598remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1599 Number check for reply string
1600remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1601remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1602 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001603remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001604remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001605rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1606repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1607resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001608reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001609search( {pattern} [, {flags}]) Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00001610searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
1611 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001612searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001613 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001614server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1615 Number send reply string
1616serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1617setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1618setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1619setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00001620setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number set list of quickfix items using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001621setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001622setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001623simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001624sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001625soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001626spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00001627spellsuggest( {word} [, {max}]) List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001628split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
1629 List make List from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001630strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001631stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1632 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001633string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001634strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1635strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1636 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001637strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1638 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001639strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001640submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001641substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1642 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001643synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001644synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1645 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1646synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001647system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00001648taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
1649tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001650tempname() String name for a temporary file
1651tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1652toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001653tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1654 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001655type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001656values( {dict}) List List of values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001657virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1658visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1659winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1660wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1661winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1662winline() Number window line of the cursor
1663winnr() Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001664winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001665winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001666writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
1667 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001668
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001669add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
1670 Append the item {expr} to List {list}. Returns the resulting
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001671 List. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001672 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
1673 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
1674< Note that when {expr} is a List it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001675 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001676 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001677
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001678
1679append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001680 When {expr} is a List: Append each item of the List as a text
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001681 line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00001682 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
1683 the current buffer.
1684 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001685 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
1686 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001687 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001688 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001689<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001690 *argc()*
1691argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
1692 current window. See |arglist|.
1693
1694 *argidx()*
1695argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
1696 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
1697
1698 *argv()*
1699argv({nr}) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
1700 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
1701 Example: >
1702 :let i = 0
1703 :while i < argc()
1704 : let f = escape(argv(i), '. ')
1705 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
1706 : let i = i + 1
1707 :endwhile
1708<
1709 *browse()*
1710browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1711 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
1712 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1713 The input fields are:
1714 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
1715 {title} title for the requester
1716 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1717 {default} default file name
1718 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1719 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1720
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001721 *browsedir()*
1722browsedir({title}, {initdir})
1723 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
1724 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
1725 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
1726 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
1727 to be used.
1728 The input fields are:
1729 {title} title for the requester
1730 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
1731 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
1732 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
1733
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001734bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
1735 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1736 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001737 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001738 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001739 exactly. The name can be:
1740 - Relative to the current directory.
1741 - A full path.
1742 - The name of a buffer with 'filetype' set to "nofile".
1743 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001744 Unlisted buffers will be found.
1745 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
1746 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
1747 long name to be able to find them.
1748 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
1749 file name.
1750 *buffer_exists()*
1751 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
1752
1753buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
1754 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1755 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001756 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001757
1758bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
1759 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
1760 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001761 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001762
1763bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
1764 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
1765 ":ls" command.
1766 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
1767 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
1768 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
1769 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
1770 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
1771 match an empty string is returned.
1772 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
1773 alternate buffer.
1774 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
1775 or middle of the buffer name is accepted.
1776 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
1777 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
1778 buffers are searched for.
1779 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
1780 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
1781 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
1782< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
1783 string is returned. >
1784 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
1785 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
1786 bufname("%") name of current buffer
1787 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
1788< *buffer_name()*
1789 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
1790
1791 *bufnr()*
1792bufnr({expr}) The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
1793 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
1794 above. If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
1795 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
1796 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
1797< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
1798 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
1799 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
1800 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
1801 *buffer_number()*
1802 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
1803 *last_buffer_nr()*
1804 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
1805
1806bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
1807 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
1808 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
1809 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
1810 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
1811
1812 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
1813
1814< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
1815 |:wincmd|.
1816
1817
1818byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
1819 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
1820 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
1821 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
1822 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
1823 one.
1824 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
1825 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
1826 feature}
1827
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00001828byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
1829 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
1830 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
1831 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
1832 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
1833 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
1834 Example : >
1835 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
1836< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
1837 same: >
1838 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
1839 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
1840< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
1841 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
1842 is returned.
1843
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001844call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001845 Call function {func} with the items in List {arglist} as
1846 arguments.
1847 {func} can either be a Funcref or the name of a function.
1848 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
1849 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001850 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
1851 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001852
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001853char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
1854 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
1855 char2nr(" ") returns 32
1856 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
1857< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
1858 char2nr("á") returns 225
1859 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001860< nr2char() does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001861
1862cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
1863 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
1864 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
1865 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
1866 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
1867 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
1868 feature, -1 is returned.
1869
1870 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001871col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001872 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
1873 . the cursor position
1874 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
1875 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
1876 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
1877 returned)
1878 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
1879 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
1880 Examples: >
1881 col(".") column of cursor
1882 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
1883 col("'t") column of mark t
1884 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
1885< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
1886 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
1887 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
1888 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
1889 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
1890 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
1891 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
1892 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
1893<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001894
1895complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
1896 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
1897 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
1898 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
1899 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
1900 the list.
1901
1902complete_check() *complete_check()*
1903 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
1904 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
1905 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
1906 zero otherwise.
1907 Only to be used by the function specified with the
1908 'completefunc' option.
1909
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001910 *confirm()*
1911confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1912 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
1913 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
1914 choice this is 1.
1915 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
1916 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
1917 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
1918 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
1919 used (and translated).
1920 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
1921 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
1922 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
1923 by '\n', e.g. >
1924 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
1925< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
1926 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
1927 not need to be the first letter: >
1928 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
1929< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
1930 the default shortcut key.
1931 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
1932 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
1933 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
1934 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
1935 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
1936 is only used for the icon of the Win32 GUI. It can be one of
1937 these values: "Error", "Question", "Info", "Warning" or
1938 "Generic". Only the first character is relevant. When {type}
1939 is omitted, "Generic" is used.
1940 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
1941 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
1942
1943 An example: >
1944 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
1945 :if choice == 0
1946 : echo "make up your mind!"
1947 :elseif choice == 3
1948 : echo "tasteful"
1949 :else
1950 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
1951 :endif
1952< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
1953 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
1954 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
1955 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
1956 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
1957 the horizontal layout is always used.
1958
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001959 *copy()*
1960copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
1961 different from using {expr} directly.
1962 When {expr} is a List a shallow copy is created. This means
1963 that the original List can be changed without changing the
1964 copy, and vise versa. But the items are identical, thus
1965 changing an item changes the contents of both Lists. Also see
1966 |deepcopy()|.
1967
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001968count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001969 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001970 in List or Dictionary {comp}.
1971 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
1972 {start} can only be used with a List.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001973 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
1974
1975
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001976 *cscope_connection()*
1977cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1978 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
1979 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
1980 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
1981 if there are no cscope connections;
1982 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
1983
1984 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
1985 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
1986
1987 {num} Description of existence check
1988 ----- ------------------------------
1989 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
1990 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
1991 {dbpath}.
1992 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
1993 {dbpath}.
1994 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
1995 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1996 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
1997 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
1998
1999 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2000
2001 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2002
2003 # pid database name prepend path
2004 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2005<
2006 Invocation Return Val ~
2007 ---------- ---------- >
2008 cscope_connection() 1
2009 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2010 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2011 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2012 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2013 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2014 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2015 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2016<
2017cursor({lnum}, {col}) *cursor()*
2018 Positions the cursor at the column {col} in the line {lnum}.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002019 The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002020 Does not change the jumplist.
2021 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2022 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2023 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002024 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002025 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2026 line.
2027 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
2028
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002029
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002030deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002031 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
2032 different from using {expr} directly.
2033 When {expr} is a List a full copy is created. This means
2034 that the original List can be changed without changing the
2035 copy, and vise versa. When an item is a List, a copy for it
2036 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
2037 not change the contents of the original List.
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002038 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained List or Dictionary
2039 is only copied once. All references point to this single
2040 copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a List or
2041 Dictionary results in a new copy. This also means that a
2042 cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002043 *E724*
2044 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002045 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2046 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002047 Also see |copy()|.
2048
2049delete({fname}) *delete()*
2050 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002051 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2052 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002053 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002054
2055 *did_filetype()*
2056did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2057 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2058 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2059 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2060 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2061 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2062 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2063 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2064 file.
2065
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002066diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2067 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2068 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2069 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2070 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2071 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2072 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2073 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2074
2075diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2076 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2077 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2078 diff change zero is returned.
2079 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2080 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2081 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2082 line.
2083 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2084 syntax information about the highlighting.
2085
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002086empty({expr}) *empty()*
2087 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002088 A List or Dictionary is empty when it does not have any items.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002089 A Number is empty when its value is zero.
2090 For a long List this is much faster then comparing the length
2091 with zero.
2092
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002093escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2094 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2095 backslash. Example: >
2096 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2097< results in: >
2098 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002099
2100< *eval()*
2101eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2102 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
2103 This works for Numbers, Strings and composites of them.
2104 Also works for Funcrefs that refer to existing functions.
2105
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002106eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2107 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2108 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2109 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2110 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2111
2112executable({expr}) *executable()*
2113 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2114 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002115 arguments.
2116 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2117 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2118 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2119 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
2120 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2121 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
2122 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
2123 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
2124 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2125 extension.
2126 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2127 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002128 The result is a Number:
2129 1 exists
2130 0 does not exist
2131 -1 not implemented on this system
2132
2133 *exists()*
2134exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2135 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2136 which contains one of these:
2137 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2138 not if it really works)
2139 +option-name Vim option that works.
2140 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2141 done by comparing with an empty
2142 string)
2143 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2144 or user defined function (see
2145 |user-functions|).
2146 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00002147 |internal-variables|). Also works
2148 for |curly-braces-names|, Dictionary
2149 entries, List items, etc. Beware that
2150 this may cause functions to be
2151 invoked cause an error message for an
2152 invalid expression.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002153 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2154 command or command modifier |:command|.
2155 Returns:
2156 1 for match with start of a command
2157 2 full match with a command
2158 3 matches several user commands
2159 To check for a supported command
2160 always check the return value to be 2.
2161 #event autocommand defined for this event
2162 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2163 pattern (the pattern is taken
2164 literally and compared to the
2165 autocommand patterns character by
2166 character)
2167 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2168
2169 Examples: >
2170 exists("&shortname")
2171 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2172 exists("*strftime")
2173 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2174 exists("bufcount")
2175 exists(":Make")
2176 exists("#CursorHold");
2177 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
2178< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2179 name.
2180 Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2181 variable itself! For example: >
2182 exists(bufcount)
2183< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
2184 but gets the contents of "bufcount", and checks if that
2185 exists.
2186
2187expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2188 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
2189 The result is a String.
2190
2191 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2192 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2193 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2194
2195 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
2196 for a non-existing file is not included.
2197
2198 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2199 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2200 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2201
2202 % current file name
2203 # alternate file name
2204 #n alternate file name n
2205 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2206 <afile> autocmd file name
2207 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2208 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2209 <sfile> sourced script file name
2210 <cword> word under the cursor
2211 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2212 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2213 message |server2client()|
2214 Modifiers:
2215 :p expand to full path
2216 :h head (last path component removed)
2217 :t tail (last path component only)
2218 :r root (one extension removed)
2219 :e extension only
2220
2221 Example: >
2222 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2223< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2224 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2225 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2226< Use this: >
2227 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2228< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2229 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2230 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2231 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2232 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2233<
2234 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2235 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2236 to modify normal file names.
2237
2238 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2239 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2240 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2241 '/' added.
2242
2243 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2244 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2245 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2246 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002247 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2248 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2249 files in the current directory and below: >
2250 :echo expand("**/README")
2251<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002252 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2253 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
2254 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
2255 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
2256 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
2257 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2258 "$FOOBAR".
2259
2260 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2261 getting the raw output of an external command.
2262
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002263extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
2264 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both Lists or both Dictionaries.
2265
2266 If they are Lists: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
2267 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2268 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2269 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2270 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002271 Examples: >
2272 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2273 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002274< Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
2275 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002276 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002277<
2278 If they are Dictionaries:
2279 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2280 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2281 used to decide what to do:
2282 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2283 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00002284 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002285 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2286
2287 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2288 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2289 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2290 Returns {expr1}.
2291
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002292
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002293filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2294 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2295 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2296 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2297 expression, which is used as a String.
2298 *file_readable()*
2299 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2300
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002301
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002302filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
2303 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
2304 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
2305 is zero remove the item from the List or Dictionary.
2306 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
2307 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
2308 Examples: >
2309 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2310< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2311 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2312< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2313 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002314< Removes all the items, thus clears the List or Dictionary.
2315
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002316 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2317 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2318 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2319
2320 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
2321 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002322 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), '& =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002323
2324< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002325
2326
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002327finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
2328 Find directory {name} in {path}.
2329 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2330 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
2331 {name} in {path}.
2332 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
2333 When the found directory is below the current directory a
2334 relative path is returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
2335 Example: >
2336 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
2337< Searches from the current directory upwards until it finds
2338 the file "tags.vim".
2339 {only available when compiled with the +file_in_path feature}
2340
2341findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2342 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
2343
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002344filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2345 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2346 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
2347 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If (file) is a
2348 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2349
2350fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2351 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2352 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2353 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2354 Example: >
2355 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2356< results in: >
2357 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
2358< Note: Environment variables and "~" don't work in {fname}, use
2359 |expand()| first then.
2360
2361foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
2362 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2363 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
2364 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2365
2366foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
2367 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
2368 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
2369 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
2370
2371foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
2372 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
2373 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
2374 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
2375 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
2376 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
2377 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
2378 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
2379 previous line is usually available.
2380
2381 *foldtext()*
2382foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
2383 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
2384 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
2385 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
2386 The returned string looks like this: >
2387 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
2388< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
2389 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
2390 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
2391 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
2392 options is removed.
2393 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2394
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002395foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
2396 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
2397 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
2398 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
2399 returned.
2400 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2401 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2402 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
2403 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
2404
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002405 *foreground()*
2406foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
2407 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
2408 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
2409 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
2410 |remote_foreground()| instead.
2411 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
2412 Win32 console version}
2413
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002414
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002415function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002416 Return a Funcref variable that refers to function {name}.
2417 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
2418
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002419
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00002420garbagecollect() *garbagecollect()*
2421 Cleanup unused Lists and Dictionaries that have circular
2422 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
2423 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
2424 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
2425 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
2426 freed when they become unused.
2427 This is useful if you have deleted a very big List and/or
2428 Dictionary with circular references in a script that runs for
2429 a long time.
2430
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00002431get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002432 Get item {idx} from List {list}. When this item is not
2433 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
2434 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002435get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
2436 Get item with key {key} from Dictionary {dict}. When this
2437 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
2438 {default} is omitted.
2439
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002440 *getbufline()*
2441getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002442 Return a List with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
2443 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a List
2444 with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002445
2446 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2447
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002448 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
2449 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002450
2451 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2452 lines in the buffer, an empty List is returned.
2453
2454 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2455 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002456 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty List is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002457 returned.
2458
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00002459 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002460 non-existing buffers, an empty List is returned.
2461
2462 Example: >
2463 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002464
2465getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
2466 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
2467 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
2468 must be used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002469 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
2470 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
2471 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002472 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
2473 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
2474 returned, there is no error message.
2475 Examples: >
2476 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
2477 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
2478<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002479getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
2480 Get a single character from the user. If it is an 8-bit
2481 character, the result is a number. Otherwise a String is
2482 returned with the encoded character. For a special key it's a
2483 sequence of bytes starting with 0x80 (decimal: 128).
2484 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
2485 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
2486 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
2487 not consumed. If a normal character is
2488 available, it is returned, otherwise a
2489 non-zero value is returned.
2490 If a normal character available, it is returned as a Number.
2491 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
2492 The returned value is zero if no character is available.
2493 The returned value is a string of characters for special keys
2494 and when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used.
2495 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
2496 user that a character has to be typed.
2497 There is no mapping for the character.
2498 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
2499 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
2500 sequence. Examples: >
2501 getchar() == "\<Del>"
2502 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
2503< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
2504 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
2505 :function FindChar()
2506 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
2507 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
2508 : normal l
2509 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
2510 : break
2511 : endif
2512 : endwhile
2513 :endfunction
2514
2515getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
2516 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
2517 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
2518 These values are added together:
2519 2 shift
2520 4 control
2521 8 alt (meta)
2522 16 mouse double click
2523 32 mouse triple click
2524 64 mouse quadruple click
2525 128 Macintosh only: command
2526 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
2527 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
2528 with no modifier.
2529
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002530getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
2531 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
2532 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
2533 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
2534 Example: >
2535 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
2536< Also see |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
2537
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002538getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002539 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
2540 byte count. The first column is 1.
2541 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
2542 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
2543 Also see |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
2544
2545 *getcwd()*
2546getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
2547 working directory.
2548
2549getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
2550 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
2551 given file {fname}.
2552 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
2553 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
2554
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00002555getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
2556 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
2557 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
2558 |hl-Normal|.
2559 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
2560 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
2561 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
2562 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
2563 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not you your vimrc or
2564 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
2565 for a valid name does not work.
2566 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
2567 function just after the GUI has started.
2568
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002569getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
2570 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
2571 permissions of the given file {fname}.
2572 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
2573 empty string is returned.
2574 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
2575 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
2576 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
2577 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
2578 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
2579 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
2580< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
2581 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00002582
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002583getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
2584 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
2585 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
2586 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
2587 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
2588 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
2589
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00002590getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
2591 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
2592 file of the given file {fname}.
2593 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
2594 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
2595 results:
2596 Normal file "file"
2597 Directory "dir"
2598 Symbolic link "link"
2599 Block device "bdev"
2600 Character device "cdev"
2601 Socket "socket"
2602 FIFO "fifo"
2603 All other "other"
2604 Example: >
2605 getftype("/home")
2606< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
2607 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
2608 "file" are returned.
2609
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002610 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002611getline({lnum} [, {end}])
2612 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
2613 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002614 getline(1)
2615< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
2616 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
2617 To get the line under the cursor: >
2618 getline(".")
2619< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
2620 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
2621
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002622 When {end} is given the result is a List where each item is a
2623 line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
2624 including line {end}.
2625 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
2626 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00002627 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty List is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002628 Example: >
2629 :let start = line('.')
2630 :let end = search("^$") - 1
2631 :let lines = getline(start, end)
2632
2633
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002634getqflist() *getqflist()*
2635 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
2636 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
2637 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
2638 bufname() to get the name
2639 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
2640 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00002641 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
2642 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002643 nr error number
2644 text description of the error
2645 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
2646 valid non-zero: recognized error message
2647
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00002648 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
2649 returned.
2650
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00002651 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
2652 do something with them: >
2653 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
2654 :for d in getqflist()
2655 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
2656 :endfor
2657
2658
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002659getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002660 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002661 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002662 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
2663< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002664 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00002665 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
2666 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
2667 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002668 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2669
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002670
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002671getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
2672 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
2673 The value will be one of:
2674 "v" for |characterwise| text
2675 "V" for |linewise| text
2676 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
2677 0 for an empty or unknown register
2678 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
2679 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
2680
2681 *getwinposx()*
2682getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
2683 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
2684 -1 if the information is not available.
2685
2686 *getwinposy()*
2687getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
2688 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
2689 information is not available.
2690
2691getwinvar({nr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
2692 The result is the value of option or local window variable
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00002693 {varname} in window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current
2694 window is used.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00002695 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
2696 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
2697 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002698 Note that the name without "w:" must be used.
2699 Examples: >
2700 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
2701 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
2702<
2703 *glob()*
2704glob({expr}) Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. The result is a String.
2705 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2706 characters.
2707 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
2708 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
2709
2710 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
2711 any external command. Example: >
2712 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
2713 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
2714< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
2715 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
2716
2717 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
2718 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
2719
2720globpath({path}, {expr}) *globpath()*
2721 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
2722 the results. Example: >
2723 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
2724< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
2725 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
2726 glob(). A path separator is inserted when needed.
2727 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
2728 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
2729 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
2730 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
2731 error message.
2732 The 'wildignore' option applies: Names matching one of the
2733 patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped.
2734
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002735 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
2736 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
2737 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
2738 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
2739<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002740 *has()*
2741has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
2742 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
2743 string. See |feature-list| below.
2744 Also see |exists()|.
2745
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002746
2747has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
2748 The result is a Number, which is 1 if Dictionary {dict} has an
2749 entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
2750
2751
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002752hasmapto({what} [, {mode}]) *hasmapto()*
2753 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
2754 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
2755 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
2756 {mode}.
2757 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
2758 buffer are checked for a match.
2759 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
2760 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
2761 n Normal mode
2762 v Visual mode
2763 o Operator-pending mode
2764 i Insert mode
2765 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
2766 c Command-line mode
2767 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
2768
2769 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
2770 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
2771 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
2772 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
2773 :endif
2774< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
2775 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
2776
2777histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
2778 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
2779 one of: *hist-names*
2780 "cmd" or ":" command line history
2781 "search" or "/" search pattern history
2782 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
2783 "input" or "@" input line history
2784 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
2785 shifted to become the newest entry.
2786 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
2787 otherwise 0 is returned.
2788
2789 Example: >
2790 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
2791 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
2792< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
2793
2794histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002795 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002796 for the possible values of {history}.
2797
2798 If the parameter {item} is given as String, this is seen
2799 as regular expression. All entries matching that expression
2800 will be removed from the history (if there are any).
2801 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
2802 If {item} is a Number, it will be interpreted as index, see
2803 |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will be removed
2804 if it exists.
2805
2806 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
2807 otherwise 0 is returned.
2808
2809 Examples:
2810 Clear expression register history: >
2811 :call histdel("expr")
2812<
2813 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
2814 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
2815<
2816 The following three are equivalent: >
2817 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
2818 :call histdel("search", -1)
2819 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
2820<
2821 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
2822 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
2823 :call histdel("search", -1)
2824 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
2825
2826histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
2827 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
2828 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
2829 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
2830 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
2831 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
2832
2833 Examples:
2834 Redo the second last search from history. >
2835 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
2836
2837< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
2838 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
2839 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
2840<
2841histnr({history}) *histnr()*
2842 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
2843 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
2844 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
2845
2846 Example: >
2847 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
2848<
2849hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
2850 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
2851 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
2852 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
2853 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
2854 item.
2855 *highlight_exists()*
2856 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
2857
2858 *hlID()*
2859hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
2860 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
2861 zero is returned.
2862 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
2863 group. For example, to get the background color of the
2864 "Comment" group: >
2865 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
2866< *highlightID()*
2867 Obsolete name: highlightID().
2868
2869hostname() *hostname()*
2870 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00002871 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002872 256 characters long are truncated.
2873
2874iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
2875 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
2876 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
2877 When the conversion fails an empty string is returned.
2878 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
2879 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
2880 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
2881 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
2882 can be done.
2883 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
2884 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
2885 UTF-8 and use: >
2886 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
2887< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
2888 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
2889 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
2890 {only available when compiled with the +multi_byte feature}
2891
2892 *indent()*
2893indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
2894 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
2895 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
2896 |getline()|.
2897 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
2898
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002899
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002900index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002901 Return the lowest index in List {list} where the item has a
2902 value equal to {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002903 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
2904 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002905 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
2906 case must match.
2907 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
2908 Example: >
2909 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00002910 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002911
2912
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002913input({prompt} [, {text}]) *input()*
2914 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
2915 the command-line. The parameter is either a prompt string, or
2916 a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used in the
2917 prompt to start a new line. The highlighting set with
2918 |:echohl| is used for the prompt. The input is entered just
2919 like a command-line, with the same editing commands and
2920 mappings. There is a separate history for lines typed for
2921 input().
2922 If the optional {text} is present, this is used for the
2923 default reply, as if the user typed this.
2924 NOTE: This must not be used in a startup file, for the
2925 versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
2926 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
2927 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
2928 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
2929 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
2930 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
2931 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
2932 |:execute| or |:normal|.
2933
2934 Example: >
2935 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
2936 : echo "Cheers!"
2937 :endif
2938< Example with default text: >
2939 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
2940< Example with a mapping: >
2941 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
2942 :function GetFoo()
2943 : call inputsave()
2944 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
2945 : call inputrestore()
2946 :endfunction
2947
2948inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
2949 Like input(), but when the GUI is running and text dialogs are
2950 supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
2951 Example: >
2952 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
2953 :if n != ""
2954 : let &sw = n
2955 :endif
2956< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
2957 omitted an empty string is returned.
2958 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
2959 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
2960
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00002961inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
2962 {textlist} must be a list of strings. This list is displayed,
2963 one string per line. The user will be prompted to enter a
2964 number, which is returned.
2965 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
2966 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
2967 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
2968 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
2969 is returned.
2970 Make sure {textlist} has less then 'lines' entries, otherwise
2971 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
2972 the start of the string. Example: >
2973 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
2974 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
2975
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002976inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
2977 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous inputsave().
2978 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
2979 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
2980 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
2981
2982inputsave() *inputsave()*
2983 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
2984 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
2985 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
2986 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
2987 many inputrestore() calls.
2988 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
2989
2990inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
2991 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
2992 two exceptions:
2993 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
2994 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
2995 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
2996 |history| stack.
2997 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
2998 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
2999
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003000insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
3001 Insert {item} at the start of List {list}.
3002 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
3003 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
3004 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3005 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003006 Returns the resulting List. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003007 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3008 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3009 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003010< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003011 Note that when {item} is a List it is inserted as a single
3012 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate Lists.
3013
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003014isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3015 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3016 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3017 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3018 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3019
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003020islocked({expr}) *islocked()*
3021 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3022 name of a locked variable.
3023 {expr} must be the name of a variable, List item or Dictionary
3024 entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
3025 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3026 :lockvar 1 alist
3027 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3028 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3029
3030< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
3031 message. Use |exists()| to check for existance.
3032
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003033items({dict}) *items()*
3034 Return a List with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3035 List item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict} entry
3036 and the value of this entry. The List is in arbitrary order.
3037
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003038
3039join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3040 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3041 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3042 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3043 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3044 add it there too: >
3045 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
3046< String items are used as-is. Lists and Dictionaries are
3047 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3048 The opposite function is |split()|.
3049
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003050keys({dict}) *keys()*
3051 Return a List with all the keys of {dict}. The List is in
3052 arbitrary order.
3053
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003054 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003055len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3056 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3057 used, as with |strlen()|.
3058 When {expr} is a List the number of items in the List is
3059 returned.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003060 When {expr} is a Dictionary the number of entries in the
3061 Dictionary is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003062 Otherwise an error is given.
3063
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003064 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3065libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3066 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3067 with single argument {argument}.
3068 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3069 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3070 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3071 limited.
3072 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3073 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3074 to Vim.
3075 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3076 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3077 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3078 null-terminated string.
3079 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3080
3081 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3082 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3083 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3084 very probably crash.
3085
3086 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3087 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3088 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3089 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3090 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3091 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3092 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3093 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3094 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3095 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3096
3097 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
3098 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
3099 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3100 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3101 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3102 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3103 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3104 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
3105 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3106 feature is present}
3107 Examples: >
3108 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
3109 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
3110<
3111 *libcallnr()*
3112libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3113 Just like libcall(), but used for a function that returns an
3114 int instead of a string.
3115 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3116 feature is present}
3117 Example (not very useful...): >
3118 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3119 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3120<
3121 *line()*
3122line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3123 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3124 . the cursor position
3125 $ the last line in the current buffer
3126 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3127 returned)
3128 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
3129 Examples: >
3130 line(".") line number of the cursor
3131 line("'t") line number of mark t
3132 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3133< *last-position-jump*
3134 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3135 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
3136 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 0 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal g'\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003137
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003138line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3139 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3140 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3141 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3142 line returns 1.
3143 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3144 below the last line: >
3145 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3146< This is the file size plus one.
3147 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3148 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3149 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3150
3151lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3152 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3153 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3154 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3155 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3156 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3157 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3158
3159localtime() *localtime()*
3160 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3161 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3162
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003163
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003164map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
3165 {expr} must be a List or a Dictionary.
3166 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3167 {string}.
3168 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
3169 For a Dictionary |v:key| has the key of the current item.
3170 Example: >
3171 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003172< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003173
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003174 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003175 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003176 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3177 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003178
3179 The operation is done in-place. If you want a List or
3180 Dictionary to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003181 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003182
3183< Returns {expr}, the List or Dictionary that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003184
3185
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003186maparg({name}[, {mode}]) *maparg()*
3187 Return the rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}. When there
3188 is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is returned.
3189 These characters can be used for {mode}:
3190 "n" Normal
3191 "v" Visual
3192 "o" Operator-pending
3193 "i" Insert
3194 "c" Cmd-line
3195 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
3196 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
3197 When {mode} is omitted, the modes from "" are used.
3198 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3199 command. The returned String has special characters
3200 translated like in the output of the ":map" command listing.
3201 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3202 then the global mappings.
3203
3204mapcheck({name}[, {mode}]) *mapcheck()*
3205 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
3206 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
3207 {name}.
3208 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
3209 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
3210
3211 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
3212 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
3213 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
3214 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
3215 mapcheck("b") no no no
3216
3217 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
3218 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
3219 mapping for {name} exactly.
3220 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
3221 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
3222 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
3223 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
3224 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
3225 then the global mappings.
3226 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
3227 without being ambiguous. Example: >
3228 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
3229 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
3230 :endif
3231< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
3232 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
3233
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003234match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003235 When {expr} is a List then this returns the index of the first
3236 item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a String,
3237 Lists and Dictionaries are used as echoed.
3238 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
3239 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
3240 {pat} matches.
3241 A match at the first character or List item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003242 If there is no match -1 is returned.
3243 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003244 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
3245 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 2
3246< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003247 *strpbrk()*
3248 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
3249 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
3250< *strcasestr()*
3251 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
3252 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
3253 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
3254<
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003255 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003256 is found in a String the search for the next one starts on
3257 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003258 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003259< In a List the search continues in the next item.
3260
3261 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
3262 {start} in a String or item {start} in a List.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003263 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003264 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003265 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
3266< result is again "4". >
3267 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
3268< result is again "4". >
3269 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
3270< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003271 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
3272 the index is counted from the end.
3273 If {start} is out of range (> strlen({expr} for a String or
3274 > len({expr} for a List) -1 is returned.
3275
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003276 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
3277 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
3278 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
3279 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
3280
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003281matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003282 Same as match(), but return the index of first character after
3283 the match. Example: >
3284 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
3285< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00003286 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
3287 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
3288 do it with matchend(): >
3289 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
3290 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
3291< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
3292
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003293 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3294 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
3295< results in "7". >
3296 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
3297< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003298 When {expr} is a List the result is equal to match().
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003299
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003300matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
3301 Same as match(), but return a List. The first item in the
3302 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
3303 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
3304 in |:substitute|.
3305 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
3306
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00003307matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003308 Same as match(), but return the matched string. Example: >
3309 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
3310< results in "ing".
3311 When there is no match "" is returned.
3312 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for match(). >
3313 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
3314< results in "ing". >
3315 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
3316< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003317 When {expr} is a List then the matching item is returned.
3318 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003319
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003320 *max()*
3321max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
3322 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3323 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3324 An empty List results in zero.
3325
3326 *min()*
3327min({list}) Return the minumum value of all items in {list}.
3328 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
3329 be used as a Number this results in an error.
3330 An empty List results in zero.
3331
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003332 *mkdir()* *E749*
3333mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
3334 Create directory {name}.
3335 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
3336 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
3337 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
3338 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
3339 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
3340 for others.
3341 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3342 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
3343 :if exists("*mkdir")
3344<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003345 *mode()*
3346mode() Return a string that indicates the current mode:
3347 n Normal
3348 v Visual by character
3349 V Visual by line
3350 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
3351 s Select by character
3352 S Select by line
3353 CTRL-S Select blockwise
3354 i Insert
3355 R Replace
3356 c Command-line
3357 r Hit-enter prompt
3358 This is useful in the 'statusline' option. In most other
3359 places it always returns "c" or "n".
3360
3361nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
3362 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
3363 that is not blank. Example: >
3364 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
3365< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3366 below it, zero is returned.
3367 See also |prevnonblank()|.
3368
3369nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
3370 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
3371 value {expr}. Examples: >
3372 nr2char(64) returns "@"
3373 nr2char(32) returns " "
3374< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
3375 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
3376< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
3377 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
3378 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003379 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003380
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003381printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
3382 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
3383 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003384 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003385< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003386 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003387
3388 Often used items are:
3389 %s string
3390 %6s string right-aligned in 6 characters
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003391 %c single byte
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003392 %d decimal number
3393 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
3394 %x hex number
3395 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
3396 %X hex number using upper case letters
3397 %o octal number
3398 %% the % character
3399
3400 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
3401 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
3402 the result.
3403
3404 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003405 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003406
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003407 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003408
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003409 flags
3410 Zero or more of the following flags:
3411
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003412 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
3413 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
3414 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
3415 of the number is increased to force the first
3416 character of the output string to a zero (except
3417 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
3418 precision of zero).
3419 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
3420 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
3421 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003422
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003423 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
3424 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
3425 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
3426 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
3427 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003428
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003429 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
3430 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
3431 The converted value is padded on the right with
3432 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
3433 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003434
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003435 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
3436 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003437
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003438 + A sign must always be placed before a number
3439 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
3440 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003441
3442 field-width
3443 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
3444 field width. If the converted value has fewer
3445 characters than the field width, it will be padded
3446 with spaces on the left (or right, if the
3447 left-adjustment flag has been given) to fill out the
3448 field width.
3449
3450 .precision
3451 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
3452 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
3453 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
3454 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
3455 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
3456 characters to be printed from a string for s
3457 conversions.
3458
3459 type
3460 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
3461 be applied, see below.
3462
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003463 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
3464 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
3465 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
3466 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
3467 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
3468 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003469 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003470< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003471 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003472
3473 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003474
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003475 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
3476 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
3477 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
3478 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003479 conversions.
3480 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
3481 digits that must appear; if the converted value
3482 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
3483 zeros.
3484 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
3485 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
3486 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
3487 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
3488
3489 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
3490 resulting character is written.
3491
3492 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
3493 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
3494 specified are used.
3495
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003496 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
3497 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003498
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003499 Each argument can be Number or String and is converted
3500 automatically to fit the conversion specifier. Any other
3501 argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003502
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00003503 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003504 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
3505 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00003506 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00003507
3508
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003509prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
3510 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
3511 that is not blank. Example: >
3512 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
3513< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
3514 above it, zero is returned.
3515 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
3516
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00003517 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003518range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
3519 Returns a List with Numbers:
3520 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
3521 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
3522 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
3523 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
3524 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003525 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
3526 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
3527 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003528 Examples: >
3529 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
3530 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
3531 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
3532 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00003533 range(0) " []
3534 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003535<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003536 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003537readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003538 Read file {fname} and return a List, each line of the file as
3539 an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
3540 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
3541 NL appears somewhere).
3542 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
3543 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
3544 added.
3545 - No CR characters are removed.
3546 Otherwise:
3547 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
3548 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
3549 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003550 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
3551 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
3552 lines of a file: >
3553 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
3554 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
3555 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003556< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
3557 are returned, or as many as there are.
3558 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00003559 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
3560 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
3561 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003562 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
3563 the result is an empty list.
3564 Also see |writefile()|.
3565
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003566 *remote_expr()* *E449*
3567remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
3568 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
3569 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
3570 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3571 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3572 remote_read() is stored there.
3573 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3574 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3575 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3576 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
3577 and the result will be the empty string.
3578 Examples: >
3579 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
3580 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
3581<
3582
3583remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
3584 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
3585 This works like: >
3586 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
3587< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
3588 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
3589 to bring itself to the foreground.
3590 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3591 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3592 Win32 console version}
3593
3594
3595remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
3596 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
3597 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
3598 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
3599 name of a variable.
3600 Returns zero if none are available.
3601 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
3602 See also |clientserver|.
3603 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3604 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3605 Examples: >
3606 :let repl = ""
3607 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
3608
3609remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
3610 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
3611 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
3612 See also |clientserver|.
3613 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3614 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3615 Example: >
3616 :echo remote_read(id)
3617<
3618 *remote_send()* *E241*
3619remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003620 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
3621 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
3622 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003623 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
3624 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
3625 remote_read() is stored there.
3626 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
3627 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3628 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3629 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
3630 up the display.
3631 Examples: >
3632 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
3633 \ remote_read(serverid)
3634
3635 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
3636 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
3637 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
3638 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003639<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003640remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
3641 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from List {list} and
3642 return it.
3643 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
3644 return a list with these items. When {idx} points to the same
3645 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
3646 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
3647 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003648 Example: >
3649 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003650 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003651remove({dict}, {key})
3652 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
3653 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
3654< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
3655
3656 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003657
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003658rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
3659 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
3660 should also work to move files across file systems. The
3661 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
3662 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
3663 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3664
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003665repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
3666 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
3667 result. Example: >
3668 :let seperator = repeat('-', 80)
3669< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003670 When {expr} is a List the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003671 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003672 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
3673< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00003674
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003675
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003676resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
3677 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
3678 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
3679 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
3680 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
3681 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
3682 stopped after 100 iterations.
3683 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
3684 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
3685 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
3686 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
3687 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
3688
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003689 *reverse()*
3690reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
3691 {list}.
3692 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
3693 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
3694
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003695search({pattern} [, {flags}]) *search()*
3696 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00003697 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003698 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
3699 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003700 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003701 'w' wrap around the end of the file
3702 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003703 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the
3704 cursor.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003705 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
3706
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003707 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
3708 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
3709 flag.
3710
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003711 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
3712 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
3713 flag is used).
3714 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
3715 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003716
3717 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
3718 :let n = 1
3719 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
3720 : exe "argument " . n
3721 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
3722 : " first search to find match at start of file
3723 : normal G$
3724 : let flags = "w"
3725 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
3726 : s/foo/bar/g
3727 : let flags = "W"
3728 : endwhile
3729 : update " write the file if modified
3730 : let n = n + 1
3731 :endwhile
3732<
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00003733
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00003734searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
3735 Search for the declaration of {name}.
3736
3737 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
3738 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
3739 first match in the function.
3740
3741 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
3742 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
3743 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
3744
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00003745 Moves the cursor to the found match.
3746 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
3747 Example: >
3748 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
3749 echo getline('.')
3750 endif
3751<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003752 *searchpair()*
3753searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}]])
3754 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
3755 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
3756 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
3757 The search starts at the cursor. If a match is found, the
3758 cursor is positioned at it and the line number is returned.
3759 If no match is found 0 or -1 is returned and the cursor
3760 doesn't move. No error message is given.
3761
3762 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
3763 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
3764 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
3765 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
3766 typical use is: >
3767 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
3768< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
3769
3770 {flags} are used like with |search()|. Additionally:
3771 'n' do Not move the cursor
3772 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
3773 outer pair
3774 'm' return number of Matches instead of line number with
3775 the match; will only be > 1 when 'r' is used.
3776
3777 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
3778 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
3779 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
3780 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
3781 or a string.
3782 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
3783 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
3784 and -1 returned.
3785
3786 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
3787 patterns are used like it's on.
3788
3789 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
3790 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
3791 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
3792 if 1
3793 if 2
3794 endif 2
3795 endif 1
3796< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
3797 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
3798 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
3799 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
3800 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
3801 "endif 2".
3802 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
3803 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
3804 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
3805 the matching start.
3806
3807 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
3808
3809 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
3810 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
3811
3812< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
3813 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
3814 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
3815 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
3816 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
3817 match.
3818 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
3819
3820 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
3821
3822< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
3823 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
3824 highlighting recognized as strings: >
3825
3826 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
3827 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
3828<
3829server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
3830 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
3831 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
3832 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3833 Note:
3834 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003835 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003836 before calling any commands that waits for input.
3837 See also |clientserver|.
3838 Example: >
3839 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
3840<
3841serverlist() *serverlist()*
3842 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
3843 When there are no servers or the information is not available
3844 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
3845 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
3846 Example: >
3847 :echo serverlist()
3848<
3849setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
3850 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
3851 {val}.
3852 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
3853 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
3854 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
3855 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3856 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
3857 Examples: >
3858 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
3859 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
3860< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3861
3862setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
3863 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
3864 {pos}. The first position is 1.
3865 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
3866 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003867 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
3868 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
3869 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
3870 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
3871 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003872 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
3873 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
3874 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
3875 line.
3876
3877setline({lnum}, {line}) *setline()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003878 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {line}.
3879 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003880 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {line} will be
3881 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003882 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
3883 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003884 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003885< When {line} is a List then line {lnum} and following lines
3886 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
3887 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
3888< This is equivalent to: >
3889 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
3890 : call setline(n, l)
3891 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003892< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
3893
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003894
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00003895setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003896 Creates a quickfix list using the items in {list}. Each item
3897 in {list} is a dictionary. Non-dictionary items in {list} are
3898 ignored. Each dictionary item can contain the following
3899 entries:
3900
3901 filename name of a file
3902 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003903 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003904 col column number
3905 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
3906 when zero: "col" is byte index
3907 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003908 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003909 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003910
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003911 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
3912 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
3913 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003914 If the "filename" entry is not present or neither the "lnum"
3915 or "pattern" entries are present, then the item will not be
3916 handled as an error line.
3917 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
3918 be used.
3919
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00003920 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
3921 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
3922 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
3923 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
3924 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
3925 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
3926
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003927 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
3928
3929 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
3930 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
3931 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
3932
3933
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003934 *setreg()*
3935setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
3936 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
3937 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
3938 then the value is appended.
3939 {options} can also contains a register type specification:
3940 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
3941 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
3942 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
3943 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
3944 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
3945 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
3946 in the longest line (counting a <TAB> as 1 character).
3947
3948 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
3949 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
3950 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
3951 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
3952
3953 Examples: >
3954 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
3955 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
3956 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
3957
3958< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
3959 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003960 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003961 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
3962 ....
3963 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
3964
3965< You can also change the type of a register by appending
3966 nothing: >
3967 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
3968
3969setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
3970 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {nr} to
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00003971 {val}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003972 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
3973 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
3974 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
3975 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
3976 Examples: >
3977 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
3978 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
3979< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3980
3981simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
3982 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
3983 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
3984 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
3985 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
3986 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
3987 not removed either.
3988 Example: >
3989 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
3990< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
3991 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
3992 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
3993 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
3994 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
3995
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003996
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003997sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003998 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
3999 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4000 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
4001< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004002 Numbers sort after Strings, Lists after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004003 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004004 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
4005 When {func} is a Funcref or a function name, this function is
4006 called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
4007 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 if
4008 the first one sorts after the second one, -1 if the first one
4009 sorts before the second one. Example: >
4010 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
4011 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
4012 endfunc
4013 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004014<
4015
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004016 *soundfold()*
4017soundfold({word})
4018 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
4019 language in 'spellang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004020 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
4021 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00004022 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
4023 the method can be quite slow.
4024
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004025 *spellbadword()*
4026spellbadword() Return the badly spelled word under or after the cursor.
Bram Moolenaar488c6512005-08-11 20:09:58 +00004027 The cursor is moved to the start of the bad word.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004028 When no bad word is found in the cursor line an empty String
4029 is returned and the cursor doesn't move.
4030
4031 *spellsuggest()*
4032spellsuggest({word} [, {max}])
4033 Return a List with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
4034 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
4035 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
4036
4037 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
4038 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00004039 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
4040 replace a line.
4041
4042 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
4043 returned. {word} itself is also included, most likely as the
4044 first entry, thus this can be used to check spelling.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004045
4046 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00004047 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
4048 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00004049
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004050
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004051split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
4052 Make a List out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or empty
4053 each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004054 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004055 removing the matched characters.
4056 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
4057 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00004058 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
4059 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004060 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004061 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004062< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004063 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00004064< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
4065 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
4066< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00004067 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
4068 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
4069< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004070
4071
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004072strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
4073 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
4074 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
4075 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
4076 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
4077 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
4078 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
4079 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
4080 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
4081 Examples: >
4082 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
4083 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
4084 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
4085 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
4086 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
4087 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004088< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4089 :if exists("*strftime")
4090
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004091stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
4092 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4093 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004094 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
4095 This can be used to find a second match: >
4096 :let comma1 = stridx(line, ",")
4097 :let comma2 = stridx(line, ",", comma1 + 1)
4098< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004099 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004100 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004101 See also |strridx()|.
4102 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004103 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
4104 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
4105 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004106< *strstr()* *strchr()*
4107 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
4108 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
4109
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004110 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004111string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
4112 String or a composition of them, then the result can be parsed
4113 back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004114 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004115 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004116 Number 123
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004117 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004118 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00004119 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004120 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004121
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004122 *strlen()*
4123strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004124 {expr} in bytes.
4125 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
4126 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004127
4128 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00004129<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004130 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
4131 For other types an error is given.
4132 Also see |len()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004133
4134strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
4135 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
4136 byte {start}, with the length {len}.
4137 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
4138 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
4139 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
4140 end of the {src}. >
4141 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
4142 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
4143 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
4144 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
4145< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
4146 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
4147 strpart(getline(line(".")), col(".") - 1, 3)
4148<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004149strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
4150 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
4151 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
4152 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
4153 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
4154 match: >
4155 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
4156 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
4157< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004158 For pattern searches use |match()|.
4159 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004160 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004161 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004162 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004163< *strrchr()*
4164 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
4165 function strrchr().
4166
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004167strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
4168 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
4169 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
4170 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
4171 echo strtrans(@a)
4172< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
4173 starting a new line.
4174
4175submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
4176 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
4177 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
4178 the whole matched text is returned.
4179 Example: >
4180 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
4181< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
4182 A line break is included as a newline character.
4183
4184substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
4185 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
4186 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
4187 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
4188 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
4189 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
4190 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
4191 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
4192 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
4193 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
4194 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
4195 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
4196 unmodified.
4197 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
4198 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
4199 Example: >
4200 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
4201< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
4202 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
4203< results in "TESTING".
4204
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004205synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004206 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004207 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004208 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
4209 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004210
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00004211 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00004212 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
4213
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004214 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
4215 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
4216 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
4217 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
4218 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
4219 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
4220 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
4221
4222 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
4223 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
4224<
4225synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
4226 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
4227 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
4228 about a syntax item.
4229 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
4230 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
4231 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
4232 used (GUI, cterm or term).
4233 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
4234 {what} result
4235 "name" the name of the syntax item
4236 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
4237 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
4238 term: empty string)
4239 "bg" background color (like "fg")
4240 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
4241 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
4242 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
4243 "bold" "1" if bold
4244 "italic" "1" if italic
4245 "reverse" "1" if reverse
4246 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
4247 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004248 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004249
4250 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
4251 cursor): >
4252 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
4253<
4254synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
4255 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
4256 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
4257 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
4258 ":highlight link" are followed.
4259
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004260system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
4261 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
4262 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
4263 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
4264 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004265 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004266 Note: newlines in {expr} may cause the command to fail. The
4267 characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may also cause
4268 trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004269 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
4270 The result is a String. Example: >
4271
4272 :let files = system("ls")
4273
4274< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
4275 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
4276 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
4277 The command executed is constructed using several options:
4278 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
4279 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
4280 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
4281 concatenated commands.
4282
4283 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
4284 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
4285 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
4286 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
4287
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004288
4289taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
4290 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00004291 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
4292 entries:
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004293 name name of the tag.
4294 filename name of the file where the tag is
4295 defined.
4296 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
4297 the file.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004298 kind type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004299 entry depends on the language specific
4300 kind values generated by the ctags
4301 tool.
4302 static a file specific tag. Refer to
4303 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004304 The "kind" entry is only available when using Exuberant ctags
4305 generated tags file. More entries may be present, depending
4306 on the content of the tags file: access, implementation,
4307 inherits and signature. Refer to the ctags documentation for
4308 information about these fields. For C code the fields
4309 "struct", "class" and "enum" may appear, they give the name of
4310 the entity the tag is contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004311
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00004312 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
4313 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004314
4315 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
4316
4317 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
4318 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
4319 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
4320
4321 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
4322 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
4323 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
4324
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00004325 *tagfiles()*
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00004326tagfiles() Returns a List with the file names used to search for tags for
4327 the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
4328
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00004329
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004330tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
4331 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
4332 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
4333 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
4334 :let tmpfile = tempname()
4335 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
4336< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory (only
4337 accessible by the current user) to avoid security problems
4338 (e.g., a symlink attack or other people reading your file).
4339 When Vim exits the directory and all files in it are deleted.
4340 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
4341 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
4342
4343tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
4344 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
4345 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
4346 the string).
4347
4348toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
4349 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
4350 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
4351 the string).
4352
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00004353tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
4354 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
4355 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
4356 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
4357 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
4358 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
4359 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
4360
4361 Examples: >
4362 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
4363< returns "Hello THere" >
4364 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
4365< returns "{blob}"
4366
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004367 *type()*
4368type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004369 Number: 0
4370 String: 1
4371 Funcref: 2
4372 List: 3
4373 Dictionary: 4
4374 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004375 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
4376 :if type(myvar) == type("")
4377 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
4378 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00004379 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004380
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004381values({dict}) *values()*
4382 Return a List with all the values of {dict}. The List is in
4383 arbitrary order.
4384
4385
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004386virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
4387 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
4388 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
4389 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
4390 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
4391 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
4392 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
4393 set to 8, it returns 8.
4394 For the byte position use |col()|.
4395 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
4396 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
4397 The accepted positions are:
4398 . the cursor position
4399 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
4400 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
4401 plus one)
4402 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
4403 returned)
4404 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
4405 Examples: >
4406 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
4407 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
4408 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
4409< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
4410
4411visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
4412 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
4413 used. Initially it returns an empty string, but once Visual
4414 mode has been used, it returns "v", "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a
4415 single CTRL-V character) for character-wise, line-wise, or
4416 block-wise Visual mode respectively.
4417 Example: >
4418 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
4419< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
4420 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
4421 Visual mode that was used.
4422
4423 If an expression is supplied that results in a non-zero number
4424 or a non-empty string, then the Visual mode will be cleared
4425 and the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
4426 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared.
4427
4428 *winbufnr()*
4429winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004430 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004431 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
4432 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4433 Example: >
4434 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
4435<
4436 *wincol()*
4437wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
4438 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
4439 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
4440
4441winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
4442 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
4443 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
4444 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4445 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
4446 Examples: >
4447 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
4448<
4449 *winline()*
4450winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
4451 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
4452 the window. The first line is one.
4453
4454 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004455winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
4456 window. The top window has number 1.
4457 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
4458 last window is returnd (the window count).
4459 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
4460 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
4461 If there is no previous window 0 is returned.
4462 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
4463 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004464
4465 *winrestcmd()*
4466winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
4467 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
4468 are opened or closed and the current window is unchanged.
4469 Example: >
4470 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
4471 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
4472 :exe cmd
4473
4474winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
4475 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
4476 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
4477 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
4478 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
4479 Examples: >
4480 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
4481 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
4482 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
4483 :endif
4484<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004485 *writefile()*
4486writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
4487 Write List {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
4488 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
4489 Number.
4490 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
4491 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
4492 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
4493 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
4494 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
4495 to writefile().
4496 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
4497 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
4498 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
4499 fails.
4500 Also see |readfile()|.
4501 To copy a file byte for byte: >
4502 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
4503 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
4504<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004505
4506 *feature-list*
4507There are three types of features:
45081. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
4509 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
4510 :if has("cindent")
45112. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
4512 Example: >
4513 :if has("gui_running")
4514< *has-patch*
45153. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
4516 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
4517 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
4518 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
4519
4520all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
4521amiga Amiga version of Vim.
4522arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
4523arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
4524autocmd Compiled with autocommands support.
4525balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00004526balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004527beos BeOS version of Vim.
4528browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
4529 work.
4530builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
4531byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
4532cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
4533clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
4534clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
4535cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
4536cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
4537cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
4538comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
4539cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
4540cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
4541compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
4542debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
4543dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
4544dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
4545diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
4546digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
4547dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
4548dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
4549dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
4550ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
4551emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
4552eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
4553 true, of course!
4554ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
4555extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
4556 |'hlsearch'|
4557farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
4558file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004559filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
4560 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004561find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
4562 |+find_in_path|.
4563fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
4564 Windows this is not present).
4565folding Compiled with |folding| support.
4566footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
4567fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
4568gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
4569gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
4570gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004571gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
4572gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00004573gui_kde Compiled with KDE GUI |KVim|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004574gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
4575gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
4576gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
4577gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
4578gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
4579gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
4580hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
4581iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
4582insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
4583 Insert mode.
4584jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
4585keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
4586langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
4587libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
4588linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
4589 support.
4590lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
4591listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
4592 and the argument list |arglist|.
4593localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
4594mac Macintosh version of Vim.
4595macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
4596menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
4597mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
4598modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
4599mouse Compiled with support mouse.
4600mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
4601mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
4602mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
4603mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
4604mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
4605mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
4606multi_byte Compiled with support for editing Korean et al.
4607multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
4608multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00004609mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004610netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar009b2592004-10-24 19:18:58 +00004611netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and it's used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004612ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
4613os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
4614osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
4615path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
4616perl Compiled with Perl interface.
4617postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
4618printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004619profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004620python Compiled with Python interface.
4621qnx QNX version of Vim.
4622quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
4623rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
4624ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
4625scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
4626showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
4627signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
4628smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00004629sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004630statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
4631 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
4632sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00004633spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
4634syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004635syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
4636 current buffer.
4637system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
4638tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
4639 |tag-binary-search|.
4640tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
4641 |tag-old-static|.
4642tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
4643 files |tag-any-white|.
4644tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
4645terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
4646termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
4647textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
4648tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
4649 or terminfo file.
4650title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
4651toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
4652unix Unix version of Vim.
4653user_commands User-defined commands.
4654viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
4655vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place.
4656vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
4657virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
4658visual Compiled with Visual mode.
4659visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
4660 |blockwise-operators|.
4661vms VMS version of Vim.
4662vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
4663wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
4664wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
4665windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
4666winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
4667win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
4668win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP).
4669win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
4670win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
4671win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
4672writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
4673xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
4674xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
4675xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
4676xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
4677xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
4678xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
4679 xterm screen.
4680x11 Compiled with X11 support.
4681
4682 *string-match*
4683Matching a pattern in a String
4684
4685A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
4686the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
4687everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
4688like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
4689line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
4690with ".". Example: >
4691 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
4692 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
4693 aa
4694 xx
4695 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
4696 a
4697 x
4698
4699Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
4700"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
4701"\n".
4702
4703==============================================================================
47045. Defining functions *user-functions*
4705
4706New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
4707functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
4708commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
4709
4710The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
4711builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
4712avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
4713the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
4714
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004715It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
4716|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004717
4718 *local-function*
4719A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
4720can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
4721and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
4722function from a mappings defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
4723instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
4724
4725 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
4726:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
4727
4728:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004729 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4730 Funcref: >
4731 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004732
4733:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
4734 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
4735 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00004736<
4737 *:function-verbose*
4738When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
4739last defined. Example: >
4740
4741 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
4742 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
4743 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
4744<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00004745See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00004746
4747 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004748:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004749 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
4750 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
4751 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004752
4753 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4754 Funcref: >
4755 :function dict.init(arg)
4756< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
4757 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
4758 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
4759 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
4760 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
4761 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004762 *E127* *E122*
4763 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
4764 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
4765 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
4766 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004767
4768 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
4769
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004770 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
4771 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
4772 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
4773 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
4774 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
4775 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
4776 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004777
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004778 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
4779 abort as soon as an error is detected.
4780 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
4781 will not be changed by the function.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004782
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00004783 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
4784 be invoked through an entry in a Dictionary. The
4785 local variable "self" will then be set to the
4786 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004787
4788 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
4789:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
4790 by its own, without other commands.
4791
4792 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
4793:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004794 {name} can also be a Dictionary entry that is a
4795 Funcref: >
4796 :delfunc dict.init
4797< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
4798 function is deleted if there are no more references to
4799 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004800 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
4801:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
4802 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
4803 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
4804 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
4805 the number 0 is returned.
4806 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
4807 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
4808
4809 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
4810 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
4811 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
4812 are executed first. This process applies to all
4813 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
4814 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
4815
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004816 *function-argument* *a:var*
4817An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
4818be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
4819 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740*
4820Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
4821arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
4822may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
4823as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00004824can be 0). "a:000" is set to a List that contains these arguments. Note that
4825"a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
4826 *E742*
4827The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
4828However, if a List or Dictionary is used, you can changes their contents.
4829Thus you can pass a List to a function and have the function add an item to
4830it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a List or Dictionary
4831use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004832
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00004833When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
4834to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
4835may be larger.
4836
4837It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
4838still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
4839until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
4840inside a function body.
4841
4842 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004843Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
4844will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
4845accessed with "g:".
4846
4847Example: >
4848 :function Table(title, ...)
4849 : echohl Title
4850 : echo a:title
4851 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004852 : echo a:0 . " items:"
4853 : for s in a:000
4854 : echon ' ' . s
4855 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004856 :endfunction
4857
4858This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00004859 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
4860 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004861
4862To return more than one value, pass the name of a global variable: >
4863 :function Compute(n1, n2, divname)
4864 : if a:n2 == 0
4865 : return "fail"
4866 : endif
4867 : let g:{a:divname} = a:n1 / a:n2
4868 : return "ok"
4869 :endfunction
4870
4871This function can then be called with: >
4872 :let success = Compute(13, 1324, "div")
4873 :if success == "ok"
4874 : echo div
4875 :endif
4876
4877An alternative is to return a command that can be executed. This also works
4878with local variables in a calling function. Example: >
4879 :function Foo()
4880 : execute Bar()
4881 : echo "line " . lnum . " column " . col
4882 :endfunction
4883
4884 :function Bar()
4885 : return "let lnum = " . line(".") . " | let col = " . col(".")
4886 :endfunction
4887
4888The names "lnum" and "col" could also be passed as argument to Bar(), to allow
4889the caller to set the names.
4890
4891 *:cal* *:call* *E107*
4892:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
4893 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
4894 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
4895 used.
4896 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
4897 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
4898 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
4899 function.
4900 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
4901 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
4902 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
4903 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
4904 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
4905 this works:
4906 *function-range-example* >
4907 :function Mynumber(arg)
4908 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
4909 :endfunction
4910 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
4911<
4912 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
4913 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
4914 the range.
4915
4916 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
4917
4918 :function Cont() range
4919 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
4920 :endfunction
4921 :4,8call Cont()
4922<
4923 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
4924 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
4925
4926 *E132*
4927The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
4928option.
4929
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004930
4931AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004932 *autoload-functions*
4933When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004934only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
4935the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
4936
4937
4938Using an autocommand ~
4939
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004940This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
4941
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004942The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
4943You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
4944That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
4945again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
4946
4947Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
4948function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004949
4950 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
4951
4952The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
4953"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
4954
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004955
4956Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004957 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004958This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
4959
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004960Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
4961exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
4962like this: >
4963
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004964 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004965
4966When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
4967"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
4968"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
4969then define the function like this: >
4970
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004971 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004972 echo "Done!"
4973 endfunction
4974
4975The file name and the name used before the colon in the function must match
4976exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
4977called.
4978
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004979It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
4980a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004981
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004982 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00004983
4984Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
4985
4986The name before the first colon must be at least two characters long,
4987otherwise it looks like a scope, such as "s:".
4988
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004989This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
4990
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004991 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004992
4993When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
4994be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
4995
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00004996 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
4997 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004998
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00004999Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
5000defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
5001function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00005002And you will get an error message every time.
5003
5004Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
5005other and vise versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
5006Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00005007
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005008==============================================================================
50096. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
5010
5011Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
5012This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
5013{} like this: >
5014 my_{adjective}_variable
5015
5016When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
5017that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
5018name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
5019"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
5020"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
5021
5022One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
5023value. For example, the statement >
5024 echo my_{&background}_message
5025
5026would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
5027on the current value of 'background'.
5028
5029You can use multiple brace pairs: >
5030 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
5031..or even nest them: >
5032 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
5033where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
5034
5035However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005036variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005037 :let foo='a + b'
5038 :echo c{foo}d
5039.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
5040
5041 *curly-braces-function-names*
5042You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
5043Example: >
5044 :let func_end='whizz'
5045 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
5046
5047This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
5048
5049==============================================================================
50507. Commands *expression-commands*
5051
5052:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
5053 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
5054 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
5055 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
5056 is created.
5057
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005058:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
5059 Set a list item to the result of the expression
5060 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
5061 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
5062 the index can be repeated.
5063 This cannot be used to add an item to a list.
5064
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005065 *E711* *E719*
5066:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005067 Set a sequence of items in a List to the result of the
5068 expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
5069 correct number of items.
5070 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
5071 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
5072 When the selected range of items is partly past the
5073 end of the list, items will be added.
5074
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005075 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005076:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
5077:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
5078:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
5079 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
5080 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
5081
5082
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005083:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
5084 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
5085 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005086:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
5087 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
5088 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
5089 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005090
5091:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
5092 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
5093 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
5094 must be the name of a writable register (see
5095 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
5096 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
5097 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
5098 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
5099 characterwise.
5100 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
5101 :let @/ = ""
5102< This is different from searching for an empty string,
5103 that would match everywhere.
5104
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005105:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
5106 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
5107 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
5108
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005109:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-star*
5110 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005111 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
5112 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005113 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
5114 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
5115 value and the global value is changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005116 Example: >
5117 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005118
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005119:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
5120 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
5121 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
5122
5123:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
5124:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
5125 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
5126 {expr1}.
5127
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005128:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005129:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5130:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
5131:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005132 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
5133 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
5134
5135:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005136:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
5137:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
5138:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005139 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
5140 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
5141
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005142:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005143 {expr1} must evaluate to a List. The first item in
5144 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
5145 {name2}, etc.
5146 The number of names must match the number of items in
5147 the List.
5148 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
5149 command as mentioned above.
5150 Example: >
5151 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005152< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
5153 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
5154 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
5155 :let x = [0, 1]
5156 :let i = 0
5157 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
5158 :echo x
5159< The result is [0, 2].
5160
5161:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
5162:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
5163:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
5164 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
5165 List item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005166
5167:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005168 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the List may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005169 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
5170 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
5171 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00005172 Example: >
5173 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
5174<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005175:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
5176:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
5177:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
5178 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
5179 List item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005180 *E106*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005181:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00005182 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
5183 here: *E738*
5184 g: global variables.
5185 b: local buffer variables.
5186 w: local window variables.
5187 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005188
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005189:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
5190 variable is indicated before the value:
5191 <nothing> String
5192 # Number
5193 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005194
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005195
5196:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108*
5197 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
5198 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
5199 may also be a List or Dictionary item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005200 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
5201 variables.
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00005202 One or more items from a List can be removed: >
5203 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
5204 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
5205< One item from a Dictionary can be removed at a time: >
5206 :unlet dict['two']
5207 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005208
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00005209:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
5210 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
5211 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
5212 A locked variable can be deleted: >
5213 :lockvar v
5214 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
5215 :unlet v
5216< *E741*
5217 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
5218 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
5219
5220 [depth] is relevant when locking a List or Dictionary.
5221 It specifies how deep the locking goes:
5222 1 Lock the List or Dictionary itself,
5223 cannot add or remove items, but can
5224 still change their values.
5225 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
5226 the items. If an item is a List or
5227 Dictionary, cannot add or remove
5228 items, but can still change the
5229 values.
5230 3 Like 2 but for the List/Dictionary in
5231 the List/Dictionary, one level deeper.
5232 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a List
5233 or Dictionary the values cannot be changed.
5234 *E743*
5235 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
5236 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
5237 loops.
5238
5239 Note that when two variables refer to the same List
5240 and you lock one of them, the List will also be locked
5241 when used through the other variable. Example: >
5242 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
5243 :let cl = l
5244 :lockvar l
5245 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
5246< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
5247 See |deepcopy()|.
5248
5249
5250:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
5251 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
5252 opposite of |:lockvar|.
5253
5254
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005255:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
5256:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5257 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5258
5259 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
5260 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
5261 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
5262 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
5263 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
5264 part was not executed either.
5265
5266 You can use this to remain compatible with older
5267 versions: >
5268 :if version >= 500
5269 : version-5-specific-commands
5270 :endif
5271< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
5272 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
5273 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
5274 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
5275 avoid problems: >
5276 :if version >= 600
5277 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
5278 :endif
5279<
5280 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
5281 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
5282
5283 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
5284:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
5285 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
5286 executed.
5287
5288 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
5289:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
5290 is no extra ":endif".
5291
5292:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005293 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005294:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
5295 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
5296 When an error is detected from a command inside the
5297 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005298 Example: >
5299 :let lnum = 1
5300 :while lnum <= line("$")
5301 :call FixLine(lnum)
5302 :let lnum = lnum + 1
5303 :endwhile
5304<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005305 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005306 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005307
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00005308:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005309:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
5310 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00005311 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005312 value of each item.
5313 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005314 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00005315 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
5316 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00005317 :for item in copy(mylist)
5318< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
5319 next item in the list, before executing the commands
5320 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
5321 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
5322 it will not be found. Thus the following example
5323 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
5324 :for item in mylist
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005325 :call remove(mylist, 0)
5326 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005327< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
5328 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
5329 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005330 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
5331 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
5332 to allow multiple item types.
5333
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005334:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
5335:endfo[r]
5336 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
5337 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
5338 {var2}, etc. Example: >
5339 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
5340 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
5341 :endfor
5342<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005343 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005344:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
5345 to the start of the loop.
5346 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5347 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5348 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5349 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5350 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5351 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005352
5353 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00005354:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
5355 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
5356 ":endfor".
5357 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
5358 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
5359 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
5360 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
5361 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
5362 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005363
5364:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
5365:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
5366 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
5367 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
5368 or autocommand invocations.
5369
5370 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
5371 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
5372 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
5373 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
5374 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
5375 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
5376 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
5377 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
5378 Example: >
5379 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
5380 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
5381<
5382 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
5383 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
5384 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
5385 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
5386 processing is not terminated.
5387
5388 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
5389 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
5390 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
5391 other errors are converted to a value of the form
5392 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
5393 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
5394 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
5395 the error number.
5396 Examples: >
5397 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
5398 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
5399<
5400 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
5401:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next ":catch",
5402 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
5403 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
5404 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
5405 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
5406 commands are skipped.
5407 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
5408 Examples: >
5409 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
5410 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
5411 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
5412 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
5413 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
5414 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
5415 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
5416 :catch " same as /.*/
5417<
5418 Another character can be used instead of / around the
5419 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
5420 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
5421 {pattern}.
5422 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
5423 an error message because it may vary in different
5424 locales.
5425
5426 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
5427:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
5428 are executed whenever the part between the matching
5429 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
5430 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
5431 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
5432 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
5433
5434 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
5435:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
5436 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
5437 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
5438 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
5439 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
5440 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
5441 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
5442 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
5443 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
5444 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
5445 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
5446 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
5447 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
5448 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
5449 is terminated.
5450 Example: >
5451 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
5452<
5453
5454 *:ec* *:echo*
5455:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
5456 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
5457 Also see |:comment|.
5458 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
5459 cursor to the first column.
5460 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5461 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5462 Example: >
5463 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
5464< A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
5465 To avoid that a command from before the ":echo" causes
5466 a redraw afterwards (redraws are often postponed until
5467 you type something), force a redraw with the |:redraw|
5468 command. Example: >
5469 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
5470<
5471 *:echon*
5472:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
5473 |:comment|.
5474 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5475 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5476 Example: >
5477 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
5478<
5479 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
5480 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
5481 command: >
5482 :!echo % --> filename
5483< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
5484 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
5485< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
5486 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
5487 :echo % --> nothing
5488< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
5489 :echo "%" --> %
5490< This just echoes the '%' character. >
5491 :echo expand("%") --> filename
5492< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
5493
5494 *:echoh* *:echohl*
5495:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
5496 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
5497 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
5498 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
5499< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
5500 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
5501
5502 *:echom* *:echomsg*
5503:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
5504 message in the |message-history|.
5505 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5506 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
5507 displayed, not interpreted.
5508 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
5509 Example: >
5510 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
5511<
5512 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
5513:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
5514 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
5515 script or function the line number will be added.
5516 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
5517 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
5518 the message is raised as an error exception instead
5519 (see |try-echoerr|).
5520 Example: >
5521 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
5522< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
5523 And to get a beep: >
5524 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
5525<
5526 *:exe* *:execute*
5527:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
5528 of {expr1} as an Ex command. Multiple arguments are
5529 concatenated, with a space in between. {expr1} is
5530 used as the processed command, command line editing
5531 keys are not recognized.
5532 Cannot be followed by a comment.
5533 Examples: >
5534 :execute "buffer " nextbuf
5535 :execute "normal " count . "w"
5536<
5537 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
5538 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
5539 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
5540
5541< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
5542 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
5543 command: >
5544 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
5545< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
5546
5547 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005548 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
5549 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005550 :execute 'while i > 5'
5551 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
5552<
5553 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
5554 completely in the executed string: >
5555 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
5556<
5557
5558 *:comment*
5559 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
5560 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
5561 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
5562 comment. Example: >
5563 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
5564
5565==============================================================================
55668. Exception handling *exception-handling*
5567
5568The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
5569explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
5570
5571Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
5572|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
5573exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
5574
5575
5576TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
5577
5578Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
5579use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
5580a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
5581 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
5582|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
5583a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
5584be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
5585which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
5586clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
5587
5588 :try
5589 : ...
5590 : ... TRY BLOCK
5591 : ...
5592 :catch /{pattern}/
5593 : ...
5594 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5595 : ...
5596 :catch /{pattern}/
5597 : ...
5598 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
5599 : ...
5600 :finally
5601 : ...
5602 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
5603 : ...
5604 :endtry
5605
5606The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
5607appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
5608from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
5609 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
5610is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
5611script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
5612 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
5613lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
5614patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
5615after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
5616executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
5617":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
5618(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
5619continues in the following line as usual.
5620 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
5621":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
5622that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
5623finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
5624the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
5625the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
5626see |try-nesting|.
5627 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
5628remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
5629not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
5630try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
5631a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
5632execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
5633exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5634 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
5635thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
5636clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
5637catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
5638following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
5639clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
5640
5641The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
5642a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
5643try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
5644from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
5645sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
5646":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
5647":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
5648from the finally clause.
5649 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
5650try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
5651clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
5652":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
5653clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
5654":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
5655this pending exception or command is discarded.
5656
5657For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
5658
5659
5660NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
5661
5662Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
5663conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
5664clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
5665catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
5666of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
5667checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
5668try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
5669otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
5670nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
5671one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
5672the inner try conditional.
5673
5674When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
5675finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
5676An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
5677thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
5678implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
5679as usual.
5680
5681For examples see |throw-catch|.
5682
5683
5684EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
5685
5686Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
5687'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
5688script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
5689finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
5690a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
5691(see |debug-scripts|).
5692
5693
5694THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
5695
5696You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
5697and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
5698 :throw 4711
5699 :throw "string"
5700< *throw-expression*
5701You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
5702first, and the result is thrown: >
5703 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
5704 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
5705
5706An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
5707command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
5708The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
5709 Example: >
5710
5711 :function! Foo(arg)
5712 : try
5713 : throw a:arg
5714 : catch /foo/
5715 : endtry
5716 : return 1
5717 :endfunction
5718 :
5719 :function! Bar()
5720 : echo "in Bar"
5721 : return 4710
5722 :endfunction
5723 :
5724 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
5725
5726This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
5727executed. >
5728 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
5729however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
5730
5731Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
5732abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
5733exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
5734 Example: >
5735
5736 :if Foo("arrgh")
5737 : echo "then"
5738 :else
5739 : echo "else"
5740 :endif
5741
5742Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
5743
5744 *catch-order*
5745Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
5746commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
5747command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
5748gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
5749 Example: >
5750
5751 :function! Foo(value)
5752 : try
5753 : throw a:value
5754 : catch /^\d\+$/
5755 : echo "Number thrown"
5756 : catch /.*/
5757 : echo "String thrown"
5758 : endtry
5759 :endfunction
5760 :
5761 :call Foo(0x1267)
5762 :call Foo('string')
5763
5764The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
5765An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
5766specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
5767specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
5768
5769 : catch /.*/
5770 : echo "String thrown"
5771 : catch /^\d\+$/
5772 : echo "Number thrown"
5773
5774The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
5775never taken.
5776
5777 *throw-variables*
5778If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
5779in the variable |v:exception|: >
5780
5781 : catch /^\d\+$/
5782 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
5783
5784You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
5785|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
5786exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
5787 Example: >
5788
5789 :function! Caught()
5790 : if v:exception != ""
5791 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
5792 : else
5793 : echo 'Nothing caught'
5794 : endif
5795 :endfunction
5796 :
5797 :function! Foo()
5798 : try
5799 : try
5800 : try
5801 : throw 4711
5802 : finally
5803 : call Caught()
5804 : endtry
5805 : catch /.*/
5806 : call Caught()
5807 : throw "oops"
5808 : endtry
5809 : catch /.*/
5810 : call Caught()
5811 : finally
5812 : call Caught()
5813 : endtry
5814 :endfunction
5815 :
5816 :call Foo()
5817
5818This displays >
5819
5820 Nothing caught
5821 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
5822 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
5823 Nothing caught
5824
5825A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
5826number in the script or function where it has been used: >
5827
5828 :function! LineNumber()
5829 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
5830 :endfunction
5831 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
5832<
5833 *try-nested*
5834An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
5835a surrounding try conditional: >
5836
5837 :try
5838 : try
5839 : throw "foo"
5840 : catch /foobar/
5841 : echo "foobar"
5842 : finally
5843 : echo "inner finally"
5844 : endtry
5845 :catch /foo/
5846 : echo "foo"
5847 :endtry
5848
5849The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
5850clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
5851conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
5852
5853 *throw-from-catch*
5854You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
5855catch clause: >
5856
5857 :function! Foo()
5858 : throw "foo"
5859 :endfunction
5860 :
5861 :function! Bar()
5862 : try
5863 : call Foo()
5864 : catch /foo/
5865 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
5866 : throw "bar"
5867 : endtry
5868 :endfunction
5869 :
5870 :try
5871 : call Bar()
5872 :catch /.*/
5873 : echo "Caught" v:exception
5874 :endtry
5875
5876This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
5877
5878 *rethrow*
5879There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
5880"v:exception" instead: >
5881
5882 :function! Bar()
5883 : try
5884 : call Foo()
5885 : catch /.*/
5886 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
5887 : throw v:exception
5888 : endtry
5889 :endfunction
5890< *try-echoerr*
5891Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
5892exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
5893Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
5894denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
5895the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
5896
5897 :try
5898 : try
5899 : asdf
5900 : catch /.*/
5901 : echoerr v:exception
5902 : endtry
5903 :catch /.*/
5904 : echo v:exception
5905 :endtry
5906
5907This code displays
5908
5909 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
5910
5911
5912CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
5913
5914Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
5915user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
5916an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
5917a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
5918catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
5919a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
5920normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
5921(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
5922to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
5923clause has been executed.)
5924Example: >
5925
5926 :try
5927 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
5928 : set ts=17
5929 :
5930 : " Do the hard work here.
5931 :
5932 :finally
5933 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
5934 : unlet s:saved_ts
5935 :endtry
5936
5937This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
5938changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
5939that function or script part.
5940
5941 *break-finally*
5942Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
5943a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
5944 Example: >
5945
5946 :let first = 1
5947 :while 1
5948 : try
5949 : if first
5950 : echo "first"
5951 : let first = 0
5952 : continue
5953 : else
5954 : throw "second"
5955 : endif
5956 : catch /.*/
5957 : echo v:exception
5958 : break
5959 : finally
5960 : echo "cleanup"
5961 : endtry
5962 : echo "still in while"
5963 :endwhile
5964 :echo "end"
5965
5966This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
5967
5968 :function! Foo()
5969 : try
5970 : return 4711
5971 : finally
5972 : echo "cleanup\n"
5973 : endtry
5974 : echo "Foo still active"
5975 :endfunction
5976 :
5977 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
5978
5979This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
5980extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
5981return value.)
5982
5983 *except-from-finally*
5984Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
5985a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
5986cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
5987exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
5988 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
5989working correctly: >
5990
5991 :try
5992 : try
5993 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
5994 : while 1
5995 : endwhile
5996 : finally
5997 : unlet novar
5998 : endtry
5999 :catch /novar/
6000 :endtry
6001 :echo "Script still running"
6002 :sleep 1
6003
6004If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
6005think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
6006|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
6007
6008
6009CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
6010
6011If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
6012watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
6013presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
6014exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
6015the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
6016the error exception is.
6017 Error exceptions have the following format: >
6018
6019 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
6020or >
6021 Vim:{errmsg}
6022
6023{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
6024the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
6025when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
6026a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
6027a space.
6028
6029Examples:
6030
6031The command >
6032 :unlet novar
6033normally produces the error message >
6034 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6035which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6036 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
6037
6038The command >
6039 :dwim
6040normally produces the error message >
6041 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6042which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6043 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
6044
6045You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
6046 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
6047or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
6048 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
6049
6050Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
6051 :function nofunc
6052and >
6053 :delfunction nofunc
6054both produce the error message >
6055 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6056which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
6057 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6058or >
6059 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
6060respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
6061command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
6062 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
6063
6064Some commands like >
6065 :let x = novar
6066produce multiple error messages, here: >
6067 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6068 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6069Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
6070one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
6071 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
6072
6073You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
6074 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
6075
6076You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
6077 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
6078
6079You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
6080 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
6081<
6082 *catch-text*
6083NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
6084 :catch /No such variable/
6085only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
6086a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
6087cite the message text in a comment: >
6088 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
6089
6090
6091IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
6092
6093You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
6094
6095 :try
6096 : write
6097 :catch
6098 :endtry
6099
6100But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
6101catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
6102be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
6103
6104 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
6105
6106There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
6107writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
6108then hide the error from the user.
6109 It is much better to use >
6110
6111 :try
6112 : write
6113 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6114 :endtry
6115
6116which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
6117intentionally.
6118
6119For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
6120even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
6121command: >
6122 :silent! nunmap k
6123This works also when a try conditional is active.
6124
6125
6126CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
6127
6128When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
6129the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
6130script is not terminated, then.
6131 Example: >
6132
6133 :function! TASK1()
6134 : sleep 10
6135 :endfunction
6136
6137 :function! TASK2()
6138 : sleep 20
6139 :endfunction
6140
6141 :while 1
6142 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
6143 : try
6144 : if command == ""
6145 : continue
6146 : elseif command == "END"
6147 : break
6148 : elseif command == "TASK1"
6149 : call TASK1()
6150 : elseif command == "TASK2"
6151 : call TASK2()
6152 : else
6153 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
6154 : continue
6155 : endif
6156 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6157 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
6158 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
6159 : endtry
6160 :endwhile
6161
6162You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
6163a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
6164
6165For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
6166your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
6167command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
6168
6169
6170CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
6171
6172The commands >
6173
6174 :catch /.*/
6175 :catch //
6176 :catch
6177
6178catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
6179explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
6180a script in order to catch unexpected things.
6181 Example: >
6182
6183 :try
6184 :
6185 : " do the hard work here
6186 :
6187 :catch /MyException/
6188 :
6189 : " handle known problem
6190 :
6191 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
6192 : echo "Script interrupted"
6193 :catch /.*/
6194 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
6195 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
6196 :endtry
6197 :" end of script
6198
6199Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
6200strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
6201specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
6202 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
6203by pressing CTRL-C: >
6204
6205 :while 1
6206 : try
6207 : sleep 1
6208 : catch
6209 : endtry
6210 :endwhile
6211
6212
6213EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
6214
6215Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
6216
6217 :autocmd User x try
6218 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
6219 :autocmd User x catch
6220 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
6221 :autocmd User x endtry
6222 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
6223 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
6224 :
6225 :try
6226 : doautocmd User x
6227 :catch
6228 : echo v:exception
6229 :endtry
6230
6231This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
6232
6233 *except-autocmd-Pre*
6234For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
6235command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
6236of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
6237abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
6238 Example: >
6239
6240 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
6241 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
6242 :
6243 :try
6244 : write
6245 :catch
6246 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
6247 :endtry
6248
6249Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
6250you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
6251autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
6252script displays: >
6253
6254 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
6255<
6256 *except-autocmd-Post*
6257For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
6258command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
6259an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
6260is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
6261 Example: >
6262
6263 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
6264 :
6265 :try
6266 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6267 :catch
6268 : echo v:exception
6269 :endtry
6270
6271This just displays: >
6272
6273 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
6274
6275If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
6276fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
6277 Example: >
6278
6279 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
6280 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
6281 :
6282 :try
6283 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6284 :catch
6285 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6286 :endtry
6287<
6288You can also use ":silent!": >
6289
6290 :let x = "ok"
6291 :let v:errmsg = ""
6292 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
6293 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
6294 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
6295 :try
6296 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
6297 :catch
6298 :endtry
6299 :echo x
6300
6301This displays "after fail".
6302
6303If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
6304autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
6305
6306 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
6307 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
6308 :
6309 :try
6310 : write
6311 :catch
6312 : echo v:exception
6313 :endtry
6314<
6315 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
6316For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
6317autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
6318of the command.
6319 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
6320had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
6321some way. >
6322
6323 :if !exists("cnt")
6324 : let cnt = 0
6325 :
6326 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
6327 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
6328 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
6329 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6330 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6331 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
6332 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
6333 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
6334 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6335 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
6336 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
6337 :endif
6338 :
6339 :try
6340 : write
6341 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
6342 : if &modified
6343 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
6344 : else
6345 : echo "Error after writing"
6346 : endif
6347 :catch /^Vim(write):/
6348 : echo "Error on writing"
6349 :endtry
6350
6351When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
6352first >
6353 File successfully written!
6354then >
6355 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
6356then >
6357 Error after writing
6358etc.
6359
6360 *except-autocmd-ill*
6361You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
6362The following code is ill-formed: >
6363
6364 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
6365 :
6366 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
6367 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
6368 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
6369 :
6370 :write
6371
6372
6373EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
6374
6375Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
6376pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
6377similar things in Vim.
6378 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
6379class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
6380string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
6381 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
6382it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
6383for an error when writing "myfile".
6384 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
6385base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
6386parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
6387 Example: >
6388
6389 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
6390 : if a:a < 0
6391 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
6392 : endif
6393 :endfunction
6394 :
6395 :function! Add(a, b)
6396 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
6397 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
6398 : let c = a:a + a:b
6399 : if c < 0
6400 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
6401 : endif
6402 : return c
6403 :endfunction
6404 :
6405 :function! Div(a, b)
6406 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
6407 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
6408 : if (a:b == 0)
6409 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
6410 : endif
6411 : return a:a / a:b
6412 :endfunction
6413 :
6414 :function! Write(file)
6415 : try
6416 : execute "write" a:file
6417 : catch /^Vim(write):/
6418 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
6419 : endtry
6420 :endfunction
6421 :
6422 :try
6423 :
6424 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
6425 :
6426 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
6427 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6428 : echo "Range error in" function
6429 :
6430 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
6431 : echo "Math error"
6432 :
6433 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
6434 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
6435 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
6436 : if file !~ '^/'
6437 : let file = dir . "/" . file
6438 : endif
6439 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
6440 :
6441 :catch /^EXCEPT/
6442 : echo "Unspecified error"
6443 :
6444 :endtry
6445
6446The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
6447a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
6448exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
6449 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
6450failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
6451
6452
6453PECULIARITIES
6454 *except-compat*
6455The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
6456exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
6457and/or a catch clause.
6458
6459In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
6460continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
6461after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
6462functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
6463or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
6464(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
6465
6466This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
6467immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
6468conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
6469be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
6470termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
6471catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
6472by specifying a finally clause.)
6473
6474When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
6475behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
6476scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
6477
6478However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
6479commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
6480conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
6481script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
6482error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
6483messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
6484|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
6485not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
6486where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
6487error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
6488scripts.
6489
6490 *except-syntax-err*
6491Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
6492the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
6493clauses, however, is executed.
6494 Example: >
6495
6496 :try
6497 : try
6498 : throw 4711
6499 : catch /\(/
6500 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
6501 : catch
6502 : echo "inner catch-all"
6503 : finally
6504 : echo "inner finally"
6505 : endtry
6506 :catch
6507 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
6508 : finally
6509 : echo "outer finally"
6510 :endtry
6511
6512This displays: >
6513 inner finally
6514 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
6515 outer finally
6516The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
6517
6518 *except-single-line*
6519The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
6520a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
6521"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
6522 Example: >
6523 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
6524raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
6525argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
6526error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
6527displayed.
6528
6529 *except-several-errors*
6530When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
6531usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
6532 Example: >
6533 echo novar
6534causes >
6535 E121: Undefined variable: novar
6536 E15: Invalid expression: novar
6537The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6538 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
6539< *except-syntax-error*
6540But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
6541the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
6542 Example: >
6543 unlet novar #
6544causes >
6545 E108: No such variable: "novar"
6546 E488: Trailing characters
6547The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
6548 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
6549This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
6550not intended by the user. Example: >
6551 try
6552 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
6553 catch /.*/
6554 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
6555 endtry
6556This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
6557a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
6558
6559==============================================================================
65609. Examples *eval-examples*
6561
6562Printing in Hex ~
6563>
6564 :" The function Nr2Hex() returns the Hex string of a number.
6565 :func Nr2Hex(nr)
6566 : let n = a:nr
6567 : let r = ""
6568 : while n
6569 : let r = '0123456789ABCDEF'[n % 16] . r
6570 : let n = n / 16
6571 : endwhile
6572 : return r
6573 :endfunc
6574
6575 :" The function String2Hex() converts each character in a string to a two
6576 :" character Hex string.
6577 :func String2Hex(str)
6578 : let out = ''
6579 : let ix = 0
6580 : while ix < strlen(a:str)
6581 : let out = out . Nr2Hex(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
6582 : let ix = ix + 1
6583 : endwhile
6584 : return out
6585 :endfunc
6586
6587Example of its use: >
6588 :echo Nr2Hex(32)
6589result: "20" >
6590 :echo String2Hex("32")
6591result: "3332"
6592
6593
6594Sorting lines (by Robert Webb) ~
6595
6596Here is a Vim script to sort lines. Highlight the lines in Vim and type
6597":Sort". This doesn't call any external programs so it'll work on any
6598platform. The function Sort() actually takes the name of a comparison
6599function as its argument, like qsort() does in C. So you could supply it
6600with different comparison functions in order to sort according to date etc.
6601>
6602 :" Function for use with Sort(), to compare two strings.
6603 :func! Strcmp(str1, str2)
6604 : if (a:str1 < a:str2)
6605 : return -1
6606 : elseif (a:str1 > a:str2)
6607 : return 1
6608 : else
6609 : return 0
6610 : endif
6611 :endfunction
6612
6613 :" Sort lines. SortR() is called recursively.
6614 :func! SortR(start, end, cmp)
6615 : if (a:start >= a:end)
6616 : return
6617 : endif
6618 : let partition = a:start - 1
6619 : let middle = partition
6620 : let partStr = getline((a:start + a:end) / 2)
6621 : let i = a:start
6622 : while (i <= a:end)
6623 : let str = getline(i)
6624 : exec "let result = " . a:cmp . "(str, partStr)"
6625 : if (result <= 0)
6626 : " Need to put it before the partition. Swap lines i and partition.
6627 : let partition = partition + 1
6628 : if (result == 0)
6629 : let middle = partition
6630 : endif
6631 : if (i != partition)
6632 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6633 : call setline(i, str2)
6634 : call setline(partition, str)
6635 : endif
6636 : endif
6637 : let i = i + 1
6638 : endwhile
6639
6640 : " Now we have a pointer to the "middle" element, as far as partitioning
6641 : " goes, which could be anywhere before the partition. Make sure it is at
6642 : " the end of the partition.
6643 : if (middle != partition)
6644 : let str = getline(middle)
6645 : let str2 = getline(partition)
6646 : call setline(middle, str2)
6647 : call setline(partition, str)
6648 : endif
6649 : call SortR(a:start, partition - 1, a:cmp)
6650 : call SortR(partition + 1, a:end, a:cmp)
6651 :endfunc
6652
6653 :" To Sort a range of lines, pass the range to Sort() along with the name of a
6654 :" function that will compare two lines.
6655 :func! Sort(cmp) range
6656 : call SortR(a:firstline, a:lastline, a:cmp)
6657 :endfunc
6658
6659 :" :Sort takes a range of lines and sorts them.
6660 :command! -nargs=0 -range Sort <line1>,<line2>call Sort("Strcmp")
6661<
6662 *sscanf*
6663There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
6664line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
6665how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
6666"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
6667 :" Set up the match bit
6668 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
6669 :"get the part matching the whole expression
6670 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
6671 :"get each item out of the match
6672 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
6673 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
6674 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
6675
6676The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
6677"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
6678
6679==============================================================================
668010. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
6681
6682When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
6683evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
6684to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
6685recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
6686and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
6687only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
6688recognized.
6689
6690Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
6691missing: >
6692
6693 :if 1
6694 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
6695 :else
6696 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
6697 :endif
6698
6699==============================================================================
670011. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
6701
6702The 'foldexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and 'foldtext'
6703options are evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are protected from
6704these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some safety for when
6705these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when the command from
6706a tags file is executed.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006707The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006708
6709These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
6710 - changing the buffer text
6711 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
6712 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
6713 - executing a shell command
6714 - reading or writing a file
6715 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006716This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
6717
6718 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00006719:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00006720 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
6721 'foldexpr'.
6722
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006723
6724 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: