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Bram Moolenaar00654022011-02-25 14:42:19 +01001*eval.txt* For Vim version 7.3. Last change: 2011 Feb 11
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005
6
7Expression evaluation *expression* *expr* *E15* *eval*
8
9Using expressions is introduced in chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
10
11Note: Expression evaluation can be disabled at compile time. If this has been
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000012done, the features in this document are not available. See |+eval| and
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000013|no-eval-feature|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000014
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000151. Variables |variables|
16 1.1 Variable types
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +000017 1.2 Function references |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +000018 1.3 Lists |Lists|
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000019 1.4 Dictionaries |Dictionaries|
20 1.5 More about variables |more-variables|
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000212. Expression syntax |expression-syntax|
223. Internal variable |internal-variables|
234. Builtin Functions |functions|
245. Defining functions |user-functions|
256. Curly braces names |curly-braces-names|
267. Commands |expression-commands|
278. Exception handling |exception-handling|
289. Examples |eval-examples|
2910. No +eval feature |no-eval-feature|
3011. The sandbox |eval-sandbox|
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00003112. Textlock |textlock|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000032
33{Vi does not have any of these commands}
34
35==============================================================================
361. Variables *variables*
37
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000381.1 Variable types ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +000039 *E712*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000040There are six types of variables:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000041
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000042Number A 32 bit signed number. |expr-number| *Number*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000043 Examples: -123 0x10 0177
44
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000045Float A floating point number. |floating-point-format| *Float*
46 {only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
47 Examples: 123.456 1.15e-6 -1.1e3
48
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000049String A NUL terminated string of 8-bit unsigned characters (bytes).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000050 |expr-string| Examples: "ab\txx\"--" 'x-z''a,c'
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +000051
52Funcref A reference to a function |Funcref|.
53 Example: function("strlen")
54
55List An ordered sequence of items |List|.
56 Example: [1, 2, ['a', 'b']]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000057
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +000058Dictionary An associative, unordered array: Each entry has a key and a
59 value. |Dictionary|
60 Example: {'blue': "#0000ff", 'red': "#ff0000"}
61
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000062The Number and String types are converted automatically, depending on how they
63are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000064
65Conversion from a Number to a String is by making the ASCII representation of
Bram Moolenaar24ea3ba2010-09-19 19:01:21 +020066the Number. Examples:
67 Number 123 --> String "123" ~
68 Number 0 --> String "0" ~
69 Number -1 --> String "-1" ~
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +020070 *octal*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000071Conversion from a String to a Number is done by converting the first digits
72to a number. Hexadecimal "0xf9" and Octal "017" numbers are recognized. If
Bram Moolenaar24ea3ba2010-09-19 19:01:21 +020073the String doesn't start with digits, the result is zero. Examples:
74 String "456" --> Number 456 ~
75 String "6bar" --> Number 6 ~
76 String "foo" --> Number 0 ~
77 String "0xf1" --> Number 241 ~
78 String "0100" --> Number 64 ~
79 String "-8" --> Number -8 ~
80 String "+8" --> Number 0 ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000081
82To force conversion from String to Number, add zero to it: >
83 :echo "0100" + 0
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +000084< 64 ~
85
86To avoid a leading zero to cause octal conversion, or for using a different
87base, use |str2nr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000088
89For boolean operators Numbers are used. Zero is FALSE, non-zero is TRUE.
90
91Note that in the command >
92 :if "foo"
93"foo" is converted to 0, which means FALSE. To test for a non-empty string,
94use strlen(): >
95 :if strlen("foo")
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +000096< *E745* *E728* *E703* *E729* *E730* *E731*
97List, Dictionary and Funcref types are not automatically converted.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +000098
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +000099 *E805* *E806* *E808*
100When mixing Number and Float the Number is converted to Float. Otherwise
101there is no automatic conversion of Float. You can use str2float() for String
102to Float, printf() for Float to String and float2nr() for Float to Number.
103
104 *E706* *sticky-type-checking*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000105You will get an error if you try to change the type of a variable. You need
106to |:unlet| it first to avoid this error. String and Number are considered
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000107equivalent though, as well are Float and Number. Consider this sequence of
108commands: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000109 :let l = "string"
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000110 :let l = 44 " changes type from String to Number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000111 :let l = [1, 2, 3] " error! l is still a Number
112 :let l = 4.4 " changes type from Number to Float
113 :let l = "string" " error!
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000114
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000115
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001161.2 Function references ~
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +0000117 *Funcref* *E695* *E718*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000118A Funcref variable is obtained with the |function()| function. It can be used
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000119in an expression in the place of a function name, before the parenthesis
120around the arguments, to invoke the function it refers to. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000121
122 :let Fn = function("MyFunc")
123 :echo Fn()
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000124< *E704* *E705* *E707*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000125A Funcref variable must start with a capital, "s:", "w:", "t:" or "b:". You
126cannot have both a Funcref variable and a function with the same name.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000127
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000128A special case is defining a function and directly assigning its Funcref to a
129Dictionary entry. Example: >
130 :function dict.init() dict
131 : let self.val = 0
132 :endfunction
133
134The key of the Dictionary can start with a lower case letter. The actual
135function name is not used here. Also see |numbered-function|.
136
137A Funcref can also be used with the |:call| command: >
138 :call Fn()
139 :call dict.init()
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000140
141The name of the referenced function can be obtained with |string()|. >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000142 :let func = string(Fn)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000143
144You can use |call()| to invoke a Funcref and use a list variable for the
145arguments: >
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000146 :let r = call(Fn, mylist)
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000147
148
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001491.3 Lists ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000150 *List* *Lists* *E686*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000151A List is an ordered sequence of items. An item can be of any type. Items
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000152can be accessed by their index number. Items can be added and removed at any
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000153position in the sequence.
154
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000155
156List creation ~
157 *E696* *E697*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000158A List is created with a comma separated list of items in square brackets.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000159Examples: >
160 :let mylist = [1, two, 3, "four"]
161 :let emptylist = []
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000162
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000163An item can be any expression. Using a List for an item creates a
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000164List of Lists: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000165 :let nestlist = [[11, 12], [21, 22], [31, 32]]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000166
167An extra comma after the last item is ignored.
168
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000169
170List index ~
171 *list-index* *E684*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000172An item in the List can be accessed by putting the index in square brackets
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000173after the List. Indexes are zero-based, thus the first item has index zero. >
174 :let item = mylist[0] " get the first item: 1
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000175 :let item = mylist[2] " get the third item: 3
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000176
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000177When the resulting item is a list this can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000178 :let item = nestlist[0][1] " get the first list, second item: 12
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000179<
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000180A negative index is counted from the end. Index -1 refers to the last item in
181the List, -2 to the last but one item, etc. >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000182 :let last = mylist[-1] " get the last item: "four"
183
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000184To avoid an error for an invalid index use the |get()| function. When an item
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000185is not available it returns zero or the default value you specify: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000186 :echo get(mylist, idx)
187 :echo get(mylist, idx, "NONE")
188
189
190List concatenation ~
191
192Two lists can be concatenated with the "+" operator: >
193 :let longlist = mylist + [5, 6]
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000194 :let mylist += [7, 8]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000195
196To prepend or append an item turn the item into a list by putting [] around
197it. To change a list in-place see |list-modification| below.
198
199
200Sublist ~
201
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000202A part of the List can be obtained by specifying the first and last index,
203separated by a colon in square brackets: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000204 :let shortlist = mylist[2:-1] " get List [3, "four"]
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000205
206Omitting the first index is similar to zero. Omitting the last index is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000207similar to -1. >
Bram Moolenaar540d6e32005-01-09 21:20:18 +0000208 :let endlist = mylist[2:] " from item 2 to the end: [3, "four"]
209 :let shortlist = mylist[2:2] " List with one item: [3]
210 :let otherlist = mylist[:] " make a copy of the List
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000211
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +0000212If the first index is beyond the last item of the List or the second item is
213before the first item, the result is an empty list. There is no error
214message.
215
216If the second index is equal to or greater than the length of the list the
217length minus one is used: >
Bram Moolenaar9e54a0e2006-04-14 20:42:25 +0000218 :let mylist = [0, 1, 2, 3]
219 :echo mylist[2:8] " result: [2, 3]
220
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000221NOTE: mylist[s:e] means using the variable "s:e" as index. Watch out for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000222using a single letter variable before the ":". Insert a space when needed:
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +0000223mylist[s : e].
224
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000225
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000226List identity ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000227 *list-identity*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000228When variable "aa" is a list and you assign it to another variable "bb", both
229variables refer to the same list. Thus changing the list "aa" will also
230change "bb": >
231 :let aa = [1, 2, 3]
232 :let bb = aa
233 :call add(aa, 4)
234 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000235< [1, 2, 3, 4]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000236
237Making a copy of a list is done with the |copy()| function. Using [:] also
238works, as explained above. This creates a shallow copy of the list: Changing
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000239a list item in the list will also change the item in the copied list: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000240 :let aa = [[1, 'a'], 2, 3]
241 :let bb = copy(aa)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000242 :call add(aa, 4)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000243 :let aa[0][1] = 'aaa'
244 :echo aa
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000245< [[1, aaa], 2, 3, 4] >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000246 :echo bb
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000247< [[1, aaa], 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000248
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000249To make a completely independent list use |deepcopy()|. This also makes a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000250copy of the values in the list, recursively. Up to a hundred levels deep.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000251
252The operator "is" can be used to check if two variables refer to the same
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000253List. "isnot" does the opposite. In contrast "==" compares if two lists have
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000254the same value. >
255 :let alist = [1, 2, 3]
256 :let blist = [1, 2, 3]
257 :echo alist is blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000258< 0 >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000259 :echo alist == blist
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000260< 1
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000261
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000262Note about comparing lists: Two lists are considered equal if they have the
263same length and all items compare equal, as with using "==". There is one
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000264exception: When comparing a number with a string they are considered
265different. There is no automatic type conversion, as with using "==" on
266variables. Example: >
267 echo 4 == "4"
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000268< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000269 echo [4] == ["4"]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000270< 0
271
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000272Thus comparing Lists is more strict than comparing numbers and strings. You
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000273can compare simple values this way too by putting them in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000274
275 :let a = 5
276 :let b = "5"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000277 :echo a == b
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000278< 1 >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000279 :echo [a] == [b]
Bram Moolenaar7d1f5db2005-07-03 21:39:27 +0000280< 0
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +0000281
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000282
283List unpack ~
284
285To unpack the items in a list to individual variables, put the variables in
286square brackets, like list items: >
287 :let [var1, var2] = mylist
288
289When the number of variables does not match the number of items in the list
290this produces an error. To handle any extra items from the list append ";"
291and a variable name: >
292 :let [var1, var2; rest] = mylist
293
294This works like: >
295 :let var1 = mylist[0]
296 :let var2 = mylist[1]
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000297 :let rest = mylist[2:]
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000298
299Except that there is no error if there are only two items. "rest" will be an
300empty list then.
301
302
303List modification ~
304 *list-modification*
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000305To change a specific item of a list use |:let| this way: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000306 :let list[4] = "four"
307 :let listlist[0][3] = item
308
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000309To change part of a list you can specify the first and last item to be
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000310modified. The value must at least have the number of items in the range: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000311 :let list[3:5] = [3, 4, 5]
312
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000313Adding and removing items from a list is done with functions. Here are a few
314examples: >
315 :call insert(list, 'a') " prepend item 'a'
316 :call insert(list, 'a', 3) " insert item 'a' before list[3]
317 :call add(list, "new") " append String item
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000318 :call add(list, [1, 2]) " append a List as one new item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000319 :call extend(list, [1, 2]) " extend the list with two more items
320 :let i = remove(list, 3) " remove item 3
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000321 :unlet list[3] " idem
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000322 :let l = remove(list, 3, -1) " remove items 3 to last item
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000323 :unlet list[3 : ] " idem
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000324 :call filter(list, 'v:val !~ "x"') " remove items with an 'x'
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000325
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000326Changing the order of items in a list: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000327 :call sort(list) " sort a list alphabetically
328 :call reverse(list) " reverse the order of items
329
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000330
331For loop ~
332
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000333The |:for| loop executes commands for each item in a list. A variable is set
334to each item in the list in sequence. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000335 :for item in mylist
336 : call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000337 :endfor
338
339This works like: >
340 :let index = 0
341 :while index < len(mylist)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000342 : let item = mylist[index]
343 : :call Doit(item)
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000344 : let index = index + 1
345 :endwhile
346
347Note that all items in the list should be of the same type, otherwise this
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000348results in error |E706|. To avoid this |:unlet| the variable at the end of
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000349the loop.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000350
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000351If all you want to do is modify each item in the list then the |map()|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000352function will be a simpler method than a for loop.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000353
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000354Just like the |:let| command, |:for| also accepts a list of variables. This
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000355requires the argument to be a list of lists. >
356 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 8], [3, 0]]
357 : call Doit(lnum, col)
358 :endfor
359
360This works like a |:let| command is done for each list item. Again, the types
361must remain the same to avoid an error.
362
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000363It is also possible to put remaining items in a List variable: >
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000364 :for [i, j; rest] in listlist
365 : call Doit(i, j)
366 : if !empty(rest)
367 : echo "remainder: " . string(rest)
368 : endif
369 :endfor
370
371
372List functions ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000373 *E714*
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000374Functions that are useful with a List: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000375 :let r = call(funcname, list) " call a function with an argument list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000376 :if empty(list) " check if list is empty
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000377 :let l = len(list) " number of items in list
378 :let big = max(list) " maximum value in list
379 :let small = min(list) " minimum value in list
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +0000380 :let xs = count(list, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in list
381 :let i = index(list, 'x') " index of first 'x' in list
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000382 :let lines = getline(1, 10) " get ten text lines from buffer
383 :call append('$', lines) " append text lines in buffer
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +0000384 :let list = split("a b c") " create list from items in a string
385 :let string = join(list, ', ') " create string from list items
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000386 :let s = string(list) " String representation of list
387 :call map(list, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000388
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +0000389Don't forget that a combination of features can make things simple. For
390example, to add up all the numbers in a list: >
391 :exe 'let sum = ' . join(nrlist, '+')
392
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000393
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003941.4 Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000395 *Dictionaries* *Dictionary*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000396A Dictionary is an associative array: Each entry has a key and a value. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000397entry can be located with the key. The entries are stored without a specific
398ordering.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000399
400
401Dictionary creation ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000402 *E720* *E721* *E722* *E723*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000403A Dictionary is created with a comma separated list of entries in curly
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000404braces. Each entry has a key and a value, separated by a colon. Each key can
405only appear once. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000406 :let mydict = {1: 'one', 2: 'two', 3: 'three'}
407 :let emptydict = {}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000408< *E713* *E716* *E717*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000409A key is always a String. You can use a Number, it will be converted to a
410String automatically. Thus the String '4' and the number 4 will find the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000411entry. Note that the String '04' and the Number 04 are different, since the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000412Number will be converted to the String '4'.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000413
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000414A value can be any expression. Using a Dictionary for a value creates a
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000415nested Dictionary: >
416 :let nestdict = {1: {11: 'a', 12: 'b'}, 2: {21: 'c'}}
417
418An extra comma after the last entry is ignored.
419
420
421Accessing entries ~
422
423The normal way to access an entry is by putting the key in square brackets: >
424 :let val = mydict["one"]
425 :let mydict["four"] = 4
426
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000427You can add new entries to an existing Dictionary this way, unlike Lists.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000428
429For keys that consist entirely of letters, digits and underscore the following
430form can be used |expr-entry|: >
431 :let val = mydict.one
432 :let mydict.four = 4
433
434Since an entry can be any type, also a List and a Dictionary, the indexing and
435key lookup can be repeated: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000436 :echo dict.key[idx].key
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000437
438
439Dictionary to List conversion ~
440
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000441You may want to loop over the entries in a dictionary. For this you need to
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000442turn the Dictionary into a List and pass it to |:for|.
443
444Most often you want to loop over the keys, using the |keys()| function: >
445 :for key in keys(mydict)
446 : echo key . ': ' . mydict[key]
447 :endfor
448
449The List of keys is unsorted. You may want to sort them first: >
450 :for key in sort(keys(mydict))
451
452To loop over the values use the |values()| function: >
453 :for v in values(mydict)
454 : echo "value: " . v
455 :endfor
456
457If you want both the key and the value use the |items()| function. It returns
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000458a List in which each item is a List with two items, the key and the value: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000459 :for [key, value] in items(mydict)
460 : echo key . ': ' . value
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000461 :endfor
462
463
464Dictionary identity ~
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +0000465 *dict-identity*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000466Just like Lists you need to use |copy()| and |deepcopy()| to make a copy of a
467Dictionary. Otherwise, assignment results in referring to the same
468Dictionary: >
469 :let onedict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}
470 :let adict = onedict
471 :let adict['a'] = 11
472 :echo onedict['a']
473 11
474
Bram Moolenaarf3bd51a2005-06-14 22:11:18 +0000475Two Dictionaries compare equal if all the key-value pairs compare equal. For
476more info see |list-identity|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000477
478
479Dictionary modification ~
480 *dict-modification*
481To change an already existing entry of a Dictionary, or to add a new entry,
482use |:let| this way: >
483 :let dict[4] = "four"
484 :let dict['one'] = item
485
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +0000486Removing an entry from a Dictionary is done with |remove()| or |:unlet|.
487Three ways to remove the entry with key "aaa" from dict: >
488 :let i = remove(dict, 'aaa')
489 :unlet dict.aaa
490 :unlet dict['aaa']
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000491
492Merging a Dictionary with another is done with |extend()|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000493 :call extend(adict, bdict)
494This extends adict with all entries from bdict. Duplicate keys cause entries
495in adict to be overwritten. An optional third argument can change this.
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +0000496Note that the order of entries in a Dictionary is irrelevant, thus don't
497expect ":echo adict" to show the items from bdict after the older entries in
498adict.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000499
500Weeding out entries from a Dictionary can be done with |filter()|: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000501 :call filter(dict, 'v:val =~ "x"')
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000502This removes all entries from "dict" with a value not matching 'x'.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000503
504
505Dictionary function ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000506 *Dictionary-function* *self* *E725*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000507When a function is defined with the "dict" attribute it can be used in a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000508special way with a dictionary. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000509 :function Mylen() dict
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000510 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000511 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000512 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3], 'len': function("Mylen")}
513 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000514
515This is like a method in object oriented programming. The entry in the
516Dictionary is a |Funcref|. The local variable "self" refers to the dictionary
517the function was invoked from.
518
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000519It is also possible to add a function without the "dict" attribute as a
520Funcref to a Dictionary, but the "self" variable is not available then.
521
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +0000522 *numbered-function* *anonymous-function*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000523To avoid the extra name for the function it can be defined and directly
524assigned to a Dictionary in this way: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000525 :let mydict = {'data': [0, 1, 2, 3]}
526 :function mydict.len() dict
527 : return len(self.data)
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000528 :endfunction
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000529 :echo mydict.len()
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000530
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000531The function will then get a number and the value of dict.len is a |Funcref|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000532that references this function. The function can only be used through a
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000533|Funcref|. It will automatically be deleted when there is no |Funcref|
534remaining that refers to it.
535
536It is not necessary to use the "dict" attribute for a numbered function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000537
Bram Moolenaar1affd722010-08-04 17:49:30 +0200538If you get an error for a numbered function, you can find out what it is with
539a trick. Assuming the function is 42, the command is: >
540 :function {42}
541
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000542
543Functions for Dictionaries ~
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000544 *E715*
545Functions that can be used with a Dictionary: >
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000546 :if has_key(dict, 'foo') " TRUE if dict has entry with key "foo"
547 :if empty(dict) " TRUE if dict is empty
548 :let l = len(dict) " number of items in dict
549 :let big = max(dict) " maximum value in dict
550 :let small = min(dict) " minimum value in dict
551 :let xs = count(dict, 'x') " count nr of times 'x' appears in dict
552 :let s = string(dict) " String representation of dict
553 :call map(dict, '">> " . v:val') " prepend ">> " to each item
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000554
555
5561.5 More about variables ~
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000557 *more-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000558If you need to know the type of a variable or expression, use the |type()|
559function.
560
561When the '!' flag is included in the 'viminfo' option, global variables that
562start with an uppercase letter, and don't contain a lowercase letter, are
563stored in the viminfo file |viminfo-file|.
564
565When the 'sessionoptions' option contains "global", global variables that
566start with an uppercase letter and contain at least one lowercase letter are
567stored in the session file |session-file|.
568
569variable name can be stored where ~
570my_var_6 not
571My_Var_6 session file
572MY_VAR_6 viminfo file
573
574
575It's possible to form a variable name with curly braces, see
576|curly-braces-names|.
577
578==============================================================================
5792. Expression syntax *expression-syntax*
580
581Expression syntax summary, from least to most significant:
582
583|expr1| expr2 ? expr1 : expr1 if-then-else
584
585|expr2| expr3 || expr3 .. logical OR
586
587|expr3| expr4 && expr4 .. logical AND
588
589|expr4| expr5 == expr5 equal
590 expr5 != expr5 not equal
591 expr5 > expr5 greater than
592 expr5 >= expr5 greater than or equal
593 expr5 < expr5 smaller than
594 expr5 <= expr5 smaller than or equal
595 expr5 =~ expr5 regexp matches
596 expr5 !~ expr5 regexp doesn't match
597
598 expr5 ==? expr5 equal, ignoring case
599 expr5 ==# expr5 equal, match case
600 etc. As above, append ? for ignoring case, # for
601 matching case
602
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000603 expr5 is expr5 same |List| instance
604 expr5 isnot expr5 different |List| instance
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000605
606|expr5| expr6 + expr6 .. number addition or list concatenation
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000607 expr6 - expr6 .. number subtraction
608 expr6 . expr6 .. string concatenation
609
610|expr6| expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication
611 expr7 / expr7 .. number division
612 expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo
613
614|expr7| ! expr7 logical NOT
615 - expr7 unary minus
616 + expr7 unary plus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000617
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000618
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000619|expr8| expr8[expr1] byte of a String or item of a |List|
620 expr8[expr1 : expr1] substring of a String or sublist of a |List|
621 expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary|
622 expr8(expr1, ...) function call with |Funcref| variable
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000623
624|expr9| number number constant
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +0000625 "string" string constant, backslash is special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000626 'string' string constant, ' is doubled
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000627 [expr1, ...] |List|
628 {expr1: expr1, ...} |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000629 &option option value
630 (expr1) nested expression
631 variable internal variable
632 va{ria}ble internal variable with curly braces
633 $VAR environment variable
634 @r contents of register 'r'
635 function(expr1, ...) function call
636 func{ti}on(expr1, ...) function call with curly braces
637
638
639".." indicates that the operations in this level can be concatenated.
640Example: >
641 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
642
643All expressions within one level are parsed from left to right.
644
645
646expr1 *expr1* *E109*
647-----
648
649expr2 ? expr1 : expr1
650
651The expression before the '?' is evaluated to a number. If it evaluates to
652non-zero, the result is the value of the expression between the '?' and ':',
653otherwise the result is the value of the expression after the ':'.
654Example: >
655 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum
656
657Since the first expression is an "expr2", it cannot contain another ?:. The
658other two expressions can, thus allow for recursive use of ?:.
659Example: >
660 :echo lnum == 1 ? "top" : lnum == 1000 ? "last" : lnum
661
662To keep this readable, using |line-continuation| is suggested: >
663 :echo lnum == 1
664 :\ ? "top"
665 :\ : lnum == 1000
666 :\ ? "last"
667 :\ : lnum
668
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000669You should always put a space before the ':', otherwise it can be mistaken for
670use in a variable such as "a:1".
671
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000672
673expr2 and expr3 *expr2* *expr3*
674---------------
675
676 *expr-barbar* *expr-&&*
677The "||" and "&&" operators take one argument on each side. The arguments
678are (converted to) Numbers. The result is:
679
680 input output ~
681n1 n2 n1 || n2 n1 && n2 ~
682zero zero zero zero
683zero non-zero non-zero zero
684non-zero zero non-zero zero
685non-zero non-zero non-zero non-zero
686
687The operators can be concatenated, for example: >
688
689 &nu || &list && &shell == "csh"
690
691Note that "&&" takes precedence over "||", so this has the meaning of: >
692
693 &nu || (&list && &shell == "csh")
694
695Once the result is known, the expression "short-circuits", that is, further
696arguments are not evaluated. This is like what happens in C. For example: >
697
698 let a = 1
699 echo a || b
700
701This is valid even if there is no variable called "b" because "a" is non-zero,
702so the result must be non-zero. Similarly below: >
703
704 echo exists("b") && b == "yes"
705
706This is valid whether "b" has been defined or not. The second clause will
707only be evaluated if "b" has been defined.
708
709
710expr4 *expr4*
711-----
712
713expr5 {cmp} expr5
714
715Compare two expr5 expressions, resulting in a 0 if it evaluates to false, or 1
716if it evaluates to true.
717
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000718 *expr-==* *expr-!=* *expr->* *expr->=*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000719 *expr-<* *expr-<=* *expr-=~* *expr-!~*
720 *expr-==#* *expr-!=#* *expr->#* *expr->=#*
721 *expr-<#* *expr-<=#* *expr-=~#* *expr-!~#*
722 *expr-==?* *expr-!=?* *expr->?* *expr->=?*
723 *expr-<?* *expr-<=?* *expr-=~?* *expr-!~?*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000724 *expr-is*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000725 use 'ignorecase' match case ignore case ~
726equal == ==# ==?
727not equal != !=# !=?
728greater than > ># >?
729greater than or equal >= >=# >=?
730smaller than < <# <?
731smaller than or equal <= <=# <=?
732regexp matches =~ =~# =~?
733regexp doesn't match !~ !~# !~?
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000734same instance is
735different instance isnot
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000736
737Examples:
738"abc" ==# "Abc" evaluates to 0
739"abc" ==? "Abc" evaluates to 1
740"abc" == "Abc" evaluates to 1 if 'ignorecase' is set, 0 otherwise
741
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000742 *E691* *E692*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000743A |List| can only be compared with a |List| and only "equal", "not equal" and
744"is" can be used. This compares the values of the list, recursively.
745Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000746
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000747 *E735* *E736*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000748A |Dictionary| can only be compared with a |Dictionary| and only "equal", "not
749equal" and "is" can be used. This compares the key/values of the |Dictionary|
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +0000750recursively. Ignoring case means case is ignored when comparing item values.
751
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +0000752 *E693* *E694*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000753A |Funcref| can only be compared with a |Funcref| and only "equal" and "not
754equal" can be used. Case is never ignored.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000755
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000756When using "is" or "isnot" with a |List| this checks if the expressions are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000757referring to the same |List| instance. A copy of a |List| is different from
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000758the original |List|. When using "is" without a |List| it is equivalent to
759using "equal", using "isnot" equivalent to using "not equal". Except that a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000760different type means the values are different. "4 == '4'" is true, "4 is '4'"
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000761is false.
762
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000763When comparing a String with a Number, the String is converted to a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000764and the comparison is done on Numbers. This means that "0 == 'x'" is TRUE,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000765because 'x' converted to a Number is zero.
766
767When comparing two Strings, this is done with strcmp() or stricmp(). This
768results in the mathematical difference (comparing byte values), not
769necessarily the alphabetical difference in the local language.
770
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000771When using the operators with a trailing '#', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000772'ignorecase' is off, the comparing is done with strcmp(): case matters.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000773
774When using the operators with a trailing '?', or the short version and
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +0000775'ignorecase' is set, the comparing is done with stricmp(): case is ignored.
776
777'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000778
779The "=~" and "!~" operators match the lefthand argument with the righthand
780argument, which is used as a pattern. See |pattern| for what a pattern is.
781This matching is always done like 'magic' was set and 'cpoptions' is empty, no
782matter what the actual value of 'magic' or 'cpoptions' is. This makes scripts
783portable. To avoid backslashes in the regexp pattern to be doubled, use a
784single-quote string, see |literal-string|.
785Since a string is considered to be a single line, a multi-line pattern
786(containing \n, backslash-n) will not match. However, a literal NL character
787can be matched like an ordinary character. Examples:
788 "foo\nbar" =~ "\n" evaluates to 1
789 "foo\nbar" =~ "\\n" evaluates to 0
790
791
792expr5 and expr6 *expr5* *expr6*
793---------------
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000794expr6 + expr6 .. Number addition or |List| concatenation *expr-+*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000795expr6 - expr6 .. Number subtraction *expr--*
796expr6 . expr6 .. String concatenation *expr-.*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000797
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +0000798For |Lists| only "+" is possible and then both expr6 must be a list. The
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000799result is a new list with the two lists Concatenated.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000800
801expr7 * expr7 .. number multiplication *expr-star*
802expr7 / expr7 .. number division *expr-/*
803expr7 % expr7 .. number modulo *expr-%*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000804
805For all, except ".", Strings are converted to Numbers.
806
807Note the difference between "+" and ".":
808 "123" + "456" = 579
809 "123" . "456" = "123456"
810
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000811Since '.' has the same precedence as '+' and '-', you need to read: >
812 1 . 90 + 90.0
813As: >
814 (1 . 90) + 90.0
815That works, since the String "190" is automatically converted to the Number
816190, which can be added to the Float 90.0. However: >
817 1 . 90 * 90.0
818Should be read as: >
819 1 . (90 * 90.0)
820Since '.' has lower precedence than '*'. This does NOT work, since this
821attempts to concatenate a Float and a String.
822
823When dividing a Number by zero the result depends on the value:
824 0 / 0 = -0x80000000 (like NaN for Float)
825 >0 / 0 = 0x7fffffff (like positive infinity)
826 <0 / 0 = -0x7fffffff (like negative infinity)
827 (before Vim 7.2 it was always 0x7fffffff)
828
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000829When the righthand side of '%' is zero, the result is 0.
830
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000831None of these work for |Funcref|s.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +0000832
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000833. and % do not work for Float. *E804*
834
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000835
836expr7 *expr7*
837-----
838! expr7 logical NOT *expr-!*
839- expr7 unary minus *expr-unary--*
840+ expr7 unary plus *expr-unary-+*
841
842For '!' non-zero becomes zero, zero becomes one.
843For '-' the sign of the number is changed.
844For '+' the number is unchanged.
845
846A String will be converted to a Number first.
847
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000848These three can be repeated and mixed. Examples:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000849 !-1 == 0
850 !!8 == 1
851 --9 == 9
852
853
854expr8 *expr8*
855-----
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000856expr8[expr1] item of String or |List| *expr-[]* *E111*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000857
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000858If expr8 is a Number or String this results in a String that contains the
859expr1'th single byte from expr8. expr8 is used as a String, expr1 as a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100860Number. This doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings, see |byteidx()| for
861an alternative.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000862
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000863Index zero gives the first character. This is like it works in C. Careful:
864text column numbers start with one! Example, to get the character under the
865cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +0000866 :let c = getline(".")[col(".") - 1]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000867
868If the length of the String is less than the index, the result is an empty
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000869String. A negative index always results in an empty string (reason: backwards
870compatibility). Use [-1:] to get the last byte.
871
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000872If expr8 is a |List| then it results the item at index expr1. See |list-index|
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000873for possible index values. If the index is out of range this results in an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000874error. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000875 :let item = mylist[-1] " get last item
876
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000877Generally, if a |List| index is equal to or higher than the length of the
878|List|, or more negative than the length of the |List|, this results in an
879error.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000880
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000881
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000882expr8[expr1a : expr1b] substring or sublist *expr-[:]*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000883
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000884If expr8 is a Number or String this results in the substring with the bytes
885from expr1a to and including expr1b. expr8 is used as a String, expr1a and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100886expr1b are used as a Number. This doesn't recognize multi-byte encodings, see
887|byteidx()| for computing the indexes.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000888
889If expr1a is omitted zero is used. If expr1b is omitted the length of the
890string minus one is used.
891
892A negative number can be used to measure from the end of the string. -1 is
893the last character, -2 the last but one, etc.
894
895If an index goes out of range for the string characters are omitted. If
896expr1b is smaller than expr1a the result is an empty string.
897
898Examples: >
899 :let c = name[-1:] " last byte of a string
900 :let c = name[-2:-2] " last but one byte of a string
901 :let s = line(".")[4:] " from the fifth byte to the end
902 :let s = s[:-3] " remove last two bytes
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100903<
904 *sublist* *slice*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000905If expr8 is a |List| this results in a new |List| with the items indicated by
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000906the indexes expr1a and expr1b. This works like with a String, as explained
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000907just above, except that indexes out of range cause an error. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +0000908 :let l = mylist[:3] " first four items
909 :let l = mylist[4:4] " List with one item
910 :let l = mylist[:] " shallow copy of a List
911
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000912Using expr8[expr1] or expr8[expr1a : expr1b] on a |Funcref| results in an
913error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000914
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000915
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000916expr8.name entry in a |Dictionary| *expr-entry*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000917
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000918If expr8 is a |Dictionary| and it is followed by a dot, then the following
919name will be used as a key in the |Dictionary|. This is just like:
920expr8[name].
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +0000921
922The name must consist of alphanumeric characters, just like a variable name,
923but it may start with a number. Curly braces cannot be used.
924
925There must not be white space before or after the dot.
926
927Examples: >
928 :let dict = {"one": 1, 2: "two"}
929 :echo dict.one
930 :echo dict .2
931
932Note that the dot is also used for String concatenation. To avoid confusion
933always put spaces around the dot for String concatenation.
934
935
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +0000936expr8(expr1, ...) |Funcref| function call
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +0000937
938When expr8 is a |Funcref| type variable, invoke the function it refers to.
939
940
941
942 *expr9*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000943number
944------
945number number constant *expr-number*
946
947Decimal, Hexadecimal (starting with 0x or 0X), or Octal (starting with 0).
948
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000949 *floating-point-format*
950Floating point numbers can be written in two forms:
951
952 [-+]{N}.{M}
953 [-+]{N}.{M}e[-+]{exp}
954
955{N} and {M} are numbers. Both {N} and {M} must be present and can only
956contain digits.
957[-+] means there is an optional plus or minus sign.
958{exp} is the exponent, power of 10.
959Only a decimal point is accepted, not a comma. No matter what the current
960locale is.
961{only when compiled with the |+float| feature}
962
963Examples:
964 123.456
965 +0.0001
966 55.0
967 -0.123
968 1.234e03
969 1.0E-6
970 -3.1416e+88
971
972These are INVALID:
973 3. empty {M}
974 1e40 missing .{M}
975
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +0000976 *float-pi* *float-e*
977A few useful values to copy&paste: >
978 :let pi = 3.14159265359
979 :let e = 2.71828182846
980
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000981Rationale:
982Before floating point was introduced, the text "123.456" was interpreted as
983the two numbers "123" and "456", both converted to a string and concatenated,
984resulting in the string "123456". Since this was considered pointless, and we
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +0000985could not find it intentionally being used in Vim scripts, this backwards
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +0000986incompatibility was accepted in favor of being able to use the normal notation
987for floating point numbers.
988
989 *floating-point-precision*
990The precision and range of floating points numbers depends on what "double"
991means in the library Vim was compiled with. There is no way to change this at
992runtime.
993
994The default for displaying a |Float| is to use 6 decimal places, like using
995printf("%g", f). You can select something else when using the |printf()|
996function. Example: >
997 :echo printf('%.15e', atan(1))
998< 7.853981633974483e-01
999
1000
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001001
1002string *expr-string* *E114*
1003------
1004"string" string constant *expr-quote*
1005
1006Note that double quotes are used.
1007
1008A string constant accepts these special characters:
1009\... three-digit octal number (e.g., "\316")
1010\.. two-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
1011\. one-digit octal number (must be followed by non-digit)
1012\x.. byte specified with two hex numbers (e.g., "\x1f")
1013\x. byte specified with one hex number (must be followed by non-hex char)
1014\X.. same as \x..
1015\X. same as \x.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001016\u.... character specified with up to 4 hex numbers, stored according to the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001017 current value of 'encoding' (e.g., "\u02a4")
1018\U.... same as \u....
1019\b backspace <BS>
1020\e escape <Esc>
1021\f formfeed <FF>
1022\n newline <NL>
1023\r return <CR>
1024\t tab <Tab>
1025\\ backslash
1026\" double quote
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02001027\<xxx> Special key named "xxx". e.g. "\<C-W>" for CTRL-W. This is for use
1028 in mappings, the 0x80 byte is escaped. Don't use <Char-xxxx> to get a
1029 utf-8 character, use \uxxxx as mentioned above.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001030
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001031Note that "\xff" is stored as the byte 255, which may be invalid in some
1032encodings. Use "\u00ff" to store character 255 according to the current value
1033of 'encoding'.
1034
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001035Note that "\000" and "\x00" force the end of the string.
1036
1037
1038literal-string *literal-string* *E115*
1039---------------
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001040'string' string constant *expr-'*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001041
1042Note that single quotes are used.
1043
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001044This string is taken as it is. No backslashes are removed or have a special
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001045meaning. The only exception is that two quotes stand for one quote.
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001046
1047Single quoted strings are useful for patterns, so that backslashes do not need
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001048to be doubled. These two commands are equivalent: >
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001049 if a =~ "\\s*"
1050 if a =~ '\s*'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001051
1052
1053option *expr-option* *E112* *E113*
1054------
1055&option option value, local value if possible
1056&g:option global option value
1057&l:option local option value
1058
1059Examples: >
1060 echo "tabstop is " . &tabstop
1061 if &insertmode
1062
1063Any option name can be used here. See |options|. When using the local value
1064and there is no buffer-local or window-local value, the global value is used
1065anyway.
1066
1067
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001068register *expr-register* *@r*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001069--------
1070@r contents of register 'r'
1071
1072The result is the contents of the named register, as a single string.
1073Newlines are inserted where required. To get the contents of the unnamed
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001074register use @" or @@. See |registers| for an explanation of the available
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00001075registers.
1076
1077When using the '=' register you get the expression itself, not what it
1078evaluates to. Use |eval()| to evaluate it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001079
1080
1081nesting *expr-nesting* *E110*
1082-------
1083(expr1) nested expression
1084
1085
1086environment variable *expr-env*
1087--------------------
1088$VAR environment variable
1089
1090The String value of any environment variable. When it is not defined, the
1091result is an empty string.
1092 *expr-env-expand*
1093Note that there is a difference between using $VAR directly and using
1094expand("$VAR"). Using it directly will only expand environment variables that
1095are known inside the current Vim session. Using expand() will first try using
1096the environment variables known inside the current Vim session. If that
1097fails, a shell will be used to expand the variable. This can be slow, but it
1098does expand all variables that the shell knows about. Example: >
1099 :echo $version
1100 :echo expand("$version")
1101The first one probably doesn't echo anything, the second echoes the $version
1102variable (if your shell supports it).
1103
1104
1105internal variable *expr-variable*
1106-----------------
1107variable internal variable
1108See below |internal-variables|.
1109
1110
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001111function call *expr-function* *E116* *E118* *E119* *E120*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001112-------------
1113function(expr1, ...) function call
1114See below |functions|.
1115
1116
1117==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +020011183. Internal variable *internal-variables* *E461*
1119
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001120An internal variable name can be made up of letters, digits and '_'. But it
1121cannot start with a digit. It's also possible to use curly braces, see
1122|curly-braces-names|.
1123
1124An internal variable is created with the ":let" command |:let|.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00001125An internal variable is explicitly destroyed with the ":unlet" command
1126|:unlet|.
1127Using a name that is not an internal variable or refers to a variable that has
1128been destroyed results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001129
1130There are several name spaces for variables. Which one is to be used is
1131specified by what is prepended:
1132
1133 (nothing) In a function: local to a function; otherwise: global
1134|buffer-variable| b: Local to the current buffer.
1135|window-variable| w: Local to the current window.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001136|tabpage-variable| t: Local to the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001137|global-variable| g: Global.
1138|local-variable| l: Local to a function.
1139|script-variable| s: Local to a |:source|'ed Vim script.
1140|function-argument| a: Function argument (only inside a function).
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001141|vim-variable| v: Global, predefined by Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001142
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001143The scope name by itself can be used as a |Dictionary|. For example, to
1144delete all script-local variables: >
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001145 :for k in keys(s:)
1146 : unlet s:[k]
1147 :endfor
1148<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001149 *buffer-variable* *b:var*
1150A variable name that is preceded with "b:" is local to the current buffer.
1151Thus you can have several "b:foo" variables, one for each buffer.
1152This kind of variable is deleted when the buffer is wiped out or deleted with
1153|:bdelete|.
1154
1155One local buffer variable is predefined:
1156 *b:changedtick-variable* *changetick*
1157b:changedtick The total number of changes to the current buffer. It is
1158 incremented for each change. An undo command is also a change
1159 in this case. This can be used to perform an action only when
1160 the buffer has changed. Example: >
1161 :if my_changedtick != b:changedtick
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001162 : let my_changedtick = b:changedtick
1163 : call My_Update()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001164 :endif
1165<
1166 *window-variable* *w:var*
1167A variable name that is preceded with "w:" is local to the current window. It
1168is deleted when the window is closed.
1169
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001170 *tabpage-variable* *t:var*
1171A variable name that is preceded with "t:" is local to the current tab page,
1172It is deleted when the tab page is closed. {not available when compiled
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001173without the |+windows| feature}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001174
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001175 *global-variable* *g:var*
1176Inside functions global variables are accessed with "g:". Omitting this will
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001177access a variable local to a function. But "g:" can also be used in any other
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001178place if you like.
1179
1180 *local-variable* *l:var*
1181Inside functions local variables are accessed without prepending anything.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001182But you can also prepend "l:" if you like. However, without prepending "l:"
1183you may run into reserved variable names. For example "count". By itself it
1184refers to "v:count". Using "l:count" you can have a local variable with the
1185same name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001186
1187 *script-variable* *s:var*
1188In a Vim script variables starting with "s:" can be used. They cannot be
1189accessed from outside of the scripts, thus are local to the script.
1190
1191They can be used in:
1192- commands executed while the script is sourced
1193- functions defined in the script
1194- autocommands defined in the script
1195- functions and autocommands defined in functions and autocommands which were
1196 defined in the script (recursively)
1197- user defined commands defined in the script
1198Thus not in:
1199- other scripts sourced from this one
1200- mappings
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001201- menus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001202- etc.
1203
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00001204Script variables can be used to avoid conflicts with global variable names.
1205Take this example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001206
1207 let s:counter = 0
1208 function MyCounter()
1209 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1210 echo s:counter
1211 endfunction
1212 command Tick call MyCounter()
1213
1214You can now invoke "Tick" from any script, and the "s:counter" variable in
1215that script will not be changed, only the "s:counter" in the script where
1216"Tick" was defined is used.
1217
1218Another example that does the same: >
1219
1220 let s:counter = 0
1221 command Tick let s:counter = s:counter + 1 | echo s:counter
1222
1223When calling a function and invoking a user-defined command, the context for
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001224script variables is set to the script where the function or command was
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001225defined.
1226
1227The script variables are also available when a function is defined inside a
1228function that is defined in a script. Example: >
1229
1230 let s:counter = 0
1231 function StartCounting(incr)
1232 if a:incr
1233 function MyCounter()
1234 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1235 endfunction
1236 else
1237 function MyCounter()
1238 let s:counter = s:counter - 1
1239 endfunction
1240 endif
1241 endfunction
1242
1243This defines the MyCounter() function either for counting up or counting down
1244when calling StartCounting(). It doesn't matter from where StartCounting() is
1245called, the s:counter variable will be accessible in MyCounter().
1246
1247When the same script is sourced again it will use the same script variables.
1248They will remain valid as long as Vim is running. This can be used to
1249maintain a counter: >
1250
1251 if !exists("s:counter")
1252 let s:counter = 1
1253 echo "script executed for the first time"
1254 else
1255 let s:counter = s:counter + 1
1256 echo "script executed " . s:counter . " times now"
1257 endif
1258
1259Note that this means that filetype plugins don't get a different set of script
1260variables for each buffer. Use local buffer variables instead |b:var|.
1261
1262
1263Predefined Vim variables: *vim-variable* *v:var*
1264
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001265 *v:beval_col* *beval_col-variable*
1266v:beval_col The number of the column, over which the mouse pointer is.
1267 This is the byte index in the |v:beval_lnum| line.
1268 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1269
1270 *v:beval_bufnr* *beval_bufnr-variable*
1271v:beval_bufnr The number of the buffer, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1272 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1273
1274 *v:beval_lnum* *beval_lnum-variable*
1275v:beval_lnum The number of the line, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
1276 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1277
1278 *v:beval_text* *beval_text-variable*
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001279v:beval_text The text under or after the mouse pointer. Usually a word as
1280 it is useful for debugging a C program. 'iskeyword' applies,
1281 but a dot and "->" before the position is included. When on a
1282 ']' the text before it is used, including the matching '[' and
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001283 word before it. When on a Visual area within one line the
1284 highlighted text is used.
1285 Only valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option.
1286
1287 *v:beval_winnr* *beval_winnr-variable*
1288v:beval_winnr The number of the window, over which the mouse pointer is. Only
Bram Moolenaar00654022011-02-25 14:42:19 +01001289 valid while evaluating the 'balloonexpr' option. The first
1290 window has number zero (unlike most other places where a
1291 window gets a number).
Bram Moolenaare4efc3b2005-03-07 23:16:51 +00001292
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001293 *v:char* *char-variable*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001294v:char Argument for evaluating 'formatexpr' and used for the typed
Bram Moolenaar945e2db2010-06-05 17:43:32 +02001295 character when using <expr> in an abbreviation |:map-<expr>|.
Bram Moolenaarf193fff2006-04-27 00:02:13 +00001296
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001297 *v:charconvert_from* *charconvert_from-variable*
1298v:charconvert_from
1299 The name of the character encoding of a file to be converted.
1300 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1301
1302 *v:charconvert_to* *charconvert_to-variable*
1303v:charconvert_to
1304 The name of the character encoding of a file after conversion.
1305 Only valid while evaluating the 'charconvert' option.
1306
1307 *v:cmdarg* *cmdarg-variable*
1308v:cmdarg This variable is used for two purposes:
1309 1. The extra arguments given to a file read/write command.
1310 Currently these are "++enc=" and "++ff=". This variable is
1311 set before an autocommand event for a file read/write
1312 command is triggered. There is a leading space to make it
1313 possible to append this variable directly after the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001314 read/write command. Note: The "+cmd" argument isn't
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001315 included here, because it will be executed anyway.
1316 2. When printing a PostScript file with ":hardcopy" this is
1317 the argument for the ":hardcopy" command. This can be used
1318 in 'printexpr'.
1319
1320 *v:cmdbang* *cmdbang-variable*
1321v:cmdbang Set like v:cmdarg for a file read/write command. When a "!"
1322 was used the value is 1, otherwise it is 0. Note that this
1323 can only be used in autocommands. For user commands |<bang>|
1324 can be used.
1325
1326 *v:count* *count-variable*
1327v:count The count given for the last Normal mode command. Can be used
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001328 to get the count before a mapping. Read-only. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001329 :map _x :<C-U>echo "the count is " . v:count<CR>
1330< Note: The <C-U> is required to remove the line range that you
1331 get when typing ':' after a count.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001332 When there are two counts, as in "3d2w", they are multiplied,
1333 just like what happens in the command, "d6w" for the example.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001334 Also used for evaluating the 'formatexpr' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001335 "count" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1336
1337 *v:count1* *count1-variable*
1338v:count1 Just like "v:count", but defaults to one when no count is
1339 used.
1340
1341 *v:ctype* *ctype-variable*
1342v:ctype The current locale setting for characters of the runtime
1343 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1344 current locale encoding. Technical: it's the value of
1345 LC_CTYPE. When not using a locale the value is "C".
1346 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1347 command.
1348 See |multi-lang|.
1349
1350 *v:dying* *dying-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001351v:dying Normally zero. When a deadly signal is caught it's set to
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001352 one. When multiple signals are caught the number increases.
1353 Can be used in an autocommand to check if Vim didn't
1354 terminate normally. {only works on Unix}
1355 Example: >
1356 :au VimLeave * if v:dying | echo "\nAAAAaaaarrrggghhhh!!!\n" | endif
Bram Moolenaar0e1e25f2010-05-28 21:07:08 +02001357< Note: if another deadly signal is caught when v:dying is one,
1358 VimLeave autocommands will not be executed.
1359
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001360 *v:errmsg* *errmsg-variable*
1361v:errmsg Last given error message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1362 Example: >
1363 :let v:errmsg = ""
1364 :silent! next
1365 :if v:errmsg != ""
1366 : ... handle error
1367< "errmsg" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1368
1369 *v:exception* *exception-variable*
1370v:exception The value of the exception most recently caught and not
1371 finished. See also |v:throwpoint| and |throw-variables|.
1372 Example: >
1373 :try
1374 : throw "oops"
1375 :catch /.*/
1376 : echo "caught" v:exception
1377 :endtry
1378< Output: "caught oops".
1379
Bram Moolenaar19a09a12005-03-04 23:39:37 +00001380 *v:fcs_reason* *fcs_reason-variable*
1381v:fcs_reason The reason why the |FileChangedShell| event was triggered.
1382 Can be used in an autocommand to decide what to do and/or what
1383 to set v:fcs_choice to. Possible values:
1384 deleted file no longer exists
1385 conflict file contents, mode or timestamp was
1386 changed and buffer is modified
1387 changed file contents has changed
1388 mode mode of file changed
1389 time only file timestamp changed
1390
1391 *v:fcs_choice* *fcs_choice-variable*
1392v:fcs_choice What should happen after a |FileChangedShell| event was
1393 triggered. Can be used in an autocommand to tell Vim what to
1394 do with the affected buffer:
1395 reload Reload the buffer (does not work if
1396 the file was deleted).
1397 ask Ask the user what to do, as if there
1398 was no autocommand. Except that when
1399 only the timestamp changed nothing
1400 will happen.
1401 <empty> Nothing, the autocommand should do
1402 everything that needs to be done.
1403 The default is empty. If another (invalid) value is used then
1404 Vim behaves like it is empty, there is no warning message.
1405
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001406 *v:fname_in* *fname_in-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001407v:fname_in The name of the input file. Valid while evaluating:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001408 option used for ~
1409 'charconvert' file to be converted
1410 'diffexpr' original file
1411 'patchexpr' original file
1412 'printexpr' file to be printed
Bram Moolenaar2c7a29c2005-12-12 22:02:31 +00001413 And set to the swap file name for |SwapExists|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001414
1415 *v:fname_out* *fname_out-variable*
1416v:fname_out The name of the output file. Only valid while
1417 evaluating:
1418 option used for ~
1419 'charconvert' resulting converted file (*)
1420 'diffexpr' output of diff
1421 'patchexpr' resulting patched file
1422 (*) When doing conversion for a write command (e.g., ":w
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001423 file") it will be equal to v:fname_in. When doing conversion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001424 for a read command (e.g., ":e file") it will be a temporary
1425 file and different from v:fname_in.
1426
1427 *v:fname_new* *fname_new-variable*
1428v:fname_new The name of the new version of the file. Only valid while
1429 evaluating 'diffexpr'.
1430
1431 *v:fname_diff* *fname_diff-variable*
1432v:fname_diff The name of the diff (patch) file. Only valid while
1433 evaluating 'patchexpr'.
1434
1435 *v:folddashes* *folddashes-variable*
1436v:folddashes Used for 'foldtext': dashes representing foldlevel of a closed
1437 fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001438 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001439
1440 *v:foldlevel* *foldlevel-variable*
1441v:foldlevel Used for 'foldtext': foldlevel of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001442 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001443
1444 *v:foldend* *foldend-variable*
1445v:foldend Used for 'foldtext': last line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001446 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001447
1448 *v:foldstart* *foldstart-variable*
1449v:foldstart Used for 'foldtext': first line of closed fold.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00001450 Read-only in the |sandbox|. |fold-foldtext|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001451
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +00001452 *v:insertmode* *insertmode-variable*
1453v:insertmode Used for the |InsertEnter| and |InsertChange| autocommand
1454 events. Values:
1455 i Insert mode
1456 r Replace mode
1457 v Virtual Replace mode
1458
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001459 *v:key* *key-variable*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001460v:key Key of the current item of a |Dictionary|. Only valid while
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001461 evaluating the expression used with |map()| and |filter()|.
1462 Read-only.
1463
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001464 *v:lang* *lang-variable*
1465v:lang The current locale setting for messages of the runtime
1466 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1467 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_MESSAGES.
1468 The value is system dependent.
1469 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1470 command.
1471 It can be different from |v:ctype| when messages are desired
1472 in a different language than what is used for character
1473 encoding. See |multi-lang|.
1474
1475 *v:lc_time* *lc_time-variable*
1476v:lc_time The current locale setting for time messages of the runtime
1477 environment. This allows Vim scripts to be aware of the
1478 current language. Technical: it's the value of LC_TIME.
1479 This variable can not be set directly, use the |:language|
1480 command. See |multi-lang|.
1481
1482 *v:lnum* *lnum-variable*
Bram Moolenaar368373e2010-07-19 20:46:22 +02001483v:lnum Line number for the 'foldexpr' |fold-expr|, 'formatexpr' and
1484 'indentexpr' expressions, tab page number for 'guitablabel'
1485 and 'guitabtooltip'. Only valid while one of these
1486 expressions is being evaluated. Read-only when in the
1487 |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001488
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00001489 *v:mouse_win* *mouse_win-variable*
1490v:mouse_win Window number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1491 First window has number 1, like with |winnr()|. The value is
1492 zero when there was no mouse button click.
1493
1494 *v:mouse_lnum* *mouse_lnum-variable*
1495v:mouse_lnum Line number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1496 This is the text line number, not the screen line number. The
1497 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1498
1499 *v:mouse_col* *mouse_col-variable*
1500v:mouse_col Column number for a mouse click obtained with |getchar()|.
1501 This is the screen column number, like with |virtcol()|. The
1502 value is zero when there was no mouse button click.
1503
Bram Moolenaard812df62008-11-09 12:46:09 +00001504 *v:oldfiles* *oldfiles-variable*
1505v:oldfiles List of file names that is loaded from the |viminfo| file on
1506 startup. These are the files that Vim remembers marks for.
1507 The length of the List is limited by the ' argument of the
1508 'viminfo' option (default is 100).
1509 Also see |:oldfiles| and |c_#<|.
1510 The List can be modified, but this has no effect on what is
1511 stored in the |viminfo| file later. If you use values other
1512 than String this will cause trouble.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02001513 {only when compiled with the |+viminfo| feature}
Bram Moolenaard812df62008-11-09 12:46:09 +00001514
Bram Moolenaar8af1fbf2008-01-05 12:35:21 +00001515 *v:operator* *operator-variable*
1516v:operator The last operator given in Normal mode. This is a single
1517 character except for commands starting with <g> or <z>,
1518 in which case it is two characters. Best used alongside
1519 |v:prevcount| and |v:register|. Useful if you want to cancel
1520 Operator-pending mode and then use the operator, e.g.: >
1521 :omap O <Esc>:call MyMotion(v:operator)<CR>
1522< The value remains set until another operator is entered, thus
1523 don't expect it to be empty.
1524 v:operator is not set for |:delete|, |:yank| or other Ex
1525 commands.
1526 Read-only.
1527
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001528 *v:prevcount* *prevcount-variable*
1529v:prevcount The count given for the last but one Normal mode command.
1530 This is the v:count value of the previous command. Useful if
Bram Moolenaar8af1fbf2008-01-05 12:35:21 +00001531 you want to cancel Visual or Operator-pending mode and then
1532 use the count, e.g.: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001533 :vmap % <Esc>:call MyFilter(v:prevcount)<CR>
1534< Read-only.
1535
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001536 *v:profiling* *profiling-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001537v:profiling Normally zero. Set to one after using ":profile start".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001538 See |profiling|.
1539
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001540 *v:progname* *progname-variable*
1541v:progname Contains the name (with path removed) with which Vim was
1542 invoked. Allows you to do special initialisations for "view",
1543 "evim" etc., or any other name you might symlink to Vim.
1544 Read-only.
1545
1546 *v:register* *register-variable*
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01001547v:register The name of the register in effect for the current normal mode
1548 command. If none is supplied it is the default register.
1549 Also see |getreg()| and |setreg()|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001550
Bram Moolenaar1c7715d2005-10-03 22:02:18 +00001551 *v:scrollstart* *scrollstart-variable*
1552v:scrollstart String describing the script or function that caused the
1553 screen to scroll up. It's only set when it is empty, thus the
1554 first reason is remembered. It is set to "Unknown" for a
1555 typed command.
1556 This can be used to find out why your script causes the
1557 hit-enter prompt.
1558
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001559 *v:servername* *servername-variable*
1560v:servername The resulting registered |x11-clientserver| name if any.
1561 Read-only.
1562
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001563
1564v:searchforward *v:searchforward* *searchforward-variable*
1565 Search direction: 1 after a forward search, 0 after a
1566 backward search. It is reset to forward when directly setting
1567 the last search pattern, see |quote/|.
1568 Note that the value is restored when returning from a
1569 function. |function-search-undo|.
1570 Read-write.
1571
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001572 *v:shell_error* *shell_error-variable*
1573v:shell_error Result of the last shell command. When non-zero, the last
1574 shell command had an error. When zero, there was no problem.
1575 This only works when the shell returns the error code to Vim.
1576 The value -1 is often used when the command could not be
1577 executed. Read-only.
1578 Example: >
1579 :!mv foo bar
1580 :if v:shell_error
1581 : echo 'could not rename "foo" to "bar"!'
1582 :endif
1583< "shell_error" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1584
1585 *v:statusmsg* *statusmsg-variable*
1586v:statusmsg Last given status message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1587
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001588 *v:swapname* *swapname-variable*
1589v:swapname Only valid when executing |SwapExists| autocommands: Name of
1590 the swap file found. Read-only.
1591
1592 *v:swapchoice* *swapchoice-variable*
1593v:swapchoice |SwapExists| autocommands can set this to the selected choice
1594 for handling an existing swap file:
1595 'o' Open read-only
1596 'e' Edit anyway
1597 'r' Recover
1598 'd' Delete swapfile
1599 'q' Quit
1600 'a' Abort
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001601 The value should be a single-character string. An empty value
Bram Moolenaar4e330bb2005-12-07 21:04:31 +00001602 results in the user being asked, as would happen when there is
1603 no SwapExists autocommand. The default is empty.
1604
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001605 *v:swapcommand* *swapcommand-variable*
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00001606v:swapcommand Normal mode command to be executed after a file has been
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001607 opened. Can be used for a |SwapExists| autocommand to have
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001608 another Vim open the file and jump to the right place. For
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001609 example, when jumping to a tag the value is ":tag tagname\r".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +00001610 For ":edit +cmd file" the value is ":cmd\r".
Bram Moolenaarb3480382005-12-11 21:33:32 +00001611
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001612 *v:termresponse* *termresponse-variable*
1613v:termresponse The escape sequence returned by the terminal for the |t_RV|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001614 termcap entry. It is set when Vim receives an escape sequence
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001615 that starts with ESC [ or CSI and ends in a 'c', with only
1616 digits, ';' and '.' in between.
1617 When this option is set, the TermResponse autocommand event is
1618 fired, so that you can react to the response from the
1619 terminal.
1620 The response from a new xterm is: "<Esc>[ Pp ; Pv ; Pc c". Pp
1621 is the terminal type: 0 for vt100 and 1 for vt220. Pv is the
1622 patch level (since this was introduced in patch 95, it's
1623 always 95 or bigger). Pc is always zero.
1624 {only when compiled with |+termresponse| feature}
1625
1626 *v:this_session* *this_session-variable*
1627v:this_session Full filename of the last loaded or saved session file. See
1628 |:mksession|. It is allowed to set this variable. When no
1629 session file has been saved, this variable is empty.
1630 "this_session" also works, for backwards compatibility.
1631
1632 *v:throwpoint* *throwpoint-variable*
1633v:throwpoint The point where the exception most recently caught and not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001634 finished was thrown. Not set when commands are typed. See
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001635 also |v:exception| and |throw-variables|.
1636 Example: >
1637 :try
1638 : throw "oops"
1639 :catch /.*/
1640 : echo "Exception from" v:throwpoint
1641 :endtry
1642< Output: "Exception from test.vim, line 2"
1643
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001644 *v:val* *val-variable*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001645v:val Value of the current item of a |List| or |Dictionary|. Only
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001646 valid while evaluating the expression used with |map()| and
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001647 |filter()|. Read-only.
1648
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001649 *v:version* *version-variable*
1650v:version Version number of Vim: Major version number times 100 plus
1651 minor version number. Version 5.0 is 500. Version 5.1 (5.01)
1652 is 501. Read-only. "version" also works, for backwards
1653 compatibility.
1654 Use |has()| to check if a certain patch was included, e.g.: >
1655 if has("patch123")
1656< Note that patch numbers are specific to the version, thus both
1657 version 5.0 and 5.1 may have a patch 123, but these are
1658 completely different.
1659
1660 *v:warningmsg* *warningmsg-variable*
1661v:warningmsg Last given warning message. It's allowed to set this variable.
1662
Bram Moolenaar727c8762010-10-20 19:17:48 +02001663 *v:windowid* *windowid-variable*
1664v:windowid When any X11 based GUI is running or when running in a
1665 terminal and Vim connects to the X server (|-X|) this will be
Bram Moolenaar264e9fd2010-10-27 12:33:17 +02001666 set to the window ID.
1667 When an MS-Windows GUI is running this will be set to the
1668 window handle.
1669 Otherwise the value is zero.
1670 Note: for windows inside Vim use |winnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar727c8762010-10-20 19:17:48 +02001671
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001672==============================================================================
16734. Builtin Functions *functions*
1674
1675See |function-list| for a list grouped by what the function is used for.
1676
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00001677(Use CTRL-] on the function name to jump to the full explanation.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001678
1679USAGE RESULT DESCRIPTION ~
1680
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001681abs( {expr}) Float or Number absolute value of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001682acos( {expr}) Float arc cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001683add( {list}, {item}) List append {item} to |List| {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001684append( {lnum}, {string}) Number append {string} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001685append( {lnum}, {list}) Number append lines {list} below line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001686argc() Number number of files in the argument list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001687argidx() Number current index in the argument list
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001688argv( {nr}) String {nr} entry of the argument list
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00001689argv( ) List the argument list
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001690asin( {expr}) Float arc sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001691atan( {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001692atan2( {expr}, {expr}) Float arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001693browse( {save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
1694 String put up a file requester
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001695browsedir( {title}, {initdir}) String put up a directory requester
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001696bufexists( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001697buflisted( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is listed
1698bufloaded( {expr}) Number TRUE if buffer {expr} is loaded
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001699bufname( {expr}) String Name of the buffer {expr}
1700bufnr( {expr}) Number Number of the buffer {expr}
1701bufwinnr( {expr}) Number window number of buffer {expr}
1702byte2line( {byte}) Number line number at byte count {byte}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001703byteidx( {expr}, {nr}) Number byte index of {nr}'th char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001704call( {func}, {arglist} [, {dict}])
1705 any call {func} with arguments {arglist}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001706ceil( {expr}) Float round {expr} up
1707changenr() Number current change number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001708char2nr( {expr}) Number ASCII value of first char in {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001709cindent( {lnum}) Number C indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001710clearmatches() none clear all matches
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001711col( {expr}) Number column nr of cursor or mark
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001712complete( {startcol}, {matches}) none set Insert mode completion
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00001713complete_add( {expr}) Number add completion match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001714complete_check() Number check for key typed during completion
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001715confirm( {msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
1716 Number number of choice picked by user
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001717copy( {expr}) any make a shallow copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001718cos( {expr}) Float cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001719cosh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic cosine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001720count( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1721 Number count how many {expr} are in {list}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001722cscope_connection( [{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
1723 Number checks existence of cscope connection
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001724cursor( {lnum}, {col} [, {coladd}])
1725 Number move cursor to {lnum}, {col}, {coladd}
1726cursor( {list}) Number move cursor to position in {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001727deepcopy( {expr}) any make a full copy of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001728delete( {fname}) Number delete file {fname}
1729did_filetype() Number TRUE if FileType autocommand event used
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001730diff_filler( {lnum}) Number diff filler lines about {lnum}
1731diff_hlID( {lnum}, {col}) Number diff highlighting at {lnum}/{col}
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00001732empty( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is empty
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001733escape( {string}, {chars}) String escape {chars} in {string} with '\'
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00001734eval( {string}) any evaluate {string} into its value
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001735eventhandler( ) Number TRUE if inside an event handler
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001736executable( {expr}) Number 1 if executable {expr} exists
1737exists( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} exists
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001738extend( {expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001739 List/Dict insert items of {expr2} into {expr1}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001740exp( {expr}) Float exponential of {expr}
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00001741expand( {expr} [, {flag}]) String expand special keywords in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001742feedkeys( {string} [, {mode}]) Number add key sequence to typeahead buffer
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001743filereadable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a readable file
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001744filewritable( {file}) Number TRUE if {file} is a writable file
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001745filter( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict remove items from {expr} where
1746 {string} is 0
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001747finddir( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001748 String find directory {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001749findfile( {name}[, {path}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001750 String find file {name} in {path}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001751float2nr( {expr}) Number convert Float {expr} to a Number
1752floor( {expr}) Float round {expr} down
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001753fmod( {expr1}, {expr2}) Float remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00001754fnameescape( {fname}) String escape special characters in {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001755fnamemodify( {fname}, {mods}) String modify file name
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001756foldclosed( {lnum}) Number first line of fold at {lnum} if closed
1757foldclosedend( {lnum}) Number last line of fold at {lnum} if closed
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001758foldlevel( {lnum}) Number fold level at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001759foldtext( ) String line displayed for closed fold
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001760foldtextresult( {lnum}) String text for closed fold at {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001761foreground( ) Number bring the Vim window to the foreground
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001762function( {name}) Funcref reference to function {name}
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00001763garbagecollect( [at_exit]) none free memory, breaking cyclic references
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001764get( {list}, {idx} [, {def}]) any get item {idx} from {list} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001765get( {dict}, {key} [, {def}]) any get item {key} from {dict} or {def}
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00001766getbufline( {expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
1767 List lines {lnum} to {end} of buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001768getbufvar( {expr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in buffer {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001769getchar( [expr]) Number get one character from the user
1770getcharmod( ) Number modifiers for the last typed character
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001771getcmdline() String return the current command-line
1772getcmdpos() Number return cursor position in command-line
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001773getcmdtype() String return the current command-line type
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001774getcwd() String the current working directory
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001775getfperm( {fname}) String file permissions of file {fname}
1776getfsize( {fname}) Number size in bytes of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00001777getfontname( [{name}]) String name of font being used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001778getftime( {fname}) Number last modification time of file
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00001779getftype( {fname}) String description of type of file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00001780getline( {lnum}) String line {lnum} of current buffer
1781getline( {lnum}, {end}) List lines {lnum} to {end} of current buffer
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001782getloclist( {nr}) List list of location list items
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001783getmatches() List list of current matches
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00001784getpid() Number process ID of Vim
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00001785getpos( {expr}) List position of cursor, mark, etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00001786getqflist() List list of quickfix items
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001787getreg( [{regname} [, 1]]) String contents of register
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001788getregtype( [{regname}]) String type of register
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02001789gettabvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in tab {nr}
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001790gettabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {name})
1791 any {name} in {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001792getwinposx() Number X coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
1793getwinposy() Number Y coord in pixels of GUI Vim window
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001794getwinvar( {nr}, {varname}) any variable {varname} in window {nr}
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00001795glob( {expr} [, {flag}]) String expand file wildcards in {expr}
1796globpath( {path}, {expr} [, {flag}])
1797 String do glob({expr}) for all dirs in {path}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001798has( {feature}) Number TRUE if feature {feature} supported
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001799has_key( {dict}, {key}) Number TRUE if {dict} has entry {key}
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00001800haslocaldir() Number TRUE if current window executed |:lcd|
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001801hasmapto( {what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1802 Number TRUE if mapping to {what} exists
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001803histadd( {history},{item}) String add an item to a history
1804histdel( {history} [, {item}]) String remove an item from a history
1805histget( {history} [, {index}]) String get the item {index} from a history
1806histnr( {history}) Number highest index of a history
1807hlexists( {name}) Number TRUE if highlight group {name} exists
1808hlID( {name}) Number syntax ID of highlight group {name}
1809hostname() String name of the machine Vim is running on
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001810iconv( {expr}, {from}, {to}) String convert encoding of {expr}
1811indent( {lnum}) Number indent of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001812index( {list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]])
1813 Number index in {list} where {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00001814input( {prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]])
1815 String get input from the user
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001816inputdialog( {p} [, {t} [, {c}]]) String like input() but in a GUI dialog
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00001817inputlist( {textlist}) Number let the user pick from a choice list
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001818inputrestore() Number restore typeahead
1819inputsave() Number save and clear typeahead
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001820inputsecret( {prompt} [, {text}]) String like input() but hiding the text
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001821insert( {list}, {item} [, {idx}]) List insert {item} in {list} [before {idx}]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001822isdirectory( {directory}) Number TRUE if {directory} is a directory
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00001823islocked( {expr}) Number TRUE if {expr} is locked
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001824items( {dict}) List key-value pairs in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001825join( {list} [, {sep}]) String join {list} items into one String
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001826keys( {dict}) List keys in {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001827len( {expr}) Number the length of {expr}
1828libcall( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) String call {func} in library {lib} with {arg}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001829libcallnr( {lib}, {func}, {arg}) Number idem, but return a Number
1830line( {expr}) Number line nr of cursor, last line or mark
1831line2byte( {lnum}) Number byte count of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001832lispindent( {lnum}) Number Lisp indent for line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001833localtime() Number current time
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001834log( {expr}) Float natural logarithm (base e) of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001835log10( {expr}) Float logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00001836map( {expr}, {string}) List/Dict change each item in {expr} to {expr}
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02001837maparg( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr} [, {dict}]]])
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00001838 String rhs of mapping {name} in mode {mode}
1839mapcheck( {name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]])
1840 String check for mappings matching {name}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001841match( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001842 Number position where {pat} matches in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001843matchadd( {group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
1844 Number highlight {pattern} with {group}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001845matcharg( {nr}) List arguments of |:match|
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001846matchdelete( {id}) Number delete match identified by {id}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001847matchend( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001848 Number position where {pat} ends in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001849matchlist( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1850 List match and submatches of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00001851matchstr( {expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]])
1852 String {count}'th match of {pat} in {expr}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001853max( {list}) Number maximum value of items in {list}
1854min( {list}) Number minimum value of items in {list}
1855mkdir( {name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001856 Number create directory {name}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001857mode( [expr]) String current editing mode
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01001858mzeval( {expr}) any evaluate |MzScheme| expression
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001859nextnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line >= {lnum}
1860nr2char( {expr}) String single char with ASCII value {expr}
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00001861pathshorten( {expr}) String shorten directory names in a path
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001862pow( {x}, {y}) Float {x} to the power of {y}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001863prevnonblank( {lnum}) Number line nr of non-blank line <= {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001864printf( {fmt}, {expr1}...) String format text
1865pumvisible() Number whether popup menu is visible
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00001866range( {expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]])
1867 List items from {expr} to {max}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001868readfile( {fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00001869 List get list of lines from file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00001870reltime( [{start} [, {end}]]) List get time value
1871reltimestr( {time}) String turn time value into a String
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001872remote_expr( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1873 String send expression
1874remote_foreground( {server}) Number bring Vim server to the foreground
1875remote_peek( {serverid} [, {retvar}])
1876 Number check for reply string
1877remote_read( {serverid}) String read reply string
1878remote_send( {server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
1879 String send key sequence
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00001880remove( {list}, {idx} [, {end}]) any remove items {idx}-{end} from {list}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001881remove( {dict}, {key}) any remove entry {key} from {dict}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001882rename( {from}, {to}) Number rename (move) file from {from} to {to}
1883repeat( {expr}, {count}) String repeat {expr} {count} times
1884resolve( {filename}) String get filename a shortcut points to
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001885reverse( {list}) List reverse {list} in-place
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001886round( {expr}) Float round off {expr}
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001887search( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
1888 Number search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001889searchdecl( {name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001890 Number search for variable declaration
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001891searchpair( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001892 Number search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001893searchpairpos( {start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip} [...]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001894 List search for other end of start/end pair
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00001895searchpos( {pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]])
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00001896 List search for {pattern}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001897server2client( {clientid}, {string})
1898 Number send reply string
1899serverlist() String get a list of available servers
1900setbufvar( {expr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in buffer {expr} to {val}
1901setcmdpos( {pos}) Number set cursor position in command-line
1902setline( {lnum}, {line}) Number set line {lnum} to {line}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001903setloclist( {nr}, {list}[, {action}])
1904 Number modify location list using {list}
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00001905setmatches( {list}) Number restore a list of matches
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001906setpos( {expr}, {list}) Number set the {expr} position to {list}
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00001907setqflist( {list}[, {action}]) Number modify quickfix list using {list}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001908setreg( {n}, {v}[, {opt}]) Number set register to value and type
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02001909settabvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in tab page {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00001910settabwinvar( {tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window
1911 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001912setwinvar( {nr}, {varname}, {val}) set {varname} in window {nr} to {val}
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00001913shellescape( {string} [, {special}])
1914 String escape {string} for use as shell
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00001915 command argument
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001916simplify( {filename}) String simplify filename as much as possible
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001917sin( {expr}) Float sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001918sinh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic sine of {expr}
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00001919sort( {list} [, {func}]) List sort {list}, using {func} to compare
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00001920soundfold( {word}) String sound-fold {word}
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00001921spellbadword() String badly spelled word at cursor
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00001922spellsuggest( {word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
1923 List spelling suggestions
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00001924split( {expr} [, {pat} [, {keepempty}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001925 List make |List| from {pat} separated {expr}
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01001926sqrt( {expr}) Float square root of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001927str2float( {expr}) Float convert String to Float
1928str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) Number convert String to Number
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02001929strchars( {expr}) Number character length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02001930strdisplaywidth( {expr} [, {col}]) Number display length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001931strftime( {format}[, {time}]) String time in specified format
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00001932stridx( {haystack}, {needle}[, {start}])
1933 Number index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00001934string( {expr}) String String representation of {expr} value
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001935strlen( {expr}) Number length of the String {expr}
1936strpart( {src}, {start}[, {len}])
1937 String {len} characters of {src} at {start}
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00001938strridx( {haystack}, {needle} [, {start}])
1939 Number last index of {needle} in {haystack}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001940strtrans( {expr}) String translate string to make it printable
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02001941strwidth( {expr}) Number display cell length of the String {expr}
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001942submatch( {nr}) String specific match in ":substitute"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001943substitute( {expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags})
1944 String all {pat} in {expr} replaced with {sub}
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00001945synID( {lnum}, {col}, {trans}) Number syntax ID at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001946synIDattr( {synID}, {what} [, {mode}])
1947 String attribute {what} of syntax ID {synID}
1948synIDtrans( {synID}) Number translated syntax ID of {synID}
Bram Moolenaar483c5d82010-10-20 18:45:33 +02001949synconcealed( {lnum}, {col}) List info about concealing
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001950synstack( {lnum}, {col}) List stack of syntax IDs at {lnum} and {col}
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00001951system( {expr} [, {input}]) String output of shell command/filter {expr}
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00001952tabpagebuflist( [{arg}]) List list of buffer numbers in tab page
1953tabpagenr( [{arg}]) Number number of current or last tab page
1954tabpagewinnr( {tabarg}[, {arg}])
1955 Number number of current window in tab page
1956taglist( {expr}) List list of tags matching {expr}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001957tagfiles() List tags files used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001958tempname() String name for a temporary file
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001959tan( {expr}) Float tangent of {expr}
1960tanh( {expr}) Float hyperbolic tangent of {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001961tolower( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to lowercase
1962toupper( {expr}) String the String {expr} switched to uppercase
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00001963tr( {src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) String translate chars of {src} in {fromstr}
1964 to chars in {tostr}
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01001965trunc( {expr}) Float truncate Float {expr}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001966type( {name}) Number type of variable {name}
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02001967undofile( {name}) String undo file name for {name}
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02001968undotree() List undo file tree
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00001969values( {dict}) List values in {dict}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001970virtcol( {expr}) Number screen column of cursor or mark
1971visualmode( [expr]) String last visual mode used
1972winbufnr( {nr}) Number buffer number of window {nr}
1973wincol() Number window column of the cursor
1974winheight( {nr}) Number height of window {nr}
1975winline() Number window line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00001976winnr( [{expr}]) Number number of current window
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00001977winrestcmd() String returns command to restore window sizes
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001978winrestview( {dict}) none restore view of current window
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00001979winsaveview() Dict save view of current window
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001980winwidth( {nr}) Number width of window {nr}
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01001981writefile( {list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00001982 Number write list of lines to file {fname}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001983
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00001984abs({expr}) *abs()*
1985 Return the absolute value of {expr}. When {expr} evaluates to
1986 a |Float| abs() returns a |Float|. When {expr} can be
1987 converted to a |Number| abs() returns a |Number|. Otherwise
1988 abs() gives an error message and returns -1.
1989 Examples: >
1990 echo abs(1.456)
1991< 1.456 >
1992 echo abs(-5.456)
1993< 5.456 >
1994 echo abs(-4)
1995< 4
1996 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
1997
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02001998
1999acos({expr}) *acos()*
2000 Return the arc cosine of {expr} measured in radians, as a
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002001 |Float| in the range of [0, pi].
2002 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002003 [-1, 1].
2004 Examples: >
2005 :echo acos(0)
2006< 1.570796 >
2007 :echo acos(-0.5)
2008< 2.094395
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002009 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002010
2011
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002012add({list}, {expr}) *add()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002013 Append the item {expr} to |List| {list}. Returns the
2014 resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002015 :let alist = add([1, 2, 3], item)
2016 :call add(mylist, "woodstock")
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002017< Note that when {expr} is a |List| it is appended as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002018 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002019 Use |insert()| to add an item at another position.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002020
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002021
2022append({lnum}, {expr}) *append()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002023 When {expr} is a |List|: Append each item of the |List| as a
2024 text line below line {lnum} in the current buffer.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00002025 Otherwise append {expr} as one text line below line {lnum} in
2026 the current buffer.
2027 {lnum} can be zero to insert a line before the first one.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002028 Returns 1 for failure ({lnum} out of range or out of memory),
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002029 0 for success. Example: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002030 :let failed = append(line('$'), "# THE END")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002031 :let failed = append(0, ["Chapter 1", "the beginning"])
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002032<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002033 *argc()*
2034argc() The result is the number of files in the argument list of the
2035 current window. See |arglist|.
2036
2037 *argidx()*
2038argidx() The result is the current index in the argument list. 0 is
2039 the first file. argc() - 1 is the last one. See |arglist|.
2040
2041 *argv()*
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00002042argv([{nr}]) The result is the {nr}th file in the argument list of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002043 current window. See |arglist|. "argv(0)" is the first one.
2044 Example: >
2045 :let i = 0
2046 :while i < argc()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002047 : let f = escape(fnameescape(argv(i)), '.')
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002048 : exe 'amenu Arg.' . f . ' :e ' . f . '<CR>'
2049 : let i = i + 1
2050 :endwhile
Bram Moolenaare2f98b92006-03-29 21:18:24 +00002051< Without the {nr} argument a |List| with the whole |arglist| is
2052 returned.
2053
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002054asin({expr}) *asin()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002055 Return the arc sine of {expr} measured in radians, as a |Float|
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002056 in the range of [-pi/2, pi/2].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002057 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002058 [-1, 1].
2059 Examples: >
2060 :echo asin(0.8)
2061< 0.927295 >
2062 :echo asin(-0.5)
2063< -0.523599
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002064 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002065
2066
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002067atan({expr}) *atan()*
2068 Return the principal value of the arc tangent of {expr}, in
2069 the range [-pi/2, +pi/2] radians, as a |Float|.
2070 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2071 Examples: >
2072 :echo atan(100)
2073< 1.560797 >
2074 :echo atan(-4.01)
2075< -1.326405
2076 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2077
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002078
2079atan2({expr1}, {expr2}) *atan2()*
2080 Return the arc tangent of {expr1} / {expr2}, measured in
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002081 radians, as a |Float| in the range [-pi, pi].
2082 {expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002083 Examples: >
2084 :echo atan2(-1, 1)
2085< -0.785398 >
2086 :echo atan2(1, -1)
2087< 2.356194
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002088 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002089
2090
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002091 *browse()*
2092browse({save}, {title}, {initdir}, {default})
2093 Put up a file requester. This only works when "has("browse")"
2094 returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2095 The input fields are:
2096 {save} when non-zero, select file to write
2097 {title} title for the requester
2098 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2099 {default} default file name
2100 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2101 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2102
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00002103 *browsedir()*
2104browsedir({title}, {initdir})
2105 Put up a directory requester. This only works when
2106 "has("browse")" returns non-zero (only in some GUI versions).
2107 On systems where a directory browser is not supported a file
2108 browser is used. In that case: select a file in the directory
2109 to be used.
2110 The input fields are:
2111 {title} title for the requester
2112 {initdir} directory to start browsing in
2113 When the "Cancel" button is hit, something went wrong, or
2114 browsing is not possible, an empty string is returned.
2115
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002116bufexists({expr}) *bufexists()*
2117 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2118 {expr} exists.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002119 If the {expr} argument is a number, buffer numbers are used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002120 If the {expr} argument is a string it must match a buffer name
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002121 exactly. The name can be:
2122 - Relative to the current directory.
2123 - A full path.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002124 - The name of a buffer with 'buftype' set to "nofile".
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002125 - A URL name.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002126 Unlisted buffers will be found.
2127 Note that help files are listed by their short name in the
2128 output of |:buffers|, but bufexists() requires using their
2129 long name to be able to find them.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002130 bufexists() may report a buffer exists, but to use the name
2131 with a |:buffer| command you may need to use |expand()|. Esp
2132 for MS-Windows 8.3 names in the form "c:\DOCUME~1"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002133 Use "bufexists(0)" to test for the existence of an alternate
2134 file name.
2135 *buffer_exists()*
2136 Obsolete name: buffer_exists().
2137
2138buflisted({expr}) *buflisted()*
2139 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2140 {expr} exists and is listed (has the 'buflisted' option set).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002141 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002142
2143bufloaded({expr}) *bufloaded()*
2144 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a buffer called
2145 {expr} exists and is loaded (shown in a window or hidden).
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00002146 The {expr} argument is used like with |bufexists()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002147
2148bufname({expr}) *bufname()*
2149 The result is the name of a buffer, as it is displayed by the
2150 ":ls" command.
2151 If {expr} is a Number, that buffer number's name is given.
2152 Number zero is the alternate buffer for the current window.
2153 If {expr} is a String, it is used as a |file-pattern| to match
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002154 with the buffer names. This is always done like 'magic' is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002155 set and 'cpoptions' is empty. When there is more than one
2156 match an empty string is returned.
2157 "" or "%" can be used for the current buffer, "#" for the
2158 alternate buffer.
2159 A full match is preferred, otherwise a match at the start, end
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002160 or middle of the buffer name is accepted. If you only want a
2161 full match then put "^" at the start and "$" at the end of the
2162 pattern.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002163 Listed buffers are found first. If there is a single match
2164 with a listed buffer, that one is returned. Next unlisted
2165 buffers are searched for.
2166 If the {expr} is a String, but you want to use it as a buffer
2167 number, force it to be a Number by adding zero to it: >
2168 :echo bufname("3" + 0)
2169< If the buffer doesn't exist, or doesn't have a name, an empty
2170 string is returned. >
2171 bufname("#") alternate buffer name
2172 bufname(3) name of buffer 3
2173 bufname("%") name of current buffer
2174 bufname("file2") name of buffer where "file2" matches.
2175< *buffer_name()*
2176 Obsolete name: buffer_name().
2177
2178 *bufnr()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002179bufnr({expr} [, {create}])
2180 The result is the number of a buffer, as it is displayed by
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002181 the ":ls" command. For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002182 above.
2183 If the buffer doesn't exist, -1 is returned. Or, if the
2184 {create} argument is present and not zero, a new, unlisted,
2185 buffer is created and its number is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002186 bufnr("$") is the last buffer: >
2187 :let last_buffer = bufnr("$")
2188< The result is a Number, which is the highest buffer number
2189 of existing buffers. Note that not all buffers with a smaller
2190 number necessarily exist, because ":bwipeout" may have removed
2191 them. Use bufexists() to test for the existence of a buffer.
2192 *buffer_number()*
2193 Obsolete name: buffer_number().
2194 *last_buffer_nr()*
2195 Obsolete name for bufnr("$"): last_buffer_nr().
2196
2197bufwinnr({expr}) *bufwinnr()*
2198 The result is a Number, which is the number of the first
2199 window associated with buffer {expr}. For the use of {expr},
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002200 see |bufname()| above. If buffer {expr} doesn't exist or
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002201 there is no such window, -1 is returned. Example: >
2202
2203 echo "A window containing buffer 1 is " . (bufwinnr(1))
2204
2205< The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
2206 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002207 Only deals with the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002208
2209
2210byte2line({byte}) *byte2line()*
2211 Return the line number that contains the character at byte
2212 count {byte} in the current buffer. This includes the
2213 end-of-line character, depending on the 'fileformat' option
2214 for the current buffer. The first character has byte count
2215 one.
2216 Also see |line2byte()|, |go| and |:goto|.
2217 {not available when compiled without the |+byte_offset|
2218 feature}
2219
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00002220byteidx({expr}, {nr}) *byteidx()*
2221 Return byte index of the {nr}'th character in the string
2222 {expr}. Use zero for the first character, it returns zero.
2223 This function is only useful when there are multibyte
2224 characters, otherwise the returned value is equal to {nr}.
2225 Composing characters are counted as a separate character.
2226 Example : >
2227 echo matchstr(str, ".", byteidx(str, 3))
2228< will display the fourth character. Another way to do the
2229 same: >
2230 let s = strpart(str, byteidx(str, 3))
2231 echo strpart(s, 0, byteidx(s, 1))
2232< If there are less than {nr} characters -1 is returned.
2233 If there are exactly {nr} characters the length of the string
2234 is returned.
2235
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002236call({func}, {arglist} [, {dict}]) *call()* *E699*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002237 Call function {func} with the items in |List| {arglist} as
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002238 arguments.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002239 {func} can either be a |Funcref| or the name of a function.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002240 a:firstline and a:lastline are set to the cursor line.
2241 Returns the return value of the called function.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002242 {dict} is for functions with the "dict" attribute. It will be
2243 used to set the local variable "self". |Dictionary-function|
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002244
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002245ceil({expr}) *ceil()*
2246 Return the smallest integral value greater than or equal to
2247 {expr} as a |Float| (round up).
2248 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2249 Examples: >
2250 echo ceil(1.456)
2251< 2.0 >
2252 echo ceil(-5.456)
2253< -5.0 >
2254 echo ceil(4.0)
2255< 4.0
2256 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2257
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00002258changenr() *changenr()*
2259 Return the number of the most recent change. This is the same
2260 number as what is displayed with |:undolist| and can be used
2261 with the |:undo| command.
2262 When a change was made it is the number of that change. After
2263 redo it is the number of the redone change. After undo it is
2264 one less than the number of the undone change.
2265
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002266char2nr({expr}) *char2nr()*
2267 Return number value of the first char in {expr}. Examples: >
2268 char2nr(" ") returns 32
2269 char2nr("ABC") returns 65
2270< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002271 char2nr("á") returns 225
2272 char2nr("á"[0]) returns 195
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002273< |nr2char()| does the opposite.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002274
2275cindent({lnum}) *cindent()*
2276 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the C
2277 indenting rules, as with 'cindent'.
2278 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
2279 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
2280 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the |+cindent|
2281 feature, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard5cdbeb2005-10-10 20:59:28 +00002282 See |C-indenting|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002283
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00002284clearmatches() *clearmatches()*
2285 Clears all matches previously defined by |matchadd()| and the
2286 |:match| commands.
2287
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002288 *col()*
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00002289col({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the byte index of the column
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002290 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
2291 . the cursor position
2292 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
2293 number of characters in the cursor line plus one)
2294 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
2295 returned)
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002296 Additionally {expr} can be [lnum, col]: a |List| with the line
2297 and column number. Most useful when the column is "$", to get
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002298 the last column of a specific line. When "lnum" or "col" is
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00002299 out of range then col() returns zero.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002300 To get the line number use |line()|. To get both use
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002301 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002302 For the screen column position use |virtcol()|.
2303 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
2304 Examples: >
2305 col(".") column of cursor
2306 col("$") length of cursor line plus one
2307 col("'t") column of mark t
2308 col("'" . markname) column of mark markname
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002309< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002310 For an uppercase mark the column may actually be in another
2311 buffer.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002312 For the cursor position, when 'virtualedit' is active, the
2313 column is one higher if the cursor is after the end of the
2314 line. This can be used to obtain the column in Insert mode: >
2315 :imap <F2> <C-O>:let save_ve = &ve<CR>
2316 \<C-O>:set ve=all<CR>
2317 \<C-O>:echo col(".") . "\n" <Bar>
2318 \let &ve = save_ve<CR>
2319<
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002320
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002321complete({startcol}, {matches}) *complete()* *E785*
2322 Set the matches for Insert mode completion.
2323 Can only be used in Insert mode. You need to use a mapping
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002324 with CTRL-R = |i_CTRL-R|. It does not work after CTRL-O or
2325 with an expression mapping.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002326 {startcol} is the byte offset in the line where the completed
2327 text start. The text up to the cursor is the original text
2328 that will be replaced by the matches. Use col('.') for an
2329 empty string. "col('.') - 1" will replace one character by a
2330 match.
2331 {matches} must be a |List|. Each |List| item is one match.
2332 See |complete-items| for the kind of items that are possible.
2333 Note that the after calling this function you need to avoid
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002334 inserting anything that would cause completion to stop.
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002335 The match can be selected with CTRL-N and CTRL-P as usual with
2336 Insert mode completion. The popup menu will appear if
2337 specified, see |ins-completion-menu|.
2338 Example: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002339 inoremap <F5> <C-R>=ListMonths()<CR>
Bram Moolenaara94bc432006-03-10 21:42:59 +00002340
2341 func! ListMonths()
2342 call complete(col('.'), ['January', 'February', 'March',
2343 \ 'April', 'May', 'June', 'July', 'August', 'September',
2344 \ 'October', 'November', 'December'])
2345 return ''
2346 endfunc
2347< This isn't very useful, but it shows how it works. Note that
2348 an empty string is returned to avoid a zero being inserted.
2349
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002350complete_add({expr}) *complete_add()*
2351 Add {expr} to the list of matches. Only to be used by the
2352 function specified with the 'completefunc' option.
2353 Returns 0 for failure (empty string or out of memory),
2354 1 when the match was added, 2 when the match was already in
2355 the list.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002356 See |complete-functions| for an explanation of {expr}. It is
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00002357 the same as one item in the list that 'omnifunc' would return.
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00002358
2359complete_check() *complete_check()*
2360 Check for a key typed while looking for completion matches.
2361 This is to be used when looking for matches takes some time.
2362 Returns non-zero when searching for matches is to be aborted,
2363 zero otherwise.
2364 Only to be used by the function specified with the
2365 'completefunc' option.
2366
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002367 *confirm()*
2368confirm({msg} [, {choices} [, {default} [, {type}]]])
2369 Confirm() offers the user a dialog, from which a choice can be
2370 made. It returns the number of the choice. For the first
2371 choice this is 1.
2372 Note: confirm() is only supported when compiled with dialog
2373 support, see |+dialog_con| and |+dialog_gui|.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002374
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002375 {msg} is displayed in a |dialog| with {choices} as the
2376 alternatives. When {choices} is missing or empty, "&OK" is
2377 used (and translated).
2378 {msg} is a String, use '\n' to include a newline. Only on
2379 some systems the string is wrapped when it doesn't fit.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002380
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002381 {choices} is a String, with the individual choices separated
2382 by '\n', e.g. >
2383 confirm("Save changes?", "&Yes\n&No\n&Cancel")
2384< The letter after the '&' is the shortcut key for that choice.
2385 Thus you can type 'c' to select "Cancel". The shortcut does
2386 not need to be the first letter: >
2387 confirm("file has been modified", "&Save\nSave &All")
2388< For the console, the first letter of each choice is used as
2389 the default shortcut key.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002390
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002391 The optional {default} argument is the number of the choice
2392 that is made if the user hits <CR>. Use 1 to make the first
2393 choice the default one. Use 0 to not set a default. If
2394 {default} is omitted, 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02002395
2396 The optional {type} argument gives the type of dialog. This
2397 is only used for the icon of the GTK, Mac, Motif and Win32
2398 GUI. It can be one of these values: "Error", "Question",
2399 "Info", "Warning" or "Generic". Only the first character is
2400 relevant. When {type} is omitted, "Generic" is used.
2401
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002402 If the user aborts the dialog by pressing <Esc>, CTRL-C,
2403 or another valid interrupt key, confirm() returns 0.
2404
2405 An example: >
2406 :let choice = confirm("What do you want?", "&Apples\n&Oranges\n&Bananas", 2)
2407 :if choice == 0
2408 : echo "make up your mind!"
2409 :elseif choice == 3
2410 : echo "tasteful"
2411 :else
2412 : echo "I prefer bananas myself."
2413 :endif
2414< In a GUI dialog, buttons are used. The layout of the buttons
2415 depends on the 'v' flag in 'guioptions'. If it is included,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002416 the buttons are always put vertically. Otherwise, confirm()
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002417 tries to put the buttons in one horizontal line. If they
2418 don't fit, a vertical layout is used anyway. For some systems
2419 the horizontal layout is always used.
2420
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002421 *copy()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002422copy({expr}) Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002423 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002424 When {expr} is a |List| a shallow copy is created. This means
2425 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002426 copy, and vice versa. But the items are identical, thus
2427 changing an item changes the contents of both |Lists|. Also
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002428 see |deepcopy()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002429
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002430cos({expr}) *cos()*
2431 Return the cosine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
2432 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2433 Examples: >
2434 :echo cos(100)
2435< 0.862319 >
2436 :echo cos(-4.01)
2437< -0.646043
2438 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2439
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002440
2441cosh({expr}) *cosh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002442 Return the hyperbolic cosine of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002443 [1, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002444 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002445 Examples: >
2446 :echo cosh(0.5)
2447< 1.127626 >
2448 :echo cosh(-0.5)
2449< -1.127626
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002450 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002451
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002452
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002453count({comp}, {expr} [, {ic} [, {start}]]) *count()*
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002454 Return the number of times an item with value {expr} appears
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002455 in |List| or |Dictionary| {comp}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002456 If {start} is given then start with the item with this index.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002457 {start} can only be used with a |List|.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002458 When {ic} is given and it's non-zero then case is ignored.
2459
2460
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002461 *cscope_connection()*
2462cscope_connection([{num} , {dbpath} [, {prepend}]])
2463 Checks for the existence of a |cscope| connection. If no
2464 parameters are specified, then the function returns:
2465 0, if cscope was not available (not compiled in), or
2466 if there are no cscope connections;
2467 1, if there is at least one cscope connection.
2468
2469 If parameters are specified, then the value of {num}
2470 determines how existence of a cscope connection is checked:
2471
2472 {num} Description of existence check
2473 ----- ------------------------------
2474 0 Same as no parameters (e.g., "cscope_connection()").
2475 1 Ignore {prepend}, and use partial string matches for
2476 {dbpath}.
2477 2 Ignore {prepend}, and use exact string matches for
2478 {dbpath}.
2479 3 Use {prepend}, use partial string matches for both
2480 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2481 4 Use {prepend}, use exact string matches for both
2482 {dbpath} and {prepend}.
2483
2484 Note: All string comparisons are case sensitive!
2485
2486 Examples. Suppose we had the following (from ":cs show"): >
2487
2488 # pid database name prepend path
2489 0 27664 cscope.out /usr/local
2490<
2491 Invocation Return Val ~
2492 ---------- ---------- >
2493 cscope_connection() 1
2494 cscope_connection(1, "out") 1
2495 cscope_connection(2, "out") 0
2496 cscope_connection(3, "out") 0
2497 cscope_connection(3, "out", "local") 1
2498 cscope_connection(4, "out") 0
2499 cscope_connection(4, "out", "local") 0
2500 cscope_connection(4, "cscope.out", "/usr/local") 1
2501<
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002502cursor({lnum}, {col} [, {off}]) *cursor()*
2503cursor({list})
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002504 Positions the cursor at the column (byte count) {col} in the
2505 line {lnum}. The first column is one.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002506 When there is one argument {list} this is used as a |List|
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00002507 with two or three items {lnum}, {col} and {off}. This is like
2508 the return value of |getpos()|, but without the first item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002509 Does not change the jumplist.
2510 If {lnum} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
2511 the cursor will be positioned at the last line in the buffer.
2512 If {lnum} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current line.
Bram Moolenaar6f16eb82005-08-23 21:02:42 +00002513 If {col} is greater than the number of bytes in the line,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002514 the cursor will be positioned at the last character in the
2515 line.
2516 If {col} is zero, the cursor will stay in the current column.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00002517 When 'virtualedit' is used {off} specifies the offset in
2518 screen columns from the start of the character. E.g., a
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00002519 position within a <Tab> or after the last character.
Bram Moolenaar798b30b2009-04-22 10:56:16 +00002520 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002521
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002522
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002523deepcopy({expr}[, {noref}]) *deepcopy()* *E698*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002524 Make a copy of {expr}. For Numbers and Strings this isn't
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002525 different from using {expr} directly.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002526 When {expr} is a |List| a full copy is created. This means
2527 that the original |List| can be changed without changing the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002528 copy, and vice versa. When an item is a |List|, a copy for it
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002529 is made, recursively. Thus changing an item in the copy does
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002530 not change the contents of the original |List|.
2531 When {noref} is omitted or zero a contained |List| or
2532 |Dictionary| is only copied once. All references point to
2533 this single copy. With {noref} set to 1 every occurrence of a
2534 |List| or |Dictionary| results in a new copy. This also means
2535 that a cyclic reference causes deepcopy() to fail.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00002536 *E724*
2537 Nesting is possible up to 100 levels. When there is an item
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00002538 that refers back to a higher level making a deep copy with
2539 {noref} set to 1 will fail.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00002540 Also see |copy()|.
2541
2542delete({fname}) *delete()*
2543 Deletes the file by the name {fname}. The result is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002544 which is 0 if the file was deleted successfully, and non-zero
2545 when the deletion failed.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002546 Use |remove()| to delete an item from a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002547
2548 *did_filetype()*
2549did_filetype() Returns non-zero when autocommands are being executed and the
2550 FileType event has been triggered at least once. Can be used
2551 to avoid triggering the FileType event again in the scripts
2552 that detect the file type. |FileType|
2553 When editing another file, the counter is reset, thus this
2554 really checks if the FileType event has been triggered for the
2555 current buffer. This allows an autocommand that starts
2556 editing another buffer to set 'filetype' and load a syntax
2557 file.
2558
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00002559diff_filler({lnum}) *diff_filler()*
2560 Returns the number of filler lines above line {lnum}.
2561 These are the lines that were inserted at this point in
2562 another diff'ed window. These filler lines are shown in the
2563 display but don't exist in the buffer.
2564 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2565 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2566 Returns 0 if the current window is not in diff mode.
2567
2568diff_hlID({lnum}, {col}) *diff_hlID()*
2569 Returns the highlight ID for diff mode at line {lnum} column
2570 {col} (byte index). When the current line does not have a
2571 diff change zero is returned.
2572 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
2573 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
2574 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
2575 line.
2576 The highlight ID can be used with |synIDattr()| to obtain
2577 syntax information about the highlighting.
2578
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002579empty({expr}) *empty()*
2580 Return the Number 1 if {expr} is empty, zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002581 A |List| or |Dictionary| is empty when it does not have any
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002582 items. A Number is empty when its value is zero.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01002583 For a long |List| this is much faster than comparing the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002584 length with zero.
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00002585
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002586escape({string}, {chars}) *escape()*
2587 Escape the characters in {chars} that occur in {string} with a
2588 backslash. Example: >
2589 :echo escape('c:\program files\vim', ' \')
2590< results in: >
2591 c:\\program\ files\\vim
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002592< Also see |shellescape()|.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002593
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002594 *eval()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002595eval({string}) Evaluate {string} and return the result. Especially useful to
2596 turn the result of |string()| back into the original value.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002597 This works for Numbers, Floats, Strings and composites of
2598 them. Also works for |Funcref|s that refer to existing
2599 functions.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002600
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002601eventhandler() *eventhandler()*
2602 Returns 1 when inside an event handler. That is that Vim got
2603 interrupted while waiting for the user to type a character,
2604 e.g., when dropping a file on Vim. This means interactive
2605 commands cannot be used. Otherwise zero is returned.
2606
2607executable({expr}) *executable()*
2608 This function checks if an executable with the name {expr}
2609 exists. {expr} must be the name of the program without any
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002610 arguments.
2611 executable() uses the value of $PATH and/or the normal
2612 searchpath for programs. *PATHEXT*
2613 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows the ".exe", ".bat", etc. can
2614 optionally be included. Then the extensions in $PATHEXT are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002615 tried. Thus if "foo.exe" does not exist, "foo.exe.bat" can be
2616 found. If $PATHEXT is not set then ".exe;.com;.bat;.cmd" is
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002617 used. A dot by itself can be used in $PATHEXT to try using
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002618 the name without an extension. When 'shell' looks like a
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +00002619 Unix shell, then the name is also tried without adding an
2620 extension.
2621 On MS-DOS and MS-Windows it only checks if the file exists and
2622 is not a directory, not if it's really executable.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00002623 On MS-Windows an executable in the same directory as Vim is
2624 always found. Since this directory is added to $PATH it
2625 should also work to execute it |win32-PATH|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002626 The result is a Number:
2627 1 exists
2628 0 does not exist
2629 -1 not implemented on this system
2630
2631 *exists()*
2632exists({expr}) The result is a Number, which is non-zero if {expr} is
2633 defined, zero otherwise. The {expr} argument is a string,
2634 which contains one of these:
2635 &option-name Vim option (only checks if it exists,
2636 not if it really works)
2637 +option-name Vim option that works.
2638 $ENVNAME environment variable (could also be
2639 done by comparing with an empty
2640 string)
2641 *funcname built-in function (see |functions|)
2642 or user defined function (see
2643 |user-functions|).
2644 varname internal variable (see
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002645 |internal-variables|). Also works
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002646 for |curly-braces-names|, |Dictionary|
2647 entries, |List| items, etc. Beware
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00002648 that evaluating an index may cause an
2649 error message for an invalid
2650 expression. E.g.: >
2651 :let l = [1, 2, 3]
2652 :echo exists("l[5]")
2653< 0 >
2654 :echo exists("l[xx]")
2655< E121: Undefined variable: xx
2656 0
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002657 :cmdname Ex command: built-in command, user
2658 command or command modifier |:command|.
2659 Returns:
2660 1 for match with start of a command
2661 2 full match with a command
2662 3 matches several user commands
2663 To check for a supported command
2664 always check the return value to be 2.
Bram Moolenaar14716812006-05-04 21:54:08 +00002665 :2match The |:2match| command.
2666 :3match The |:3match| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002667 #event autocommand defined for this event
2668 #event#pattern autocommand defined for this event and
2669 pattern (the pattern is taken
2670 literally and compared to the
2671 autocommand patterns character by
2672 character)
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002673 #group autocommand group exists
2674 #group#event autocommand defined for this group and
2675 event.
2676 #group#event#pattern
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002677 autocommand defined for this group,
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002678 event and pattern.
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002679 ##event autocommand for this event is
2680 supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002681 For checking for a supported feature use |has()|.
2682
2683 Examples: >
2684 exists("&shortname")
2685 exists("$HOSTNAME")
2686 exists("*strftime")
2687 exists("*s:MyFunc")
2688 exists("bufcount")
2689 exists(":Make")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002690 exists("#CursorHold")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002691 exists("#BufReadPre#*.gz")
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00002692 exists("#filetypeindent")
2693 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType")
2694 exists("#filetypeindent#FileType#*")
Bram Moolenaarf4cd3e82005-12-22 22:47:02 +00002695 exists("##ColorScheme")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002696< There must be no space between the symbol (&/$/*/#) and the
2697 name.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00002698 There must be no extra characters after the name, although in
2699 a few cases this is ignored. That may become more strict in
2700 the future, thus don't count on it!
2701 Working example: >
2702 exists(":make")
2703< NOT working example: >
2704 exists(":make install")
Bram Moolenaar9c102382006-05-03 21:26:49 +00002705
2706< Note that the argument must be a string, not the name of the
2707 variable itself. For example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002708 exists(bufcount)
2709< This doesn't check for existence of the "bufcount" variable,
Bram Moolenaar06a89a52006-04-29 22:01:03 +00002710 but gets the value of "bufcount", and checks if that exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002711
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002712exp({expr}) *exp()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002713 Return the exponential of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002714 [0, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002715 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002716 Examples: >
2717 :echo exp(2)
2718< 7.389056 >
2719 :echo exp(-1)
2720< 0.367879
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002721 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002722
2723
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002724expand({expr} [, {flag}]) *expand()*
2725 Expand wildcards and the following special keywords in {expr}.
Bram Moolenaar81af9252010-12-10 20:35:50 +01002726 The result is a String. 'wildignorecase' applies.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002727
2728 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
2729 characters. [Note: in version 5.0 a space was used, which
2730 caused problems when a file name contains a space]
2731
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002732 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string. A name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002733 for a non-existing file is not included.
2734
2735 When {expr} starts with '%', '#' or '<', the expansion is done
2736 like for the |cmdline-special| variables with their associated
2737 modifiers. Here is a short overview:
2738
2739 % current file name
2740 # alternate file name
2741 #n alternate file name n
2742 <cfile> file name under the cursor
2743 <afile> autocmd file name
2744 <abuf> autocmd buffer number (as a String!)
2745 <amatch> autocmd matched name
2746 <sfile> sourced script file name
Bram Moolenaar81af9252010-12-10 20:35:50 +01002747 <slnum> sourced script file line number
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002748 <cword> word under the cursor
2749 <cWORD> WORD under the cursor
2750 <client> the {clientid} of the last received
2751 message |server2client()|
2752 Modifiers:
2753 :p expand to full path
2754 :h head (last path component removed)
2755 :t tail (last path component only)
2756 :r root (one extension removed)
2757 :e extension only
2758
2759 Example: >
2760 :let &tags = expand("%:p:h") . "/tags"
2761< Note that when expanding a string that starts with '%', '#' or
2762 '<', any following text is ignored. This does NOT work: >
2763 :let doesntwork = expand("%:h.bak")
2764< Use this: >
2765 :let doeswork = expand("%:h") . ".bak"
2766< Also note that expanding "<cfile>" and others only returns the
2767 referenced file name without further expansion. If "<cfile>"
2768 is "~/.cshrc", you need to do another expand() to have the
2769 "~/" expanded into the path of the home directory: >
2770 :echo expand(expand("<cfile>"))
2771<
2772 There cannot be white space between the variables and the
2773 following modifier. The |fnamemodify()| function can be used
2774 to modify normal file names.
2775
2776 When using '%' or '#', and the current or alternate file name
2777 is not defined, an empty string is used. Using "%:p" in a
2778 buffer with no name, results in the current directory, with a
2779 '/' added.
2780
2781 When {expr} does not start with '%', '#' or '<', it is
2782 expanded like a file name is expanded on the command line.
2783 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' are used, unless the optional
2784 {flag} argument is given and it is non-zero. Names for
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00002785 non-existing files are included. The "**" item can be used to
2786 search in a directory tree. For example, to find all "README"
2787 files in the current directory and below: >
2788 :echo expand("**/README")
2789<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002790 Expand() can also be used to expand variables and environment
2791 variables that are only known in a shell. But this can be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002792 slow, because a shell must be started. See |expr-env-expand|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002793 The expanded variable is still handled like a list of file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002794 names. When an environment variable cannot be expanded, it is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002795 left unchanged. Thus ":echo expand('$FOOBAR')" results in
2796 "$FOOBAR".
2797
2798 See |glob()| for finding existing files. See |system()| for
2799 getting the raw output of an external command.
2800
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002801extend({expr1}, {expr2} [, {expr3}]) *extend()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002802 {expr1} and {expr2} must be both |Lists| or both
2803 |Dictionaries|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002804
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002805 If they are |Lists|: Append {expr2} to {expr1}.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002806 If {expr3} is given insert the items of {expr2} before item
2807 {expr3} in {expr1}. When {expr3} is zero insert before the
2808 first item. When {expr3} is equal to len({expr1}) then
2809 {expr2} is appended.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002810 Examples: >
2811 :echo sort(extend(mylist, [7, 5]))
2812 :call extend(mylist, [2, 3], 1)
Bram Moolenaardc9cf9c2008-08-08 10:36:31 +00002813< When {expr1} is the same List as {expr2} then the number of
2814 items copied is equal to the original length of the List.
2815 E.g., when {expr3} is 1 you get N new copies of the first item
2816 (where N is the original length of the List).
2817 Use |add()| to concatenate one item to a list. To concatenate
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00002818 two lists into a new list use the + operator: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002819 :let newlist = [1, 2, 3] + [4, 5]
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002820<
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00002821 If they are |Dictionaries|:
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002822 Add all entries from {expr2} to {expr1}.
2823 If a key exists in both {expr1} and {expr2} then {expr3} is
2824 used to decide what to do:
2825 {expr3} = "keep": keep the value of {expr1}
2826 {expr3} = "force": use the value of {expr2}
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00002827 {expr3} = "error": give an error message *E737*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002828 When {expr3} is omitted then "force" is assumed.
2829
2830 {expr1} is changed when {expr2} is not empty. If necessary
2831 make a copy of {expr1} first.
2832 {expr2} remains unchanged.
2833 Returns {expr1}.
2834
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00002835
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002836feedkeys({string} [, {mode}]) *feedkeys()*
2837 Characters in {string} are queued for processing as if they
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002838 come from a mapping or were typed by the user. They are added
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002839 to the end of the typeahead buffer, thus if a mapping is still
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002840 being executed these characters come after them.
2841 The function does not wait for processing of keys contained in
2842 {string}.
2843 To include special keys into {string}, use double-quotes
2844 and "\..." notation |expr-quote|. For example,
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00002845 feedkeys("\<CR>") simulates pressing of the <Enter> key. But
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002846 feedkeys('\<CR>') pushes 5 characters.
2847 If {mode} is absent, keys are remapped.
2848 {mode} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00002849 'm' Remap keys. This is default.
2850 'n' Do not remap keys.
2851 't' Handle keys as if typed; otherwise they are handled as
2852 if coming from a mapping. This matters for undo,
2853 opening folds, etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00002854 Return value is always 0.
2855
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002856filereadable({file}) *filereadable()*
2857 The result is a Number, which is TRUE when a file with the
2858 name {file} exists, and can be read. If {file} doesn't exist,
2859 or is a directory, the result is FALSE. {file} is any
2860 expression, which is used as a String.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002861 If you don't care about the file being readable you can use
2862 |glob()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002863 *file_readable()*
2864 Obsolete name: file_readable().
2865
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002866
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002867filewritable({file}) *filewritable()*
2868 The result is a Number, which is 1 when a file with the
2869 name {file} exists, and can be written. If {file} doesn't
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002870 exist, or is not writable, the result is 0. If {file} is a
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002871 directory, and we can write to it, the result is 2.
2872
2873
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002874filter({expr}, {string}) *filter()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002875 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002876 For each item in {expr} evaluate {string} and when the result
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002877 is zero remove the item from the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002878 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002879 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002880 Examples: >
2881 :call filter(mylist, 'v:val !~ "OLD"')
2882< Removes the items where "OLD" appears. >
2883 :call filter(mydict, 'v:key >= 8')
2884< Removes the items with a key below 8. >
2885 :call filter(var, 0)
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002886< Removes all the items, thus clears the |List| or |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00002887
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002888 Note that {string} is the result of expression and is then
2889 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
2890 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes.
2891
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002892 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
2893 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaarafeb4fa2006-02-01 21:51:12 +00002894 :let l = filter(copy(mylist), 'v:val =~ "KEEP"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00002895
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00002896< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00002897 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
2898 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00002899
2900
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002901finddir({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *finddir()*
Bram Moolenaar5b6b1ca2007-03-27 08:19:43 +00002902 Find directory {name} in {path}. Supports both downwards and
2903 upwards recursive directory searches. See |file-searching|
2904 for the syntax of {path}.
2905 Returns the path of the first found match. When the found
2906 directory is below the current directory a relative path is
2907 returned. Otherwise a full path is returned.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002908 If {path} is omitted or empty then 'path' is used.
2909 If the optional {count} is given, find {count}'s occurrence of
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002910 {name} in {path} instead of the first one.
Bram Moolenaar899dddf2006-03-26 21:06:50 +00002911 When {count} is negative return all the matches in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002912 This is quite similar to the ex-command |:find|.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002913 {only available when compiled with the |+file_in_path|
2914 feature}
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00002915
2916findfile({name}[, {path}[, {count}]]) *findfile()*
2917 Just like |finddir()|, but find a file instead of a directory.
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00002918 Uses 'suffixesadd'.
2919 Example: >
2920 :echo findfile("tags.vim", ".;")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00002921< Searches from the directory of the current file upwards until
2922 it finds the file "tags.vim".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002923
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002924float2nr({expr}) *float2nr()*
2925 Convert {expr} to a Number by omitting the part after the
2926 decimal point.
2927 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a Number.
2928 When the value of {expr} is out of range for a |Number| the
2929 result is truncated to 0x7fffffff or -0x7fffffff. NaN results
2930 in -0x80000000.
2931 Examples: >
2932 echo float2nr(3.95)
2933< 3 >
2934 echo float2nr(-23.45)
2935< -23 >
2936 echo float2nr(1.0e100)
2937< 2147483647 >
2938 echo float2nr(-1.0e150)
2939< -2147483647 >
2940 echo float2nr(1.0e-100)
2941< 0
2942 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2943
2944
2945floor({expr}) *floor()*
2946 Return the largest integral value less than or equal to
2947 {expr} as a |Float| (round down).
2948 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
2949 Examples: >
2950 echo floor(1.856)
2951< 1.0 >
2952 echo floor(-5.456)
2953< -6.0 >
2954 echo floor(4.0)
2955< 4.0
2956 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
2957
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002958
2959fmod({expr1}, {expr2}) *fmod()*
2960 Return the remainder of {expr1} / {expr2}, even if the
2961 division is not representable. Returns {expr1} - i * {expr2}
2962 for some integer i such that if {expr2} is non-zero, the
2963 result has the same sign as {expr1} and magnitude less than
2964 the magnitude of {expr2}. If {expr2} is zero, the value
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02002965 returned is zero. The value returned is a |Float|.
2966 {expr1} and {expr2} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002967 Examples: >
2968 :echo fmod(12.33, 1.22)
2969< 0.13 >
2970 :echo fmod(-12.33, 1.22)
2971< -0.13
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02002972 {only available when compiled with |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02002973
2974
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002975fnameescape({string}) *fnameescape()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002976 Escape {string} for use as file name command argument. All
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002977 characters that have a special meaning, such as '%' and '|'
2978 are escaped with a backslash.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002979 For most systems the characters escaped are
2980 " \t\n*?[{`$\\%#'\"|!<". For systems where a backslash
2981 appears in a filename, it depends on the value of 'isfname'.
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002982 A leading '+' and '>' is also escaped (special after |:edit|
2983 and |:write|). And a "-" by itself (special after |:cd|).
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002984 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002985 :let fname = '+some str%nge|name'
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002986 :exe "edit " . fnameescape(fname)
2987< results in executing: >
Bram Moolenaar1b24e4b2008-08-08 10:59:17 +00002988 edit \+some\ str\%nge\|name
Bram Moolenaaraebaf892008-05-28 14:49:58 +00002989
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002990fnamemodify({fname}, {mods}) *fnamemodify()*
2991 Modify file name {fname} according to {mods}. {mods} is a
2992 string of characters like it is used for file names on the
2993 command line. See |filename-modifiers|.
2994 Example: >
2995 :echo fnamemodify("main.c", ":p:h")
2996< results in: >
2997 /home/mool/vim/vim/src
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00002998< Note: Environment variables don't work in {fname}, use
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002999 |expand()| first then.
3000
3001foldclosed({lnum}) *foldclosed()*
3002 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
3003 fold, the result is the number of the first line in that fold.
3004 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
3005
3006foldclosedend({lnum}) *foldclosedend()*
3007 The result is a Number. If the line {lnum} is in a closed
3008 fold, the result is the number of the last line in that fold.
3009 If the line {lnum} is not in a closed fold, -1 is returned.
3010
3011foldlevel({lnum}) *foldlevel()*
3012 The result is a Number, which is the foldlevel of line {lnum}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003013 in the current buffer. For nested folds the deepest level is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003014 returned. If there is no fold at line {lnum}, zero is
3015 returned. It doesn't matter if the folds are open or closed.
3016 When used while updating folds (from 'foldexpr') -1 is
3017 returned for lines where folds are still to be updated and the
3018 foldlevel is unknown. As a special case the level of the
3019 previous line is usually available.
3020
3021 *foldtext()*
3022foldtext() Returns a String, to be displayed for a closed fold. This is
3023 the default function used for the 'foldtext' option and should
3024 only be called from evaluating 'foldtext'. It uses the
3025 |v:foldstart|, |v:foldend| and |v:folddashes| variables.
3026 The returned string looks like this: >
3027 +-- 45 lines: abcdef
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003028< The number of dashes depends on the foldlevel. The "45" is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003029 the number of lines in the fold. "abcdef" is the text in the
3030 first non-blank line of the fold. Leading white space, "//"
3031 or "/*" and the text from the 'foldmarker' and 'commentstring'
3032 options is removed.
3033 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
3034
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00003035foldtextresult({lnum}) *foldtextresult()*
3036 Returns the text that is displayed for the closed fold at line
3037 {lnum}. Evaluates 'foldtext' in the appropriate context.
3038 When there is no closed fold at {lnum} an empty string is
3039 returned.
3040 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|. Thus "." is the current
3041 line, "'m" mark m, etc.
3042 Useful when exporting folded text, e.g., to HTML.
3043 {not available when compiled without the |+folding| feature}
3044
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003045 *foreground()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003046foreground() Move the Vim window to the foreground. Useful when sent from
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003047 a client to a Vim server. |remote_send()|
3048 On Win32 systems this might not work, the OS does not always
3049 allow a window to bring itself to the foreground. Use
3050 |remote_foreground()| instead.
3051 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
3052 Win32 console version}
3053
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003054
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003055function({name}) *function()* *E700*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003056 Return a |Funcref| variable that refers to function {name}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003057 {name} can be a user defined function or an internal function.
3058
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003059
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00003060garbagecollect([at_exit]) *garbagecollect()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003061 Cleanup unused |Lists| and |Dictionaries| that have circular
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00003062 references. There is hardly ever a need to invoke this
3063 function, as it is automatically done when Vim runs out of
3064 memory or is waiting for the user to press a key after
3065 'updatetime'. Items without circular references are always
3066 freed when they become unused.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003067 This is useful if you have deleted a very big |List| and/or
3068 |Dictionary| with circular references in a script that runs
3069 for a long time.
Bram Moolenaar9d2c8c12007-09-25 16:00:00 +00003070 When the optional "at_exit" argument is one, garbage
3071 collection will also be done when exiting Vim, if it wasn't
3072 done before. This is useful when checking for memory leaks.
Bram Moolenaar39a58ca2005-06-27 22:42:44 +00003073
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003074get({list}, {idx} [, {default}]) *get()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003075 Get item {idx} from |List| {list}. When this item is not
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003076 available return {default}. Return zero when {default} is
3077 omitted.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003078get({dict}, {key} [, {default}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003079 Get item with key {key} from |Dictionary| {dict}. When this
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003080 item is not available return {default}. Return zero when
3081 {default} is omitted.
3082
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003083 *getbufline()*
3084getbufline({expr}, {lnum} [, {end}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003085 Return a |List| with the lines starting from {lnum} to {end}
3086 (inclusive) in the buffer {expr}. If {end} is omitted, a
3087 |List| with only the line {lnum} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003088
3089 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3090
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00003091 For {lnum} and {end} "$" can be used for the last line of the
3092 buffer. Otherwise a number must be used.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003093
3094 When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003095 lines in the buffer, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003096
3097 When {end} is greater than the number of lines in the buffer,
3098 it is treated as {end} is set to the number of lines in the
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003099 buffer. When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003100 returned.
3101
Bram Moolenaar661b1822005-07-28 22:36:45 +00003102 This function works only for loaded buffers. For unloaded and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003103 non-existing buffers, an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00003104
3105 Example: >
3106 :let lines = getbufline(bufnr("myfile"), 1, "$")
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003107
3108getbufvar({expr}, {varname}) *getbufvar()*
3109 The result is the value of option or local buffer variable
3110 {varname} in buffer {expr}. Note that the name without "b:"
3111 must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003112 When {varname} is empty returns a dictionary with all the
3113 buffer-local variables.
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00003114 This also works for a global or buffer-local option, but it
3115 doesn't work for a global variable, window-local variable or
3116 window-local option.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003117 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
3118 When the buffer or variable doesn't exist an empty string is
3119 returned, there is no error message.
3120 Examples: >
3121 :let bufmodified = getbufvar(1, "&mod")
3122 :echo "todo myvar = " . getbufvar("todo", "myvar")
3123<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003124getchar([expr]) *getchar()*
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003125 Get a single character from the user or input stream.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003126 If [expr] is omitted, wait until a character is available.
3127 If [expr] is 0, only get a character when one is available.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003128 Return zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003129 If [expr] is 1, only check if a character is available, it is
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003130 not consumed. Return zero if no character available.
3131
3132 Without {expr} and when {expr} is 0 a whole character or
3133 special key is returned. If it is an 8-bit character, the
3134 result is a number. Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
3135 Otherwise a String is returned with the encoded character.
3136 For a special key it's a sequence of bytes starting with 0x80
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003137 (decimal: 128). This is the same value as the string
3138 "\<Key>", e.g., "\<Left>". The returned value is also a
3139 String when a modifier (shift, control, alt) was used that is
3140 not included in the character.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003141
3142 When {expr} is 1 only the first byte is returned. For a
Bram Moolenaar56a907a2006-05-06 21:44:30 +00003143 one-byte character it is the character itself as a number.
3144 Use nr2char() to convert it to a String.
Bram Moolenaar91170f82006-05-05 21:15:17 +00003145
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003146 When the user clicks a mouse button, the mouse event will be
3147 returned. The position can then be found in |v:mouse_col|,
3148 |v:mouse_lnum| and |v:mouse_win|. This example positions the
3149 mouse as it would normally happen: >
3150 let c = getchar()
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003151 if c == "\<LeftMouse>" && v:mouse_win > 0
Bram Moolenaar219b8702006-11-01 14:32:36 +00003152 exe v:mouse_win . "wincmd w"
3153 exe v:mouse_lnum
3154 exe "normal " . v:mouse_col . "|"
3155 endif
3156<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003157 There is no prompt, you will somehow have to make clear to the
3158 user that a character has to be typed.
3159 There is no mapping for the character.
3160 Key codes are replaced, thus when the user presses the <Del>
3161 key you get the code for the <Del> key, not the raw character
3162 sequence. Examples: >
3163 getchar() == "\<Del>"
3164 getchar() == "\<S-Left>"
3165< This example redefines "f" to ignore case: >
3166 :nmap f :call FindChar()<CR>
3167 :function FindChar()
3168 : let c = nr2char(getchar())
3169 : while col('.') < col('$') - 1
3170 : normal l
3171 : if getline('.')[col('.') - 1] ==? c
3172 : break
3173 : endif
3174 : endwhile
3175 :endfunction
3176
3177getcharmod() *getcharmod()*
3178 The result is a Number which is the state of the modifiers for
3179 the last obtained character with getchar() or in another way.
3180 These values are added together:
3181 2 shift
3182 4 control
3183 8 alt (meta)
3184 16 mouse double click
3185 32 mouse triple click
3186 64 mouse quadruple click
3187 128 Macintosh only: command
3188 Only the modifiers that have not been included in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003189 character itself are obtained. Thus Shift-a results in "A"
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003190 without a modifier.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003191
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003192getcmdline() *getcmdline()*
3193 Return the current command-line. Only works when the command
3194 line is being edited, thus requires use of |c_CTRL-\_e| or
3195 |c_CTRL-R_=|.
3196 Example: >
3197 :cmap <F7> <C-\>eescape(getcmdline(), ' \')<CR>
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003198< Also see |getcmdtype()|, |getcmdpos()| and |setcmdpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003199
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003200getcmdpos() *getcmdpos()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003201 Return the position of the cursor in the command line as a
3202 byte count. The first column is 1.
3203 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
3204 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003205 Also see |getcmdtype()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
3206
3207getcmdtype() *getcmdtype()*
3208 Return the current command-line type. Possible return values
3209 are:
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00003210 : normal Ex command
3211 > debug mode command |debug-mode|
3212 / forward search command
3213 ? backward search command
3214 @ |input()| command
3215 - |:insert| or |:append| command
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003216 Only works when editing the command line, thus requires use of
3217 |c_CTRL-\_e| or |c_CTRL-R_=|. Returns an empty string
3218 otherwise.
3219 Also see |getcmdpos()|, |setcmdpos()| and |getcmdline()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003220
3221 *getcwd()*
3222getcwd() The result is a String, which is the name of the current
3223 working directory.
3224
3225getfsize({fname}) *getfsize()*
3226 The result is a Number, which is the size in bytes of the
3227 given file {fname}.
3228 If {fname} is a directory, 0 is returned.
3229 If the file {fname} can't be found, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaard827ada2007-06-19 15:19:55 +00003230 If the size of {fname} is too big to fit in a Number then -2
3231 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003232
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003233getfontname([{name}]) *getfontname()*
3234 Without an argument returns the name of the normal font being
3235 used. Like what is used for the Normal highlight group
3236 |hl-Normal|.
3237 With an argument a check is done whether {name} is a valid
3238 font name. If not then an empty string is returned.
3239 Otherwise the actual font name is returned, or {name} if the
3240 GUI does not support obtaining the real name.
Bram Moolenaarc6fe9192006-04-09 21:54:49 +00003241 Only works when the GUI is running, thus not in your vimrc or
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003242 gvimrc file. Use the |GUIEnter| autocommand to use this
3243 function just after the GUI has started.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003244 Note that the GTK 2 GUI accepts any font name, thus checking
3245 for a valid name does not work.
Bram Moolenaard8b0cf12004-12-12 11:33:30 +00003246
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003247getfperm({fname}) *getfperm()*
3248 The result is a String, which is the read, write, and execute
3249 permissions of the given file {fname}.
3250 If {fname} does not exist or its directory cannot be read, an
3251 empty string is returned.
3252 The result is of the form "rwxrwxrwx", where each group of
3253 "rwx" flags represent, in turn, the permissions of the owner
3254 of the file, the group the file belongs to, and other users.
3255 If a user does not have a given permission the flag for this
3256 is replaced with the string "-". Example: >
3257 :echo getfperm("/etc/passwd")
3258< This will hopefully (from a security point of view) display
3259 the string "rw-r--r--" or even "rw-------".
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00003260
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003261getftime({fname}) *getftime()*
3262 The result is a Number, which is the last modification time of
3263 the given file {fname}. The value is measured as seconds
3264 since 1st Jan 1970, and may be passed to strftime(). See also
3265 |localtime()| and |strftime()|.
3266 If the file {fname} can't be found -1 is returned.
3267
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00003268getftype({fname}) *getftype()*
3269 The result is a String, which is a description of the kind of
3270 file of the given file {fname}.
3271 If {fname} does not exist an empty string is returned.
3272 Here is a table over different kinds of files and their
3273 results:
3274 Normal file "file"
3275 Directory "dir"
3276 Symbolic link "link"
3277 Block device "bdev"
3278 Character device "cdev"
3279 Socket "socket"
3280 FIFO "fifo"
3281 All other "other"
3282 Example: >
3283 getftype("/home")
3284< Note that a type such as "link" will only be returned on
3285 systems that support it. On some systems only "dir" and
3286 "file" are returned.
3287
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003288 *getline()*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003289getline({lnum} [, {end}])
3290 Without {end} the result is a String, which is line {lnum}
3291 from the current buffer. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003292 getline(1)
3293< When {lnum} is a String that doesn't start with a
3294 digit, line() is called to translate the String into a Number.
3295 To get the line under the cursor: >
3296 getline(".")
3297< When {lnum} is smaller than 1 or bigger than the number of
3298 lines in the buffer, an empty string is returned.
3299
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003300 When {end} is given the result is a |List| where each item is
3301 a line from the current buffer in the range {lnum} to {end},
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003302 including line {end}.
3303 {end} is used in the same way as {lnum}.
3304 Non-existing lines are silently omitted.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003305 When {end} is before {lnum} an empty |List| is returned.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003306 Example: >
3307 :let start = line('.')
3308 :let end = search("^$") - 1
3309 :let lines = getline(start, end)
3310
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003311< To get lines from another buffer see |getbufline()|
3312
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00003313getloclist({nr}) *getloclist()*
3314 Returns a list with all the entries in the location list for
3315 window {nr}. When {nr} is zero the current window is used.
3316 For a location list window, the displayed location list is
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003317 returned. For an invalid window number {nr}, an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003318 returned. Otherwise, same as |getqflist()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003319
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00003320getmatches() *getmatches()*
3321 Returns a |List| with all matches previously defined by
3322 |matchadd()| and the |:match| commands. |getmatches()| is
3323 useful in combination with |setmatches()|, as |setmatches()|
3324 can restore a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|.
3325 Example: >
3326 :echo getmatches()
3327< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3328 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3329 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3330 :let m = getmatches()
3331 :call clearmatches()
3332 :echo getmatches()
3333< [] >
3334 :call setmatches(m)
3335 :echo getmatches()
3336< [{'group': 'MyGroup1', 'pattern': 'TODO',
3337 'priority': 10, 'id': 1}, {'group': 'MyGroup2',
3338 'pattern': 'FIXME', 'priority': 10, 'id': 2}] >
3339 :unlet m
3340<
3341
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003342getqflist() *getqflist()*
3343 Returns a list with all the current quickfix errors. Each
3344 list item is a dictionary with these entries:
3345 bufnr number of buffer that has the file name, use
3346 bufname() to get the name
3347 lnum line number in the buffer (first line is 1)
3348 col column number (first column is 1)
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00003349 vcol non-zero: "col" is visual column
3350 zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003351 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003352 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003353 text description of the error
3354 type type of the error, 'E', '1', etc.
3355 valid non-zero: recognized error message
3356
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003357 When there is no error list or it's empty an empty list is
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00003358 returned. Quickfix list entries with non-existing buffer
3359 number are returned with "bufnr" set to zero.
Bram Moolenaare7eb9df2005-09-09 19:49:30 +00003360
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00003361 Useful application: Find pattern matches in multiple files and
3362 do something with them: >
3363 :vimgrep /theword/jg *.c
3364 :for d in getqflist()
3365 : echo bufname(d.bufnr) ':' d.lnum '=' d.text
3366 :endfor
3367
3368
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003369getreg([{regname} [, 1]]) *getreg()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003370 The result is a String, which is the contents of register
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003371 {regname}. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003372 :let cliptext = getreg('*')
3373< getreg('=') returns the last evaluated value of the expression
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003374 register. (For use in maps.)
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00003375 getreg('=', 1) returns the expression itself, so that it can
3376 be restored with |setreg()|. For other registers the extra
3377 argument is ignored, thus you can always give it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003378 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3379
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003380
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003381getregtype([{regname}]) *getregtype()*
3382 The result is a String, which is type of register {regname}.
3383 The value will be one of:
3384 "v" for |characterwise| text
3385 "V" for |linewise| text
3386 "<CTRL-V>{width}" for |blockwise-visual| text
3387 0 for an empty or unknown register
3388 <CTRL-V> is one character with value 0x16.
3389 If {regname} is not specified, |v:register| is used.
3390
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02003391gettabvar({tabnr}, {varname}) *gettabvar()*
3392 Get the value of a tab-local variable {varname} in tab page
3393 {tabnr}. |t:var|
3394 Tabs are numbered starting with one.
3395 Note that the name without "t:" must be used.
3396
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003397gettabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}) *gettabwinvar()*
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003398 Get the value of window-local variable {varname} in window
3399 {winnr} in tab page {tabnr}.
3400 When {varname} starts with "&" get the value of a window-local
3401 option.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003402 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
3403 use |getwinvar()|.
3404 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
3405 This also works for a global option, buffer-local option and
3406 window-local option, but it doesn't work for a global variable
3407 or buffer-local variable.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003408 When {varname} is empty a dictionary with all window-local
3409 variables is returned.
3410 Note that {varname} must be the name without "w:".
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003411 Examples: >
3412 :let list_is_on = gettabwinvar(1, 2, '&list')
3413 :echo "myvar = " . gettabwinvar(3, 1, 'myvar')
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00003414<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003415 *getwinposx()*
3416getwinposx() The result is a Number, which is the X coordinate in pixels of
3417 the left hand side of the GUI Vim window. The result will be
3418 -1 if the information is not available.
3419
3420 *getwinposy()*
3421getwinposy() The result is a Number, which is the Y coordinate in pixels of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003422 the top of the GUI Vim window. The result will be -1 if the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003423 information is not available.
3424
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00003425getwinvar({winnr}, {varname}) *getwinvar()*
3426 Like |gettabwinvar()| for the current tabpage.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003427 Examples: >
3428 :let list_is_on = getwinvar(2, '&list')
3429 :echo "myvar = " . getwinvar(1, 'myvar')
3430<
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003431glob({expr} [, {flag}]) *glob()*
3432 Expand the file wildcards in {expr}. See |wildcards| for the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003433 use of special characters.
3434 The result is a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003435 When there are several matches, they are separated by <NL>
3436 characters.
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003437 Unless the optional {flag} argument is given and is non-zero,
3438 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3439 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3440 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar81af9252010-12-10 20:35:50 +01003441 'wildignorecase' always applies.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003442 If the expansion fails, the result is an empty string.
3443 A name for a non-existing file is not included.
3444
3445 For most systems backticks can be used to get files names from
3446 any external command. Example: >
3447 :let tagfiles = glob("`find . -name tags -print`")
3448 :let &tags = substitute(tagfiles, "\n", ",", "g")
3449< The result of the program inside the backticks should be one
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003450 item per line. Spaces inside an item are allowed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003451
3452 See |expand()| for expanding special Vim variables. See
3453 |system()| for getting the raw output of an external command.
3454
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003455globpath({path}, {expr} [, {flag}]) *globpath()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003456 Perform glob() on all directories in {path} and concatenate
3457 the results. Example: >
3458 :echo globpath(&rtp, "syntax/c.vim")
3459< {path} is a comma-separated list of directory names. Each
3460 directory name is prepended to {expr} and expanded like with
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003461 |glob()|. A path separator is inserted when needed.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003462 To add a comma inside a directory name escape it with a
3463 backslash. Note that on MS-Windows a directory may have a
3464 trailing backslash, remove it if you put a comma after it.
3465 If the expansion fails for one of the directories, there is no
3466 error message.
Bram Moolenaarbb5ddda2008-11-28 10:01:10 +00003467 Unless the optional {flag} argument is given and is non-zero,
3468 the 'suffixes' and 'wildignore' options apply: Names matching
3469 one of the patterns in 'wildignore' will be skipped and
3470 'suffixes' affect the ordering of matches.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003471
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00003472 The "**" item can be used to search in a directory tree.
3473 For example, to find all "README.txt" files in the directories
3474 in 'runtimepath' and below: >
3475 :echo globpath(&rtp, "**/README.txt")
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003476< Upwards search and limiting the depth of "**" is not
3477 supported, thus using 'path' will not always work properly.
3478
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003479 *has()*
3480has({feature}) The result is a Number, which is 1 if the feature {feature} is
3481 supported, zero otherwise. The {feature} argument is a
3482 string. See |feature-list| below.
3483 Also see |exists()|.
3484
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003485
3486has_key({dict}, {key}) *has_key()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003487 The result is a Number, which is 1 if |Dictionary| {dict} has
3488 an entry with key {key}. Zero otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003489
Bram Moolenaard267b9c2007-04-26 15:06:45 +00003490haslocaldir() *haslocaldir()*
3491 The result is a Number, which is 1 when the current
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003492 window has set a local path via |:lcd|, and 0 otherwise.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003493
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003494hasmapto({what} [, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *hasmapto()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003495 The result is a Number, which is 1 if there is a mapping that
3496 contains {what} in somewhere in the rhs (what it is mapped to)
3497 and this mapping exists in one of the modes indicated by
3498 {mode}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00003499 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00003500 instead of mappings. Don't forget to specify Insert and/or
3501 Command-line mode.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003502 Both the global mappings and the mappings local to the current
3503 buffer are checked for a match.
3504 If no matching mapping is found 0 is returned.
3505 The following characters are recognized in {mode}:
3506 n Normal mode
3507 v Visual mode
3508 o Operator-pending mode
3509 i Insert mode
3510 l Language-Argument ("r", "f", "t", etc.)
3511 c Command-line mode
3512 When {mode} is omitted, "nvo" is used.
3513
3514 This function is useful to check if a mapping already exists
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003515 to a function in a Vim script. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003516 :if !hasmapto('\ABCdoit')
3517 : map <Leader>d \ABCdoit
3518 :endif
3519< This installs the mapping to "\ABCdoit" only if there isn't
3520 already a mapping to "\ABCdoit".
3521
3522histadd({history}, {item}) *histadd()*
3523 Add the String {item} to the history {history} which can be
3524 one of: *hist-names*
3525 "cmd" or ":" command line history
3526 "search" or "/" search pattern history
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003527 "expr" or "=" typed expression history
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003528 "input" or "@" input line history
3529 If {item} does already exist in the history, it will be
3530 shifted to become the newest entry.
3531 The result is a Number: 1 if the operation was successful,
3532 otherwise 0 is returned.
3533
3534 Example: >
3535 :call histadd("input", strftime("%Y %b %d"))
3536 :let date=input("Enter date: ")
3537< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
3538
3539histdel({history} [, {item}]) *histdel()*
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003540 Clear {history}, i.e. delete all its entries. See |hist-names|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003541 for the possible values of {history}.
3542
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003543 If the parameter {item} evaluates to a String, it is used as a
3544 regular expression. All entries matching that expression will
3545 be removed from the history (if there are any).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003546 Upper/lowercase must match, unless "\c" is used |/\c|.
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00003547 If {item} evaluates to a Number, it will be interpreted as
3548 an index, see |:history-indexing|. The respective entry will
3549 be removed if it exists.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003550
3551 The result is a Number: 1 for a successful operation,
3552 otherwise 0 is returned.
3553
3554 Examples:
3555 Clear expression register history: >
3556 :call histdel("expr")
3557<
3558 Remove all entries starting with "*" from the search history: >
3559 :call histdel("/", '^\*')
3560<
3561 The following three are equivalent: >
3562 :call histdel("search", histnr("search"))
3563 :call histdel("search", -1)
3564 :call histdel("search", '^'.histget("search", -1).'$')
3565<
3566 To delete the last search pattern and use the last-but-one for
3567 the "n" command and 'hlsearch': >
3568 :call histdel("search", -1)
3569 :let @/ = histget("search", -1)
3570
3571histget({history} [, {index}]) *histget()*
3572 The result is a String, the entry with Number {index} from
3573 {history}. See |hist-names| for the possible values of
3574 {history}, and |:history-indexing| for {index}. If there is
3575 no such entry, an empty String is returned. When {index} is
3576 omitted, the most recent item from the history is used.
3577
3578 Examples:
3579 Redo the second last search from history. >
3580 :execute '/' . histget("search", -2)
3581
3582< Define an Ex command ":H {num}" that supports re-execution of
3583 the {num}th entry from the output of |:history|. >
3584 :command -nargs=1 H execute histget("cmd", 0+<args>)
3585<
3586histnr({history}) *histnr()*
3587 The result is the Number of the current entry in {history}.
3588 See |hist-names| for the possible values of {history}.
3589 If an error occurred, -1 is returned.
3590
3591 Example: >
3592 :let inp_index = histnr("expr")
3593<
3594hlexists({name}) *hlexists()*
3595 The result is a Number, which is non-zero if a highlight group
3596 called {name} exists. This is when the group has been
3597 defined in some way. Not necessarily when highlighting has
3598 been defined for it, it may also have been used for a syntax
3599 item.
3600 *highlight_exists()*
3601 Obsolete name: highlight_exists().
3602
3603 *hlID()*
3604hlID({name}) The result is a Number, which is the ID of the highlight group
3605 with name {name}. When the highlight group doesn't exist,
3606 zero is returned.
3607 This can be used to retrieve information about the highlight
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003608 group. For example, to get the background color of the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003609 "Comment" group: >
3610 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(hlID("Comment")), "bg")
3611< *highlightID()*
3612 Obsolete name: highlightID().
3613
3614hostname() *hostname()*
3615 The result is a String, which is the name of the machine on
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00003616 which Vim is currently running. Machine names greater than
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003617 256 characters long are truncated.
3618
3619iconv({expr}, {from}, {to}) *iconv()*
3620 The result is a String, which is the text {expr} converted
3621 from encoding {from} to encoding {to}.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003622 When the conversion completely fails an empty string is
3623 returned. When some characters could not be converted they
3624 are replaced with "?".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003625 The encoding names are whatever the iconv() library function
3626 can accept, see ":!man 3 iconv".
3627 Most conversions require Vim to be compiled with the |+iconv|
3628 feature. Otherwise only UTF-8 to latin1 conversion and back
3629 can be done.
3630 This can be used to display messages with special characters,
3631 no matter what 'encoding' is set to. Write the message in
3632 UTF-8 and use: >
3633 echo iconv(utf8_str, "utf-8", &enc)
3634< Note that Vim uses UTF-8 for all Unicode encodings, conversion
3635 from/to UCS-2 is automatically changed to use UTF-8. You
3636 cannot use UCS-2 in a string anyway, because of the NUL bytes.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02003637 {only available when compiled with the |+multi_byte| feature}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003638
3639 *indent()*
3640indent({lnum}) The result is a Number, which is indent of line {lnum} in the
3641 current buffer. The indent is counted in spaces, the value
3642 of 'tabstop' is relevant. {lnum} is used just like in
3643 |getline()|.
3644 When {lnum} is invalid -1 is returned.
3645
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003646
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003647index({list}, {expr} [, {start} [, {ic}]]) *index()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003648 Return the lowest index in |List| {list} where the item has a
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003649 value equal to {expr}. There is no automatic conversion, so
3650 the String "4" is different from the Number 4. And the number
3651 4 is different from the Float 4.0. The value of 'ignorecase'
3652 is not used here, case always matters.
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00003653 If {start} is given then start looking at the item with index
3654 {start} (may be negative for an item relative to the end).
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003655 When {ic} is given and it is non-zero, ignore case. Otherwise
3656 case must match.
3657 -1 is returned when {expr} is not found in {list}.
3658 Example: >
3659 :let idx = index(words, "the")
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00003660 :if index(numbers, 123) >= 0
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00003661
3662
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003663input({prompt} [, {text} [, {completion}]]) *input()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003664 The result is a String, which is whatever the user typed on
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003665 the command-line. The {prompt} argument is either a prompt
3666 string, or a blank string (for no prompt). A '\n' can be used
3667 in the prompt to start a new line.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003668 The highlighting set with |:echohl| is used for the prompt.
3669 The input is entered just like a command-line, with the same
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003670 editing commands and mappings. There is a separate history
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003671 for lines typed for input().
3672 Example: >
3673 :if input("Coffee or beer? ") == "beer"
3674 : echo "Cheers!"
3675 :endif
3676<
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003677 If the optional {text} argument is present and not empty, this
3678 is used for the default reply, as if the user typed this.
3679 Example: >
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003680 :let color = input("Color? ", "white")
3681
3682< The optional {completion} argument specifies the type of
3683 completion supported for the input. Without it completion is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003684 not performed. The supported completion types are the same as
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003685 that can be supplied to a user-defined command using the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003686 "-complete=" argument. Refer to |:command-completion| for
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003687 more information. Example: >
3688 let fname = input("File: ", "", "file")
3689<
3690 NOTE: This function must not be used in a startup file, for
3691 the versions that only run in GUI mode (e.g., the Win32 GUI).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003692 Note: When input() is called from within a mapping it will
3693 consume remaining characters from that mapping, because a
3694 mapping is handled like the characters were typed.
3695 Use |inputsave()| before input() and |inputrestore()|
3696 after input() to avoid that. Another solution is to avoid
3697 that further characters follow in the mapping, e.g., by using
3698 |:execute| or |:normal|.
3699
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003700 Example with a mapping: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003701 :nmap \x :call GetFoo()<CR>:exe "/" . Foo<CR>
3702 :function GetFoo()
3703 : call inputsave()
3704 : let g:Foo = input("enter search pattern: ")
3705 : call inputrestore()
3706 :endfunction
3707
3708inputdialog({prompt} [, {text} [, {cancelreturn}]]) *inputdialog()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003709 Like |input()|, but when the GUI is running and text dialogs
3710 are supported, a dialog window pops up to input the text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003711 Example: >
3712 :let n = inputdialog("value for shiftwidth", &sw)
3713 :if n != ""
3714 : let &sw = n
3715 :endif
3716< When the dialog is cancelled {cancelreturn} is returned. When
3717 omitted an empty string is returned.
3718 Hitting <Enter> works like pressing the OK button. Hitting
3719 <Esc> works like pressing the Cancel button.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003720 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003721
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003722inputlist({textlist}) *inputlist()*
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003723 {textlist} must be a |List| of strings. This |List| is
3724 displayed, one string per line. The user will be prompted to
3725 enter a number, which is returned.
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003726 The user can also select an item by clicking on it with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003727 mouse. For the first string 0 is returned. When clicking
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003728 above the first item a negative number is returned. When
3729 clicking on the prompt one more than the length of {textlist}
3730 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003731 Make sure {textlist} has less than 'lines' entries, otherwise
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003732 it won't work. It's a good idea to put the entry number at
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003733 the start of the string. And put a prompt in the first item.
3734 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar578b49e2005-09-10 19:22:57 +00003735 let color = inputlist(['Select color:', '1. red',
3736 \ '2. green', '3. blue'])
3737
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003738inputrestore() *inputrestore()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003739 Restore typeahead that was saved with a previous |inputsave()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003740 Should be called the same number of times inputsave() is
3741 called. Calling it more often is harmless though.
3742 Returns 1 when there is nothing to restore, 0 otherwise.
3743
3744inputsave() *inputsave()*
3745 Preserve typeahead (also from mappings) and clear it, so that
3746 a following prompt gets input from the user. Should be
3747 followed by a matching inputrestore() after the prompt. Can
3748 be used several times, in which case there must be just as
3749 many inputrestore() calls.
3750 Returns 1 when out of memory, 0 otherwise.
3751
3752inputsecret({prompt} [, {text}]) *inputsecret()*
3753 This function acts much like the |input()| function with but
3754 two exceptions:
3755 a) the user's response will be displayed as a sequence of
3756 asterisks ("*") thereby keeping the entry secret, and
3757 b) the user's response will not be recorded on the input
3758 |history| stack.
3759 The result is a String, which is whatever the user actually
3760 typed on the command-line in response to the issued prompt.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00003761 NOTE: Command-line completion is not supported.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003762
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003763insert({list}, {item} [, {idx}]) *insert()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003764 Insert {item} at the start of |List| {list}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003765 If {idx} is specified insert {item} before the item with index
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003766 {idx}. If {idx} is zero it goes before the first item, just
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003767 like omitting {idx}. A negative {idx} is also possible, see
3768 |list-index|. -1 inserts just before the last item.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003769 Returns the resulting |List|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003770 :let mylist = insert([2, 3, 5], 1)
3771 :call insert(mylist, 4, -1)
3772 :call insert(mylist, 6, len(mylist))
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00003773< The last example can be done simpler with |add()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003774 Note that when {item} is a |List| it is inserted as a single
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003775 item. Use |extend()| to concatenate |Lists|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003776
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003777isdirectory({directory}) *isdirectory()*
3778 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when a directory
3779 with the name {directory} exists. If {directory} doesn't
3780 exist, or isn't a directory, the result is FALSE. {directory}
3781 is any expression, which is used as a String.
3782
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00003783islocked({expr}) *islocked()* *E786*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003784 The result is a Number, which is non-zero when {expr} is the
3785 name of a locked variable.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003786 {expr} must be the name of a variable, |List| item or
3787 |Dictionary| entry, not the variable itself! Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003788 :let alist = [0, ['a', 'b'], 2, 3]
3789 :lockvar 1 alist
3790 :echo islocked('alist') " 1
3791 :echo islocked('alist[1]') " 0
3792
3793< When {expr} is a variable that does not exist you get an error
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00003794 message. Use |exists()| to check for existence.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00003795
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003796items({dict}) *items()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003797 Return a |List| with all the key-value pairs of {dict}. Each
3798 |List| item is a list with two items: the key of a {dict}
3799 entry and the value of this entry. The |List| is in arbitrary
3800 order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00003801
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003802
3803join({list} [, {sep}]) *join()*
3804 Join the items in {list} together into one String.
3805 When {sep} is specified it is put in between the items. If
3806 {sep} is omitted a single space is used.
3807 Note that {sep} is not added at the end. You might want to
3808 add it there too: >
3809 let lines = join(mylist, "\n") . "\n"
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00003810< String items are used as-is. |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003811 converted into a string like with |string()|.
3812 The opposite function is |split()|.
3813
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003814keys({dict}) *keys()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003815 Return a |List| with all the keys of {dict}. The |List| is in
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003816 arbitrary order.
3817
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00003818 *len()* *E701*
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003819len({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the argument.
3820 When {expr} is a String or a Number the length in bytes is
3821 used, as with |strlen()|.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003822 When {expr} is a |List| the number of items in the |List| is
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003823 returned.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003824 When {expr} is a |Dictionary| the number of entries in the
3825 |Dictionary| is returned.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00003826 Otherwise an error is given.
3827
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003828 *libcall()* *E364* *E368*
3829libcall({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
3830 Call function {funcname} in the run-time library {libname}
3831 with single argument {argument}.
3832 This is useful to call functions in a library that you
3833 especially made to be used with Vim. Since only one argument
3834 is possible, calling standard library functions is rather
3835 limited.
3836 The result is the String returned by the function. If the
3837 function returns NULL, this will appear as an empty string ""
3838 to Vim.
3839 If the function returns a number, use libcallnr()!
3840 If {argument} is a number, it is passed to the function as an
3841 int; if {argument} is a string, it is passed as a
3842 null-terminated string.
3843 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
3844
3845 libcall() allows you to write your own 'plug-in' extensions to
3846 Vim without having to recompile the program. It is NOT a
3847 means to call system functions! If you try to do so Vim will
3848 very probably crash.
3849
3850 For Win32, the functions you write must be placed in a DLL
3851 and use the normal C calling convention (NOT Pascal which is
3852 used in Windows System DLLs). The function must take exactly
3853 one parameter, either a character pointer or a long integer,
3854 and must return a character pointer or NULL. The character
3855 pointer returned must point to memory that will remain valid
3856 after the function has returned (e.g. in static data in the
3857 DLL). If it points to allocated memory, that memory will
3858 leak away. Using a static buffer in the function should work,
3859 it's then freed when the DLL is unloaded.
3860
3861 WARNING: If the function returns a non-valid pointer, Vim may
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003862 crash! This also happens if the function returns a number,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003863 because Vim thinks it's a pointer.
3864 For Win32 systems, {libname} should be the filename of the DLL
3865 without the ".DLL" suffix. A full path is only required if
3866 the DLL is not in the usual places.
3867 For Unix: When compiling your own plugins, remember that the
3868 object code must be compiled as position-independent ('PIC').
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003869 {only in Win32 and some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003870 feature is present}
3871 Examples: >
3872 :echo libcall("libc.so", "getenv", "HOME")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003873<
3874 *libcallnr()*
3875libcallnr({libname}, {funcname}, {argument})
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003876 Just like |libcall()|, but used for a function that returns an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003877 int instead of a string.
3878 {only in Win32 on some Unix versions, when the |+libcall|
3879 feature is present}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003880 Examples: >
3881 :echo libcallnr("/usr/lib/libc.so", "getpid", "")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003882 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "printf", "Hello World!\n")
3883 :call libcallnr("libc.so", "sleep", 10)
3884<
3885 *line()*
3886line({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the line number of the file
3887 position given with {expr}. The accepted positions are:
3888 . the cursor position
3889 $ the last line in the current buffer
3890 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
3891 returned)
Bram Moolenaarc7453f52006-02-10 23:20:28 +00003892 w0 first line visible in current window
3893 w$ last line visible in current window
Bram Moolenaar9ecd0232008-06-20 15:31:51 +00003894 v In Visual mode: the start of the Visual area (the
3895 cursor is the end). When not in Visual mode
3896 returns the cursor position. Differs from |'<| in
3897 that it's updated right away.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00003898 Note that a mark in another file can be used. The line number
3899 then applies to another buffer.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00003900 To get the column number use |col()|. To get both use
3901 |getpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003902 Examples: >
3903 line(".") line number of the cursor
3904 line("'t") line number of mark t
3905 line("'" . marker) line number of mark marker
3906< *last-position-jump*
3907 This autocommand jumps to the last known position in a file
3908 just after opening it, if the '" mark is set: >
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01003909 :au BufReadPost * if line("'\"") > 1 && line("'\"") <= line("$") | exe "normal! g`\"" | endif
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00003910
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003911line2byte({lnum}) *line2byte()*
3912 Return the byte count from the start of the buffer for line
3913 {lnum}. This includes the end-of-line character, depending on
3914 the 'fileformat' option for the current buffer. The first
3915 line returns 1.
3916 This can also be used to get the byte count for the line just
3917 below the last line: >
3918 line2byte(line("$") + 1)
3919< This is the file size plus one.
3920 When {lnum} is invalid, or the |+byte_offset| feature has been
3921 disabled at compile time, -1 is returned.
3922 Also see |byte2line()|, |go| and |:goto|.
3923
3924lispindent({lnum}) *lispindent()*
3925 Get the amount of indent for line {lnum} according the lisp
3926 indenting rules, as with 'lisp'.
3927 The indent is counted in spaces, the value of 'tabstop' is
3928 relevant. {lnum} is used just like in |getline()|.
3929 When {lnum} is invalid or Vim was not compiled the
3930 |+lispindent| feature, -1 is returned.
3931
3932localtime() *localtime()*
3933 Return the current time, measured as seconds since 1st Jan
3934 1970. See also |strftime()| and |getftime()|.
3935
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003936
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003937log({expr}) *log()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02003938 Return the natural logarithm (base e) of {expr} as a |Float|.
3939 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003940 (0, inf].
3941 Examples: >
3942 :echo log(10)
3943< 2.302585 >
3944 :echo log(exp(5))
3945< 5.0
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02003946 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02003947
3948
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00003949log10({expr}) *log10()*
3950 Return the logarithm of Float {expr} to base 10 as a |Float|.
3951 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
3952 Examples: >
3953 :echo log10(1000)
3954< 3.0 >
3955 :echo log10(0.01)
3956< -2.0
3957 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
3958
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003959map({expr}, {string}) *map()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003960 {expr} must be a |List| or a |Dictionary|.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003961 Replace each item in {expr} with the result of evaluating
3962 {string}.
3963 Inside {string} |v:val| has the value of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar627b1d32009-11-17 11:20:35 +00003964 For a |Dictionary| |v:key| has the key of the current item
3965 and for a |List| |v:key| has the index of the current item.
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003966 Example: >
3967 :call map(mylist, '"> " . v:val . " <"')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003968< This puts "> " before and " <" after each item in "mylist".
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003969
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003970 Note that {string} is the result of an expression and is then
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003971 used as an expression again. Often it is good to use a
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00003972 |literal-string| to avoid having to double backslashes. You
3973 still have to double ' quotes
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003974
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003975 The operation is done in-place. If you want a |List| or
3976 |Dictionary| to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00003977 :let tlist = map(copy(mylist), ' & . "\t"')
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00003978
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00003979< Returns {expr}, the |List| or |Dictionary| that was filtered.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00003980 When an error is encountered while evaluating {string} no
3981 further items in {expr} are processed.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00003982
3983
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02003984maparg({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr} [, {dict}]]]) *maparg()*
3985 When {dict} is omitted or zero: Return the rhs of mapping
3986 {name} in mode {mode}. The returned String has special
3987 characters translated like in the output of the ":map" command
3988 listing.
3989
3990 When there is no mapping for {name}, an empty String is
3991 returned.
3992
3993 The {name} can have special key names, like in the ":map"
3994 command.
3995
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00003996 {mode} can be one of these strings:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003997 "n" Normal
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02003998 "v" Visual (including Select)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003999 "o" Operator-pending
4000 "i" Insert
4001 "c" Cmd-line
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004002 "s" Select
4003 "x" Visual
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004004 "l" langmap |language-mapping|
4005 "" Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaard12f5c12006-01-25 22:10:52 +00004006 When {mode} is omitted, the modes for "" are used.
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004007
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004008 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
4009 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004010
4011 When {dict} is there and it is non-zero return a dictionary
4012 containing all the information of the mapping with the
4013 following items:
4014 "lhs" The {lhs} of the mapping.
4015 "rhs" The {rhs} of the mapping as typed.
4016 "silent" 1 for a |:map-silent| mapping, else 0.
Bram Moolenaar05365702010-10-27 18:34:44 +02004017 "noremap" 1 if the {rhs} of the mapping is not remappable.
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004018 "expr" 1 for an expression mapping (|:map-<expr>|).
4019 "buffer" 1 for a buffer local mapping (|:map-local|).
4020 "mode" Modes for which the mapping is defined. In
4021 addition to the modes mentioned above, these
4022 characters will be used:
4023 " " Normal, Visual and Operator-pending
4024 "!" Insert and Commandline mode
Bram Moolenaar166af9b2010-11-16 20:34:40 +01004025 (|mapmode-ic|)
Bram Moolenaar05365702010-10-27 18:34:44 +02004026 "sid" The script local ID, used for <sid> mappings
4027 (|<SID>|).
Bram Moolenaarbd743252010-10-20 21:23:33 +02004028
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004029 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
4030 then the global mappings.
Bram Moolenaara40ceaf2006-01-13 22:35:40 +00004031 This function can be used to map a key even when it's already
4032 mapped, and have it do the original mapping too. Sketch: >
4033 exe 'nnoremap <Tab> ==' . maparg('<Tab>', 'n')
4034
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004035
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004036mapcheck({name}[, {mode} [, {abbr}]]) *mapcheck()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004037 Check if there is a mapping that matches with {name} in mode
4038 {mode}. See |maparg()| for {mode} and special names in
4039 {name}.
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00004040 When {abbr} is there and it is non-zero use abbreviations
4041 instead of mappings.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004042 A match happens with a mapping that starts with {name} and
4043 with a mapping which is equal to the start of {name}.
4044
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004045 matches mapping "a" "ab" "abc" ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004046 mapcheck("a") yes yes yes
4047 mapcheck("abc") yes yes yes
4048 mapcheck("ax") yes no no
4049 mapcheck("b") no no no
4050
4051 The difference with maparg() is that mapcheck() finds a
4052 mapping that matches with {name}, while maparg() only finds a
4053 mapping for {name} exactly.
4054 When there is no mapping that starts with {name}, an empty
4055 String is returned. If there is one, the rhs of that mapping
4056 is returned. If there are several mappings that start with
4057 {name}, the rhs of one of them is returned.
4058 The mappings local to the current buffer are checked first,
4059 then the global mappings.
4060 This function can be used to check if a mapping can be added
4061 without being ambiguous. Example: >
4062 :if mapcheck("_vv") == ""
4063 : map _vv :set guifont=7x13<CR>
4064 :endif
4065< This avoids adding the "_vv" mapping when there already is a
4066 mapping for "_v" or for "_vvv".
4067
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004068match({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *match()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004069 When {expr} is a |List| then this returns the index of the
4070 first item where {pat} matches. Each item is used as a
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004071 String, |Lists| and |Dictionaries| are used as echoed.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004072 Otherwise, {expr} is used as a String. The result is a
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004073 Number, which gives the index (byte offset) in {expr} where
4074 {pat} matches.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004075 A match at the first character or |List| item returns zero.
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004076 If there is no match -1 is returned.
4077 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004078 :echo match("testing", "ing") " results in 4
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004079 :echo match([1, 'x'], '\a') " results in 1
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004080< See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004081 *strpbrk()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004082 Vim doesn't have a strpbrk() function. But you can do: >
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004083 :let sepidx = match(line, '[.,;: \t]')
4084< *strcasestr()*
4085 Vim doesn't have a strcasestr() function. But you can add
4086 "\c" to the pattern to ignore case: >
4087 :let idx = match(haystack, '\cneedle')
4088<
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004089 If {start} is given, the search starts from byte index
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004090 {start} in a String or item {start} in a |List|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004091 The result, however, is still the index counted from the
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004092 first character/item. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004093 :echo match("testing", "ing", 2)
4094< result is again "4". >
4095 :echo match("testing", "ing", 4)
4096< result is again "4". >
4097 :echo match("testing", "t", 2)
4098< result is "3".
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004099 For a String, if {start} > 0 then it is like the string starts
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004100 {start} bytes later, thus "^" will match at {start}. Except
4101 when {count} is given, then it's like matches before the
4102 {start} byte are ignored (this is a bit complicated to keep it
4103 backwards compatible).
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004104 For a String, if {start} < 0, it will be set to 0. For a list
4105 the index is counted from the end.
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00004106 If {start} is out of range ({start} > strlen({expr}) for a
4107 String or {start} > len({expr}) for a |List|) -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004108
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004109 When {count} is given use the {count}'th match. When a match
Bram Moolenaare224ffa2006-03-01 00:01:28 +00004110 is found in a String the search for the next one starts one
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004111 character further. Thus this example results in 1: >
4112 echo match("testing", "..", 0, 2)
4113< In a |List| the search continues in the next item.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004114 Note that when {count} is added the way {start} works changes,
4115 see above.
Bram Moolenaar5e3cb7e2006-02-27 23:58:35 +00004116
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004117 See |pattern| for the patterns that are accepted.
4118 The 'ignorecase' option is used to set the ignore-caseness of
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004119 the pattern. 'smartcase' is NOT used. The matching is always
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004120 done like 'magic' is set and 'cpoptions' is empty.
4121
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004122 *matchadd()* *E798* *E799* *E801*
4123matchadd({group}, {pattern}[, {priority}[, {id}]])
4124 Defines a pattern to be highlighted in the current window (a
4125 "match"). It will be highlighted with {group}. Returns an
4126 identification number (ID), which can be used to delete the
4127 match using |matchdelete()|.
4128
4129 The optional {priority} argument assigns a priority to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004130 match. A match with a high priority will have its
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004131 highlighting overrule that of a match with a lower priority.
4132 A priority is specified as an integer (negative numbers are no
4133 exception). If the {priority} argument is not specified, the
4134 default priority is 10. The priority of 'hlsearch' is zero,
4135 hence all matches with a priority greater than zero will
4136 overrule it. Syntax highlighting (see 'syntax') is a separate
4137 mechanism, and regardless of the chosen priority a match will
4138 always overrule syntax highlighting.
4139
4140 The optional {id} argument allows the request for a specific
4141 match ID. If a specified ID is already taken, an error
4142 message will appear and the match will not be added. An ID
4143 is specified as a positive integer (zero excluded). IDs 1, 2
4144 and 3 are reserved for |:match|, |:2match| and |:3match|,
4145 respectively. If the {id} argument is not specified,
4146 |matchadd()| automatically chooses a free ID.
4147
4148 The number of matches is not limited, as it is the case with
4149 the |:match| commands.
4150
4151 Example: >
4152 :highlight MyGroup ctermbg=green guibg=green
4153 :let m = matchadd("MyGroup", "TODO")
4154< Deletion of the pattern: >
4155 :call matchdelete(m)
4156
4157< A list of matches defined by |matchadd()| and |:match| are
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004158 available from |getmatches()|. All matches can be deleted in
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004159 one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004160
4161matcharg({nr}) *matcharg()*
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004162 Selects the {nr} match item, as set with a |:match|,
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004163 |:2match| or |:3match| command.
4164 Return a |List| with two elements:
4165 The name of the highlight group used
4166 The pattern used.
4167 When {nr} is not 1, 2 or 3 returns an empty |List|.
4168 When there is no match item set returns ['', ''].
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004169 This is useful to save and restore a |:match|.
4170 Highlighting matches using the |:match| commands are limited
4171 to three matches. |matchadd()| does not have this limitation.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004172
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004173matchdelete({id}) *matchdelete()* *E802* *E803*
4174 Deletes a match with ID {id} previously defined by |matchadd()|
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004175 or one of the |:match| commands. Returns 0 if successful,
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00004176 otherwise -1. See example for |matchadd()|. All matches can
4177 be deleted in one operation by |clearmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004178
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004179matchend({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchend()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004180 Same as |match()|, but return the index of first character
4181 after the match. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004182 :echo matchend("testing", "ing")
4183< results in "7".
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00004184 *strspn()* *strcspn()*
4185 Vim doesn't have a strspn() or strcspn() function, but you can
4186 do it with matchend(): >
4187 :let span = matchend(line, '[a-zA-Z]')
4188 :let span = matchend(line, '[^a-zA-Z]')
4189< Except that -1 is returned when there are no matches.
4190
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004191 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for |match()|. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004192 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 2)
4193< results in "7". >
4194 :echo matchend("testing", "ing", 5)
4195< result is "-1".
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004196 When {expr} is a |List| the result is equal to |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004197
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004198matchlist({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchlist()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004199 Same as |match()|, but return a |List|. The first item in the
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004200 list is the matched string, same as what matchstr() would
4201 return. Following items are submatches, like "\1", "\2", etc.
Bram Moolenaarf9393ef2006-04-24 19:47:27 +00004202 in |:substitute|. When an optional submatch didn't match an
4203 empty string is used. Example: >
4204 echo matchlist('acd', '\(a\)\?\(b\)\?\(c\)\?\(.*\)')
4205< Results in: ['acd', 'a', '', 'c', 'd', '', '', '', '', '']
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004206 When there is no match an empty list is returned.
4207
Bram Moolenaar89cb5e02004-07-19 20:55:54 +00004208matchstr({expr}, {pat}[, {start}[, {count}]]) *matchstr()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004209 Same as |match()|, but return the matched string. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004210 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing")
4211< results in "ing".
4212 When there is no match "" is returned.
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004213 The {start}, if given, has the same meaning as for |match()|. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004214 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 2)
4215< results in "ing". >
4216 :echo matchstr("testing", "ing", 5)
4217< result is "".
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004218 When {expr} is a |List| then the matching item is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00004219 The type isn't changed, it's not necessarily a String.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004220
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004221 *max()*
4222max({list}) Return the maximum value of all items in {list}.
4223 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4224 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004225 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004226
4227 *min()*
Bram Moolenaar79166c42007-05-10 18:29:51 +00004228min({list}) Return the minimum value of all items in {list}.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004229 If {list} is not a list or one of the items in {list} cannot
4230 be used as a Number this results in an error.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004231 An empty |List| results in zero.
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00004232
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004233 *mkdir()* *E739*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004234mkdir({name} [, {path} [, {prot}]])
4235 Create directory {name}.
4236 If {path} is "p" then intermediate directories are created as
4237 necessary. Otherwise it must be "".
4238 If {prot} is given it is used to set the protection bits of
4239 the new directory. The default is 0755 (rwxr-xr-x: r/w for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004240 the user readable for others). Use 0700 to make it unreadable
Bram Moolenaared39e1d2008-08-09 17:55:22 +00004241 for others. This is only used for the last part of {name}.
4242 Thus if you create /tmp/foo/bar then /tmp/foo will be created
4243 with 0755.
4244 Example: >
4245 :call mkdir($HOME . "/tmp/foo/bar", "p", 0700)
4246< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004247 Not available on all systems. To check use: >
4248 :if exists("*mkdir")
4249<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004250 *mode()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004251mode([expr]) Return a string that indicates the current mode.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00004252 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
4253 a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then the full mode is
4254 returned, otherwise only the first letter is returned. Note
4255 that " " and "0" are also non-empty strings.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004256
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004257 n Normal
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004258 no Operator-pending
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004259 v Visual by character
4260 V Visual by line
4261 CTRL-V Visual blockwise
4262 s Select by character
4263 S Select by line
4264 CTRL-S Select blockwise
4265 i Insert
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004266 R Replace |R|
4267 Rv Virtual Replace |gR|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004268 c Command-line
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004269 cv Vim Ex mode |gQ|
4270 ce Normal Ex mode |Q|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004271 r Hit-enter prompt
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004272 rm The -- more -- prompt
4273 r? A |:confirm| query of some sort
4274 ! Shell or external command is executing
4275 This is useful in the 'statusline' option or when used
4276 with |remote_expr()| In most other places it always returns
4277 "c" or "n".
4278 Also see |visualmode()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004279
Bram Moolenaar7e506b62010-01-19 15:55:06 +01004280mzeval({expr}) *mzeval()*
4281 Evaluate MzScheme expression {expr} and return its result
4282 convert to Vim data structures.
4283 Numbers and strings are returned as they are.
4284 Pairs (including lists and improper lists) and vectors are
4285 returned as Vim |Lists|.
4286 Hash tables are represented as Vim |Dictionary| type with keys
4287 converted to strings.
4288 All other types are converted to string with display function.
4289 Examples: >
4290 :mz (define l (list 1 2 3))
4291 :mz (define h (make-hash)) (hash-set! h "list" l)
4292 :echo mzeval("l")
4293 :echo mzeval("h")
4294<
4295 {only available when compiled with the |+mzscheme| feature}
4296
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004297nextnonblank({lnum}) *nextnonblank()*
4298 Return the line number of the first line at or below {lnum}
4299 that is not blank. Example: >
4300 if getline(nextnonblank(1)) =~ "Java"
4301< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4302 below it, zero is returned.
4303 See also |prevnonblank()|.
4304
4305nr2char({expr}) *nr2char()*
4306 Return a string with a single character, which has the number
4307 value {expr}. Examples: >
4308 nr2char(64) returns "@"
4309 nr2char(32) returns " "
4310< The current 'encoding' is used. Example for "utf-8": >
4311 nr2char(300) returns I with bow character
4312< Note that a NUL character in the file is specified with
4313 nr2char(10), because NULs are represented with newline
4314 characters. nr2char(0) is a real NUL and terminates the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004315 string, thus results in an empty string.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004316
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00004317 *getpid()*
4318getpid() Return a Number which is the process ID of the Vim process.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004319 On Unix and MS-Windows this is a unique number, until Vim
4320 exits. On MS-DOS it's always zero.
Bram Moolenaar18081e32008-02-20 19:11:07 +00004321
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004322 *getpos()*
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004323getpos({expr}) Get the position for {expr}. For possible values of {expr}
4324 see |line()|.
4325 The result is a |List| with four numbers:
4326 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
4327 "bufnum" is zero, unless a mark like '0 or 'A is used, then it
4328 is the buffer number of the mark.
4329 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
4330 column is 1.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004331 The "off" number is zero, unless 'virtualedit' is used. Then
4332 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00004333 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004334 character.
4335 This can be used to save and restore the cursor position: >
4336 let save_cursor = getpos(".")
4337 MoveTheCursorAround
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00004338 call setpos('.', save_cursor)
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004339< Also see |setpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00004340
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00004341pathshorten({expr}) *pathshorten()*
4342 Shorten directory names in the path {expr} and return the
4343 result. The tail, the file name, is kept as-is. The other
4344 components in the path are reduced to single letters. Leading
4345 '~' and '.' characters are kept. Example: >
4346 :echo pathshorten('~/.vim/autoload/myfile.vim')
4347< ~/.v/a/myfile.vim ~
4348 It doesn't matter if the path exists or not.
4349
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004350pow({x}, {y}) *pow()*
4351 Return the power of {x} to the exponent {y} as a |Float|.
4352 {x} and {y} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4353 Examples: >
4354 :echo pow(3, 3)
4355< 27.0 >
4356 :echo pow(2, 16)
4357< 65536.0 >
4358 :echo pow(32, 0.20)
4359< 2.0
4360 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4361
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004362prevnonblank({lnum}) *prevnonblank()*
4363 Return the line number of the first line at or above {lnum}
4364 that is not blank. Example: >
4365 let ind = indent(prevnonblank(v:lnum - 1))
4366< When {lnum} is invalid or there is no non-blank line at or
4367 above it, zero is returned.
4368 Also see |nextnonblank()|.
4369
4370
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004371printf({fmt}, {expr1} ...) *printf()*
4372 Return a String with {fmt}, where "%" items are replaced by
4373 the formatted form of their respective arguments. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004374 printf("%4d: E%d %.30s", lnum, errno, msg)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004375< May result in:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004376 " 99: E42 asdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfasdfas" ~
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004377
4378 Often used items are:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004379 %s string
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004380 %6s string right-aligned in 6 bytes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004381 %.9s string truncated to 9 bytes
4382 %c single byte
4383 %d decimal number
4384 %5d decimal number padded with spaces to 5 characters
4385 %x hex number
4386 %04x hex number padded with zeros to at least 4 characters
4387 %X hex number using upper case letters
4388 %o octal number
4389 %f floating point number in the form 123.456
4390 %e floating point number in the form 1.234e3
4391 %E floating point number in the form 1.234E3
4392 %g floating point number, as %f or %e depending on value
4393 %G floating point number, as %f or %E depending on value
4394 %% the % character itself
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004395
4396 Conversion specifications start with '%' and end with the
4397 conversion type. All other characters are copied unchanged to
4398 the result.
4399
4400 The "%" starts a conversion specification. The following
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004401 arguments appear in sequence:
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004402
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004403 % [flags] [field-width] [.precision] type
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004404
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004405 flags
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004406 Zero or more of the following flags:
4407
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004408 # The value should be converted to an "alternate
4409 form". For c, d, and s conversions, this option
4410 has no effect. For o conversions, the precision
4411 of the number is increased to force the first
4412 character of the output string to a zero (except
4413 if a zero value is printed with an explicit
4414 precision of zero).
4415 For x and X conversions, a non-zero result has
4416 the string "0x" (or "0X" for X conversions)
4417 prepended to it.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004418
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004419 0 (zero) Zero padding. For all conversions the converted
4420 value is padded on the left with zeros rather
4421 than blanks. If a precision is given with a
4422 numeric conversion (d, o, x, and X), the 0 flag
4423 is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004424
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004425 - A negative field width flag; the converted value
4426 is to be left adjusted on the field boundary.
4427 The converted value is padded on the right with
4428 blanks, rather than on the left with blanks or
4429 zeros. A - overrides a 0 if both are given.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004430
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004431 ' ' (space) A blank should be left before a positive
4432 number produced by a signed conversion (d).
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004433
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004434 + A sign must always be placed before a number
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004435 produced by a signed conversion. A + overrides
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004436 a space if both are used.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004437
4438 field-width
4439 An optional decimal digit string specifying a minimum
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004440 field width. If the converted value has fewer bytes
4441 than the field width, it will be padded with spaces on
4442 the left (or right, if the left-adjustment flag has
4443 been given) to fill out the field width.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004444
4445 .precision
4446 An optional precision, in the form of a period '.'
4447 followed by an optional digit string. If the digit
4448 string is omitted, the precision is taken as zero.
4449 This gives the minimum number of digits to appear for
4450 d, o, x, and X conversions, or the maximum number of
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00004451 bytes to be printed from a string for s conversions.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004452 For floating point it is the number of digits after
4453 the decimal point.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004454
4455 type
4456 A character that specifies the type of conversion to
4457 be applied, see below.
4458
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004459 A field width or precision, or both, may be indicated by an
4460 asterisk '*' instead of a digit string. In this case, a
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004461 Number argument supplies the field width or precision. A
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004462 negative field width is treated as a left adjustment flag
4463 followed by a positive field width; a negative precision is
4464 treated as though it were missing. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004465 :echo printf("%d: %.*s", nr, width, line)
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004466< This limits the length of the text used from "line" to
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004467 "width" bytes.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004468
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004469 The conversion specifiers and their meanings are:
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004470
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004471 *printf-d* *printf-o* *printf-x* *printf-X*
4472 doxX The Number argument is converted to signed decimal
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004473 (d), unsigned octal (o), or unsigned hexadecimal (x
4474 and X) notation. The letters "abcdef" are used for
4475 x conversions; the letters "ABCDEF" are used for X
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004476 conversions.
4477 The precision, if any, gives the minimum number of
4478 digits that must appear; if the converted value
4479 requires fewer digits, it is padded on the left with
4480 zeros.
4481 In no case does a non-existent or small field width
4482 cause truncation of a numeric field; if the result of
4483 a conversion is wider than the field width, the field
4484 is expanded to contain the conversion result.
4485
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004486 *printf-c*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004487 c The Number argument is converted to a byte, and the
4488 resulting character is written.
4489
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004490 *printf-s*
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004491 s The text of the String argument is used. If a
4492 precision is specified, no more bytes than the number
4493 specified are used.
4494
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004495 *printf-f* *E807*
4496 f The Float argument is converted into a string of the
4497 form 123.456. The precision specifies the number of
4498 digits after the decimal point. When the precision is
4499 zero the decimal point is omitted. When the precision
4500 is not specified 6 is used. A really big number
4501 (out of range or dividing by zero) results in "inf".
4502 "0.0 / 0.0" results in "nan".
4503 Example: >
4504 echo printf("%.2f", 12.115)
4505< 12.12
4506 Note that roundoff depends on the system libraries.
4507 Use |round()| when in doubt.
4508
4509 *printf-e* *printf-E*
4510 e E The Float argument is converted into a string of the
4511 form 1.234e+03 or 1.234E+03 when using 'E'. The
4512 precision specifies the number of digits after the
4513 decimal point, like with 'f'.
4514
4515 *printf-g* *printf-G*
4516 g G The Float argument is converted like with 'f' if the
4517 value is between 0.001 (inclusive) and 10000000.0
4518 (exclusive). Otherwise 'e' is used for 'g' and 'E'
4519 for 'G'. When no precision is specified superfluous
4520 zeroes and '+' signs are removed, except for the zero
4521 immediately after the decimal point. Thus 10000000.0
4522 results in 1.0e7.
4523
4524 *printf-%*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004525 % A '%' is written. No argument is converted. The
4526 complete conversion specification is "%%".
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004527
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00004528 When a Number argument is expected a String argument is also
4529 accepted and automatically converted.
4530 When a Float or String argument is expected a Number argument
4531 is also accepted and automatically converted.
4532 Any other argument type results in an error message.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004533
Bram Moolenaar83bab712005-08-01 21:58:57 +00004534 *E766* *E767*
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004535 The number of {exprN} arguments must exactly match the number
4536 of "%" items. If there are not sufficient or too many
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00004537 arguments an error is given. Up to 18 arguments can be used.
Bram Moolenaar4be06f92005-07-29 22:36:03 +00004538
4539
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004540pumvisible() *pumvisible()*
4541 Returns non-zero when the popup menu is visible, zero
4542 otherwise. See |ins-completion-menu|.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004543 This can be used to avoid some things that would remove the
4544 popup menu.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004545
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00004546 *E726* *E727*
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004547range({expr} [, {max} [, {stride}]]) *range()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004548 Returns a |List| with Numbers:
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004549 - If only {expr} is specified: [0, 1, ..., {expr} - 1]
4550 - If {max} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + 1, ..., {max}]
4551 - If {stride} is specified: [{expr}, {expr} + {stride}, ...,
4552 {max}] (increasing {expr} with {stride} each time, not
4553 producing a value past {max}).
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00004554 When the maximum is one before the start the result is an
4555 empty list. When the maximum is more than one before the
4556 start this is an error.
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004557 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004558 range(4) " [0, 1, 2, 3]
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004559 range(2, 4) " [2, 3, 4]
4560 range(2, 9, 3) " [2, 5, 8]
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004561 range(2, -2, -1) " [2, 1, 0, -1, -2]
Bram Moolenaare7566042005-06-17 22:00:15 +00004562 range(0) " []
4563 range(2, 0) " error!
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004564<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004565 *readfile()*
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004566readfile({fname} [, {binary} [, {max}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004567 Read file {fname} and return a |List|, each line of the file
4568 as an item. Lines broken at NL characters. Macintosh files
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004569 separated with CR will result in a single long line (unless a
4570 NL appears somewhere).
Bram Moolenaar06583f12010-08-07 20:30:49 +02004571 All NUL characters are replaced with a NL character.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004572 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used:
4573 - When the last line ends in a NL an extra empty list item is
4574 added.
4575 - No CR characters are removed.
4576 Otherwise:
4577 - CR characters that appear before a NL are removed.
4578 - Whether the last line ends in a NL or not does not matter.
Bram Moolenaar06583f12010-08-07 20:30:49 +02004579 - When 'encoding' is Unicode any UTF-8 byte order mark is
4580 removed from the text.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004581 When {max} is given this specifies the maximum number of lines
4582 to be read. Useful if you only want to check the first ten
4583 lines of a file: >
4584 :for line in readfile(fname, '', 10)
4585 : if line =~ 'Date' | echo line | endif
4586 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00004587< When {max} is negative -{max} lines from the end of the file
4588 are returned, or as many as there are.
4589 When {max} is zero the result is an empty list.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00004590 Note that without {max} the whole file is read into memory.
4591 Also note that there is no recognition of encoding. Read a
4592 file into a buffer if you need to.
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00004593 When the file can't be opened an error message is given and
4594 the result is an empty list.
4595 Also see |writefile()|.
4596
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004597reltime([{start} [, {end}]]) *reltime()*
4598 Return an item that represents a time value. The format of
4599 the item depends on the system. It can be passed to
4600 |reltimestr()| to convert it to a string.
4601 Without an argument it returns the current time.
4602 With one argument is returns the time passed since the time
4603 specified in the argument.
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004604 With two arguments it returns the time passed between {start}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004605 and {end}.
4606 The {start} and {end} arguments must be values returned by
4607 reltime().
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02004608 {only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004609
4610reltimestr({time}) *reltimestr()*
4611 Return a String that represents the time value of {time}.
4612 This is the number of seconds, a dot and the number of
4613 microseconds. Example: >
4614 let start = reltime()
4615 call MyFunction()
4616 echo reltimestr(reltime(start))
4617< Note that overhead for the commands will be added to the time.
4618 The accuracy depends on the system.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004619 Leading spaces are used to make the string align nicely. You
4620 can use split() to remove it. >
4621 echo split(reltimestr(reltime(start)))[0]
4622< Also see |profiling|.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02004623 {only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00004624
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004625 *remote_expr()* *E449*
4626remote_expr({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004627 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as an
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004628 expression and the result is returned after evaluation.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004629 The result must be a String or a |List|. A |List| is turned
4630 into a String by joining the items with a line break in
4631 between (not at the end), like with join(expr, "\n").
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004632 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a
4633 variable and a {serverid} for later use with
4634 remote_read() is stored there.
4635 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4636 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4637 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4638 Note: Any errors will cause a local error message to be issued
4639 and the result will be the empty string.
4640 Examples: >
4641 :echo remote_expr("gvim", "2+2")
4642 :echo remote_expr("gvim1", "b:current_syntax")
4643<
4644
4645remote_foreground({server}) *remote_foreground()*
4646 Move the Vim server with the name {server} to the foreground.
4647 This works like: >
4648 remote_expr({server}, "foreground()")
4649< Except that on Win32 systems the client does the work, to work
4650 around the problem that the OS doesn't always allow the server
4651 to bring itself to the foreground.
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00004652 Note: This does not restore the window if it was minimized,
4653 like foreground() does.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004654 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4655 {only in the Win32, Athena, Motif and GTK GUI versions and the
4656 Win32 console version}
4657
4658
4659remote_peek({serverid} [, {retvar}]) *remote_peek()*
4660 Returns a positive number if there are available strings
4661 from {serverid}. Copies any reply string into the variable
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004662 {retvar} if specified. {retvar} must be a string with the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004663 name of a variable.
4664 Returns zero if none are available.
4665 Returns -1 if something is wrong.
4666 See also |clientserver|.
4667 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4668 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4669 Examples: >
4670 :let repl = ""
4671 :echo "PEEK: ".remote_peek(id, "repl").": ".repl
4672
4673remote_read({serverid}) *remote_read()*
4674 Return the oldest available reply from {serverid} and consume
4675 it. It blocks until a reply is available.
4676 See also |clientserver|.
4677 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4678 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4679 Example: >
4680 :echo remote_read(id)
4681<
4682 *remote_send()* *E241*
4683remote_send({server}, {string} [, {idvar}])
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004684 Send the {string} to {server}. The string is sent as input
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00004685 keys and the function returns immediately. At the Vim server
4686 the keys are not mapped |:map|.
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004687 If {idvar} is present, it is taken as the name of a variable
4688 and a {serverid} for later use with remote_read() is stored
4689 there.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004690 See also |clientserver| |RemoteReply|.
4691 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4692 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4693 Note: Any errors will be reported in the server and may mess
4694 up the display.
4695 Examples: >
4696 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":DropAndReply ".file, "serverid").
4697 \ remote_read(serverid)
4698
4699 :autocmd NONE RemoteReply *
4700 \ echo remote_read(expand("<amatch>"))
4701 :echo remote_send("gvim", ":sleep 10 | echo ".
4702 \ 'server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")<CR>')
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004703<
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004704remove({list}, {idx} [, {end}]) *remove()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004705 Without {end}: Remove the item at {idx} from |List| {list} and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004706 return the item.
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004707 With {end}: Remove items from {idx} to {end} (inclusive) and
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004708 return a List with these items. When {idx} points to the same
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004709 item as {end} a list with one item is returned. When {end}
4710 points to an item before {idx} this is an error.
4711 See |list-index| for possible values of {idx} and {end}.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004712 Example: >
4713 :echo "last item: " . remove(mylist, -1)
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004714 :call remove(mylist, 0, 9)
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00004715remove({dict}, {key})
4716 Remove the entry from {dict} with key {key}. Example: >
4717 :echo "removed " . remove(dict, "one")
4718< If there is no {key} in {dict} this is an error.
4719
4720 Use |delete()| to remove a file.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00004721
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004722rename({from}, {to}) *rename()*
4723 Rename the file by the name {from} to the name {to}. This
4724 should also work to move files across file systems. The
4725 result is a Number, which is 0 if the file was renamed
4726 successfully, and non-zero when the renaming failed.
Bram Moolenaar798b30b2009-04-22 10:56:16 +00004727 NOTE: If {to} exists it is overwritten without warning.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004728 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
4729
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004730repeat({expr}, {count}) *repeat()*
4731 Repeat {expr} {count} times and return the concatenated
4732 result. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00004733 :let separator = repeat('-', 80)
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004734< When {count} is zero or negative the result is empty.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004735 When {expr} is a |List| the result is {expr} concatenated
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004736 {count} times. Example: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00004737 :let longlist = repeat(['a', 'b'], 3)
4738< Results in ['a', 'b', 'a', 'b', 'a', 'b'].
Bram Moolenaarab79bcb2004-07-18 21:34:53 +00004739
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004740
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004741resolve({filename}) *resolve()* *E655*
4742 On MS-Windows, when {filename} is a shortcut (a .lnk file),
4743 returns the path the shortcut points to in a simplified form.
4744 On Unix, repeat resolving symbolic links in all path
4745 components of {filename} and return the simplified result.
4746 To cope with link cycles, resolving of symbolic links is
4747 stopped after 100 iterations.
4748 On other systems, return the simplified {filename}.
4749 The simplification step is done as by |simplify()|.
4750 resolve() keeps a leading path component specifying the
4751 current directory (provided the result is still a relative
4752 path name) and also keeps a trailing path separator.
4753
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004754 *reverse()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004755reverse({list}) Reverse the order of items in {list} in-place. Returns
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00004756 {list}.
4757 If you want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
4758 :let revlist = reverse(copy(mylist))
4759
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004760round({expr}) *round()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00004761 Round off {expr} to the nearest integral value and return it
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004762 as a |Float|. If {expr} lies halfway between two integral
4763 values, then use the larger one (away from zero).
4764 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
4765 Examples: >
4766 echo round(0.456)
4767< 0.0 >
4768 echo round(4.5)
4769< 5.0 >
4770 echo round(-4.5)
4771< -5.0
4772 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
4773
4774
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004775search({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *search()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004776 Search for regexp pattern {pattern}. The search starts at the
Bram Moolenaar383f9bc2005-01-19 22:18:32 +00004777 cursor position (you can use |cursor()| to set it).
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00004778
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004779 {flags} is a String, which can contain these character flags:
4780 'b' search backward instead of forward
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004781 'c' accept a match at the cursor position
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004782 'e' move to the End of the match
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004783 'n' do Not move the cursor
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004784 'p' return number of matching sub-pattern (see below)
4785 's' set the ' mark at the previous location of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004786 'w' wrap around the end of the file
4787 'W' don't wrap around the end of the file
4788 If neither 'w' or 'W' is given, the 'wrapscan' option applies.
4789
Bram Moolenaar02743632005-07-25 20:42:36 +00004790 If the 's' flag is supplied, the ' mark is set, only if the
4791 cursor is moved. The 's' flag cannot be combined with the 'n'
4792 flag.
4793
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00004794 'ignorecase', 'smartcase' and 'magic' are used.
4795
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004796 When the {stopline} argument is given then the search stops
4797 after searching this line. This is useful to restrict the
4798 search to a range of lines. Examples: >
4799 let match = search('(', 'b', line("w0"))
4800 let end = search('END', '', line("w$"))
4801< When {stopline} is used and it is not zero this also implies
4802 that the search does not wrap around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004803 A zero value is equal to not giving the argument.
4804
4805 When the {timeout} argument is given the search stops when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004806 more than this many milli seconds have passed. Thus when
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004807 {timeout} is 500 the search stops after half a second.
4808 The value must not be negative. A zero value is like not
4809 giving the argument.
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02004810 {only available when compiled with the |+reltime| feature}
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004811
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00004812 If there is no match a 0 is returned and the cursor doesn't
4813 move. No error message is given.
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004814 When a match has been found its line number is returned.
4815 *search()-sub-match*
4816 With the 'p' flag the returned value is one more than the
4817 first sub-match in \(\). One if none of them matched but the
4818 whole pattern did match.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004819 To get the column number too use |searchpos()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004820
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004821 The cursor will be positioned at the match, unless the 'n'
4822 flag is used.
4823
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004824 Example (goes over all files in the argument list): >
4825 :let n = 1
4826 :while n <= argc() " loop over all files in arglist
4827 : exe "argument " . n
4828 : " start at the last char in the file and wrap for the
4829 : " first search to find match at start of file
4830 : normal G$
4831 : let flags = "w"
4832 : while search("foo", flags) > 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004833 : s/foo/bar/g
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004834 : let flags = "W"
4835 : endwhile
4836 : update " write the file if modified
4837 : let n = n + 1
4838 :endwhile
4839<
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004840 Example for using some flags: >
4841 :echo search('\<if\|\(else\)\|\(endif\)', 'ncpe')
4842< This will search for the keywords "if", "else", and "endif"
4843 under or after the cursor. Because of the 'p' flag, it
4844 returns 1, 2, or 3 depending on which keyword is found, or 0
4845 if the search fails. With the cursor on the first word of the
4846 line:
4847 if (foo == 0) | let foo = foo + 1 | endif ~
4848 the function returns 1. Without the 'c' flag, the function
4849 finds the "endif" and returns 3. The same thing happens
4850 without the 'e' flag if the cursor is on the "f" of "if".
4851 The 'n' flag tells the function not to move the cursor.
4852
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004853
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004854searchdecl({name} [, {global} [, {thisblock}]]) *searchdecl()*
4855 Search for the declaration of {name}.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00004856
Bram Moolenaarf75a9632005-09-13 21:20:47 +00004857 With a non-zero {global} argument it works like |gD|, find
4858 first match in the file. Otherwise it works like |gd|, find
4859 first match in the function.
4860
4861 With a non-zero {thisblock} argument matches in a {} block
4862 that ends before the cursor position are ignored. Avoids
4863 finding variable declarations only valid in another scope.
4864
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00004865 Moves the cursor to the found match.
4866 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
4867 Example: >
4868 if searchdecl('myvar') == 0
4869 echo getline('.')
4870 endif
4871<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004872 *searchpair()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004873searchpair({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
4874 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004875 Search for the match of a nested start-end pair. This can be
4876 used to find the "endif" that matches an "if", while other
4877 if/endif pairs in between are ignored.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00004878 The search starts at the cursor. The default is to search
4879 forward, include 'b' in {flags} to search backward.
4880 If a match is found, the cursor is positioned at it and the
4881 line number is returned. If no match is found 0 or -1 is
4882 returned and the cursor doesn't move. No error message is
4883 given.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004884
4885 {start}, {middle} and {end} are patterns, see |pattern|. They
4886 must not contain \( \) pairs. Use of \%( \) is allowed. When
4887 {middle} is not empty, it is found when searching from either
4888 direction, but only when not in a nested start-end pair. A
4889 typical use is: >
4890 searchpair('\<if\>', '\<else\>', '\<endif\>')
4891< By leaving {middle} empty the "else" is skipped.
4892
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004893 {flags} 'b', 'c', 'n', 's', 'w' and 'W' are used like with
4894 |search()|. Additionally:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004895 'r' Repeat until no more matches found; will find the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004896 outer pair. Implies the 'W' flag.
4897 'm' Return number of matches instead of line number with
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00004898 the match; will be > 1 when 'r' is used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004899 Note: it's nearly always a good idea to use the 'W' flag, to
4900 avoid wrapping around the end of the file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004901
4902 When a match for {start}, {middle} or {end} is found, the
4903 {skip} expression is evaluated with the cursor positioned on
4904 the start of the match. It should return non-zero if this
4905 match is to be skipped. E.g., because it is inside a comment
4906 or a string.
4907 When {skip} is omitted or empty, every match is accepted.
4908 When evaluating {skip} causes an error the search is aborted
4909 and -1 returned.
4910
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004911 For {stopline} and {timeout} see |search()|.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004912
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004913 The value of 'ignorecase' is used. 'magic' is ignored, the
4914 patterns are used like it's on.
4915
4916 The search starts exactly at the cursor. A match with
4917 {start}, {middle} or {end} at the next character, in the
4918 direction of searching, is the first one found. Example: >
4919 if 1
4920 if 2
4921 endif 2
4922 endif 1
4923< When starting at the "if 2", with the cursor on the "i", and
4924 searching forwards, the "endif 2" is found. When starting on
4925 the character just before the "if 2", the "endif 1" will be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00004926 found. That's because the "if 2" will be found first, and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004927 then this is considered to be a nested if/endif from "if 2" to
4928 "endif 2".
4929 When searching backwards and {end} is more than one character,
4930 it may be useful to put "\zs" at the end of the pattern, so
4931 that when the cursor is inside a match with the end it finds
4932 the matching start.
4933
4934 Example, to find the "endif" command in a Vim script: >
4935
4936 :echo searchpair('\<if\>', '\<el\%[seif]\>', '\<en\%[dif]\>', 'W',
4937 \ 'getline(".") =~ "^\\s*\""')
4938
4939< The cursor must be at or after the "if" for which a match is
4940 to be found. Note that single-quote strings are used to avoid
4941 having to double the backslashes. The skip expression only
4942 catches comments at the start of a line, not after a command.
4943 Also, a word "en" or "if" halfway a line is considered a
4944 match.
4945 Another example, to search for the matching "{" of a "}": >
4946
4947 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW')
4948
4949< This works when the cursor is at or before the "}" for which a
4950 match is to be found. To reject matches that syntax
4951 highlighting recognized as strings: >
4952
4953 :echo searchpair('{', '', '}', 'bW',
4954 \ 'synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 0), "name") =~? "string"')
4955<
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004956 *searchpairpos()*
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004957searchpairpos({start}, {middle}, {end} [, {flags} [, {skip}
4958 [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]])
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01004959 Same as |searchpair()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004960 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4961 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004962 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02004963 returns [0, 0]. >
4964
Bram Moolenaar1d2ba7f2006-02-14 22:29:30 +00004965 :let [lnum,col] = searchpairpos('{', '', '}', 'n')
4966<
4967 See |match-parens| for a bigger and more useful example.
4968
Bram Moolenaar76929292008-01-06 19:07:36 +00004969searchpos({pattern} [, {flags} [, {stopline} [, {timeout}]]]) *searchpos()*
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00004970 Same as |search()|, but returns a |List| with the line and
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00004971 column position of the match. The first element of the |List|
4972 is the line number and the second element is the byte index of
4973 the column position of the match. If no match is found,
4974 returns [0, 0].
Bram Moolenaar362e1a32006-03-06 23:29:24 +00004975 Example: >
4976 :let [lnum, col] = searchpos('mypattern', 'n')
4977
4978< When the 'p' flag is given then there is an extra item with
4979 the sub-pattern match number |search()-sub-match|. Example: >
4980 :let [lnum, col, submatch] = searchpos('\(\l\)\|\(\u\)', 'np')
4981< In this example "submatch" is 2 when a lowercase letter is
4982 found |/\l|, 3 when an uppercase letter is found |/\u|.
4983
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004984server2client( {clientid}, {string}) *server2client()*
4985 Send a reply string to {clientid}. The most recent {clientid}
4986 that sent a string can be retrieved with expand("<client>").
4987 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
4988 Note:
4989 This id has to be stored before the next command can be
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00004990 received. I.e. before returning from the received command and
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004991 before calling any commands that waits for input.
4992 See also |clientserver|.
4993 Example: >
4994 :echo server2client(expand("<client>"), "HELLO")
4995<
4996serverlist() *serverlist()*
4997 Return a list of available server names, one per line.
4998 When there are no servers or the information is not available
4999 an empty string is returned. See also |clientserver|.
5000 {only available when compiled with the |+clientserver| feature}
5001 Example: >
5002 :echo serverlist()
5003<
5004setbufvar({expr}, {varname}, {val}) *setbufvar()*
5005 Set option or local variable {varname} in buffer {expr} to
5006 {val}.
5007 This also works for a global or local window option, but it
5008 doesn't work for a global or local window variable.
5009 For a local window option the global value is unchanged.
5010 For the use of {expr}, see |bufname()| above.
5011 Note that the variable name without "b:" must be used.
5012 Examples: >
5013 :call setbufvar(1, "&mod", 1)
5014 :call setbufvar("todo", "myvar", "foobar")
5015< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5016
5017setcmdpos({pos}) *setcmdpos()*
5018 Set the cursor position in the command line to byte position
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005019 {pos}. The first position is 1.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005020 Use |getcmdpos()| to obtain the current position.
5021 Only works while editing the command line, thus you must use
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005022 |c_CTRL-\_e|, |c_CTRL-R_=| or |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '='. For
5023 |c_CTRL-\_e| and |c_CTRL-R_CTRL-R| with '=' the position is
5024 set after the command line is set to the expression. For
5025 |c_CTRL-R_=| it is set after evaluating the expression but
5026 before inserting the resulting text.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005027 When the number is too big the cursor is put at the end of the
5028 line. A number smaller than one has undefined results.
5029 Returns 0 when successful, 1 when not editing the command
5030 line.
5031
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005032setline({lnum}, {text}) *setline()*
5033 Set line {lnum} of the current buffer to {text}.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005034 {lnum} is used like with |getline()|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005035 When {lnum} is just below the last line the {text} will be
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005036 added as a new line.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005037 If this succeeds, 0 is returned. If this fails (most likely
5038 because {lnum} is invalid) 1 is returned. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005039 :call setline(5, strftime("%c"))
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005040< When {text} is a |List| then line {lnum} and following lines
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005041 will be set to the items in the list. Example: >
5042 :call setline(5, ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc'])
5043< This is equivalent to: >
5044 :for [n, l] in [[5, 6, 7], ['aaa', 'bbb', 'ccc']]
5045 : call setline(n, l)
5046 :endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005047< Note: The '[ and '] marks are not set.
5048
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00005049setloclist({nr}, {list} [, {action}]) *setloclist()*
5050 Create or replace or add to the location list for window {nr}.
5051 When {nr} is zero the current window is used. For a location
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005052 list window, the displayed location list is modified. For an
5053 invalid window number {nr}, -1 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00005054 Otherwise, same as |setqflist()|.
5055 Also see |location-list|.
5056
5057setmatches({list}) *setmatches()*
5058 Restores a list of matches saved by |getmatches()|. Returns 0
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005059 if successful, otherwise -1. All current matches are cleared
Bram Moolenaar6ee10162007-07-26 20:58:42 +00005060 before the list is restored. See example for |getmatches()|.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005061
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005062 *setpos()*
5063setpos({expr}, {list})
5064 Set the position for {expr}. Possible values:
5065 . the cursor
5066 'x mark x
5067
5068 {list} must be a |List| with four numbers:
5069 [bufnum, lnum, col, off]
5070
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005071 "bufnum" is the buffer number. Zero can be used for the
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005072 current buffer. Setting the cursor is only possible for
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005073 the current buffer. To set a mark in another buffer you can
5074 use the |bufnr()| function to turn a file name into a buffer
5075 number.
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00005076 Does not change the jumplist.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005077
5078 "lnum" and "col" are the position in the buffer. The first
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005079 column is 1. Use a zero "lnum" to delete a mark. If "col" is
5080 smaller than 1 then 1 is used.
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005081
5082 The "off" number is only used when 'virtualedit' is set. Then
5083 it is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005084 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005085 character.
5086
Bram Moolenaar08250432008-02-13 11:42:46 +00005087 Returns 0 when the position could be set, -1 otherwise.
5088 An error message is given if {expr} is invalid.
5089
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005090 Also see |getpos()|
5091
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005092 This does not restore the preferred column for moving
5093 vertically. See |winrestview()| for that.
5094
Bram Moolenaar65c923a2006-03-03 22:56:30 +00005095
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00005096setqflist({list} [, {action}]) *setqflist()*
Bram Moolenaar17c7c012006-01-26 22:25:15 +00005097 Create or replace or add to the quickfix list using the items
5098 in {list}. Each item in {list} is a dictionary.
5099 Non-dictionary items in {list} are ignored. Each dictionary
5100 item can contain the following entries:
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005101
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005102 bufnr buffer number; must be the number of a valid
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005103 buffer
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005104 filename name of a file; only used when "bufnr" is not
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005105 present or it is invalid.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005106 lnum line number in the file
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005107 pattern search pattern used to locate the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005108 col column number
5109 vcol when non-zero: "col" is visual column
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005110 when zero: "col" is byte index
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005111 nr error number
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005112 text description of the error
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005113 type single-character error type, 'E', 'W', etc.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005114
Bram Moolenaar582fd852005-03-28 20:58:01 +00005115 The "col", "vcol", "nr", "type" and "text" entries are
5116 optional. Either "lnum" or "pattern" entry can be used to
5117 locate a matching error line.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005118 If the "filename" and "bufnr" entries are not present or
5119 neither the "lnum" or "pattern" entries are present, then the
5120 item will not be handled as an error line.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005121 If both "pattern" and "lnum" are present then "pattern" will
5122 be used.
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02005123 If you supply an empty {list}, the quickfix list will be
5124 cleared.
Bram Moolenaar48b66fb2007-02-04 01:58:18 +00005125 Note that the list is not exactly the same as what
5126 |getqflist()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005127
Bram Moolenaar35c54e52005-05-20 21:25:31 +00005128 If {action} is set to 'a', then the items from {list} are
5129 added to the existing quickfix list. If there is no existing
5130 list, then a new list is created. If {action} is set to 'r',
5131 then the items from the current quickfix list are replaced
5132 with the items from {list}. If {action} is not present or is
5133 set to ' ', then a new list is created.
5134
Bram Moolenaar68b76a62005-03-25 21:53:48 +00005135 Returns zero for success, -1 for failure.
5136
5137 This function can be used to create a quickfix list
5138 independent of the 'errorformat' setting. Use a command like
5139 ":cc 1" to jump to the first position.
5140
5141
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005142 *setreg()*
5143setreg({regname}, {value} [,{options}])
5144 Set the register {regname} to {value}.
5145 If {options} contains "a" or {regname} is upper case,
5146 then the value is appended.
Bram Moolenaarc6485bc2010-07-28 17:02:55 +02005147 {options} can also contain a register type specification:
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005148 "c" or "v" |characterwise| mode
5149 "l" or "V" |linewise| mode
5150 "b" or "<CTRL-V>" |blockwise-visual| mode
5151 If a number immediately follows "b" or "<CTRL-V>" then this is
5152 used as the width of the selection - if it is not specified
5153 then the width of the block is set to the number of characters
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005154 in the longest line (counting a <Tab> as 1 character).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005155
5156 If {options} contains no register settings, then the default
5157 is to use character mode unless {value} ends in a <NL>.
5158 Setting the '=' register is not possible.
5159 Returns zero for success, non-zero for failure.
5160
5161 Examples: >
5162 :call setreg(v:register, @*)
5163 :call setreg('*', @%, 'ac')
5164 :call setreg('a', "1\n2\n3", 'b5')
5165
5166< This example shows using the functions to save and restore a
5167 register. >
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005168 :let var_a = getreg('a', 1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005169 :let var_amode = getregtype('a')
5170 ....
5171 :call setreg('a', var_a, var_amode)
5172
5173< You can also change the type of a register by appending
5174 nothing: >
5175 :call setreg('a', '', 'al')
5176
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +02005177settabvar({tabnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabvar()*
5178 Set tab-local variable {varname} to {val} in tab page {tabnr}.
5179 |t:var|
5180 Note that the variable name without "t:" must be used.
5181 Tabs are numbered starting with one.
5182 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
5183 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
5184 This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5185
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00005186settabwinvar({tabnr}, {winnr}, {varname}, {val}) *settabwinvar()*
5187 Set option or local variable {varname} in window {winnr} to
5188 {val}.
5189 Tabs are numbered starting with one. For the current tabpage
5190 use |setwinvar()|.
5191 When {winnr} is zero the current window is used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005192 This also works for a global or local buffer option, but it
5193 doesn't work for a global or local buffer variable.
5194 For a local buffer option the global value is unchanged.
5195 Note that the variable name without "w:" must be used.
Bram Moolenaarc6249bb2006-04-15 20:25:09 +00005196 Vim briefly goes to the tab page {tabnr}, this may trigger
5197 TabLeave and TabEnter autocommands.
5198 Examples: >
5199 :call settabwinvar(1, 1, "&list", 0)
5200 :call settabwinvar(3, 2, "myvar", "foobar")
5201< This function is not available in the |sandbox|.
5202
5203setwinvar({nr}, {varname}, {val}) *setwinvar()*
5204 Like |settabwinvar()| for the current tab page.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005205 Examples: >
5206 :call setwinvar(1, "&list", 0)
5207 :call setwinvar(2, "myvar", "foobar")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005208
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005209shellescape({string} [, {special}]) *shellescape()*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005210 Escape {string} for use as a shell command argument.
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005211 On MS-Windows and MS-DOS, when 'shellslash' is not set, it
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005212 will enclose {string} in double quotes and double all double
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005213 quotes within {string}.
5214 For other systems, it will enclose {string} in single quotes
5215 and replace all "'" with "'\''".
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005216 When the {special} argument is present and it's a non-zero
5217 Number or a non-empty String (|non-zero-arg|), then special
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005218 items such as "!", "%", "#" and "<cword>" will be preceded by
5219 a backslash. This backslash will be removed again by the |:!|
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005220 command.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00005221 The "!" character will be escaped (again with a |non-zero-arg|
5222 {special}) when 'shell' contains "csh" in the tail. That is
5223 because for csh and tcsh "!" is used for history replacement
5224 even when inside single quotes.
5225 The <NL> character is also escaped. With a |non-zero-arg|
5226 {special} and 'shell' containing "csh" in the tail it's
5227 escaped a second time.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005228 Example of use with a |:!| command: >
5229 :exe '!dir ' . shellescape(expand('<cfile>'), 1)
5230< This results in a directory listing for the file under the
5231 cursor. Example of use with |system()|: >
5232 :call system("chmod +w -- " . shellescape(expand("%")))
Bram Moolenaar60a495f2006-10-03 12:44:42 +00005233
5234
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005235simplify({filename}) *simplify()*
5236 Simplify the file name as much as possible without changing
5237 the meaning. Shortcuts (on MS-Windows) or symbolic links (on
5238 Unix) are not resolved. If the first path component in
5239 {filename} designates the current directory, this will be
5240 valid for the result as well. A trailing path separator is
5241 not removed either.
5242 Example: >
5243 simplify("./dir/.././/file/") == "./file/"
5244< Note: The combination "dir/.." is only removed if "dir" is
5245 a searchable directory or does not exist. On Unix, it is also
5246 removed when "dir" is a symbolic link within the same
5247 directory. In order to resolve all the involved symbolic
5248 links before simplifying the path name, use |resolve()|.
5249
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005250
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005251sin({expr}) *sin()*
5252 Return the sine of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|.
5253 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5254 Examples: >
5255 :echo sin(100)
5256< -0.506366 >
5257 :echo sin(-4.01)
5258< 0.763301
5259 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5260
5261
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005262sinh({expr}) *sinh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005263 Return the hyperbolic sine of {expr} as a |Float| in the range
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005264 [-inf, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005265 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005266 Examples: >
5267 :echo sinh(0.5)
5268< 0.521095 >
5269 :echo sinh(-0.9)
5270< -1.026517
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005271 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005272
5273
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00005274sort({list} [, {func}]) *sort()* *E702*
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005275 Sort the items in {list} in-place. Returns {list}. If you
5276 want a list to remain unmodified make a copy first: >
5277 :let sortedlist = sort(copy(mylist))
5278< Uses the string representation of each item to sort on.
Bram Moolenaara23ccb82006-02-27 00:08:02 +00005279 Numbers sort after Strings, |Lists| after Numbers.
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005280 For sorting text in the current buffer use |:sort|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005281 When {func} is given and it is one then case is ignored.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005282 When {func} is a |Funcref| or a function name, this function
5283 is called to compare items. The function is invoked with two
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005284 items as argument and must return zero if they are equal, 1 or
5285 bigger if the first one sorts after the second one, -1 or
5286 smaller if the first one sorts before the second one.
5287 Example: >
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005288 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
5289 return a:i1 == a:i2 ? 0 : a:i1 > a:i2 ? 1 : -1
5290 endfunc
5291 let sortedlist = sort(mylist, "MyCompare")
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005292< A shorter compare version for this specific simple case, which
5293 ignores overflow: >
5294 func MyCompare(i1, i2)
5295 return a:i1 - a:i2
5296 endfunc
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005297<
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00005298 *soundfold()*
5299soundfold({word})
5300 Return the sound-folded equivalent of {word}. Uses the first
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005301 language in 'spelllang' for the current window that supports
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00005302 soundfolding. 'spell' must be set. When no sound folding is
5303 possible the {word} is returned unmodified.
Bram Moolenaar24bbcfe2005-06-28 23:32:02 +00005304 This can be used for making spelling suggestions. Note that
5305 the method can be quite slow.
5306
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005307 *spellbadword()*
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00005308spellbadword([{sentence}])
5309 Without argument: The result is the badly spelled word under
5310 or after the cursor. The cursor is moved to the start of the
5311 bad word. When no bad word is found in the cursor line the
5312 result is an empty string and the cursor doesn't move.
5313
5314 With argument: The result is the first word in {sentence} that
5315 is badly spelled. If there are no spelling mistakes the
5316 result is an empty string.
5317
5318 The return value is a list with two items:
5319 - The badly spelled word or an empty string.
5320 - The type of the spelling error:
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005321 "bad" spelling mistake
Bram Moolenaar1e015462005-09-25 22:16:38 +00005322 "rare" rare word
5323 "local" word only valid in another region
5324 "caps" word should start with Capital
5325 Example: >
5326 echo spellbadword("the quik brown fox")
5327< ['quik', 'bad'] ~
5328
5329 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
5330 'spell' option must be set and the value of 'spelllang' is
5331 used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005332
5333 *spellsuggest()*
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005334spellsuggest({word} [, {max} [, {capital}]])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005335 Return a |List| with spelling suggestions to replace {word}.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005336 When {max} is given up to this number of suggestions are
5337 returned. Otherwise up to 25 suggestions are returned.
5338
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005339 When the {capital} argument is given and it's non-zero only
5340 suggestions with a leading capital will be given. Use this
5341 after a match with 'spellcapcheck'.
5342
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005343 {word} can be a badly spelled word followed by other text.
5344 This allows for joining two words that were split. The
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +00005345 suggestions also include the following text, thus you can
5346 replace a line.
5347
5348 {word} may also be a good word. Similar words will then be
Bram Moolenaarc54b8a72005-09-30 21:20:29 +00005349 returned. {word} itself is not included in the suggestions,
5350 although it may appear capitalized.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005351
5352 The spelling information for the current window is used. The
Bram Moolenaar42eeac32005-06-29 22:40:58 +00005353 'spell' option must be set and the values of 'spelllang' and
5354 'spellsuggest' are used.
Bram Moolenaard857f0e2005-06-21 22:37:39 +00005355
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005356
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005357split({expr} [, {pattern} [, {keepempty}]]) *split()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005358 Make a |List| out of {expr}. When {pattern} is omitted or
5359 empty each white-separated sequence of characters becomes an
5360 item.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005361 Otherwise the string is split where {pattern} matches,
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005362 removing the matched characters.
5363 When the first or last item is empty it is omitted, unless the
5364 {keepempty} argument is given and it's non-zero.
Bram Moolenaar5c06f8b2005-05-31 22:14:58 +00005365 Other empty items are kept when {pattern} matches at least one
5366 character or when {keepempty} is non-zero.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005367 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005368 :let words = split(getline('.'), '\W\+')
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005369< To split a string in individual characters: >
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005370 :for c in split(mystring, '\zs')
Bram Moolenaar0cb032e2005-04-23 20:52:00 +00005371< If you want to keep the separator you can also use '\zs': >
5372 :echo split('abc:def:ghi', ':\zs')
5373< ['abc:', 'def:', 'ghi'] ~
Bram Moolenaar2389c3c2005-05-22 22:07:59 +00005374 Splitting a table where the first element can be empty: >
5375 :let items = split(line, ':', 1)
5376< The opposite function is |join()|.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005377
5378
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005379sqrt({expr}) *sqrt()*
5380 Return the non-negative square root of Float {expr} as a
5381 |Float|.
5382 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|. When {expr}
5383 is negative the result is NaN (Not a Number).
5384 Examples: >
5385 :echo sqrt(100)
5386< 10.0 >
5387 :echo sqrt(-4.01)
5388< nan
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005389 "nan" may be different, it depends on system libraries.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005390 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5391
5392
5393str2float( {expr}) *str2float()*
5394 Convert String {expr} to a Float. This mostly works the same
5395 as when using a floating point number in an expression, see
5396 |floating-point-format|. But it's a bit more permissive.
5397 E.g., "1e40" is accepted, while in an expression you need to
5398 write "1.0e40".
5399 Text after the number is silently ignored.
5400 The decimal point is always '.', no matter what the locale is
5401 set to. A comma ends the number: "12,345.67" is converted to
5402 12.0. You can strip out thousands separators with
5403 |substitute()|: >
5404 let f = str2float(substitute(text, ',', '', 'g'))
5405< {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5406
5407
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00005408str2nr( {expr} [, {base}]) *str2nr()*
5409 Convert string {expr} to a number.
5410 {base} is the conversion base, it can be 8, 10 or 16.
5411 When {base} is omitted base 10 is used. This also means that
5412 a leading zero doesn't cause octal conversion to be used, as
5413 with the default String to Number conversion.
5414 When {base} is 16 a leading "0x" or "0X" is ignored. With a
5415 different base the result will be zero.
5416 Text after the number is silently ignored.
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005417
Bram Moolenaar97b2ad32006-03-18 21:40:56 +00005418
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005419strchars({expr}) *strchars()*
5420 The result is a Number, which is the number of characters
5421 String {expr} occupies. Composing characters are counted
5422 separately.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005423 Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strwidth()|.
5424
5425strdisplaywidth({expr}[, {col}]) *strdisplaywidth()*
5426 The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
5427 String {expr} occupies on the screen.
5428 When {col} is omitted zero is used. Otherwise it is the
5429 screen column where to start. This matters for Tab
5430 characters.
Bram Moolenaar4d32c2d2010-07-18 22:10:01 +02005431 The option settings of the current window are used. This
5432 matters for anything that's displayed differently, such as
5433 'tabstop' and 'display'.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005434 When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
5435 Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
5436 Also see |strlen()|, |strwidth()| and |strchars()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005437
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005438strftime({format} [, {time}]) *strftime()*
5439 The result is a String, which is a formatted date and time, as
5440 specified by the {format} string. The given {time} is used,
5441 or the current time if no time is given. The accepted
5442 {format} depends on your system, thus this is not portable!
5443 See the manual page of the C function strftime() for the
5444 format. The maximum length of the result is 80 characters.
5445 See also |localtime()| and |getftime()|.
5446 The language can be changed with the |:language| command.
5447 Examples: >
5448 :echo strftime("%c") Sun Apr 27 11:49:23 1997
5449 :echo strftime("%Y %b %d %X") 1997 Apr 27 11:53:25
5450 :echo strftime("%y%m%d %T") 970427 11:53:55
5451 :echo strftime("%H:%M") 11:55
5452 :echo strftime("%c", getftime("file.c"))
5453 Show mod time of file.c.
Bram Moolenaara14de3d2005-01-07 21:48:26 +00005454< Not available on all systems. To check use: >
5455 :if exists("*strftime")
5456
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005457stridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *stridx()*
5458 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
5459 {haystack} of the first occurrence of the String {needle}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005460 If {start} is specified, the search starts at index {start}.
5461 This can be used to find a second match: >
Bram Moolenaar81af9252010-12-10 20:35:50 +01005462 :let colon1 = stridx(line, ":")
5463 :let colon2 = stridx(line, ":", colon1 + 1)
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005464< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005465 For pattern searches use |match()|.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005466 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005467 See also |strridx()|.
5468 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005469 :echo stridx("An Example", "Example") 3
5470 :echo stridx("Starting point", "Start") 0
5471 :echo stridx("Starting point", "start") -1
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005472< *strstr()* *strchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005473 stridx() works similar to the C function strstr(). When used
5474 with a single character it works similar to strchr().
5475
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005476 *string()*
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005477string({expr}) Return {expr} converted to a String. If {expr} is a Number,
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005478 Float, String or a composition of them, then the result can be
5479 parsed back with |eval()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005480 {expr} type result ~
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005481 String 'string'
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005482 Number 123
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005483 Float 123.123456 or 1.123456e8
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005484 Funcref function('name')
Bram Moolenaar5f2bb9f2005-01-11 21:29:04 +00005485 List [item, item]
Bram Moolenaar9ba0eb82005-06-13 22:28:56 +00005486 Dictionary {key: value, key: value}
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00005487 Note that in String values the ' character is doubled.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005488 Also see |strtrans()|.
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005489
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005490 *strlen()*
5491strlen({expr}) The result is a Number, which is the length of the String
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00005492 {expr} in bytes.
5493 If you want to count the number of multi-byte characters (not
5494 counting composing characters) use something like this: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005495
5496 :let len = strlen(substitute(str, ".", "x", "g"))
Bram Moolenaare344bea2005-09-01 20:46:49 +00005497<
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00005498 If the argument is a Number it is first converted to a String.
5499 For other types an error is given.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005500 Also see |len()|, |strchars()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and
5501 |strwidth()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005502
5503strpart({src}, {start}[, {len}]) *strpart()*
5504 The result is a String, which is part of {src}, starting from
Bram Moolenaar9372a112005-12-06 19:59:18 +00005505 byte {start}, with the byte length {len}.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005506 When non-existing bytes are included, this doesn't result in
5507 an error, the bytes are simply omitted.
5508 If {len} is missing, the copy continues from {start} till the
5509 end of the {src}. >
5510 strpart("abcdefg", 3, 2) == "de"
5511 strpart("abcdefg", -2, 4) == "ab"
5512 strpart("abcdefg", 5, 4) == "fg"
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005513 strpart("abcdefg", 3) == "defg"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005514< Note: To get the first character, {start} must be 0. For
5515 example, to get three bytes under and after the cursor: >
Bram Moolenaar61660ea2006-04-07 21:40:07 +00005516 strpart(getline("."), col(".") - 1, 3)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005517<
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005518strridx({haystack}, {needle} [, {start}]) *strridx()*
5519 The result is a Number, which gives the byte index in
5520 {haystack} of the last occurrence of the String {needle}.
5521 When {start} is specified, matches beyond this index are
5522 ignored. This can be used to find a match before a previous
5523 match: >
5524 :let lastcomma = strridx(line, ",")
5525 :let comma2 = strridx(line, ",", lastcomma - 1)
5526< The search is done case-sensitive.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00005527 For pattern searches use |match()|.
5528 -1 is returned if the {needle} does not occur in {haystack}.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00005529 If the {needle} is empty the length of {haystack} is returned.
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005530 See also |stridx()|. Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005531 :echo strridx("an angry armadillo", "an") 3
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005532< *strrchr()*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005533 When used with a single character it works similar to the C
5534 function strrchr().
5535
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005536strtrans({expr}) *strtrans()*
5537 The result is a String, which is {expr} with all unprintable
5538 characters translated into printable characters |'isprint'|.
5539 Like they are shown in a window. Example: >
5540 echo strtrans(@a)
5541< This displays a newline in register a as "^@" instead of
5542 starting a new line.
5543
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005544strwidth({expr}) *strwidth()*
5545 The result is a Number, which is the number of display cells
5546 String {expr} occupies. A Tab character is counted as one
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005547 cell, alternatively use |strdisplaywidth()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005548 When {expr} contains characters with East Asian Width Class
5549 Ambiguous, this function's return value depends on 'ambiwidth'.
Bram Moolenaardc536092010-07-18 15:45:49 +02005550 Also see |strlen()|, |strdisplaywidth()| and |strchars()|.
Bram Moolenaar72597a52010-07-18 15:31:08 +02005551
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005552submatch({nr}) *submatch()*
5553 Only for an expression in a |:substitute| command. Returns
5554 the {nr}'th submatch of the matched text. When {nr} is 0
5555 the whole matched text is returned.
5556 Example: >
5557 :s/\d\+/\=submatch(0) + 1/
5558< This finds the first number in the line and adds one to it.
5559 A line break is included as a newline character.
5560
5561substitute({expr}, {pat}, {sub}, {flags}) *substitute()*
5562 The result is a String, which is a copy of {expr}, in which
5563 the first match of {pat} is replaced with {sub}. This works
5564 like the ":substitute" command (without any flags). But the
5565 matching with {pat} is always done like the 'magic' option is
5566 set and 'cpoptions' is empty (to make scripts portable).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005567 'ignorecase' is still relevant. 'smartcase' is not used.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005568 See |string-match| for how {pat} is used.
5569 And a "~" in {sub} is not replaced with the previous {sub}.
5570 Note that some codes in {sub} have a special meaning
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005571 |sub-replace-special|. For example, to replace something with
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005572 "\n" (two characters), use "\\\\n" or '\\n'.
5573 When {pat} does not match in {expr}, {expr} is returned
5574 unmodified.
5575 When {flags} is "g", all matches of {pat} in {expr} are
5576 replaced. Otherwise {flags} should be "".
5577 Example: >
5578 :let &path = substitute(&path, ",\\=[^,]*$", "", "")
5579< This removes the last component of the 'path' option. >
5580 :echo substitute("testing", ".*", "\\U\\0", "")
5581< results in "TESTING".
5582
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005583synID({lnum}, {col}, {trans}) *synID()*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005584 The result is a Number, which is the syntax ID at the position
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005585 {lnum} and {col} in the current window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005586 The syntax ID can be used with |synIDattr()| and
5587 |synIDtrans()| to obtain syntax information about text.
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00005588
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +00005589 {col} is 1 for the leftmost column, {lnum} is 1 for the first
Bram Moolenaarce0842a2005-07-18 21:58:11 +00005590 line. 'synmaxcol' applies, in a longer line zero is returned.
5591
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005592 When {trans} is non-zero, transparent items are reduced to the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005593 item that they reveal. This is useful when wanting to know
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005594 the effective color. When {trans} is zero, the transparent
5595 item is returned. This is useful when wanting to know which
5596 syntax item is effective (e.g. inside parens).
5597 Warning: This function can be very slow. Best speed is
5598 obtained by going through the file in forward direction.
5599
5600 Example (echoes the name of the syntax item under the cursor): >
5601 :echo synIDattr(synID(line("."), col("."), 1), "name")
5602<
Bram Moolenaar7510fe72010-07-25 12:46:44 +02005603
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005604synIDattr({synID}, {what} [, {mode}]) *synIDattr()*
5605 The result is a String, which is the {what} attribute of
5606 syntax ID {synID}. This can be used to obtain information
5607 about a syntax item.
5608 {mode} can be "gui", "cterm" or "term", to get the attributes
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005609 for that mode. When {mode} is omitted, or an invalid value is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005610 used, the attributes for the currently active highlighting are
5611 used (GUI, cterm or term).
5612 Use synIDtrans() to follow linked highlight groups.
5613 {what} result
5614 "name" the name of the syntax item
5615 "fg" foreground color (GUI: color name used to set
5616 the color, cterm: color number as a string,
5617 term: empty string)
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00005618 "bg" background color (as with "fg")
Bram Moolenaar12682fd2010-03-10 13:43:49 +01005619 "font" font name (only available in the GUI)
5620 |highlight-font|
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00005621 "sp" special color (as with "fg") |highlight-guisp|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005622 "fg#" like "fg", but for the GUI and the GUI is
5623 running the name in "#RRGGBB" form
5624 "bg#" like "fg#" for "bg"
Bram Moolenaar6f507d62008-11-28 10:16:05 +00005625 "sp#" like "fg#" for "sp"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005626 "bold" "1" if bold
5627 "italic" "1" if italic
5628 "reverse" "1" if reverse
5629 "inverse" "1" if inverse (= reverse)
Bram Moolenaar12682fd2010-03-10 13:43:49 +01005630 "standout" "1" if standout
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005631 "underline" "1" if underlined
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005632 "undercurl" "1" if undercurled
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005633
5634 Example (echoes the color of the syntax item under the
5635 cursor): >
5636 :echo synIDattr(synIDtrans(synID(line("."), col("."), 1)), "fg")
5637<
5638synIDtrans({synID}) *synIDtrans()*
5639 The result is a Number, which is the translated syntax ID of
5640 {synID}. This is the syntax group ID of what is being used to
5641 highlight the character. Highlight links given with
5642 ":highlight link" are followed.
5643
Bram Moolenaar483c5d82010-10-20 18:45:33 +02005644synconcealed({lnum}, {col}) *synconcealed()*
5645 The result is a List. The first item in the list is 0 if the
5646 character at the position {lnum} and {col} is not part of a
5647 concealable region, 1 if it is. The second item in the list is
5648 a string. If the first item is 1, the second item contains the
5649 text which will be displayed in place of the concealed text,
5650 depending on the current setting of 'conceallevel'. The third
5651 and final item in the list is a unique number representing the
5652 specific syntax region matched. This allows detection of the
5653 beginning of a new concealable region if there are two
5654 consecutive regions with the same replacement character.
5655 For an example use see $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/2html.vim .
5656
5657
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005658synstack({lnum}, {col}) *synstack()*
5659 Return a |List|, which is the stack of syntax items at the
5660 position {lnum} and {col} in the current window. Each item in
5661 the List is an ID like what |synID()| returns.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005662 The first item in the List is the outer region, following are
5663 items contained in that one. The last one is what |synID()|
5664 returns, unless not the whole item is highlighted or it is a
5665 transparent item.
5666 This function is useful for debugging a syntax file.
5667 Example that shows the syntax stack under the cursor: >
5668 for id in synstack(line("."), col("."))
5669 echo synIDattr(id, "name")
5670 endfor
Bram Moolenaar0bc380a2010-07-10 13:52:13 +02005671< When the position specified with {lnum} and {col} is invalid
5672 nothing is returned. The position just after the last
5673 character in a line and the first column in an empty line are
5674 valid positions.
Bram Moolenaar9d188ab2008-01-10 21:24:39 +00005675
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00005676system({expr} [, {input}]) *system()* *E677*
5677 Get the output of the shell command {expr}.
5678 When {input} is given, this string is written to a file and
5679 passed as stdin to the command. The string is written as-is,
5680 you need to take care of using the correct line separators
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00005681 yourself. Pipes are not used.
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005682 Note: Use |shellescape()| to escape special characters in a
5683 command argument. Newlines in {expr} may cause the command to
5684 fail. The characters in 'shellquote' and 'shellxquote' may
5685 also cause trouble.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005686 This is not to be used for interactive commands.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005687
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005688 The result is a String. Example: >
5689 :let files = system("ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h')))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005690
5691< To make the result more system-independent, the shell output
5692 is filtered to replace <CR> with <NL> for Macintosh, and
5693 <CR><NL> with <NL> for DOS-like systems.
5694 The command executed is constructed using several options:
5695 'shell' 'shellcmdflag' 'shellxquote' {expr} 'shellredir' {tmp} 'shellxquote'
5696 ({tmp} is an automatically generated file name).
5697 For Unix and OS/2 braces are put around {expr} to allow for
5698 concatenated commands.
5699
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00005700 The command will be executed in "cooked" mode, so that a
5701 CTRL-C will interrupt the command (on Unix at least).
5702
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005703 The resulting error code can be found in |v:shell_error|.
5704 This function will fail in |restricted-mode|.
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00005705
5706 Note that any wrong value in the options mentioned above may
5707 make the function fail. It has also been reported to fail
5708 when using a security agent application.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005709 Unlike ":!cmd" there is no automatic check for changed files.
5710 Use |:checktime| to force a check.
5711
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005712
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005713tabpagebuflist([{arg}]) *tabpagebuflist()*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005714 The result is a |List|, where each item is the number of the
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005715 buffer associated with each window in the current tab page.
5716 {arg} specifies the number of tab page to be used. When
5717 omitted the current tab page is used.
5718 When {arg} is invalid the number zero is returned.
5719 To get a list of all buffers in all tabs use this: >
5720 tablist = []
5721 for i in range(tabpagenr('$'))
5722 call extend(tablist, tabpagebuflist(i + 1))
5723 endfor
5724< Note that a buffer may appear in more than one window.
5725
5726
5727tabpagenr([{arg}]) *tabpagenr()*
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00005728 The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
5729 tab page. The first tab page has number 1.
5730 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the last tab
5731 page is returned (the tab page count).
5732 The number can be used with the |:tab| command.
5733
5734
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005735tabpagewinnr({tabarg}, [{arg}]) *tabpagewinnr()*
Bram Moolenaard04f4402010-08-15 13:30:34 +02005736 Like |winnr()| but for tab page {tabarg}.
Bram Moolenaarfaa959a2006-02-20 21:37:40 +00005737 {tabarg} specifies the number of tab page to be used.
5738 {arg} is used like with |winnr()|:
5739 - When omitted the current window number is returned. This is
5740 the window which will be used when going to this tab page.
5741 - When "$" the number of windows is returned.
5742 - When "#" the previous window nr is returned.
5743 Useful examples: >
5744 tabpagewinnr(1) " current window of tab page 1
5745 tabpagewinnr(4, '$') " number of windows in tab page 4
5746< When {tabarg} is invalid zero is returned.
5747
Bram Moolenaarfa1d1402006-03-25 21:59:56 +00005748 *tagfiles()*
5749tagfiles() Returns a |List| with the file names used to search for tags
5750 for the current buffer. This is the 'tags' option expanded.
5751
5752
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005753taglist({expr}) *taglist()*
5754 Returns a list of tags matching the regular expression {expr}.
Bram Moolenaard8c00872005-07-22 21:52:15 +00005755 Each list item is a dictionary with at least the following
5756 entries:
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005757 name Name of the tag.
5758 filename Name of the file where the tag is
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005759 defined. It is either relative to the
5760 current directory or a full path.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005761 cmd Ex command used to locate the tag in
5762 the file.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005763 kind Type of the tag. The value for this
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005764 entry depends on the language specific
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005765 kind values. Only available when
5766 using a tags file generated by
5767 Exuberant ctags or hdrtag.
Bram Moolenaar280f1262006-01-30 00:14:18 +00005768 static A file specific tag. Refer to
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005769 |static-tag| for more information.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005770 More entries may be present, depending on the content of the
5771 tags file: access, implementation, inherits and signature.
5772 Refer to the ctags documentation for information about these
5773 fields. For C code the fields "struct", "class" and "enum"
5774 may appear, they give the name of the entity the tag is
5775 contained in.
Bram Moolenaar5a8684e2005-07-30 22:43:24 +00005776
Bram Moolenaar4317d9b2005-03-18 20:25:31 +00005777 The ex-command 'cmd' can be either an ex search pattern, a
5778 line number or a line number followed by a byte number.
Bram Moolenaare2cc9702005-03-15 22:43:58 +00005779
5780 If there are no matching tags, then an empty list is returned.
5781
5782 To get an exact tag match, the anchors '^' and '$' should be
5783 used in {expr}. Refer to |tag-regexp| for more information
5784 about the tag search regular expression pattern.
5785
5786 Refer to |'tags'| for information about how the tags file is
5787 located by Vim. Refer to |tags-file-format| for the format of
5788 the tags file generated by the different ctags tools.
5789
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005790tempname() *tempname()* *temp-file-name*
5791 The result is a String, which is the name of a file that
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005792 doesn't exist. It can be used for a temporary file. The name
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005793 is different for at least 26 consecutive calls. Example: >
5794 :let tmpfile = tempname()
5795 :exe "redir > " . tmpfile
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01005796< For Unix, the file will be in a private directory |tempfile|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005797 For MS-Windows forward slashes are used when the 'shellslash'
5798 option is set or when 'shellcmdflag' starts with '-'.
5799
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005800
5801tan({expr}) *tan()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005802 Return the tangent of {expr}, measured in radians, as a |Float|
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005803 in the range [-inf, inf].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005804 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005805 Examples: >
5806 :echo tan(10)
5807< 0.648361 >
5808 :echo tan(-4.01)
5809< -1.181502
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005810 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005811
5812
5813tanh({expr}) *tanh()*
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005814 Return the hyperbolic tangent of {expr} as a |Float| in the
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005815 range [-1, 1].
Bram Moolenaar9855d6b2010-07-18 14:34:51 +02005816 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005817 Examples: >
5818 :echo tanh(0.5)
5819< 0.462117 >
5820 :echo tanh(-1)
5821< -0.761594
Bram Moolenaardb84e452010-08-15 13:50:43 +02005822 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
Bram Moolenaardb7c6862010-05-21 16:33:48 +02005823
5824
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005825tolower({expr}) *tolower()*
5826 The result is a copy of the String given, with all uppercase
5827 characters turned into lowercase (just like applying |gu| to
5828 the string).
5829
5830toupper({expr}) *toupper()*
5831 The result is a copy of the String given, with all lowercase
5832 characters turned into uppercase (just like applying |gU| to
5833 the string).
5834
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +00005835tr({src}, {fromstr}, {tostr}) *tr()*
5836 The result is a copy of the {src} string with all characters
5837 which appear in {fromstr} replaced by the character in that
5838 position in the {tostr} string. Thus the first character in
5839 {fromstr} is translated into the first character in {tostr}
5840 and so on. Exactly like the unix "tr" command.
5841 This code also deals with multibyte characters properly.
5842
5843 Examples: >
5844 echo tr("hello there", "ht", "HT")
5845< returns "Hello THere" >
5846 echo tr("<blob>", "<>", "{}")
5847< returns "{blob}"
5848
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005849trunc({expr}) *trunc()*
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00005850 Return the largest integral value with magnitude less than or
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005851 equal to {expr} as a |Float| (truncate towards zero).
5852 {expr} must evaluate to a |Float| or a |Number|.
5853 Examples: >
5854 echo trunc(1.456)
5855< 1.0 >
5856 echo trunc(-5.456)
5857< -5.0 >
5858 echo trunc(4.0)
5859< 4.0
5860 {only available when compiled with the |+float| feature}
5861
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005862 *type()*
5863type({expr}) The result is a Number, depending on the type of {expr}:
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005864 Number: 0
5865 String: 1
5866 Funcref: 2
5867 List: 3
5868 Dictionary: 4
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005869 Float: 5
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005870 To avoid the magic numbers it should be used this way: >
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00005871 :if type(myvar) == type(0)
5872 :if type(myvar) == type("")
5873 :if type(myvar) == type(function("tr"))
5874 :if type(myvar) == type([])
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00005875 :if type(myvar) == type({})
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005876 :if type(myvar) == type(0.0)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005877
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02005878undofile({name}) *undofile()*
5879 Return the name of the undo file that would be used for a file
5880 with name {name} when writing. This uses the 'undodir'
5881 option, finding directories that exist. It does not check if
Bram Moolenaar860cae12010-06-05 23:22:07 +02005882 the undo file exists.
Bram Moolenaar945e2db2010-06-05 17:43:32 +02005883 {name} is always expanded to the full path, since that is what
5884 is used internally.
Bram Moolenaara17d4c12010-05-30 18:30:36 +02005885 Useful in combination with |:wundo| and |:rundo|.
5886 When compiled without the +persistent_undo option this always
5887 returns an empty string.
5888
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02005889undotree() *undotree()*
5890 Return the current state of the undo tree in a dictionary with
5891 the following items:
5892 "seq_last" The highest undo sequence number used.
5893 "seq_cur" The sequence number of the current position in
5894 the undo tree. This differs from "seq_last"
5895 when some changes were undone.
5896 "time_cur" Time last used for |:earlier| and related
5897 commands. Use |strftime()| to convert to
5898 something readable.
5899 "save_last" Number of the last file write. Zero when no
5900 write yet.
Bram Moolenaar730cde92010-06-27 05:18:54 +02005901 "save_cur" Number of the current position in the undo
5902 tree.
Bram Moolenaara800b422010-06-27 01:15:55 +02005903 "synced" Non-zero when the last undo block was synced.
5904 This happens when waiting from input from the
5905 user. See |undo-blocks|.
5906 "entries" A list of dictionaries with information about
5907 undo blocks.
5908
5909 The first item in the "entries" list is the oldest undo item.
5910 Each List item is a Dictionary with these items:
5911 "seq" Undo sequence number. Same as what appears in
5912 |:undolist|.
5913 "time" Timestamp when the change happened. Use
5914 |strftime()| to convert to something readable.
5915 "newhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
5916 that was added. This marks the last change
5917 and where further changes will be added.
5918 "curhead" Only appears in the item that is the last one
5919 that was undone. This marks the current
5920 position in the undo tree, the block that will
5921 be used by a redo command. When nothing was
5922 undone after the last change this item will
5923 not appear anywhere.
5924 "save" Only appears on the last block before a file
5925 write. The number is the write count. The
5926 first write has number 1, the last one the
5927 "save_last" mentioned above.
5928 "alt" Alternate entry. This is again a List of undo
5929 blocks. Each item may again have an "alt"
5930 item.
5931
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005932values({dict}) *values()*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005933 Return a |List| with all the values of {dict}. The |List| is
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00005934 in arbitrary order.
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00005935
5936
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005937virtcol({expr}) *virtcol()*
5938 The result is a Number, which is the screen column of the file
5939 position given with {expr}. That is, the last screen position
5940 occupied by the character at that position, when the screen
5941 would be of unlimited width. When there is a <Tab> at the
5942 position, the returned Number will be the column at the end of
5943 the <Tab>. For example, for a <Tab> in column 1, with 'ts'
5944 set to 8, it returns 8.
Bram Moolenaar477933c2007-07-17 14:32:23 +00005945 For the byte position use |col()|.
5946 For the use of {expr} see |col()|.
5947 When 'virtualedit' is used {expr} can be [lnum, col, off], where
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005948 "off" is the offset in screen columns from the start of the
Bram Moolenaard46bbc72007-05-12 14:38:41 +00005949 character. E.g., a position within a <Tab> or after the last
Bram Moolenaar0b238792006-03-02 22:49:12 +00005950 character.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005951 When Virtual editing is active in the current mode, a position
5952 beyond the end of the line can be returned. |'virtualedit'|
5953 The accepted positions are:
5954 . the cursor position
5955 $ the end of the cursor line (the result is the
5956 number of displayed characters in the cursor line
5957 plus one)
5958 'x position of mark x (if the mark is not set, 0 is
5959 returned)
5960 Note that only marks in the current file can be used.
5961 Examples: >
5962 virtcol(".") with text "foo^Lbar", with cursor on the "^L", returns 5
5963 virtcol("$") with text "foo^Lbar", returns 9
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005964 virtcol("'t") with text " there", with 't at 'h', returns 6
5965< The first column is 1. 0 is returned for an error.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00005966 A more advanced example that echoes the maximum length of
5967 all lines: >
5968 echo max(map(range(1, line('$')), "virtcol([v:val, '$'])"))
5969
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005970
5971visualmode([expr]) *visualmode()*
5972 The result is a String, which describes the last Visual mode
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00005973 used in the current buffer. Initially it returns an empty
5974 string, but once Visual mode has been used, it returns "v",
5975 "V", or "<CTRL-V>" (a single CTRL-V character) for
5976 character-wise, line-wise, or block-wise Visual mode
5977 respectively.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005978 Example: >
5979 :exe "normal " . visualmode()
5980< This enters the same Visual mode as before. It is also useful
5981 in scripts if you wish to act differently depending on the
5982 Visual mode that was used.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005983 If Visual mode is active, use |mode()| to get the Visual mode
5984 (e.g., in a |:vmap|).
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005985 *non-zero-arg*
5986 If [expr] is supplied and it evaluates to a non-zero Number or
5987 a non-empty String, then the Visual mode will be cleared and
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00005988 the old value is returned. Note that " " and "0" are also
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00005989 non-empty strings, thus cause the mode to be cleared. A List,
5990 Dictionary or Float is not a Number or String, thus does not
5991 cause the mode to be cleared.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005992
5993 *winbufnr()*
5994winbufnr({nr}) The result is a Number, which is the number of the buffer
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00005995 associated with window {nr}. When {nr} is zero, the number of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00005996 the buffer in the current window is returned. When window
5997 {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
5998 Example: >
5999 :echo "The file in the current window is " . bufname(winbufnr(0))
6000<
6001 *wincol()*
6002wincol() The result is a Number, which is the virtual column of the
6003 cursor in the window. This is counting screen cells from the
6004 left side of the window. The leftmost column is one.
6005
6006winheight({nr}) *winheight()*
6007 The result is a Number, which is the height of window {nr}.
6008 When {nr} is zero, the height of the current window is
6009 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
6010 An existing window always has a height of zero or more.
6011 Examples: >
6012 :echo "The current window has " . winheight(0) . " lines."
6013<
6014 *winline()*
6015winline() The result is a Number, which is the screen line of the cursor
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006016 in the window. This is counting screen lines from the top of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006017 the window. The first line is one.
Bram Moolenaarbfd8fc02005-09-20 23:22:24 +00006018 If the cursor was moved the view on the file will be updated
6019 first, this may cause a scroll.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006020
6021 *winnr()*
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00006022winnr([{arg}]) The result is a Number, which is the number of the current
6023 window. The top window has number 1.
6024 When the optional argument is "$", the number of the
Bram Moolenaar7e8fd632006-02-18 22:14:51 +00006025 last window is returned (the window count).
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00006026 When the optional argument is "#", the number of the last
6027 accessed window is returned (where |CTRL-W_p| goes to).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006028 If there is no previous window or it is in another tab page 0
6029 is returned.
Bram Moolenaar5eb86f92004-07-26 12:53:41 +00006030 The number can be used with |CTRL-W_w| and ":wincmd w"
6031 |:wincmd|.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006032 Also see |tabpagewinnr()|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006033
6034 *winrestcmd()*
6035winrestcmd() Returns a sequence of |:resize| commands that should restore
6036 the current window sizes. Only works properly when no windows
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006037 are opened or closed and the current window and tab page is
6038 unchanged.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006039 Example: >
6040 :let cmd = winrestcmd()
6041 :call MessWithWindowSizes()
6042 :exe cmd
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006043<
6044 *winrestview()*
6045winrestview({dict})
6046 Uses the |Dictionary| returned by |winsaveview()| to restore
6047 the view of the current window.
6048 If you have changed the values the result is unpredictable.
6049 If the window size changed the result won't be the same.
6050
6051 *winsaveview()*
6052winsaveview() Returns a |Dictionary| that contains information to restore
6053 the view of the current window. Use |winrestview()| to
6054 restore the view.
6055 This is useful if you have a mapping that jumps around in the
6056 buffer and you want to go back to the original view.
6057 This does not save fold information. Use the 'foldenable'
Bram Moolenaardb552d602006-03-23 22:59:57 +00006058 option to temporarily switch off folding, so that folds are
6059 not opened when moving around.
Bram Moolenaar87b5ca52006-03-04 21:55:31 +00006060 The return value includes:
6061 lnum cursor line number
6062 col cursor column
6063 coladd cursor column offset for 'virtualedit'
6064 curswant column for vertical movement
6065 topline first line in the window
6066 topfill filler lines, only in diff mode
6067 leftcol first column displayed
6068 skipcol columns skipped
6069 Note that no option values are saved.
6070
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006071
6072winwidth({nr}) *winwidth()*
6073 The result is a Number, which is the width of window {nr}.
6074 When {nr} is zero, the width of the current window is
6075 returned. When window {nr} doesn't exist, -1 is returned.
6076 An existing window always has a width of zero or more.
6077 Examples: >
6078 :echo "The current window has " . winwidth(0) . " columns."
6079 :if winwidth(0) <= 50
6080 : exe "normal 50\<C-W>|"
6081 :endif
6082<
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006083 *writefile()*
6084writefile({list}, {fname} [, {binary}])
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006085 Write |List| {list} to file {fname}. Each list item is
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006086 separated with a NL. Each list item must be a String or
6087 Number.
6088 When {binary} is equal to "b" binary mode is used: There will
6089 not be a NL after the last list item. An empty item at the
6090 end does cause the last line in the file to end in a NL.
6091 All NL characters are replaced with a NUL character.
6092 Inserting CR characters needs to be done before passing {list}
6093 to writefile().
6094 An existing file is overwritten, if possible.
6095 When the write fails -1 is returned, otherwise 0. There is an
6096 error message if the file can't be created or when writing
6097 fails.
6098 Also see |readfile()|.
6099 To copy a file byte for byte: >
6100 :let fl = readfile("foo", "b")
6101 :call writefile(fl, "foocopy", "b")
6102<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006103
6104 *feature-list*
6105There are three types of features:
61061. Features that are only supported when they have been enabled when Vim
6107 was compiled |+feature-list|. Example: >
6108 :if has("cindent")
61092. Features that are only supported when certain conditions have been met.
6110 Example: >
6111 :if has("gui_running")
6112< *has-patch*
61133. Included patches. First check |v:version| for the version of Vim.
6114 Then the "patch123" feature means that patch 123 has been included for
6115 this version. Example (checking version 6.2.148 or later): >
6116 :if v:version > 602 || v:version == 602 && has("patch148")
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006117< Note that it's possible for patch 147 to be omitted even though 148 is
6118 included.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006119
6120all_builtin_terms Compiled with all builtin terminals enabled.
6121amiga Amiga version of Vim.
6122arabic Compiled with Arabic support |Arabic|.
6123arp Compiled with ARP support (Amiga).
Bram Moolenaara9b1e742005-12-19 22:14:58 +00006124autocmd Compiled with autocommand support. |autocommand|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006125balloon_eval Compiled with |balloon-eval| support.
Bram Moolenaar45360022005-07-21 21:08:21 +00006126balloon_multiline GUI supports multiline balloons.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006127beos BeOS version of Vim.
6128browse Compiled with |:browse| support, and browse() will
6129 work.
6130builtin_terms Compiled with some builtin terminals.
6131byte_offset Compiled with support for 'o' in 'statusline'
6132cindent Compiled with 'cindent' support.
6133clientserver Compiled with remote invocation support |clientserver|.
6134clipboard Compiled with 'clipboard' support.
6135cmdline_compl Compiled with |cmdline-completion| support.
6136cmdline_hist Compiled with |cmdline-history| support.
6137cmdline_info Compiled with 'showcmd' and 'ruler' support.
6138comments Compiled with |'comments'| support.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006139compatible Compiled to be very Vi compatible.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006140cryptv Compiled with encryption support |encryption|.
6141cscope Compiled with |cscope| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006142debug Compiled with "DEBUG" defined.
6143dialog_con Compiled with console dialog support.
6144dialog_gui Compiled with GUI dialog support.
6145diff Compiled with |vimdiff| and 'diff' support.
6146digraphs Compiled with support for digraphs.
6147dnd Compiled with support for the "~ register |quote_~|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006148dos16 16 bits DOS version of Vim.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006149dos32 32 bits DOS (DJGPP) version of Vim.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006150ebcdic Compiled on a machine with ebcdic character set.
6151emacs_tags Compiled with support for Emacs tags.
6152eval Compiled with expression evaluation support. Always
6153 true, of course!
6154ex_extra Compiled with extra Ex commands |+ex_extra|.
6155extra_search Compiled with support for |'incsearch'| and
6156 |'hlsearch'|
6157farsi Compiled with Farsi support |farsi|.
6158file_in_path Compiled with support for |gf| and |<cfile>|
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006159filterpipe When 'shelltemp' is off pipes are used for shell
6160 read/write/filter commands
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006161find_in_path Compiled with support for include file searches
6162 |+find_in_path|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006163float Compiled with support for |Float|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006164fname_case Case in file names matters (for Amiga, MS-DOS, and
6165 Windows this is not present).
6166folding Compiled with |folding| support.
6167footer Compiled with GUI footer support. |gui-footer|
6168fork Compiled to use fork()/exec() instead of system().
6169gettext Compiled with message translation |multi-lang|
6170gui Compiled with GUI enabled.
6171gui_athena Compiled with Athena GUI.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006172gui_gnome Compiled with Gnome support (gui_gtk is also defined).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006173gui_gtk Compiled with GTK+ GUI (any version).
6174gui_gtk2 Compiled with GTK+ 2 GUI (gui_gtk is also defined).
6175gui_mac Compiled with Macintosh GUI.
6176gui_motif Compiled with Motif GUI.
6177gui_photon Compiled with Photon GUI.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006178gui_running Vim is running in the GUI, or it will start soon.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006179gui_win32 Compiled with MS Windows Win32 GUI.
6180gui_win32s idem, and Win32s system being used (Windows 3.1)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006181hangul_input Compiled with Hangul input support. |hangul|
6182iconv Can use iconv() for conversion.
6183insert_expand Compiled with support for CTRL-X expansion commands in
6184 Insert mode.
6185jumplist Compiled with |jumplist| support.
6186keymap Compiled with 'keymap' support.
6187langmap Compiled with 'langmap' support.
6188libcall Compiled with |libcall()| support.
6189linebreak Compiled with 'linebreak', 'breakat' and 'showbreak'
6190 support.
6191lispindent Compiled with support for lisp indenting.
6192listcmds Compiled with commands for the buffer list |:files|
6193 and the argument list |arglist|.
6194localmap Compiled with local mappings and abbr. |:map-local|
Bram Moolenaar0ba04292010-07-14 23:23:17 +02006195lua Compiled with Lua interface |Lua|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006196mac Macintosh version of Vim.
6197macunix Macintosh version of Vim, using Unix files (OS-X).
6198menu Compiled with support for |:menu|.
6199mksession Compiled with support for |:mksession|.
6200modify_fname Compiled with file name modifiers. |filename-modifiers|
6201mouse Compiled with support mouse.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006202mouse_dec Compiled with support for Dec terminal mouse.
6203mouse_gpm Compiled with support for gpm (Linux console mouse)
6204mouse_netterm Compiled with support for netterm mouse.
6205mouse_pterm Compiled with support for qnx pterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006206mouse_sysmouse Compiled with support for sysmouse (*BSD console mouse)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006207mouse_xterm Compiled with support for xterm mouse.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006208mouseshape Compiled with support for 'mouseshape'.
Bram Moolenaar42022d52008-12-09 09:57:49 +00006209multi_byte Compiled with support for 'encoding'
6210multi_byte_encoding 'encoding' is set to a multi-byte encoding.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006211multi_byte_ime Compiled with support for IME input method.
6212multi_lang Compiled with support for multiple languages.
Bram Moolenaar325b7a22004-07-05 15:58:32 +00006213mzscheme Compiled with MzScheme interface |mzscheme|.
Bram Moolenaarb26e6322010-05-22 21:34:09 +02006214netbeans_enabled Compiled with support for |netbeans| and connected.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006215netbeans_intg Compiled with support for |netbeans|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006216ole Compiled with OLE automation support for Win32.
6217os2 OS/2 version of Vim.
6218osfiletype Compiled with support for osfiletypes |+osfiletype|
6219path_extra Compiled with up/downwards search in 'path' and 'tags'
6220perl Compiled with Perl interface.
Bram Moolenaar55debbe2010-05-23 23:34:36 +02006221persistent_undo Compiled with support for persistent undo history.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006222postscript Compiled with PostScript file printing.
6223printer Compiled with |:hardcopy| support.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006224profile Compiled with |:profile| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006225python Compiled with Python interface.
6226qnx QNX version of Vim.
6227quickfix Compiled with |quickfix| support.
Bram Moolenaard68071d2006-05-02 22:08:30 +00006228reltime Compiled with |reltime()| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006229rightleft Compiled with 'rightleft' support.
6230ruby Compiled with Ruby interface |ruby|.
6231scrollbind Compiled with 'scrollbind' support.
6232showcmd Compiled with 'showcmd' support.
6233signs Compiled with |:sign| support.
6234smartindent Compiled with 'smartindent' support.
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00006235sniff Compiled with SNiFF interface support.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006236spell Compiled with spell checking support |spell|.
Bram Moolenaaref94eec2009-11-11 13:22:11 +00006237startuptime Compiled with |--startuptime| support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006238statusline Compiled with support for 'statusline', 'rulerformat'
6239 and special formats of 'titlestring' and 'iconstring'.
6240sun_workshop Compiled with support for Sun |workshop|.
Bram Moolenaar82cf9b62005-06-07 21:09:25 +00006241syntax Compiled with syntax highlighting support |syntax|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006242syntax_items There are active syntax highlighting items for the
6243 current buffer.
6244system Compiled to use system() instead of fork()/exec().
6245tag_binary Compiled with binary searching in tags files
6246 |tag-binary-search|.
6247tag_old_static Compiled with support for old static tags
6248 |tag-old-static|.
6249tag_any_white Compiled with support for any white characters in tags
6250 files |tag-any-white|.
6251tcl Compiled with Tcl interface.
6252terminfo Compiled with terminfo instead of termcap.
6253termresponse Compiled with support for |t_RV| and |v:termresponse|.
6254textobjects Compiled with support for |text-objects|.
6255tgetent Compiled with tgetent support, able to use a termcap
6256 or terminfo file.
6257title Compiled with window title support |'title'|.
6258toolbar Compiled with support for |gui-toolbar|.
6259unix Unix version of Vim.
6260user_commands User-defined commands.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006261vertsplit Compiled with vertically split windows |:vsplit|.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006262vim_starting True while initial source'ing takes place. |startup|
6263viminfo Compiled with viminfo support.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006264virtualedit Compiled with 'virtualedit' option.
6265visual Compiled with Visual mode.
6266visualextra Compiled with extra Visual mode commands.
6267 |blockwise-operators|.
6268vms VMS version of Vim.
6269vreplace Compiled with |gR| and |gr| commands.
6270wildignore Compiled with 'wildignore' option.
6271wildmenu Compiled with 'wildmenu' option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006272win16 Win16 version of Vim (MS-Windows 3.1).
Bram Moolenaard58e9292011-02-09 17:07:58 +01006273win32 Win32 version of Vim (MS-Windows 95 and later, 32 or
6274 64 bits)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006275win32unix Win32 version of Vim, using Unix files (Cygwin)
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006276win64 Win64 version of Vim (MS-Windows 64 bit).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006277win95 Win32 version for MS-Windows 95/98/ME.
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +01006278winaltkeys Compiled with 'winaltkeys' option.
6279windows Compiled with support for more than one window.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006280writebackup Compiled with 'writebackup' default on.
6281xfontset Compiled with X fontset support |xfontset|.
6282xim Compiled with X input method support |xim|.
6283xsmp Compiled with X session management support.
6284xsmp_interact Compiled with interactive X session management support.
6285xterm_clipboard Compiled with support for xterm clipboard.
6286xterm_save Compiled with support for saving and restoring the
6287 xterm screen.
6288x11 Compiled with X11 support.
6289
6290 *string-match*
6291Matching a pattern in a String
6292
6293A regexp pattern as explained at |pattern| is normally used to find a match in
6294the buffer lines. When a pattern is used to find a match in a String, almost
6295everything works in the same way. The difference is that a String is handled
6296like it is one line. When it contains a "\n" character, this is not seen as a
6297line break for the pattern. It can be matched with a "\n" in the pattern, or
6298with ".". Example: >
6299 :let a = "aaaa\nxxxx"
6300 :echo matchstr(a, "..\n..")
6301 aa
6302 xx
6303 :echo matchstr(a, "a.x")
6304 a
6305 x
6306
6307Don't forget that "^" will only match at the first character of the String and
6308"$" at the last character of the string. They don't match after or before a
6309"\n".
6310
6311==============================================================================
63125. Defining functions *user-functions*
6313
6314New functions can be defined. These can be called just like builtin
6315functions. The function executes a sequence of Ex commands. Normal mode
6316commands can be executed with the |:normal| command.
6317
6318The function name must start with an uppercase letter, to avoid confusion with
6319builtin functions. To prevent from using the same name in different scripts
6320avoid obvious, short names. A good habit is to start the function name with
6321the name of the script, e.g., "HTMLcolor()".
6322
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00006323It's also possible to use curly braces, see |curly-braces-names|. And the
6324|autoload| facility is useful to define a function only when it's called.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006325
6326 *local-function*
6327A function local to a script must start with "s:". A local script function
6328can only be called from within the script and from functions, user commands
6329and autocommands defined in the script. It is also possible to call the
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00006330function from a mapping defined in the script, but then |<SID>| must be used
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006331instead of "s:" when the mapping is expanded outside of the script.
6332
6333 *:fu* *:function* *E128* *E129* *E123*
6334:fu[nction] List all functions and their arguments.
6335
6336:fu[nction] {name} List function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006337 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6338 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006339 :function dict.init
Bram Moolenaar92d640f2005-09-05 22:11:52 +00006340
6341:fu[nction] /{pattern} List functions with a name matching {pattern}.
6342 Example that lists all functions ending with "File": >
6343 :function /File$
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00006344<
6345 *:function-verbose*
6346When 'verbose' is non-zero, listing a function will also display where it was
6347last defined. Example: >
6348
6349 :verbose function SetFileTypeSH
6350 function SetFileTypeSH(name)
6351 Last set from /usr/share/vim/vim-7.0/filetype.vim
6352<
Bram Moolenaar8aff23a2005-08-19 20:40:30 +00006353See |:verbose-cmd| for more information.
Bram Moolenaar5b8d8fd2005-08-16 23:01:50 +00006354
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006355 *E124* *E125*
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006356:fu[nction][!] {name}([arguments]) [range] [abort] [dict]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006357 Define a new function by the name {name}. The name
6358 must be made of alphanumeric characters and '_', and
6359 must start with a capital or "s:" (see above).
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006360
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006361 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6362 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006363 :function dict.init(arg)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006364< "dict" must be an existing dictionary. The entry
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006365 "init" is added if it didn't exist yet. Otherwise [!]
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006366 is required to overwrite an existing function. The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006367 result is a |Funcref| to a numbered function. The
6368 function can only be used with a |Funcref| and will be
6369 deleted if there are no more references to it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006370 *E127* *E122*
6371 When a function by this name already exists and [!] is
6372 not used an error message is given. When [!] is used,
6373 an existing function is silently replaced. Unless it
6374 is currently being executed, that is an error.
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006375
6376 For the {arguments} see |function-argument|.
6377
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006378 *a:firstline* *a:lastline*
6379 When the [range] argument is added, the function is
6380 expected to take care of a range itself. The range is
6381 passed as "a:firstline" and "a:lastline". If [range]
6382 is excluded, ":{range}call" will call the function for
6383 each line in the range, with the cursor on the start
6384 of each line. See |function-range-example|.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006385
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006386 When the [abort] argument is added, the function will
6387 abort as soon as an error is detected.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006388
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006389 When the [dict] argument is added, the function must
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006390 be invoked through an entry in a |Dictionary|. The
Bram Moolenaar2fda12f2005-01-15 22:14:15 +00006391 local variable "self" will then be set to the
6392 dictionary. See |Dictionary-function|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006393
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006394 *function-search-undo*
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00006395 The last used search pattern and the redo command "."
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006396 will not be changed by the function. This also
6397 implies that the effect of |:nohlsearch| is undone
6398 when the function returns.
Bram Moolenaar98692072006-02-04 00:57:42 +00006399
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006400 *:endf* *:endfunction* *E126* *E193*
6401:endf[unction] The end of a function definition. Must be on a line
6402 by its own, without other commands.
6403
6404 *:delf* *:delfunction* *E130* *E131*
6405:delf[unction] {name} Delete function {name}.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006406 {name} can also be a |Dictionary| entry that is a
6407 |Funcref|: >
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006408 :delfunc dict.init
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006409< This will remove the "init" entry from "dict". The
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006410 function is deleted if there are no more references to
6411 it.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006412 *:retu* *:return* *E133*
6413:retu[rn] [expr] Return from a function. When "[expr]" is given, it is
6414 evaluated and returned as the result of the function.
6415 If "[expr]" is not given, the number 0 is returned.
6416 When a function ends without an explicit ":return",
6417 the number 0 is returned.
6418 Note that there is no check for unreachable lines,
6419 thus there is no warning if commands follow ":return".
6420
6421 If the ":return" is used after a |:try| but before the
6422 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
6423 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
6424 are executed first. This process applies to all
6425 nested ":try"s inside the function. The function
6426 returns at the outermost ":endtry".
6427
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006428 *function-argument* *a:var*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006429An argument can be defined by giving its name. In the function this can then
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006430be used as "a:name" ("a:" for argument).
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006431 *a:0* *a:1* *a:000* *E740* *...*
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006432Up to 20 arguments can be given, separated by commas. After the named
6433arguments an argument "..." can be specified, which means that more arguments
6434may optionally be following. In the function the extra arguments can be used
6435as "a:1", "a:2", etc. "a:0" is set to the number of extra arguments (which
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006436can be 0). "a:000" is set to a |List| that contains these arguments. Note
6437that "a:1" is the same as "a:000[0]".
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006438 *E742*
6439The a: scope and the variables in it cannot be changed, they are fixed.
Bram Moolenaare37d50a2008-08-06 17:06:04 +00006440However, if a |List| or |Dictionary| is used, you can change their contents.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006441Thus you can pass a |List| to a function and have the function add an item to
6442it. If you want to make sure the function cannot change a |List| or
6443|Dictionary| use |:lockvar|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006444
Bram Moolenaar8f999f12005-01-25 22:12:55 +00006445When not using "...", the number of arguments in a function call must be equal
6446to the number of named arguments. When using "...", the number of arguments
6447may be larger.
6448
6449It is also possible to define a function without any arguments. You must
6450still supply the () then. The body of the function follows in the next lines,
6451until the matching |:endfunction|. It is allowed to define another function
6452inside a function body.
6453
6454 *local-variables*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006455Inside a function variables can be used. These are local variables, which
6456will disappear when the function returns. Global variables need to be
6457accessed with "g:".
6458
6459Example: >
6460 :function Table(title, ...)
6461 : echohl Title
6462 : echo a:title
6463 : echohl None
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006464 : echo a:0 . " items:"
6465 : for s in a:000
6466 : echon ' ' . s
6467 : endfor
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006468 :endfunction
6469
6470This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaar677ee682005-01-27 14:41:15 +00006471 call Table("Table", "line1", "line2")
6472 call Table("Empty Table")
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006473
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006474To return more than one value, return a |List|: >
6475 :function Compute(n1, n2)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006476 : if a:n2 == 0
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006477 : return ["fail", 0]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006478 : endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006479 : return ["ok", a:n1 / a:n2]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006480 :endfunction
6481
6482This function can then be called with: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006483 :let [success, div] = Compute(102, 6)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006484 :if success == "ok"
6485 : echo div
6486 :endif
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006487<
Bram Moolenaar39f05632006-03-19 22:15:26 +00006488 *:cal* *:call* *E107* *E117*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006489:[range]cal[l] {name}([arguments])
6490 Call a function. The name of the function and its arguments
6491 are as specified with |:function|. Up to 20 arguments can be
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006492 used. The returned value is discarded.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006493 Without a range and for functions that accept a range, the
6494 function is called once. When a range is given the cursor is
6495 positioned at the start of the first line before executing the
6496 function.
6497 When a range is given and the function doesn't handle it
6498 itself, the function is executed for each line in the range,
6499 with the cursor in the first column of that line. The cursor
6500 is left at the last line (possibly moved by the last function
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006501 call). The arguments are re-evaluated for each line. Thus
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006502 this works:
6503 *function-range-example* >
6504 :function Mynumber(arg)
6505 : echo line(".") . " " . a:arg
6506 :endfunction
6507 :1,5call Mynumber(getline("."))
6508<
6509 The "a:firstline" and "a:lastline" are defined anyway, they
6510 can be used to do something different at the start or end of
6511 the range.
6512
6513 Example of a function that handles the range itself: >
6514
6515 :function Cont() range
6516 : execute (a:firstline + 1) . "," . a:lastline . 's/^/\t\\ '
6517 :endfunction
6518 :4,8call Cont()
6519<
6520 This function inserts the continuation character "\" in front
6521 of all the lines in the range, except the first one.
6522
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006523 When the function returns a composite value it can be further
6524 dereferenced, but the range will not be used then. Example: >
6525 :4,8call GetDict().method()
6526< Here GetDict() gets the range but method() does not.
6527
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006528 *E132*
6529The recursiveness of user functions is restricted with the |'maxfuncdepth'|
6530option.
6531
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006532
6533AUTOMATICALLY LOADING FUNCTIONS ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006534 *autoload-functions*
6535When using many or large functions, it's possible to automatically define them
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006536only when they are used. There are two methods: with an autocommand and with
6537the "autoload" directory in 'runtimepath'.
6538
6539
6540Using an autocommand ~
6541
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006542This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.14|.
6543
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006544The autocommand is useful if you have a plugin that is a long Vim script file.
6545You can define the autocommand and quickly quit the script with |:finish|.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006546That makes Vim startup faster. The autocommand should then load the same file
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006547again, setting a variable to skip the |:finish| command.
6548
6549Use the FuncUndefined autocommand event with a pattern that matches the
6550function(s) to be defined. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006551
6552 :au FuncUndefined BufNet* source ~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim
6553
6554The file "~/vim/bufnetfuncs.vim" should then define functions that start with
6555"BufNet". Also see |FuncUndefined|.
6556
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006557
6558Using an autoload script ~
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006559 *autoload* *E746*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00006560This is introduced in the user manual, section |41.15|.
6561
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006562Using a script in the "autoload" directory is simpler, but requires using
6563exactly the right file name. A function that can be autoloaded has a name
6564like this: >
6565
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006566 :call filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006567
6568When such a function is called, and it is not defined yet, Vim will search the
6569"autoload" directories in 'runtimepath' for a script file called
6570"filename.vim". For example "~/.vim/autoload/filename.vim". That file should
6571then define the function like this: >
6572
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006573 function filename#funcname()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006574 echo "Done!"
6575 endfunction
6576
Bram Moolenaar60a795a2005-09-16 21:55:43 +00006577The file name and the name used before the # in the function must match
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006578exactly, and the defined function must have the name exactly as it will be
6579called.
6580
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006581It is possible to use subdirectories. Every # in the function name works like
6582a path separator. Thus when calling a function: >
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006583
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006584 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006585
6586Vim will look for the file "autoload/foo/bar.vim" in 'runtimepath'.
6587
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006588This also works when reading a variable that has not been set yet: >
6589
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006590 :let l = foo#bar#lvar
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006591
Bram Moolenaara5792f52005-11-23 21:25:05 +00006592However, when the autoload script was already loaded it won't be loaded again
6593for an unknown variable.
6594
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006595When assigning a value to such a variable nothing special happens. This can
6596be used to pass settings to the autoload script before it's loaded: >
6597
Bram Moolenaara7fc0102005-05-18 22:17:12 +00006598 :let foo#bar#toggle = 1
6599 :call foo#bar#func()
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006600
Bram Moolenaar4399ef42005-02-12 14:29:27 +00006601Note that when you make a mistake and call a function that is supposed to be
6602defined in an autoload script, but the script doesn't actually define the
6603function, the script will be sourced every time you try to call the function.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006604And you will get an error message every time.
6605
6606Also note that if you have two script files, and one calls a function in the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006607other and vice versa, before the used function is defined, it won't work.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +00006608Avoid using the autoload functionality at the toplevel.
Bram Moolenaar7c626922005-02-07 22:01:03 +00006609
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +00006610Hint: If you distribute a bunch of scripts you can pack them together with the
6611|vimball| utility. Also read the user manual |distribute-script|.
6612
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006613==============================================================================
66146. Curly braces names *curly-braces-names*
6615
6616Wherever you can use a variable, you can use a "curly braces name" variable.
6617This is a regular variable name with one or more expressions wrapped in braces
6618{} like this: >
6619 my_{adjective}_variable
6620
6621When Vim encounters this, it evaluates the expression inside the braces, puts
6622that in place of the expression, and re-interprets the whole as a variable
6623name. So in the above example, if the variable "adjective" was set to
6624"noisy", then the reference would be to "my_noisy_variable", whereas if
6625"adjective" was set to "quiet", then it would be to "my_quiet_variable".
6626
6627One application for this is to create a set of variables governed by an option
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006628value. For example, the statement >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006629 echo my_{&background}_message
6630
6631would output the contents of "my_dark_message" or "my_light_message" depending
6632on the current value of 'background'.
6633
6634You can use multiple brace pairs: >
6635 echo my_{adverb}_{adjective}_message
6636..or even nest them: >
6637 echo my_{ad{end_of_word}}_message
6638where "end_of_word" is either "verb" or "jective".
6639
6640However, the expression inside the braces must evaluate to a valid single
Bram Moolenaar402d2fe2005-04-15 21:00:38 +00006641variable name, e.g. this is invalid: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006642 :let foo='a + b'
6643 :echo c{foo}d
6644.. since the result of expansion is "ca + bd", which is not a variable name.
6645
6646 *curly-braces-function-names*
6647You can call and define functions by an evaluated name in a similar way.
6648Example: >
6649 :let func_end='whizz'
6650 :call my_func_{func_end}(parameter)
6651
6652This would call the function "my_func_whizz(parameter)".
6653
6654==============================================================================
66557. Commands *expression-commands*
6656
6657:let {var-name} = {expr1} *:let* *E18*
6658 Set internal variable {var-name} to the result of the
6659 expression {expr1}. The variable will get the type
6660 from the {expr}. If {var-name} didn't exist yet, it
6661 is created.
6662
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00006663:let {var-name}[{idx}] = {expr1} *E689*
6664 Set a list item to the result of the expression
6665 {expr1}. {var-name} must refer to a list and {idx}
6666 must be a valid index in that list. For nested list
6667 the index can be repeated.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006668 This cannot be used to add an item to a |List|.
6669 This cannot be used to set a byte in a String. You
6670 can do that like this: >
6671 :let var = var[0:2] . 'X' . var[4:]
6672<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006673 *E711* *E719*
6674:let {var-name}[{idx1}:{idx2}] = {expr1} *E708* *E709* *E710*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006675 Set a sequence of items in a |List| to the result of
6676 the expression {expr1}, which must be a list with the
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006677 correct number of items.
6678 {idx1} can be omitted, zero is used instead.
6679 {idx2} can be omitted, meaning the end of the list.
6680 When the selected range of items is partly past the
6681 end of the list, items will be added.
6682
Bram Moolenaar748bf032005-02-02 23:04:36 +00006683 *:let+=* *:let-=* *:let.=* *E734*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006684:let {var} += {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} + {expr1}".
6685:let {var} -= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} - {expr1}".
6686:let {var} .= {expr1} Like ":let {var} = {var} . {expr1}".
6687 These fail if {var} was not set yet and when the type
6688 of {var} and {expr1} don't fit the operator.
6689
6690
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006691:let ${env-name} = {expr1} *:let-environment* *:let-$*
6692 Set environment variable {env-name} to the result of
6693 the expression {expr1}. The type is always String.
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006694:let ${env-name} .= {expr1}
6695 Append {expr1} to the environment variable {env-name}.
6696 If the environment variable didn't exist yet this
6697 works like "=".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006698
6699:let @{reg-name} = {expr1} *:let-register* *:let-@*
6700 Write the result of the expression {expr1} in register
6701 {reg-name}. {reg-name} must be a single letter, and
6702 must be the name of a writable register (see
6703 |registers|). "@@" can be used for the unnamed
6704 register, "@/" for the search pattern.
6705 If the result of {expr1} ends in a <CR> or <NL>, the
6706 register will be linewise, otherwise it will be set to
6707 characterwise.
6708 This can be used to clear the last search pattern: >
6709 :let @/ = ""
6710< This is different from searching for an empty string,
6711 that would match everywhere.
6712
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006713:let @{reg-name} .= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006714 Append {expr1} to register {reg-name}. If the
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006715 register was empty it's like setting it to {expr1}.
6716
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006717:let &{option-name} = {expr1} *:let-option* *:let-&*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006718 Set option {option-name} to the result of the
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006719 expression {expr1}. A String or Number value is
6720 always converted to the type of the option.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006721 For an option local to a window or buffer the effect
6722 is just like using the |:set| command: both the local
Bram Moolenaara5fac542005-10-12 20:58:49 +00006723 value and the global value are changed.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006724 Example: >
6725 :let &path = &path . ',/usr/local/include'
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006726
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006727:let &{option-name} .= {expr1}
6728 For a string option: Append {expr1} to the value.
6729 Does not insert a comma like |:set+=|.
6730
6731:let &{option-name} += {expr1}
6732:let &{option-name} -= {expr1}
6733 For a number or boolean option: Add or subtract
6734 {expr1}.
6735
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006736:let &l:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006737:let &l:{option-name} .= {expr1}
6738:let &l:{option-name} += {expr1}
6739:let &l:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006740 Like above, but only set the local value of an option
6741 (if there is one). Works like |:setlocal|.
6742
6743:let &g:{option-name} = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006744:let &g:{option-name} .= {expr1}
6745:let &g:{option-name} += {expr1}
6746:let &g:{option-name} -= {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006747 Like above, but only set the global value of an option
6748 (if there is one). Works like |:setglobal|.
6749
Bram Moolenaar13065c42005-01-08 16:08:21 +00006750:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] = {expr1} *:let-unpack* *E687* *E688*
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006751 {expr1} must evaluate to a |List|. The first item in
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006752 the list is assigned to {name1}, the second item to
6753 {name2}, etc.
6754 The number of names must match the number of items in
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006755 the |List|.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006756 Each name can be one of the items of the ":let"
6757 command as mentioned above.
6758 Example: >
6759 :let [s, item] = GetItem(s)
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006760< Detail: {expr1} is evaluated first, then the
6761 assignments are done in sequence. This matters if
6762 {name2} depends on {name1}. Example: >
6763 :let x = [0, 1]
6764 :let i = 0
6765 :let [i, x[i]] = [1, 2]
6766 :echo x
6767< The result is [0, 2].
6768
6769:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] .= {expr1}
6770:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] += {expr1}
6771:let [{name1}, {name2}, ...] -= {expr1}
6772 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006773 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006774
6775:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] = {expr1}
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006776 Like |:let-unpack| above, but the |List| may have more
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006777 items than there are names. A list of the remaining
6778 items is assigned to {lastname}. If there are no
6779 remaining items {lastname} is set to an empty list.
Bram Moolenaarfca34d62005-01-04 21:38:36 +00006780 Example: >
6781 :let [a, b; rest] = ["aval", "bval", 3, 4]
6782<
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006783:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] .= {expr1}
6784:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] += {expr1}
6785:let [{name}, ..., ; {lastname}] -= {expr1}
6786 Like above, but append/add/subtract the value for each
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006787 |List| item.
Bram Moolenaar4a748032010-09-30 21:47:56 +02006788
6789 *E121*
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006790:let {var-name} .. List the value of variable {var-name}. Multiple
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00006791 variable names may be given. Special names recognized
6792 here: *E738*
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00006793 g: global variables
6794 b: local buffer variables
6795 w: local window variables
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00006796 t: local tab page variables
Bram Moolenaarca003e12006-03-17 23:19:38 +00006797 s: script-local variables
6798 l: local function variables
Bram Moolenaardcaf10e2005-01-21 11:55:25 +00006799 v: Vim variables.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006800
Bram Moolenaard7ee7ce2005-01-03 21:02:03 +00006801:let List the values of all variables. The type of the
6802 variable is indicated before the value:
6803 <nothing> String
6804 # Number
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00006805 * Funcref
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006806
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006807
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00006808:unl[et][!] {name} ... *:unlet* *:unl* *E108* *E795*
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006809 Remove the internal variable {name}. Several variable
6810 names can be given, they are all removed. The name
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006811 may also be a |List| or |Dictionary| item.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006812 With [!] no error message is given for non-existing
6813 variables.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006814 One or more items from a |List| can be removed: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00006815 :unlet list[3] " remove fourth item
6816 :unlet list[3:] " remove fourth item to last
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006817< One item from a |Dictionary| can be removed at a time: >
Bram Moolenaar9cd15162005-01-16 22:02:49 +00006818 :unlet dict['two']
6819 :unlet dict.two
Bram Moolenaarc236c162008-07-13 17:41:49 +00006820< This is especially useful to clean up used global
6821 variables and script-local variables (these are not
6822 deleted when the script ends). Function-local
6823 variables are automatically deleted when the function
6824 ends.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006825
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006826:lockv[ar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:lockvar* *:lockv*
6827 Lock the internal variable {name}. Locking means that
6828 it can no longer be changed (until it is unlocked).
6829 A locked variable can be deleted: >
6830 :lockvar v
6831 :let v = 'asdf' " fails!
6832 :unlet v
6833< *E741*
6834 If you try to change a locked variable you get an
6835 error message: "E741: Value of {name} is locked"
6836
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006837 [depth] is relevant when locking a |List| or
6838 |Dictionary|. It specifies how deep the locking goes:
6839 1 Lock the |List| or |Dictionary| itself,
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006840 cannot add or remove items, but can
6841 still change their values.
6842 2 Also lock the values, cannot change
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006843 the items. If an item is a |List| or
6844 |Dictionary|, cannot add or remove
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006845 items, but can still change the
6846 values.
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006847 3 Like 2 but for the |List| /
6848 |Dictionary| in the |List| /
6849 |Dictionary|, one level deeper.
6850 The default [depth] is 2, thus when {name} is a |List|
6851 or |Dictionary| the values cannot be changed.
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006852 *E743*
6853 For unlimited depth use [!] and omit [depth].
6854 However, there is a maximum depth of 100 to catch
6855 loops.
6856
Bram Moolenaar32466aa2006-02-24 23:53:04 +00006857 Note that when two variables refer to the same |List|
6858 and you lock one of them, the |List| will also be
Bram Moolenaar910f66f2006-04-05 20:41:53 +00006859 locked when used through the other variable.
6860 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +00006861 :let l = [0, 1, 2, 3]
6862 :let cl = l
6863 :lockvar l
6864 :let cl[1] = 99 " won't work!
6865< You may want to make a copy of a list to avoid this.
6866 See |deepcopy()|.
6867
6868
6869:unlo[ckvar][!] [depth] {name} ... *:unlockvar* *:unlo*
6870 Unlock the internal variable {name}. Does the
6871 opposite of |:lockvar|.
6872
6873
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006874:if {expr1} *:if* *:endif* *:en* *E171* *E579* *E580*
6875:en[dif] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6876 or ":endif" if {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6877
6878 From Vim version 4.5 until 5.0, every Ex command in
6879 between the ":if" and ":endif" is ignored. These two
6880 commands were just to allow for future expansions in a
6881 backwards compatible way. Nesting was allowed. Note
6882 that any ":else" or ":elseif" was ignored, the "else"
6883 part was not executed either.
6884
6885 You can use this to remain compatible with older
6886 versions: >
6887 :if version >= 500
6888 : version-5-specific-commands
6889 :endif
6890< The commands still need to be parsed to find the
6891 "endif". Sometimes an older Vim has a problem with a
6892 new command. For example, ":silent" is recognized as
6893 a ":substitute" command. In that case ":execute" can
6894 avoid problems: >
6895 :if version >= 600
6896 : execute "silent 1,$delete"
6897 :endif
6898<
6899 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
6900 properly in between ":if" and ":endif".
6901
6902 *:else* *:el* *E581* *E583*
6903:el[se] Execute the commands until the next matching ":else"
6904 or ":endif" if they previously were not being
6905 executed.
6906
6907 *:elseif* *:elsei* *E582* *E584*
6908:elsei[f] {expr1} Short for ":else" ":if", with the addition that there
6909 is no extra ":endif".
6910
6911:wh[ile] {expr1} *:while* *:endwhile* *:wh* *:endw*
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006912 *E170* *E585* *E588* *E733*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006913:endw[hile] Repeat the commands between ":while" and ":endwhile",
6914 as long as {expr1} evaluates to non-zero.
6915 When an error is detected from a command inside the
6916 loop, execution continues after the "endwhile".
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006917 Example: >
6918 :let lnum = 1
6919 :while lnum <= line("$")
6920 :call FixLine(lnum)
6921 :let lnum = lnum + 1
6922 :endwhile
6923<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006924 NOTE: The ":append" and ":insert" commands don't work
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00006925 properly inside a ":while" and ":for" loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006926
Bram Moolenaar3a3a7232005-01-17 22:16:15 +00006927:for {var} in {list} *:for* *E690* *E732*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006928:endfo[r] *:endfo* *:endfor*
6929 Repeat the commands between ":for" and ":endfor" for
Bram Moolenaar3a7c85b2005-02-05 21:39:53 +00006930 each item in {list}. Variable {var} is set to the
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006931 value of each item.
6932 When an error is detected for a command inside the
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006933 loop, execution continues after the "endfor".
Bram Moolenaar572cb562005-08-05 21:35:02 +00006934 Changing {list} inside the loop affects what items are
6935 used. Make a copy if this is unwanted: >
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006936 :for item in copy(mylist)
6937< When not making a copy, Vim stores a reference to the
6938 next item in the list, before executing the commands
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00006939 with the current item. Thus the current item can be
Bram Moolenaarde8866b2005-01-06 23:24:37 +00006940 removed without effect. Removing any later item means
6941 it will not be found. Thus the following example
6942 works (an inefficient way to make a list empty): >
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006943 for item in mylist
6944 call remove(mylist, 0)
6945 endfor
Bram Moolenaar9588a0f2005-01-08 21:45:39 +00006946< Note that reordering the list (e.g., with sort() or
6947 reverse()) may have unexpected effects.
6948 Note that the type of each list item should be
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006949 identical to avoid errors for the type of {var}
6950 changing. Unlet the variable at the end of the loop
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01006951 to allow multiple item types: >
6952 for item in ["foo", ["bar"]]
6953 echo item
6954 unlet item " E706 without this
6955 endfor
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006956
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006957:for [{var1}, {var2}, ...] in {listlist}
6958:endfo[r]
6959 Like ":for" above, but each item in {listlist} must be
6960 a list, of which each item is assigned to {var1},
6961 {var2}, etc. Example: >
6962 :for [lnum, col] in [[1, 3], [2, 5], [3, 8]]
6963 :echo getline(lnum)[col]
6964 :endfor
6965<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006966 *:continue* *:con* *E586*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006967:con[tinue] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, jumps back
6968 to the start of the loop.
6969 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6970 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6971 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6972 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6973 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6974 ":endtry" then jumps back to the start of the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006975
6976 *:break* *:brea* *E587*
Bram Moolenaar12805862005-01-05 22:16:17 +00006977:brea[k] When used inside a ":while" or ":for" loop, skips to
6978 the command after the matching ":endwhile" or
6979 ":endfor".
6980 If it is used after a |:try| inside the loop but
6981 before the matching |:finally| (if present), the
6982 commands following the ":finally" up to the matching
6983 |:endtry| are executed first. This process applies to
6984 all nested ":try"s inside the loop. The outermost
6985 ":endtry" then jumps to the command after the loop.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00006986
6987:try *:try* *:endt* *:endtry* *E600* *E601* *E602*
6988:endt[ry] Change the error handling for the commands between
6989 ":try" and ":endtry" including everything being
6990 executed across ":source" commands, function calls,
6991 or autocommand invocations.
6992
6993 When an error or interrupt is detected and there is
6994 a |:finally| command following, execution continues
6995 after the ":finally". Otherwise, or when the
6996 ":endtry" is reached thereafter, the next
6997 (dynamically) surrounding ":try" is checked for
6998 a corresponding ":finally" etc. Then the script
6999 processing is terminated. (Whether a function
7000 definition has an "abort" argument does not matter.)
7001 Example: >
7002 :try | edit too much | finally | echo "cleanup" | endtry
7003 :echo "impossible" " not reached, script terminated above
7004<
7005 Moreover, an error or interrupt (dynamically) inside
7006 ":try" and ":endtry" is converted to an exception. It
7007 can be caught as if it were thrown by a |:throw|
7008 command (see |:catch|). In this case, the script
7009 processing is not terminated.
7010
7011 The value "Vim:Interrupt" is used for an interrupt
7012 exception. An error in a Vim command is converted
7013 to a value of the form "Vim({command}):{errmsg}",
7014 other errors are converted to a value of the form
7015 "Vim:{errmsg}". {command} is the full command name,
7016 and {errmsg} is the message that is displayed if the
7017 error exception is not caught, always beginning with
7018 the error number.
7019 Examples: >
7020 :try | sleep 100 | catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ | endtry
7021 :try | edit | catch /^Vim(edit):E\d\+/ | echo "error" | endtry
7022<
7023 *:cat* *:catch* *E603* *E604* *E605*
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01007024:cat[ch] /{pattern}/ The following commands until the next |:catch|,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007025 |:finally|, or |:endtry| that belongs to the same
7026 |:try| as the ":catch" are executed when an exception
7027 matching {pattern} is being thrown and has not yet
7028 been caught by a previous ":catch". Otherwise, these
7029 commands are skipped.
7030 When {pattern} is omitted all errors are caught.
7031 Examples: >
7032 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/ " catch interrupts (CTRL-C)
7033 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E/ " catch all Vim errors
7034 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:/ " catch errors and interrupts
7035 :catch /^Vim(write):/ " catch all errors in :write
7036 :catch /^Vim\%((\a\+)\)\=:E123/ " catch error E123
7037 :catch /my-exception/ " catch user exception
7038 :catch /.*/ " catch everything
7039 :catch " same as /.*/
7040<
7041 Another character can be used instead of / around the
7042 {pattern}, so long as it does not have a special
7043 meaning (e.g., '|' or '"') and doesn't occur inside
7044 {pattern}.
7045 NOTE: It is not reliable to ":catch" the TEXT of
7046 an error message because it may vary in different
7047 locales.
7048
7049 *:fina* *:finally* *E606* *E607*
7050:fina[lly] The following commands until the matching |:endtry|
7051 are executed whenever the part between the matching
7052 |:try| and the ":finally" is left: either by falling
7053 through to the ":finally" or by a |:continue|,
7054 |:break|, |:finish|, or |:return|, or by an error or
7055 interrupt or exception (see |:throw|).
7056
7057 *:th* *:throw* *E608*
7058:th[row] {expr1} The {expr1} is evaluated and thrown as an exception.
7059 If the ":throw" is used after a |:try| but before the
7060 first corresponding |:catch|, commands are skipped
7061 until the first ":catch" matching {expr1} is reached.
7062 If there is no such ":catch" or if the ":throw" is
7063 used after a ":catch" but before the |:finally|, the
7064 commands following the ":finally" (if present) up to
7065 the matching |:endtry| are executed. If the ":throw"
7066 is after the ":finally", commands up to the ":endtry"
7067 are skipped. At the ":endtry", this process applies
7068 again for the next dynamically surrounding ":try"
7069 (which may be found in a calling function or sourcing
7070 script), until a matching ":catch" has been found.
7071 If the exception is not caught, the command processing
7072 is terminated.
7073 Example: >
7074 :try | throw "oops" | catch /^oo/ | echo "caught" | endtry
7075<
7076
7077 *:ec* *:echo*
7078:ec[ho] {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, with a space in between. The
7079 first {expr1} starts on a new line.
7080 Also see |:comment|.
7081 Use "\n" to start a new line. Use "\r" to move the
7082 cursor to the first column.
7083 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7084 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7085 Example: >
7086 :echo "the value of 'shell' is" &shell
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007087< *:echo-redraw*
7088 A later redraw may make the message disappear again.
7089 And since Vim mostly postpones redrawing until it's
7090 finished with a sequence of commands this happens
7091 quite often. To avoid that a command from before the
7092 ":echo" causes a redraw afterwards (redraws are often
7093 postponed until you type something), force a redraw
7094 with the |:redraw| command. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007095 :new | redraw | echo "there is a new window"
7096<
7097 *:echon*
7098:echon {expr1} .. Echoes each {expr1}, without anything added. Also see
7099 |:comment|.
7100 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7101 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7102 Example: >
7103 :echon "the value of 'shell' is " &shell
7104<
7105 Note the difference between using ":echo", which is a
7106 Vim command, and ":!echo", which is an external shell
7107 command: >
7108 :!echo % --> filename
7109< The arguments of ":!" are expanded, see |:_%|. >
7110 :!echo "%" --> filename or "filename"
7111< Like the previous example. Whether you see the double
7112 quotes or not depends on your 'shell'. >
7113 :echo % --> nothing
7114< The '%' is an illegal character in an expression. >
7115 :echo "%" --> %
7116< This just echoes the '%' character. >
7117 :echo expand("%") --> filename
7118< This calls the expand() function to expand the '%'.
7119
7120 *:echoh* *:echohl*
7121:echoh[l] {name} Use the highlight group {name} for the following
7122 |:echo|, |:echon| and |:echomsg| commands. Also used
7123 for the |input()| prompt. Example: >
7124 :echohl WarningMsg | echo "Don't panic!" | echohl None
7125< Don't forget to set the group back to "None",
7126 otherwise all following echo's will be highlighted.
7127
7128 *:echom* *:echomsg*
7129:echom[sg] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as a true message, saving the
7130 message in the |message-history|.
7131 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
7132 |:echo| command. But unprintable characters are
7133 displayed, not interpreted.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007134 The parsing works slightly different from |:echo|,
7135 more like |:execute|. All the expressions are first
7136 evaluated and concatenated before echoing anything.
7137 The expressions must evaluate to a Number or String, a
7138 Dictionary or List causes an error.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007139 Uses the highlighting set by the |:echohl| command.
7140 Example: >
7141 :echomsg "It's a Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz, as you can plainly see."
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00007142< See |:echo-redraw| to avoid the message disappearing
7143 when the screen is redrawn.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007144 *:echoe* *:echoerr*
7145:echoe[rr] {expr1} .. Echo the expression(s) as an error message, saving the
7146 message in the |message-history|. When used in a
7147 script or function the line number will be added.
7148 Spaces are placed between the arguments as with the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007149 :echo command. When used inside a try conditional,
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007150 the message is raised as an error exception instead
7151 (see |try-echoerr|).
7152 Example: >
7153 :echoerr "This script just failed!"
7154< If you just want a highlighted message use |:echohl|.
7155 And to get a beep: >
7156 :exe "normal \<Esc>"
7157<
7158 *:exe* *:execute*
7159:exe[cute] {expr1} .. Executes the string that results from the evaluation
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02007160 of {expr1} as an Ex command.
7161 Multiple arguments are concatenated, with a space in
7162 between. To avoid the extra space use the "."
7163 operator to concatenate strings into one argument.
7164 {expr1} is used as the processed command, command line
7165 editing keys are not recognized.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007166 Cannot be followed by a comment.
7167 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar00a927d2010-05-14 23:24:24 +02007168 :execute "buffer" nextbuf
7169 :execute "normal" count . "w"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007170<
7171 ":execute" can be used to append a command to commands
7172 that don't accept a '|'. Example: >
7173 :execute '!ls' | echo "theend"
7174
7175< ":execute" is also a nice way to avoid having to type
7176 control characters in a Vim script for a ":normal"
7177 command: >
7178 :execute "normal ixxx\<Esc>"
7179< This has an <Esc> character, see |expr-string|.
7180
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007181 Be careful to correctly escape special characters in
7182 file names. The |fnameescape()| function can be used
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00007183 for Vim commands, |shellescape()| for |:!| commands.
7184 Examples: >
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007185 :execute "e " . fnameescape(filename)
Bram Moolenaar05bb9532008-07-04 09:44:11 +00007186 :execute "!ls " . shellescape(expand('%:h'), 1)
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007187<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007188 Note: The executed string may be any command-line, but
Bram Moolenaard8b02732005-01-14 21:48:43 +00007189 you cannot start or end a "while", "for" or "if"
7190 command. Thus this is illegal: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007191 :execute 'while i > 5'
7192 :execute 'echo "test" | break'
7193<
7194 It is allowed to have a "while" or "if" command
7195 completely in the executed string: >
7196 :execute 'while i < 5 | echo i | let i = i + 1 | endwhile'
7197<
7198
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01007199 *:exe-comment*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007200 ":execute", ":echo" and ":echon" cannot be followed by
7201 a comment directly, because they see the '"' as the
7202 start of a string. But, you can use '|' followed by a
7203 comment. Example: >
7204 :echo "foo" | "this is a comment
7205
7206==============================================================================
72078. Exception handling *exception-handling*
7208
7209The Vim script language comprises an exception handling feature. This section
7210explains how it can be used in a Vim script.
7211
7212Exceptions may be raised by Vim on an error or on interrupt, see
7213|catch-errors| and |catch-interrupt|. You can also explicitly throw an
7214exception by using the ":throw" command, see |throw-catch|.
7215
7216
7217TRY CONDITIONALS *try-conditionals*
7218
7219Exceptions can be caught or can cause cleanup code to be executed. You can
7220use a try conditional to specify catch clauses (that catch exceptions) and/or
7221a finally clause (to be executed for cleanup).
7222 A try conditional begins with a |:try| command and ends at the matching
7223|:endtry| command. In between, you can use a |:catch| command to start
7224a catch clause, or a |:finally| command to start a finally clause. There may
7225be none or multiple catch clauses, but there is at most one finally clause,
7226which must not be followed by any catch clauses. The lines before the catch
7227clauses and the finally clause is called a try block. >
7228
7229 :try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007230 : ...
7231 : ... TRY BLOCK
7232 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007233 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007234 : ...
7235 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
7236 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007237 :catch /{pattern}/
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007238 : ...
7239 : ... CATCH CLAUSE
7240 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007241 :finally
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007242 : ...
7243 : ... FINALLY CLAUSE
7244 : ...
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007245 :endtry
7246
7247The try conditional allows to watch code for exceptions and to take the
7248appropriate actions. Exceptions from the try block may be caught. Exceptions
7249from the try block and also the catch clauses may cause cleanup actions.
7250 When no exception is thrown during execution of the try block, the control
7251is transferred to the finally clause, if present. After its execution, the
7252script continues with the line following the ":endtry".
7253 When an exception occurs during execution of the try block, the remaining
7254lines in the try block are skipped. The exception is matched against the
7255patterns specified as arguments to the ":catch" commands. The catch clause
7256after the first matching ":catch" is taken, other catch clauses are not
7257executed. The catch clause ends when the next ":catch", ":finally", or
7258":endtry" command is reached - whatever is first. Then, the finally clause
7259(if present) is executed. When the ":endtry" is reached, the script execution
7260continues in the following line as usual.
7261 When an exception that does not match any of the patterns specified by the
7262":catch" commands is thrown in the try block, the exception is not caught by
7263that try conditional and none of the catch clauses is executed. Only the
7264finally clause, if present, is taken. The exception pends during execution of
7265the finally clause. It is resumed at the ":endtry", so that commands after
7266the ":endtry" are not executed and the exception might be caught elsewhere,
7267see |try-nesting|.
7268 When during execution of a catch clause another exception is thrown, the
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007269remaining lines in that catch clause are not executed. The new exception is
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007270not matched against the patterns in any of the ":catch" commands of the same
7271try conditional and none of its catch clauses is taken. If there is, however,
7272a finally clause, it is executed, and the exception pends during its
7273execution. The commands following the ":endtry" are not executed. The new
7274exception might, however, be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
7275 When during execution of the finally clause (if present) an exception is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007276thrown, the remaining lines in the finally clause are skipped. If the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007277clause has been taken because of an exception from the try block or one of the
7278catch clauses, the original (pending) exception is discarded. The commands
7279following the ":endtry" are not executed, and the exception from the finally
7280clause is propagated and can be caught elsewhere, see |try-nesting|.
7281
7282The finally clause is also executed, when a ":break" or ":continue" for
7283a ":while" loop enclosing the complete try conditional is executed from the
7284try block or a catch clause. Or when a ":return" or ":finish" is executed
7285from the try block or a catch clause of a try conditional in a function or
7286sourced script, respectively. The ":break", ":continue", ":return", or
7287":finish" pends during execution of the finally clause and is resumed when the
7288":endtry" is reached. It is, however, discarded when an exception is thrown
7289from the finally clause.
7290 When a ":break" or ":continue" for a ":while" loop enclosing the complete
7291try conditional or when a ":return" or ":finish" is encountered in the finally
7292clause, the rest of the finally clause is skipped, and the ":break",
7293":continue", ":return" or ":finish" is executed as usual. If the finally
7294clause has been taken because of an exception or an earlier ":break",
7295":continue", ":return", or ":finish" from the try block or a catch clause,
7296this pending exception or command is discarded.
7297
7298For examples see |throw-catch| and |try-finally|.
7299
7300
7301NESTING OF TRY CONDITIONALS *try-nesting*
7302
7303Try conditionals can be nested arbitrarily. That is, a complete try
7304conditional can be put into the try block, a catch clause, or the finally
7305clause of another try conditional. If the inner try conditional does not
7306catch an exception thrown in its try block or throws a new exception from one
7307of its catch clauses or its finally clause, the outer try conditional is
7308checked according to the rules above. If the inner try conditional is in the
7309try block of the outer try conditional, its catch clauses are checked, but
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007310otherwise only the finally clause is executed. It does not matter for
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007311nesting, whether the inner try conditional is directly contained in the outer
7312one, or whether the outer one sources a script or calls a function containing
7313the inner try conditional.
7314
7315When none of the active try conditionals catches an exception, just their
7316finally clauses are executed. Thereafter, the script processing terminates.
7317An error message is displayed in case of an uncaught exception explicitly
7318thrown by a ":throw" command. For uncaught error and interrupt exceptions
7319implicitly raised by Vim, the error message(s) or interrupt message are shown
7320as usual.
7321
7322For examples see |throw-catch|.
7323
7324
7325EXAMINING EXCEPTION HANDLING CODE *except-examine*
7326
7327Exception handling code can get tricky. If you are in doubt what happens, set
7328'verbose' to 13 or use the ":13verbose" command modifier when sourcing your
7329script file. Then you see when an exception is thrown, discarded, caught, or
7330finished. When using a verbosity level of at least 14, things pending in
7331a finally clause are also shown. This information is also given in debug mode
7332(see |debug-scripts|).
7333
7334
7335THROWING AND CATCHING EXCEPTIONS *throw-catch*
7336
7337You can throw any number or string as an exception. Use the |:throw| command
7338and pass the value to be thrown as argument: >
7339 :throw 4711
7340 :throw "string"
7341< *throw-expression*
7342You can also specify an expression argument. The expression is then evaluated
7343first, and the result is thrown: >
7344 :throw 4705 + strlen("string")
7345 :throw strpart("strings", 0, 6)
7346
7347An exception might be thrown during evaluation of the argument of the ":throw"
7348command. Unless it is caught there, the expression evaluation is abandoned.
7349The ":throw" command then does not throw a new exception.
7350 Example: >
7351
7352 :function! Foo(arg)
7353 : try
7354 : throw a:arg
7355 : catch /foo/
7356 : endtry
7357 : return 1
7358 :endfunction
7359 :
7360 :function! Bar()
7361 : echo "in Bar"
7362 : return 4710
7363 :endfunction
7364 :
7365 :throw Foo("arrgh") + Bar()
7366
7367This throws "arrgh", and "in Bar" is not displayed since Bar() is not
7368executed. >
7369 :throw Foo("foo") + Bar()
7370however displays "in Bar" and throws 4711.
7371
7372Any other command that takes an expression as argument might also be
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007373abandoned by an (uncaught) exception during the expression evaluation. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007374exception is then propagated to the caller of the command.
7375 Example: >
7376
7377 :if Foo("arrgh")
7378 : echo "then"
7379 :else
7380 : echo "else"
7381 :endif
7382
7383Here neither of "then" or "else" is displayed.
7384
7385 *catch-order*
7386Exceptions can be caught by a try conditional with one or more |:catch|
7387commands, see |try-conditionals|. The values to be caught by each ":catch"
7388command can be specified as a pattern argument. The subsequent catch clause
7389gets executed when a matching exception is caught.
7390 Example: >
7391
7392 :function! Foo(value)
7393 : try
7394 : throw a:value
7395 : catch /^\d\+$/
7396 : echo "Number thrown"
7397 : catch /.*/
7398 : echo "String thrown"
7399 : endtry
7400 :endfunction
7401 :
7402 :call Foo(0x1267)
7403 :call Foo('string')
7404
7405The first call to Foo() displays "Number thrown", the second "String thrown".
7406An exception is matched against the ":catch" commands in the order they are
7407specified. Only the first match counts. So you should place the more
7408specific ":catch" first. The following order does not make sense: >
7409
7410 : catch /.*/
7411 : echo "String thrown"
7412 : catch /^\d\+$/
7413 : echo "Number thrown"
7414
7415The first ":catch" here matches always, so that the second catch clause is
7416never taken.
7417
7418 *throw-variables*
7419If you catch an exception by a general pattern, you may access the exact value
7420in the variable |v:exception|: >
7421
7422 : catch /^\d\+$/
7423 : echo "Number thrown. Value is" v:exception
7424
7425You may also be interested where an exception was thrown. This is stored in
7426|v:throwpoint|. Note that "v:exception" and "v:throwpoint" are valid for the
7427exception most recently caught as long it is not finished.
7428 Example: >
7429
7430 :function! Caught()
7431 : if v:exception != ""
7432 : echo 'Caught "' . v:exception . '" in ' . v:throwpoint
7433 : else
7434 : echo 'Nothing caught'
7435 : endif
7436 :endfunction
7437 :
7438 :function! Foo()
7439 : try
7440 : try
7441 : try
7442 : throw 4711
7443 : finally
7444 : call Caught()
7445 : endtry
7446 : catch /.*/
7447 : call Caught()
7448 : throw "oops"
7449 : endtry
7450 : catch /.*/
7451 : call Caught()
7452 : finally
7453 : call Caught()
7454 : endtry
7455 :endfunction
7456 :
7457 :call Foo()
7458
7459This displays >
7460
7461 Nothing caught
7462 Caught "4711" in function Foo, line 4
7463 Caught "oops" in function Foo, line 10
7464 Nothing caught
7465
7466A practical example: The following command ":LineNumber" displays the line
7467number in the script or function where it has been used: >
7468
7469 :function! LineNumber()
7470 : return substitute(v:throwpoint, '.*\D\(\d\+\).*', '\1', "")
7471 :endfunction
7472 :command! LineNumber try | throw "" | catch | echo LineNumber() | endtry
7473<
7474 *try-nested*
7475An exception that is not caught by a try conditional can be caught by
7476a surrounding try conditional: >
7477
7478 :try
7479 : try
7480 : throw "foo"
7481 : catch /foobar/
7482 : echo "foobar"
7483 : finally
7484 : echo "inner finally"
7485 : endtry
7486 :catch /foo/
7487 : echo "foo"
7488 :endtry
7489
7490The inner try conditional does not catch the exception, just its finally
7491clause is executed. The exception is then caught by the outer try
7492conditional. The example displays "inner finally" and then "foo".
7493
7494 *throw-from-catch*
7495You can catch an exception and throw a new one to be caught elsewhere from the
7496catch clause: >
7497
7498 :function! Foo()
7499 : throw "foo"
7500 :endfunction
7501 :
7502 :function! Bar()
7503 : try
7504 : call Foo()
7505 : catch /foo/
7506 : echo "Caught foo, throw bar"
7507 : throw "bar"
7508 : endtry
7509 :endfunction
7510 :
7511 :try
7512 : call Bar()
7513 :catch /.*/
7514 : echo "Caught" v:exception
7515 :endtry
7516
7517This displays "Caught foo, throw bar" and then "Caught bar".
7518
7519 *rethrow*
7520There is no real rethrow in the Vim script language, but you may throw
7521"v:exception" instead: >
7522
7523 :function! Bar()
7524 : try
7525 : call Foo()
7526 : catch /.*/
7527 : echo "Rethrow" v:exception
7528 : throw v:exception
7529 : endtry
7530 :endfunction
7531< *try-echoerr*
7532Note that this method cannot be used to "rethrow" Vim error or interrupt
7533exceptions, because it is not possible to fake Vim internal exceptions.
7534Trying so causes an error exception. You should throw your own exception
7535denoting the situation. If you want to cause a Vim error exception containing
7536the original error exception value, you can use the |:echoerr| command: >
7537
7538 :try
7539 : try
7540 : asdf
7541 : catch /.*/
7542 : echoerr v:exception
7543 : endtry
7544 :catch /.*/
7545 : echo v:exception
7546 :endtry
7547
7548This code displays
7549
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007550 Vim(echoerr):Vim:E492: Not an editor command: asdf ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007551
7552
7553CLEANUP CODE *try-finally*
7554
7555Scripts often change global settings and restore them at their end. If the
7556user however interrupts the script by pressing CTRL-C, the settings remain in
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007557an inconsistent state. The same may happen to you in the development phase of
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007558a script when an error occurs or you explicitly throw an exception without
7559catching it. You can solve these problems by using a try conditional with
7560a finally clause for restoring the settings. Its execution is guaranteed on
7561normal control flow, on error, on an explicit ":throw", and on interrupt.
7562(Note that errors and interrupts from inside the try conditional are converted
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007563to exceptions. When not caught, they terminate the script after the finally
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007564clause has been executed.)
7565Example: >
7566
7567 :try
7568 : let s:saved_ts = &ts
7569 : set ts=17
7570 :
7571 : " Do the hard work here.
7572 :
7573 :finally
7574 : let &ts = s:saved_ts
7575 : unlet s:saved_ts
7576 :endtry
7577
7578This method should be used locally whenever a function or part of a script
7579changes global settings which need to be restored on failure or normal exit of
7580that function or script part.
7581
7582 *break-finally*
7583Cleanup code works also when the try block or a catch clause is left by
7584a ":continue", ":break", ":return", or ":finish".
7585 Example: >
7586
7587 :let first = 1
7588 :while 1
7589 : try
7590 : if first
7591 : echo "first"
7592 : let first = 0
7593 : continue
7594 : else
7595 : throw "second"
7596 : endif
7597 : catch /.*/
7598 : echo v:exception
7599 : break
7600 : finally
7601 : echo "cleanup"
7602 : endtry
7603 : echo "still in while"
7604 :endwhile
7605 :echo "end"
7606
7607This displays "first", "cleanup", "second", "cleanup", and "end". >
7608
7609 :function! Foo()
7610 : try
7611 : return 4711
7612 : finally
7613 : echo "cleanup\n"
7614 : endtry
7615 : echo "Foo still active"
7616 :endfunction
7617 :
7618 :echo Foo() "returned by Foo"
7619
7620This displays "cleanup" and "4711 returned by Foo". You don't need to add an
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007621extra ":return" in the finally clause. (Above all, this would override the
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007622return value.)
7623
7624 *except-from-finally*
7625Using either of ":continue", ":break", ":return", ":finish", or ":throw" in
7626a finally clause is possible, but not recommended since it abandons the
7627cleanup actions for the try conditional. But, of course, interrupt and error
7628exceptions might get raised from a finally clause.
7629 Example where an error in the finally clause stops an interrupt from
7630working correctly: >
7631
7632 :try
7633 : try
7634 : echo "Press CTRL-C for interrupt"
7635 : while 1
7636 : endwhile
7637 : finally
7638 : unlet novar
7639 : endtry
7640 :catch /novar/
7641 :endtry
7642 :echo "Script still running"
7643 :sleep 1
7644
7645If you need to put commands that could fail into a finally clause, you should
7646think about catching or ignoring the errors in these commands, see
7647|catch-errors| and |ignore-errors|.
7648
7649
7650CATCHING ERRORS *catch-errors*
7651
7652If you want to catch specific errors, you just have to put the code to be
7653watched in a try block and add a catch clause for the error message. The
7654presence of the try conditional causes all errors to be converted to an
7655exception. No message is displayed and |v:errmsg| is not set then. To find
7656the right pattern for the ":catch" command, you have to know how the format of
7657the error exception is.
7658 Error exceptions have the following format: >
7659
7660 Vim({cmdname}):{errmsg}
7661or >
7662 Vim:{errmsg}
7663
7664{cmdname} is the name of the command that failed; the second form is used when
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007665the command name is not known. {errmsg} is the error message usually produced
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007666when the error occurs outside try conditionals. It always begins with
7667a capital "E", followed by a two or three-digit error number, a colon, and
7668a space.
7669
7670Examples:
7671
7672The command >
7673 :unlet novar
7674normally produces the error message >
7675 E108: No such variable: "novar"
7676which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7677 Vim(unlet):E108: No such variable: "novar"
7678
7679The command >
7680 :dwim
7681normally produces the error message >
7682 E492: Not an editor command: dwim
7683which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7684 Vim:E492: Not an editor command: dwim
7685
7686You can catch all ":unlet" errors by a >
7687 :catch /^Vim(unlet):/
7688or all errors for misspelled command names by a >
7689 :catch /^Vim:E492:/
7690
7691Some error messages may be produced by different commands: >
7692 :function nofunc
7693and >
7694 :delfunction nofunc
7695both produce the error message >
7696 E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7697which is converted inside try conditionals to an exception >
7698 Vim(function):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7699or >
7700 Vim(delfunction):E128: Function name must start with a capital: nofunc
7701respectively. You can catch the error by its number independently on the
7702command that caused it if you use the following pattern: >
7703 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E128:/
7704
7705Some commands like >
7706 :let x = novar
7707produce multiple error messages, here: >
7708 E121: Undefined variable: novar
7709 E15: Invalid expression: novar
7710Only the first is used for the exception value, since it is the most specific
7711one (see |except-several-errors|). So you can catch it by >
7712 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E121:/
7713
7714You can catch all errors related to the name "nofunc" by >
7715 :catch /\<nofunc\>/
7716
7717You can catch all Vim errors in the ":write" and ":read" commands by >
7718 :catch /^Vim(\(write\|read\)):E\d\+:/
7719
7720You can catch all Vim errors by the pattern >
7721 :catch /^Vim\((\a\+)\)\=:E\d\+:/
7722<
7723 *catch-text*
7724NOTE: You should never catch the error message text itself: >
7725 :catch /No such variable/
7726only works in the english locale, but not when the user has selected
7727a different language by the |:language| command. It is however helpful to
7728cite the message text in a comment: >
7729 :catch /^Vim(\a\+):E108:/ " No such variable
7730
7731
7732IGNORING ERRORS *ignore-errors*
7733
7734You can ignore errors in a specific Vim command by catching them locally: >
7735
7736 :try
7737 : write
7738 :catch
7739 :endtry
7740
7741But you are strongly recommended NOT to use this simple form, since it could
7742catch more than you want. With the ":write" command, some autocommands could
7743be executed and cause errors not related to writing, for instance: >
7744
7745 :au BufWritePre * unlet novar
7746
7747There could even be such errors you are not responsible for as a script
7748writer: a user of your script might have defined such autocommands. You would
7749then hide the error from the user.
7750 It is much better to use >
7751
7752 :try
7753 : write
7754 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7755 :endtry
7756
7757which only catches real write errors. So catch only what you'd like to ignore
7758intentionally.
7759
7760For a single command that does not cause execution of autocommands, you could
7761even suppress the conversion of errors to exceptions by the ":silent!"
7762command: >
7763 :silent! nunmap k
7764This works also when a try conditional is active.
7765
7766
7767CATCHING INTERRUPTS *catch-interrupt*
7768
7769When there are active try conditionals, an interrupt (CTRL-C) is converted to
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007770the exception "Vim:Interrupt". You can catch it like every exception. The
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007771script is not terminated, then.
7772 Example: >
7773
7774 :function! TASK1()
7775 : sleep 10
7776 :endfunction
7777
7778 :function! TASK2()
7779 : sleep 20
7780 :endfunction
7781
7782 :while 1
7783 : let command = input("Type a command: ")
7784 : try
7785 : if command == ""
7786 : continue
7787 : elseif command == "END"
7788 : break
7789 : elseif command == "TASK1"
7790 : call TASK1()
7791 : elseif command == "TASK2"
7792 : call TASK2()
7793 : else
7794 : echo "\nIllegal command:" command
7795 : continue
7796 : endif
7797 : catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
7798 : echo "\nCommand interrupted"
7799 : " Caught the interrupt. Continue with next prompt.
7800 : endtry
7801 :endwhile
7802
7803You can interrupt a task here by pressing CTRL-C; the script then asks for
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007804a new command. If you press CTRL-C at the prompt, the script is terminated.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007805
7806For testing what happens when CTRL-C would be pressed on a specific line in
7807your script, use the debug mode and execute the |>quit| or |>interrupt|
7808command on that line. See |debug-scripts|.
7809
7810
7811CATCHING ALL *catch-all*
7812
7813The commands >
7814
7815 :catch /.*/
7816 :catch //
7817 :catch
7818
7819catch everything, error exceptions, interrupt exceptions and exceptions
7820explicitly thrown by the |:throw| command. This is useful at the top level of
7821a script in order to catch unexpected things.
7822 Example: >
7823
7824 :try
7825 :
7826 : " do the hard work here
7827 :
7828 :catch /MyException/
7829 :
7830 : " handle known problem
7831 :
7832 :catch /^Vim:Interrupt$/
7833 : echo "Script interrupted"
7834 :catch /.*/
7835 : echo "Internal error (" . v:exception . ")"
7836 : echo " - occurred at " . v:throwpoint
7837 :endtry
7838 :" end of script
7839
7840Note: Catching all might catch more things than you want. Thus, you are
7841strongly encouraged to catch only for problems that you can really handle by
7842specifying a pattern argument to the ":catch".
7843 Example: Catching all could make it nearly impossible to interrupt a script
7844by pressing CTRL-C: >
7845
7846 :while 1
7847 : try
7848 : sleep 1
7849 : catch
7850 : endtry
7851 :endwhile
7852
7853
7854EXCEPTIONS AND AUTOCOMMANDS *except-autocmd*
7855
7856Exceptions may be used during execution of autocommands. Example: >
7857
7858 :autocmd User x try
7859 :autocmd User x throw "Oops!"
7860 :autocmd User x catch
7861 :autocmd User x echo v:exception
7862 :autocmd User x endtry
7863 :autocmd User x throw "Arrgh!"
7864 :autocmd User x echo "Should not be displayed"
7865 :
7866 :try
7867 : doautocmd User x
7868 :catch
7869 : echo v:exception
7870 :endtry
7871
7872This displays "Oops!" and "Arrgh!".
7873
7874 *except-autocmd-Pre*
7875For some commands, autocommands get executed before the main action of the
7876command takes place. If an exception is thrown and not caught in the sequence
7877of autocommands, the sequence and the command that caused its execution are
7878abandoned and the exception is propagated to the caller of the command.
7879 Example: >
7880
7881 :autocmd BufWritePre * throw "FAIL"
7882 :autocmd BufWritePre * echo "Should not be displayed"
7883 :
7884 :try
7885 : write
7886 :catch
7887 : echo "Caught:" v:exception "from" v:throwpoint
7888 :endtry
7889
7890Here, the ":write" command does not write the file currently being edited (as
7891you can see by checking 'modified'), since the exception from the BufWritePre
7892autocommand abandons the ":write". The exception is then caught and the
7893script displays: >
7894
7895 Caught: FAIL from BufWrite Auto commands for "*"
7896<
7897 *except-autocmd-Post*
7898For some commands, autocommands get executed after the main action of the
7899command has taken place. If this main action fails and the command is inside
7900an active try conditional, the autocommands are skipped and an error exception
7901is thrown that can be caught by the caller of the command.
7902 Example: >
7903
7904 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "File successfully written!"
7905 :
7906 :try
7907 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7908 :catch
7909 : echo v:exception
7910 :endtry
7911
7912This just displays: >
7913
7914 Vim(write):E212: Can't open file for writing (/i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e)
7915
7916If you really need to execute the autocommands even when the main action
7917fails, trigger the event from the catch clause.
7918 Example: >
7919
7920 :autocmd BufWritePre * set noreadonly
7921 :autocmd BufWritePost * set readonly
7922 :
7923 :try
7924 : write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7925 :catch
7926 : doautocmd BufWritePost /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7927 :endtry
7928<
7929You can also use ":silent!": >
7930
7931 :let x = "ok"
7932 :let v:errmsg = ""
7933 :autocmd BufWritePost * if v:errmsg != ""
7934 :autocmd BufWritePost * let x = "after fail"
7935 :autocmd BufWritePost * endif
7936 :try
7937 : silent! write /i/m/p/o/s/s/i/b/l/e
7938 :catch
7939 :endtry
7940 :echo x
7941
7942This displays "after fail".
7943
7944If the main action of the command does not fail, exceptions from the
7945autocommands will be catchable by the caller of the command: >
7946
7947 :autocmd BufWritePost * throw ":-("
7948 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo "Should not be displayed"
7949 :
7950 :try
7951 : write
7952 :catch
7953 : echo v:exception
7954 :endtry
7955<
7956 *except-autocmd-Cmd*
7957For some commands, the normal action can be replaced by a sequence of
7958autocommands. Exceptions from that sequence will be catchable by the caller
7959of the command.
7960 Example: For the ":write" command, the caller cannot know whether the file
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00007961had actually been written when the exception occurred. You need to tell it in
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00007962some way. >
7963
7964 :if !exists("cnt")
7965 : let cnt = 0
7966 :
7967 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if &modified
7968 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * let cnt = cnt + 1
7969 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 2
7970 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7971 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7972 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * write | set nomodified
7973 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * if cnt % 3 == 0
7974 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * throw "BufWriteCmdError"
7975 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7976 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * echo "File successfully written!"
7977 : autocmd BufWriteCmd * endif
7978 :endif
7979 :
7980 :try
7981 : write
7982 :catch /^BufWriteCmdError$/
7983 : if &modified
7984 : echo "Error on writing (file contents not changed)"
7985 : else
7986 : echo "Error after writing"
7987 : endif
7988 :catch /^Vim(write):/
7989 : echo "Error on writing"
7990 :endtry
7991
7992When this script is sourced several times after making changes, it displays
7993first >
7994 File successfully written!
7995then >
7996 Error on writing (file contents not changed)
7997then >
7998 Error after writing
7999etc.
8000
8001 *except-autocmd-ill*
8002You cannot spread a try conditional over autocommands for different events.
8003The following code is ill-formed: >
8004
8005 :autocmd BufWritePre * try
8006 :
8007 :autocmd BufWritePost * catch
8008 :autocmd BufWritePost * echo v:exception
8009 :autocmd BufWritePost * endtry
8010 :
8011 :write
8012
8013
8014EXCEPTION HIERARCHIES AND PARAMETERIZED EXCEPTIONS *except-hier-param*
8015
8016Some programming languages allow to use hierarchies of exception classes or to
8017pass additional information with the object of an exception class. You can do
8018similar things in Vim.
8019 In order to throw an exception from a hierarchy, just throw the complete
8020class name with the components separated by a colon, for instance throw the
8021string "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW" for an overflow in a mathematical library.
8022 When you want to pass additional information with your exception class, add
8023it in parentheses, for instance throw the string "EXCEPT:IO:WRITEERR(myfile)"
8024for an error when writing "myfile".
8025 With the appropriate patterns in the ":catch" command, you can catch for
8026base classes or derived classes of your hierarchy. Additional information in
8027parentheses can be cut out from |v:exception| with the ":substitute" command.
8028 Example: >
8029
8030 :function! CheckRange(a, func)
8031 : if a:a < 0
8032 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE(" . a:func . ")"
8033 : endif
8034 :endfunction
8035 :
8036 :function! Add(a, b)
8037 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Add")
8038 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Add")
8039 : let c = a:a + a:b
8040 : if c < 0
8041 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:OVERFLOW"
8042 : endif
8043 : return c
8044 :endfunction
8045 :
8046 :function! Div(a, b)
8047 : call CheckRange(a:a, "Div")
8048 : call CheckRange(a:b, "Div")
8049 : if (a:b == 0)
8050 : throw "EXCEPT:MATHERR:ZERODIV"
8051 : endif
8052 : return a:a / a:b
8053 :endfunction
8054 :
8055 :function! Write(file)
8056 : try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008057 : execute "write" fnameescape(a:file)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008058 : catch /^Vim(write):/
8059 : throw "EXCEPT:IO(" . getcwd() . ", " . a:file . "):WRITEERR"
8060 : endtry
8061 :endfunction
8062 :
8063 :try
8064 :
8065 : " something with arithmetics and I/O
8066 :
8067 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR:RANGE/
8068 : let function = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(\a\+\)).*', '\1', "")
8069 : echo "Range error in" function
8070 :
8071 :catch /^EXCEPT:MATHERR/ " catches OVERFLOW and ZERODIV
8072 : echo "Math error"
8073 :
8074 :catch /^EXCEPT:IO/
8075 : let dir = substitute(v:exception, '.*(\(.\+\),\s*.\+).*', '\1', "")
8076 : let file = substitute(v:exception, '.*(.\+,\s*\(.\+\)).*', '\1', "")
8077 : if file !~ '^/'
8078 : let file = dir . "/" . file
8079 : endif
8080 : echo 'I/O error for "' . file . '"'
8081 :
8082 :catch /^EXCEPT/
8083 : echo "Unspecified error"
8084 :
8085 :endtry
8086
8087The exceptions raised by Vim itself (on error or when pressing CTRL-C) use
8088a flat hierarchy: they are all in the "Vim" class. You cannot throw yourself
8089exceptions with the "Vim" prefix; they are reserved for Vim.
8090 Vim error exceptions are parameterized with the name of the command that
8091failed, if known. See |catch-errors|.
8092
8093
8094PECULIARITIES
8095 *except-compat*
8096The exception handling concept requires that the command sequence causing the
8097exception is aborted immediately and control is transferred to finally clauses
8098and/or a catch clause.
8099
8100In the Vim script language there are cases where scripts and functions
8101continue after an error: in functions without the "abort" flag or in a command
8102after ":silent!", control flow goes to the following line, and outside
8103functions, control flow goes to the line following the outermost ":endwhile"
8104or ":endif". On the other hand, errors should be catchable as exceptions
8105(thus, requiring the immediate abortion).
8106
8107This problem has been solved by converting errors to exceptions and using
8108immediate abortion (if not suppressed by ":silent!") only when a try
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008109conditional is active. This is no restriction since an (error) exception can
8110be caught only from an active try conditional. If you want an immediate
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008111termination without catching the error, just use a try conditional without
8112catch clause. (You can cause cleanup code being executed before termination
8113by specifying a finally clause.)
8114
8115When no try conditional is active, the usual abortion and continuation
8116behavior is used instead of immediate abortion. This ensures compatibility of
8117scripts written for Vim 6.1 and earlier.
8118
8119However, when sourcing an existing script that does not use exception handling
8120commands (or when calling one of its functions) from inside an active try
8121conditional of a new script, you might change the control flow of the existing
8122script on error. You get the immediate abortion on error and can catch the
8123error in the new script. If however the sourced script suppresses error
8124messages by using the ":silent!" command (checking for errors by testing
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008125|v:errmsg| if appropriate), its execution path is not changed. The error is
8126not converted to an exception. (See |:silent|.) So the only remaining cause
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008127where this happens is for scripts that don't care about errors and produce
8128error messages. You probably won't want to use such code from your new
8129scripts.
8130
8131 *except-syntax-err*
8132Syntax errors in the exception handling commands are never caught by any of
8133the ":catch" commands of the try conditional they belong to. Its finally
8134clauses, however, is executed.
8135 Example: >
8136
8137 :try
8138 : try
8139 : throw 4711
8140 : catch /\(/
8141 : echo "in catch with syntax error"
8142 : catch
8143 : echo "inner catch-all"
8144 : finally
8145 : echo "inner finally"
8146 : endtry
8147 :catch
8148 : echo 'outer catch-all caught "' . v:exception . '"'
8149 : finally
8150 : echo "outer finally"
8151 :endtry
8152
8153This displays: >
8154 inner finally
8155 outer catch-all caught "Vim(catch):E54: Unmatched \("
8156 outer finally
8157The original exception is discarded and an error exception is raised, instead.
8158
8159 *except-single-line*
8160The ":try", ":catch", ":finally", and ":endtry" commands can be put on
8161a single line, but then syntax errors may make it difficult to recognize the
8162"catch" line, thus you better avoid this.
8163 Example: >
8164 :try | unlet! foo # | catch | endtry
8165raises an error exception for the trailing characters after the ":unlet!"
8166argument, but does not see the ":catch" and ":endtry" commands, so that the
8167error exception is discarded and the "E488: Trailing characters" message gets
8168displayed.
8169
8170 *except-several-errors*
8171When several errors appear in a single command, the first error message is
8172usually the most specific one and therefor converted to the error exception.
8173 Example: >
8174 echo novar
8175causes >
8176 E121: Undefined variable: novar
8177 E15: Invalid expression: novar
8178The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
8179 Vim(echo):E121: Undefined variable: novar
8180< *except-syntax-error*
8181But when a syntax error is detected after a normal error in the same command,
8182the syntax error is used for the exception being thrown.
8183 Example: >
8184 unlet novar #
8185causes >
8186 E108: No such variable: "novar"
8187 E488: Trailing characters
8188The value of the error exception inside try conditionals is: >
8189 Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters
8190This is done because the syntax error might change the execution path in a way
8191not intended by the user. Example: >
8192 try
8193 try | unlet novar # | catch | echo v:exception | endtry
8194 catch /.*/
8195 echo "outer catch:" v:exception
8196 endtry
8197This displays "outer catch: Vim(unlet):E488: Trailing characters", and then
8198a "E600: Missing :endtry" error message is given, see |except-single-line|.
8199
8200==============================================================================
82019. Examples *eval-examples*
8202
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008203Printing in Binary ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008204>
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +01008205 :" The function Nr2Bin() returns the binary string representation of a number.
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008206 :func Nr2Bin(nr)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008207 : let n = a:nr
8208 : let r = ""
8209 : while n
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008210 : let r = '01'[n % 2] . r
8211 : let n = n / 2
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008212 : endwhile
8213 : return r
8214 :endfunc
8215
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008216 :" The function String2Bin() converts each character in a string to a
8217 :" binary string, separated with dashes.
8218 :func String2Bin(str)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008219 : let out = ''
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008220 : for ix in range(strlen(a:str))
8221 : let out = out . '-' . Nr2Bin(char2nr(a:str[ix]))
8222 : endfor
8223 : return out[1:]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008224 :endfunc
8225
8226Example of its use: >
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008227 :echo Nr2Bin(32)
8228result: "100000" >
8229 :echo String2Bin("32")
8230result: "110011-110010"
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008231
8232
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008233Sorting lines ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008234
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008235This example sorts lines with a specific compare function. >
8236
8237 :func SortBuffer()
8238 : let lines = getline(1, '$')
8239 : call sort(lines, function("Strcmp"))
8240 : call setline(1, lines)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008241 :endfunction
8242
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008243As a one-liner: >
8244 :call setline(1, sort(getline(1, '$'), function("Strcmp")))
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008245
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008246
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008247scanf() replacement ~
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008248 *sscanf*
8249There is no sscanf() function in Vim. If you need to extract parts from a
8250line, you can use matchstr() and substitute() to do it. This example shows
8251how to get the file name, line number and column number out of a line like
8252"foobar.txt, 123, 45". >
8253 :" Set up the match bit
8254 :let mx='\(\f\+\),\s*\(\d\+\),\s*\(\d\+\)'
8255 :"get the part matching the whole expression
8256 :let l = matchstr(line, mx)
8257 :"get each item out of the match
8258 :let file = substitute(l, mx, '\1', '')
8259 :let lnum = substitute(l, mx, '\2', '')
8260 :let col = substitute(l, mx, '\3', '')
8261
8262The input is in the variable "line", the results in the variables "file",
8263"lnum" and "col". (idea from Michael Geddes)
8264
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008265
8266getting the scriptnames in a Dictionary ~
8267 *scriptnames-dictionary*
8268The |:scriptnames| command can be used to get a list of all script files that
8269have been sourced. There is no equivalent function or variable for this
8270(because it's rarely needed). In case you need to manipulate the list this
8271code can be used: >
8272 " Get the output of ":scriptnames" in the scriptnames_output variable.
8273 let scriptnames_output = ''
8274 redir => scriptnames_output
8275 silent scriptnames
8276 redir END
8277
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008278 " Split the output into lines and parse each line. Add an entry to the
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008279 " "scripts" dictionary.
8280 let scripts = {}
8281 for line in split(scriptnames_output, "\n")
8282 " Only do non-blank lines.
8283 if line =~ '\S'
8284 " Get the first number in the line.
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008285 let nr = matchstr(line, '\d\+')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008286 " Get the file name, remove the script number " 123: ".
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008287 let name = substitute(line, '.\+:\s*', '', '')
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008288 " Add an item to the Dictionary
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008289 let scripts[nr] = name
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008290 endif
8291 endfor
8292 unlet scriptnames_output
8293
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008294==============================================================================
829510. No +eval feature *no-eval-feature*
8296
8297When the |+eval| feature was disabled at compile time, none of the expression
8298evaluation commands are available. To prevent this from causing Vim scripts
8299to generate all kinds of errors, the ":if" and ":endif" commands are still
8300recognized, though the argument of the ":if" and everything between the ":if"
8301and the matching ":endif" is ignored. Nesting of ":if" blocks is allowed, but
8302only if the commands are at the start of the line. The ":else" command is not
8303recognized.
8304
8305Example of how to avoid executing commands when the |+eval| feature is
8306missing: >
8307
8308 :if 1
8309 : echo "Expression evaluation is compiled in"
8310 :else
8311 : echo "You will _never_ see this message"
8312 :endif
8313
8314==============================================================================
831511. The sandbox *eval-sandbox* *sandbox* *E48*
8316
Bram Moolenaar368373e2010-07-19 20:46:22 +02008317The 'foldexpr', 'formatexpr', 'includeexpr', 'indentexpr', 'statusline' and
8318'foldtext' options may be evaluated in a sandbox. This means that you are
8319protected from these expressions having nasty side effects. This gives some
8320safety for when these options are set from a modeline. It is also used when
8321the command from a tags file is executed and for CTRL-R = in the command line.
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00008322The sandbox is also used for the |:sandbox| command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008323
8324These items are not allowed in the sandbox:
8325 - changing the buffer text
8326 - defining or changing mapping, autocommands, functions, user commands
8327 - setting certain options (see |option-summary|)
Bram Moolenaaref2f6562007-05-06 13:32:59 +00008328 - setting certain v: variables (see |v:var|) *E794*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008329 - executing a shell command
8330 - reading or writing a file
8331 - jumping to another buffer or editing a file
Bram Moolenaar4770d092006-01-12 23:22:24 +00008332 - executing Python, Perl, etc. commands
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00008333This is not guaranteed 100% secure, but it should block most attacks.
8334
8335 *:san* *:sandbox*
Bram Moolenaar045e82d2005-07-08 22:25:33 +00008336:san[dbox] {cmd} Execute {cmd} in the sandbox. Useful to evaluate an
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +00008337 option that may have been set from a modeline, e.g.
8338 'foldexpr'.
8339
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008340 *sandbox-option*
8341A few options contain an expression. When this expression is evaluated it may
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +00008342have to be done in the sandbox to avoid a security risk. But the sandbox is
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008343restrictive, thus this only happens when the option was set from an insecure
8344location. Insecure in this context are:
Bram Moolenaar551dbcc2006-04-25 22:13:59 +00008345- sourcing a .vimrc or .exrc in the current directory
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008346- while executing in the sandbox
8347- value coming from a modeline
8348
8349Note that when in the sandbox and saving an option value and restoring it, the
8350option will still be marked as it was set in the sandbox.
8351
8352==============================================================================
835312. Textlock *textlock*
8354
8355In a few situations it is not allowed to change the text in the buffer, jump
8356to another window and some other things that might confuse or break what Vim
8357is currently doing. This mostly applies to things that happen when Vim is
Bram Moolenaar446cb832008-06-24 21:56:24 +00008358actually doing something else. For example, evaluating the 'balloonexpr' may
Bram Moolenaarb71eaae2006-01-20 23:10:18 +00008359happen any moment the mouse cursor is resting at some position.
8360
8361This is not allowed when the textlock is active:
8362 - changing the buffer text
8363 - jumping to another buffer or window
8364 - editing another file
8365 - closing a window or quitting Vim
8366 - etc.
8367
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00008368
8369 vim:tw=78:ts=8:ft=help:norl: