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Bram Moolenaar293ee4d2004-12-09 21:34:53 +00001*syntax.txt* For Vim version 7.0aa. Last change: 2004 Dec 09
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Syntax highlighting *syntax* *syntax-highlighting* *coloring*
8
9Syntax highlighting enables Vim to show parts of the text in another font or
10color. Those parts can be specific keywords or text matching a pattern. Vim
11doesn't parse the whole file (to keep it fast), so the highlighting has its
12limitations. Lexical highlighting might be a better name, but since everybody
13calls it syntax highlighting we'll stick with that.
14
15Vim supports syntax highlighting on all terminals. But since most ordinary
16terminals have very limited highlighting possibilities, it works best in the
17GUI version, gvim.
18
19In the User Manual:
20|usr_06.txt| introduces syntax highlighting.
21|usr_44.txt| introduces writing a syntax file.
22
231. Quick start |:syn-qstart|
242. Syntax files |:syn-files|
253. Syntax loading procedure |syntax-loading|
264. Syntax file remarks |:syn-file-remarks|
275. Defining a syntax |:syn-define|
286. :syntax arguments |:syn-arguments|
297. Syntax patterns |:syn-pattern|
308. Syntax clusters |:syn-cluster|
319. Including syntax files |:syn-include|
3210. Synchronizing |:syn-sync|
3311. Listing syntax items |:syntax|
3412. Highlight command |:highlight|
3513. Linking groups |:highlight-link|
3614. Cleaning up |:syn-clear|
3715. Highlighting tags |tag-highlight|
3816. Color xterms |xterm-color|
39
40{Vi does not have any of these commands}
41
42Syntax highlighting is not available when the |+syntax| feature has been
43disabled at compile time.
44
45==============================================================================
461. Quick start *:syn-qstart*
47
48 *:syn-enable* *:syntax-enable*
49This command switches on syntax highlighting: >
50
51 :syntax enable
52
53What this command actually does is to execute the command >
54 :source $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/syntax.vim
55
56If the VIM environment variable is not set, Vim will try to find
57the path in another way (see |$VIMRUNTIME|). Usually this works just
58fine. If it doesn't, try setting the VIM environment variable to the
59directory where the Vim stuff is located. For example, if your syntax files
60are in the "/usr/vim/vim50/syntax" directory, set $VIMRUNTIME to
61"/usr/vim/vim50". You must do this in the shell, before starting Vim.
62
63 *:syn-on* *:syntax-on*
64The ":syntax enable" command will keep your current color settings. This
65allows using ":highlight" commands to set your preferred colors before or
66after using this command. If you want Vim to overrule your settings with the
67defaults, use: >
68 :syntax on
69<
70 *:hi-normal* *:highlight-normal*
71If you are running in the GUI, you can get white text on a black background
72with: >
73 :highlight Normal guibg=Black guifg=White
74For a color terminal see |:hi-normal-cterm|.
75For setting up your own colors syntax highlighting see |syncolor|.
76
77NOTE: The syntax files on MS-DOS and Windows have lines that end in <CR><NL>.
78The files for Unix end in <NL>. This means you should use the right type of
79file for your system. Although on MS-DOS and Windows the right format is
80automatically selected if the 'fileformats' option is not empty.
81
82NOTE: When using reverse video ("gvim -fg white -bg black"), the default value
83of 'background' will not be set until the GUI window is opened, which is after
84reading the .gvimrc. This will cause the wrong default highlighting to be
85used. To set the default value of 'background' before switching on
86highlighting, include the ":gui" command in the .gvimrc: >
87
88 :gui " open window and set default for 'background'
89 :syntax on " start highlighting, use 'background' to set colors
90
91NOTE: Using ":gui" in the .gvimrc means that "gvim -f" won't start in the
92foreground! Use ":gui -f" then.
93
94
95You can toggle the syntax on/off with this command >
96 :if exists("syntax_on") | syntax off | else | syntax enable | endif
97
98To put this into a mapping, you can use: >
99 :map <F7> :if exists("syntax_on") <Bar>
100 \ syntax off <Bar>
101 \ else <Bar>
102 \ syntax enable <Bar>
103 \ endif <CR>
104[using the |<>| notation, type this literally]
105
106Details
107The ":syntax" commands are implemented by sourcing a file. To see exactly how
108this works, look in the file:
109 command file ~
110 :syntax enable $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/syntax.vim
111 :syntax on $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/syntax.vim
112 :syntax manual $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/manual.vim
113 :syntax off $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/nosyntax.vim
114Also see |syntax-loading|.
115
116==============================================================================
1172. Syntax files *:syn-files*
118
119The syntax and highlighting commands for one language are normally stored in
120a syntax file. The name convention is: "{name}.vim". Where {name} is the
121name of the language, or an abbreviation (to fit the name in 8.3 characters,
122a requirement in case the file is used on a DOS filesystem).
123Examples:
124 c.vim perl.vim java.vim html.vim
125 cpp.vim sh.vim csh.vim
126
127The syntax file can contain any Ex commands, just like a vimrc file. But
128the idea is that only commands for a specific language are included. When a
129language is a superset of another language, it may include the other one,
130for example, the cpp.vim file could include the c.vim file: >
131 :so $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/c.vim
132
133The .vim files are normally loaded with an autocommand. For example: >
134 :au Syntax c runtime! syntax/c.vim
135 :au Syntax cpp runtime! syntax/cpp.vim
136These commands are normally in the file $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/synload.vim.
137
138
139MAKING YOUR OWN SYNTAX FILES *mysyntaxfile*
140
141When you create your own syntax files, and you want to have Vim use these
142automatically with ":syntax enable", do this:
143
1441. Create your user runtime directory. You would normally use the first item
145 of the 'runtimepath' option. Example for Unix: >
146 mkdir ~/.vim
147
1482. Create a directory in there called "syntax". For Unix: >
149 mkdir ~/.vim/syntax
150
1513. Write the Vim syntax file. Or download one from the internet. Then write
152 it in your syntax directory. For example, for the "mine" syntax: >
153 :w ~/.vim/syntax/mine.vim
154
155Now you can start using your syntax file manually: >
156 :set syntax=mine
157You don't have to exit Vim to use this.
158
159If you also want Vim to detect the type of file, see |new-filetype|.
160
161If you are setting up a system with many users and you don't want each user
162to add the same syntax file, you can use another directory from 'runtimepath'.
163
164
165ADDING TO AN EXISTING SYNTAX FILE *mysyntaxfile-add*
166
167If you are mostly satisfied with an existing syntax file, but would like to
168add a few items or change the highlighting, follow these steps:
169
1701. Create your user directory from 'runtimepath', see above.
171
1722. Create a directory in there called "after/syntax". For Unix: >
173 mkdir ~/.vim/after
174 mkdir ~/.vim/after/syntax
175
1763. Write a Vim script that contains the commands you want to use. For
177 example, to change the colors for the C syntax: >
178 highlight cComment ctermfg=Green guifg=Green
179
1804. Write that file in the "after/syntax" directory. Use the name of the
181 syntax, with ".vim" added. For our C syntax: >
182 :w ~/.vim/after/syntax/c.vim
183
184That's it. The next time you edit a C file the Comment color will be
185different. You don't even have to restart Vim.
186
187
188REPLACING AN EXISTING SYNTAX FILE *mysyntaxfile-replace*
189
190If you don't like a distributed syntax file, or you have downloaded a new
191version, follow the same steps as for |mysyntaxfile| above. Just make sure
192that you write the syntax file in a directory that is early in 'runtimepath'.
193Vim will only load the first syntax file found.
194
195
196NAMING CONVENTIONS
197 *group-name* *{group-name}* *E669* *W18*
198The name for a highlight or syntax group must consist of ASCII letters, digits
199and the underscore. As a regexp: "[a-zA-Z0-9_]*"
200
201To be able to allow each user to pick his favorite set of colors, there must
202be preferred names for highlight groups that are common for many languages.
203These are the suggested group names (if syntax highlighting works properly
204you can see the actual color, except for "Ignore"):
205
206 *Comment any comment
207
208 *Constant any constant
209 String a string constant: "this is a string"
210 Character a character constant: 'c', '\n'
211 Number a number constant: 234, 0xff
212 Boolean a boolean constant: TRUE, false
213 Float a floating point constant: 2.3e10
214
215 *Identifier any variable name
216 Function function name (also: methods for classes)
217
218 *Statement any statement
219 Conditional if, then, else, endif, switch, etc.
220 Repeat for, do, while, etc.
221 Label case, default, etc.
222 Operator "sizeof", "+", "*", etc.
223 Keyword any other keyword
224 Exception try, catch, throw
225
226 *PreProc generic Preprocessor
227 Include preprocessor #include
228 Define preprocessor #define
229 Macro same as Define
230 PreCondit preprocessor #if, #else, #endif, etc.
231
232 *Type int, long, char, etc.
233 StorageClass static, register, volatile, etc.
234 Structure struct, union, enum, etc.
235 Typedef A typedef
236
237 *Special any special symbol
238 SpecialChar special character in a constant
239 Tag you can use CTRL-] on this
240 Delimiter character that needs attention
241 SpecialComment special things inside a comment
242 Debug debugging statements
243
244 *Underlined text that stands out, HTML links
245
246 *Ignore left blank, hidden
247
248 *Error any erroneous construct
249
250 *Todo anything that needs extra attention; mostly the
251 keywords TODO FIXME and XXX
252
253The names marked with * are the preferred groups; the others are minor groups.
254For the preferred groups, the "syntax.vim" file contains default highlighting.
255The minor groups are linked to the preferred groups, so they get the same
256highlighting. You can override these defaults by using ":highlight" commands
257after sourcing the "syntax.vim" file.
258
259Note that highlight group names are not case sensitive. "String" and "string"
260can be used for the same group.
261
262The following names are reserved and cannot be used as a group name:
263 NONE ALL ALLBUT contains contained
264
265==============================================================================
2663. Syntax loading procedure *syntax-loading*
267
268This explains the details that happen when the command ":syntax enable" is
269issued. When Vim initializes itself, it finds out where the runtime files are
270located. This is used here as the variable |$VIMRUNTIME|.
271
272":syntax enable" and ":syntax on" do the following:
273
274 Source $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/syntax.vim
275 |
276 +- Clear out any old syntax by sourcing $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/nosyntax.vim
277 |
278 +- Source first syntax/synload.vim in 'runtimepath'
279 | |
280 | +- Setup the colors for syntax highlighting. If a color scheme is
281 | | defined it is loaded again with ":colors {name}". Otherwise
282 | | ":runtime! syntax/syncolor.vim" is used. ":syntax on" overrules
283 | | existing colors, ":syntax enable" only sets groups that weren't
284 | | set yet.
285 | |
286 | +- Set up syntax autocmds to load the appropriate syntax file when
287 | | the 'syntax' option is set. *synload-1*
288 | |
289 | +- Source the user's optional file, from the |mysyntaxfile| variable.
290 | This is for backwards compatibility with Vim 5.x only. *synload-2*
291 |
292 +- Do ":filetype on", which does ":runtime! filetype.vim". It loads any
293 | filetype.vim files found. It should always Source
294 | $VIMRUNTIME/filetype.vim, which does the following.
295 | |
296 | +- Install autocmds based on suffix to set the 'filetype' option
297 | | This is where the connection between file name and file type is
298 | | made for known file types. *synload-3*
299 | |
300 | +- Source the user's optional file, from the *myfiletypefile*
301 | | variable. This is for backwards compatibility with Vim 5.x only.
302 | | *synload-4*
303 | |
304 | +- Install one autocommand which sources scripts.vim when no file
305 | | type was detected yet. *synload-5*
306 | |
307 | +- Source $VIMRUNTIME/menu.vim, to setup the Syntax menu. |menu.vim|
308 |
309 +- Install a FileType autocommand to set the 'syntax' option when a file
310 | type has been detected. *synload-6*
311 |
312 +- Execute syntax autocommands to start syntax highlighting for each
313 already loaded buffer.
314
315
316Upon loading a file, Vim finds the relevant syntax file as follows:
317
318 Loading the file triggers the BufReadPost autocommands.
319 |
320 +- If there is a match with one of the autocommands from |synload-3|
321 | (known file types) or |synload-4| (user's file types), the 'filetype'
322 | option is set to the file type.
323 |
324 +- The autocommand at |synload-5| is triggered. If the file type was not
325 | found yet, then scripts.vim is searched for in 'runtimepath'. This
326 | should always load $VIMRUNTIME/scripts.vim, which does the following.
327 | |
328 | +- Source the user's optional file, from the *myscriptsfile*
329 | | variable. This is for backwards compatibility with Vim 5.x only.
330 | |
331 | +- If the file type is still unknown, check the contents of the file,
332 | again with checks like "getline(1) =~ pattern" as to whether the
333 | file type can be recognized, and set 'filetype'.
334 |
335 +- When the file type was determined and 'filetype' was set, this
336 | triggers the FileType autocommand |synload-6| above. It sets
337 | 'syntax' to the determined file type.
338 |
339 +- When the 'syntax' option was set above, this triggers an autocommand
340 | from |synload-1| (and |synload-2|). This find the main syntax file in
341 | 'runtimepath', with this command:
342 | runtime! syntax/<name>.vim
343 |
344 +- Any other user installed FileType or Syntax autocommands are
345 triggered. This can be used to change the highlighting for a specific
346 syntax.
347
348==============================================================================
3494. Syntax file remarks *:syn-file-remarks*
350
351 *b:current_syntax-variable*
352Vim stores the name of the syntax that has been loaded in the
353"b:current_syntax" variable. You can use this if you want to load other
354settings, depending on which syntax is active. Example: >
355 :au BufReadPost * if b:current_syntax == "csh"
356 :au BufReadPost * do-some-things
357 :au BufReadPost * endif
358
359
3602HTML *2html.vim* *convert-to-HTML*
361
362This is not a syntax file itself, but a script that converts the current
363window into HTML. Vim opens a new window in which it builds the HTML file.
364
365You are not supposed to set the 'filetype' or 'syntax' option to "2html"!
366Source the script to convert the current file: >
367
368 :runtime! syntax/2html.vim
369<
370Warning: This is slow!
371 *:TOhtml*
372Or use the ":TOhtml" user command. It is defined in a standard plugin.
373":TOhtml" also works with a range and in a Visual area: >
374
375 :10,40TOhtml
376
377After you save the resulting file, you can view it with any HTML viewer, such
378as Netscape. The colors should be exactly the same as you see them in Vim.
379
380To restrict the conversion to a range of lines set "html_start_line" and
381"html_end_line" to the first and last line to be converted. Example, using
382the last set Visual area: >
383
384 :let html_start_line = line("'<")
385 :let html_end_line = line("'>")
386
387The lines are numbered according to 'number' option and the Number
388highlighting. You can force lines to be numbered in the HTML output by
389setting "html_number_lines" to non-zero value: >
390 :let html_number_lines = 1
391Force to omit the line numbers by using a zero value: >
392 :let html_number_lines = 0
393Go back to the default to use 'number' by deleting the variable: >
394 :unlet html_number_lines
395
Bram Moolenaar7b0294c2004-10-11 10:16:09 +0000396Closed folds are put in the HTML as they are displayed. If you don't want
397this, use the "zR" command before invoking 2html.
398
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000399By default, HTML optimized for old browsers is generated. If you prefer using
400cascading style sheets (CSS1) for the attributes (resulting in considerably
401shorter and valid HTML 4 file), use: >
402 :let html_use_css = 1
403
404By default "<pre>" and "</pre>" is used around the text. This makes it show
405up as you see it in Vim, but without wrapping. If you prefer wrapping, at the
406risk of making some things look a bit different, use: >
407 :let html_no_pre = 1
408This will use <br> at the end of each line and use "&nbsp;" for repeated
409spaces.
410
411The current value of 'encoding' is used to specify the charset of the HTML
412file. This only works for those values of 'encoding' that have an equivalent
413HTML charset name. To overrule this set g:html_use_encoding to the name of
414the charset to be used: >
415 :let html_use_encoding = "foobar"
416To omit the line that specifies the charset, set g:html_use_encoding to an
417empty string: >
418 :let html_use_encoding = ""
419To go back to the automatic mechanism, delete the g:html_use_encoding
420variable: >
421 :unlet html_use_encoding
422<
Bram Moolenaar47136d72004-10-12 20:02:24 +0000423Closed folds are kept as they are displayed. If you don't want closed folds
424in the HTML use the |zR| command before converting.
425
426For diff mode a sequence of more than 3 filler lines is displayed as three
427lines with the middle line mentioning the total number of inserted lines. If
428you prefer to see all the inserted lines use: >
429 :let html_whole_filler = 1
430And to go back to displaying up to three lines again: >
431 :unlet html_whole_filler
432
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000433 *convert-to-XML* *convert-to-XHTML*
434An alternative is to have the script generate XHTML (XML compliant HTML). To
435do this set the "use_xhtml" variable: >
436 :let use_xhtml = 1
437To disable it again delete the variable: >
438 :unlet use_xhtml
439The generated XHTML file can be used in DocBook XML documents. See:
440 http://people.mech.kuleuven.ac.be/~pissaris/howto/src2db.html
441
442Remarks:
443- This only works in a version with GUI support. If the GUI is not actually
444 running (possible for X11) it still works, but not very well (the colors
445 may be wrong).
446- Older browsers will not show the background colors.
447- From most browsers you can also print the file (in color)!
448
449Here is an example how to run the script over all .c and .h files from a
450Unix shell: >
451 for f in *.[ch]; do gvim -f +"syn on" +"run! syntax/2html.vim" +"wq" +"q" $f; done
452<
453
454ABEL *abel.vim* *abel-syntax*
455
456ABEL highlighting provides some user-defined options. To enable them, assign
457any value to the respective variable. Example: >
458 :let abel_obsolete_ok=1
459To disable them use ":unlet". Example: >
460 :unlet abel_obsolete_ok
461
462Variable Highlight ~
463abel_obsolete_ok obsolete keywords are statements, not errors
464abel_cpp_comments_illegal do not interpret '//' as inline comment leader
465
466
467ADA *ada.vim* *ada-syntax*
468
469This mode is designed for the 1995 edition of Ada ("Ada95"), which
470includes support for objected-programming, protected types, and so on.
471It handles code written for the original Ada language
472("Ada83" or "Ada87") as well, though Ada83 code which uses Ada95-only
473keywords will be wrongly colored (such code should be fixed anyway).
474For more information about Ada, see http://www.adapower.com.
475
476The Ada mode handles a number of situations cleanly.
477For example, it knows that the "-" in "-5" is a number, but the same
478character in "A-5" is an operator. Normally, a "with" or "use" clause
479referencing another compilation unit is colored the same way as C's
480"#include" is colored. If you have "Conditional" or "Repeat"
481groups colored differently, then "end if" and "end loop" will be
482colored as part of those respective groups.
483You can set these to different colors using vim's "highlight" command
484(e.g., to change how loops are displayed, enter the command
485":hi Repeat" followed by the color specification; on simple terminals
486the color specification ctermfg=White often shows well).
487
488There are several options you can select in this Ada mode.
489To enable them, assign a value to the option. For example, to turn one on:
490 let ada_standard_types = 1
491To disable them use ":unlet". Example:
492 unlet ada_standard_types = 1
493You can just use ":" and type these into the command line to set these
494temporarily before loading an Ada file. You can make these option settings
495permanent by adding the "let" command(s), without a colon,
496to your "~/.vimrc" file.
497
498Here are the Ada mode options:
499
500Variable Action ~
501ada_standard_types Highlight types in package Standard (e.g., "Float")
502ada_space_errors Highlight extraneous errors in spaces...
503ada_no_trail_space_error but ignore trailing spaces at the end of a line
504ada_no_tab_space_error but ignore tabs after spaces
505ada_withuse_ordinary Show "with" and "use" as ordinary keywords
506 (when used to reference other compilation units
507 they're normally highlighted specially).
508ada_begin_preproc Show all begin-like keywords using the coloring
509 of C preprocessor commands.
510
511Even on a slow (90Mhz) PC this mode works quickly, but if you find
512the performance unacceptable, turn on ada_withuse_ordinary.
513
514
515ANT *ant.vim* *ant-syntax*
516
517The ant syntax file provides syntax highlighting for javascript and python
518by default. Syntax highlighting for other script languages can be installed
519by the function AntSyntaxScript(), which takes the tag name as first argument
520and the script syntax file name as second argument. Example: >
521
522 :call AntSyntaxScript('perl', 'perl.vim')
523
524will install syntax perl highlighting for the following ant code >
525
526 <script language = 'perl'><![CDATA[
527 # everything inside is highlighted as perl
528 ]]></script>
529
530See |mysyntaxfile-add| for installing script languages permanently.
531
532
533APACHE *apache.vim* *apache-syntax*
534
535The apache syntax file provides syntax highlighting depending on Apache HTTP
536server version, by default for 1.3.x. Set "apache_version" to Apache version
537(as a string) to get highlighting for another version. Example: >
538
539 :let apache_version = "2.0"
540<
541
542 *asm.vim* *asmh8300.vim* *nasm.vim* *masm.vim* *asm68k*
543ASSEMBLY *asm-syntax* *asmh8300-syntax* *nasm-syntax* *masm-syntax*
544 *asm68k-syntax* *fasm.vim*
545
546Files matching "*.i" could be Progress or Assembly. If the automatic detection
547doesn't work for you, or you don't edit Progress at all, use this in your
548startup vimrc: >
549 :let filetype_i = "asm"
550Replace "asm" with the type of assembly you use.
551
552There are many types of assembly languages that all use the same file name
553extensions. Therefore you will have to select the type yourself, or add a
554line in the assembly file that Vim will recognize. Currently these syntax
555files are included:
556 asm GNU assembly (the default)
557 asm68k Motorola 680x0 assembly
558 asmh8300 Hitachi H-8300 version of GNU assembly
559 ia64 Intel Itanium 64
560 fasm Flat assembly (http://flatassembler.net)
561 masm Microsoft assembly (probably works for any 80x86)
562 nasm Netwide assembly
563 tasm Turbo Assembly (with opcodes 80x86 up to Pentium, and
564 MMX)
565 pic PIC assembly (currently for PIC16F84)
566
567The most flexible is to add a line in your assembly file containing: >
568 :asmsyntax=nasm
569Replace "nasm" with the name of the real assembly syntax. This line must be
570one of the first five lines in the file.
571
572The syntax type can always be overruled for a specific buffer by setting the
573b:asmsyntax variable: >
574 :let b:asmsyntax=nasm
575
576If b:asmsyntax is not set, either automatically or by hand, then the value of
577the global variable asmsyntax is used. This can be seen as a default assembly
578language: >
579 :let asmsyntax=nasm
580
581As a last resort, if nothing is defined, the "asm" syntax is used.
582
583
584Netwide assembler (nasm.vim) optional highlighting ~
585
586To enable a feature: >
587 :let {variable}=1|set syntax=nasm
588To disable a feature: >
589 :unlet {variable} |set syntax=nasm
590
591Variable Highlight ~
592nasm_loose_syntax unofficial parser allowed syntax not as Error
593 (parser dependent; not recommended)
594nasm_ctx_outside_macro contexts outside macro not as Error
595nasm_no_warn potentially risky syntax not as ToDo
596
597
598ASPPERL and ASPVBS *aspperl-syntax* *aspvbs-syntax*
599
600*.asp and *.asa files could be either Perl or Visual Basic script. Since it's
601hard to detect this you can set two global variables to tell Vim what you are
602using. For Perl script use: >
603 :let g:filetype_asa = "aspperl"
604 :let g:filetype_asp = "aspperl"
605For Visual Basic use: >
606 :let g:filetype_asa = "aspvbs"
607 :let g:filetype_asp = "aspvbs"
608
609
610BASIC *basic.vim* *vb.vim* *basic-syntax* *vb-syntax*
611
612Both Visual Basic and "normal" basic use the extension ".bas". To detect
613which one should be used, Vim checks for the string "VB_Name" in the first
614five lines of the file. If it is not found, filetype will be "basic",
615otherwise "vb". Files with the ".frm" extension will always be seen as Visual
616Basic.
617
618
619C *c.vim* *c-syntax*
620
621A few things in C highlighting are optional. To enable them assign any value
622to the respective variable. Example: >
623 :let c_comment_strings=1
624To disable them use ":unlet". Example: >
625 :unlet c_comment_strings
626
627Variable Highlight ~
628c_gnu GNU gcc specific items
629c_comment_strings strings and numbers inside a comment
630c_space_errors trailing white space and spaces before a <Tab>
631c_no_trail_space_error ... but no trailing spaces
632c_no_tab_space_error ... but no spaces before a <Tab>
633c_no_bracket_error don't highlight {}; inside [] as errors
634c_no_ansi don't do standard ANSI types and constants
635c_ansi_typedefs ... but do standard ANSI types
636c_ansi_constants ... but do standard ANSI constants
637c_no_utf don't highlight \u and \U in strings
638c_syntax_for_h use C syntax for *.h files, instead of C++
639c_no_if0 don't highlight "#if 0" blocks as comments
640c_no_cformat don't highlight %-formats in strings
641c_no_c99 don't highlight C99 standard items
642
Bram Moolenaar293ee4d2004-12-09 21:34:53 +0000643When 'foldmethod' is set to "syntax" then /* */ comments and { } blocks will
644become a fold. If you don't want comments to become a fold use: >
645 :let c_no_comment_fold = 1
646
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000647If you notice highlighting errors while scrolling backwards, which are fixed
648when redrawing with CTRL-L, try setting the "c_minlines" internal variable
649to a larger number: >
650 :let c_minlines = 100
651This will make the syntax synchronization start 100 lines before the first
652displayed line. The default value is 50 (15 when c_no_if0 is set). The
653disadvantage of using a larger number is that redrawing can become slow.
654
655When using the "#if 0" / "#endif" comment highlighting, notice that this only
656works when the "#if 0" is within "c_minlines" from the top of the window. If
657you have a long "#if 0" construct it will not be highlighted correctly.
658
659To match extra items in comments, use the cCommentGroup cluster.
660Example: >
661 :au Syntax c call MyCadd()
662 :function MyCadd()
663 : syn keyword cMyItem contained Ni
664 : syn cluster cCommentGroup add=cMyItem
665 : hi link cMyItem Title
666 :endfun
667
668ANSI constants will be highlighted with the "cConstant" group. This includes
669"NULL", "SIG_IGN" and others. But not "TRUE", for example, because this is
670not in the ANSI standard. If you find this confusing, remove the cConstant
671highlighting: >
672 :hi link cConstant NONE
673
674If you see '{' and '}' highlighted as an error where they are OK, reset the
675highlighting for cErrInParen and cErrInBracket.
676
677If you want to use folding in your C files, you can add these lines in a file
678an the "after" directory in 'runtimepath'. For Unix this would be
679~/.vim/after/syntax/c.vim. >
680 syn region myFold start="{" end="}" transparent fold
681 syn sync fromstart
682 set foldmethod=syntax
683
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +0000684CH *ch.vim* *ch-syntax*
685
686C/C++ interpreter. Ch has similar syntax highlighting to C and builds upon
687the C syntax file. See |c.vim| for all the settings that are available for C.
688
689By setting a variable you can tell Vim to use Ch syntax for *.h files, instead
690of C or C++: >
691 :let ch_syntax_for_h = 1
692
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000693
694CHILL *chill.vim* *chill-syntax*
695
696Chill syntax highlighting is similar to C. See |c.vim| for all the settings
697that are available. Additionally there is:
698
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000699chill_space_errors like c_space_errors
700chill_comment_string like c_comment_strings
701chill_minlines like c_minlines
702
703
704CHANGELOG *changelog.vim* *changelog-syntax*
705
706ChangeLog supports highlighting spaces at the start of a line.
707If you do not like this, add following line to your .vimrc: >
708 let g:changelog_spacing_errors = 0
709This works the next time you edit a changelog file. You can also use
710"b:changelog_spacing_errors" to set this per buffer (before loading the syntax
711file).
712
713You can change the highlighting used, e.g., to flag the spaces as an error: >
714 :hi link ChangelogError Error
715Or to avoid the highlighting: >
716 :hi link ChangelogError NONE
717This works immediately.
718
719
720COBOL *cobol.vim* *cobol-syntax*
721
722COBOL highlighting has different needs for legacy code than it does for fresh
723development. This is due to differences in what is being done (maintenance
724versus development) and other factors. To enable legacy code highlighting,
725add this line to your .vimrc: >
726 :let cobol_legacy_code = 1
727To disable it again, use this: >
728 :unlet cobol_legacy_code
729
730
731COLD FUSION *coldfusion.vim* *coldfusion-syntax*
732
733The ColdFusion has its own version of HTML comments. To turn on ColdFusion
734comment highlighting, add the following line to your startup file: >
735
736 :let html_wrong_comments = 1
737
738The ColdFusion syntax file is based on the HTML syntax file.
739
740
741CSH *csh.vim* *csh-syntax*
742
743This covers the shell named "csh". Note that on some systems tcsh is actually
744used.
745
746Detecting whether a file is csh or tcsh is notoriously hard. Some systems
747symlink /bin/csh to /bin/tcsh, making it almost impossible to distinguish
748between csh and tcsh. In case VIM guesses wrong you can set the
749"filetype_csh" variable. For using csh: >
750
751 :let filetype_csh = "csh"
752
753For using tcsh: >
754
755 :let filetype_csh = "tcsh"
756
757Any script with a tcsh extension or a standard tcsh filename (.tcshrc,
758tcsh.tcshrc, tcsh.login) will have filetype tcsh. All other tcsh/csh scripts
759will be classified as tcsh, UNLESS the "filetype_csh" variable exists. If the
760"filetype_csh" variable exists, the filetype will be set to the value of the
761variable.
762
763
764CYNLIB *cynlib.vim* *cynlib-syntax*
765
766Cynlib files are C++ files that use the Cynlib class library to enable
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +0000767hardware modelling and simulation using C++. Typically Cynlib files have a .cc
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000768or a .cpp extension, which makes it very difficult to distinguish them from a
769normal C++ file. Thus, to enable Cynlib highlighting for .cc files, add this
770line to your .vimrc file: >
771
772 :let cynlib_cyntax_for_cc=1
773
774Similarly for cpp files (this extension is only usually used in Windows) >
775
776 :let cynlib_cyntax_for_cpp=1
777
778To disable these again, use this: >
779
780 :unlet cynlib_cyntax_for_cc
781 :unlet cynlib_cyntax_for_cpp
782<
783
784CWEB *cweb.vim* *cweb-syntax*
785
786Files matching "*.w" could be Progress or cweb. If the automatic detection
787doesn't work for you, or you don't edit Progress at all, use this in your
788startup vimrc: >
789 :let filetype_w = "cweb"
790
791
792DESKTOP *desktop.vim* *desktop-syntax*
793
794Primary goal of this syntax file is to highlight .desktop and .directory files
795according to freedesktop.org standard: http://pdx.freedesktop.org/Standards/
796But actually almost none implements this standard fully. Thus it will
797highlight all Unix ini files. But you can force strict highlighting according
798to standard by placing this in your vimrc file: >
799 :let enforce_freedesktop_standard = 1
800
801
802DIRCOLORS *dircolors.vim* *dircolors-syntax*
803
804The dircolors utility highlighting definition has one option. It exists to
805provide compatibility with the Slackware GNU/Linux distributions version of
806the command. It adds a few keywords that are generally ignored by most
807versions. On Slackware systems, however, the utility accepts the keywords and
808uses them for processing. To enable the Slackware keywords add the following
809line to your startup file: >
810 let dircolors_is_slackware = 1
811
812
813DOCBOOK *docbk.vim* *docbk-syntax* *docbook*
814DOCBOOK XML *docbkxml.vim* *docbkxml-syntax*
815DOCBOOK SGML *docbksgml.vim* *docbksgml-syntax*
816
817There are two types of DocBook files: SGML and XML. To specify what type you
818are using the "b:docbk_type" variable should be set. Vim does this for you
819automatically if it can recognize the type. When Vim can't guess it the type
820defaults to XML.
821You can set the type manually: >
822 :let docbk_type = "sgml"
823or: >
824 :let docbk_type = "xml"
825You need to do this before loading the syntax file, which is complicated.
826Simpler is setting the filetype to "docbkxml" or "docbksgml": >
827 :set filetype=docbksgml
828or: >
829 :set filetype=docbkxml
830
831
832DOSBATCH *dosbatch.vim* *dosbatch-syntax*
833
834There is one option with highlighting DOS batch files. This covers new
835extensions to the Command Interpreter introduced with Windows 2000 and
836is controlled by the variable dosbatch_cmdextversion. For Windows NT
837this should have the value 1, and for Windows 2000 it should be 2.
838Select the version you want with the following line: >
839
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +0000840 :let dosbatch_cmdextversion = 1
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000841
842If this variable is not defined it defaults to a value of 2 to support
843Windows 2000.
844
Bram Moolenaar8299df92004-07-10 09:47:34 +0000845A second option covers whether *.btm files should be detected as type
846"dosbatch" (MS-DOS batch files) or type "btm" (4DOS batch files). The latter
847is used by default. You may select the former with the following line: >
848
849 :let g:dosbatch_syntax_for_btm = 1
850
851If this variable is undefined or zero, btm syntax is selected.
852
853
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000854
855DTD *dtd.vim* *dtd-syntax*
856
857The DTD syntax highlighting is case sensitive by default. To disable
858case-sensitive highlighting, add the following line to your startup file: >
859
860 :let dtd_ignore_case=1
861
862The DTD syntax file will highlight unknown tags as errors. If
863this is annoying, it can be turned off by setting: >
864
865 :let dtd_no_tag_errors=1
866
867before sourcing the dtd.vim syntax file.
868Parameter entity names are highlighted in the definition using the
869'Type' highlighting group and 'Comment' for punctuation and '%'.
870Parameter entity instances are highlighted using the 'Constant'
871highlighting group and the 'Type' highlighting group for the
872delimiters % and ;. This can be turned off by setting: >
873
874 :let dtd_no_param_entities=1
875
876The DTD syntax file is also included by xml.vim to highlight included dtd's.
877
878
879EIFFEL *eiffel.vim* *eiffel-syntax*
880
881While Eiffel is not case-sensitive, its style guidelines are, and the
882syntax highlighting file encourages their use. This also allows to
883highlight class names differently. If you want to disable case-sensitive
884highlighting, add the following line to your startup file: >
885
886 :let eiffel_ignore_case=1
887
888Case still matters for class names and TODO marks in comments.
889
890Conversely, for even stricter checks, add one of the following lines: >
891
892 :let eiffel_strict=1
893 :let eiffel_pedantic=1
894
895Setting eiffel_strict will only catch improper capitalization for the
896five predefined words "Current", "Void", "Result", "Precursor", and
897"NONE", to warn against their accidental use as feature or class names.
898
899Setting eiffel_pedantic will enforce adherence to the Eiffel style
900guidelines fairly rigorously (like arbitrary mixes of upper- and
901lowercase letters as well as outdated ways to capitalize keywords).
902
903If you want to use the lower-case version of "Current", "Void",
904"Result", and "Precursor", you can use >
905
906 :let eiffel_lower_case_predef=1
907
908instead of completely turning case-sensitive highlighting off.
909
910Support for ISE's proposed new creation syntax that is already
911experimentally handled by some compilers can be enabled by: >
912
913 :let eiffel_ise=1
914
915Finally, some vendors support hexadecimal constants. To handle them, add >
916
917 :let eiffel_hex_constants=1
918
919to your startup file.
920
921
922ERLANG *erlang.vim* *erlang-syntax*
923
924The erlang highlighting supports Erlang (ERicsson LANGuage).
925Erlang is case sensitive and default extension is ".erl".
926
927If you want to disable keywords highlighting, put in your .vimrc: >
928 :let erlang_keywords = 1
929If you want to disable built-in-functions highlighting, put in your
930.vimrc file: >
931 :let erlang_functions = 1
932If you want to disable special characters highlighting, put in
933your .vimrc: >
934 :let erlang_characters = 1
935
936
937FORM *form.vim* *form-syntax*
938
939The coloring scheme for syntax elements in the FORM file uses the default
940modes Conditional, Number, Statement, Comment, PreProc, Type, and String,
941following the language specifications in 'Symbolic Manipulation with FORM'' by
942J.A.M. Vermaseren, CAN, Netherlands, 1991.
943
944If you want include your own changes to the default colors, you have to
945redefine the following syntax groups:
946
947 - formConditional
948 - formNumber
949 - formStatement
950 - formHeaderStatement
951 - formComment
952 - formPreProc
953 - formDirective
954 - formType
955 - formString
956
957Note that the form.vim syntax file implements FORM preprocessor commands and
958directives per default in the same syntax group.
959
960A predefined enhanced color mode for FORM is available to distinguish between
961header statements and statements in the body of a FORM program. To activate
962this mode define the following variable in your vimrc file >
963
964 :let form_enhanced_color=1
965
966The enhanced mode also takes advantage of additional color features for a dark
967gvim display. Here, statements are colored LightYellow instead of Yellow, and
968conditionals are LightBlue for better distinction.
969
970
971FORTRAN *fortran.vim* *fortran-syntax*
972
973Default highlighting and dialect ~
974Highlighting appropriate for f95 (Fortran 95) is used by default. This choice
975should be appropriate for most users most of the time because Fortran 95 is a
976superset of Fortran 90 and almost a superset of Fortran 77.
977
978Fortran source code form ~
979Fortran 9x code can be in either fixed or free source form. Note that the
980syntax highlighting will not be correct if the form is incorrectly set.
981
982When you create a new fortran file, the syntax script assumes fixed source
983form. If you always use free source form, then >
984 :let fortran_free_source=1
985in your .vimrc prior to the :syntax on command. If you always use fixed source
986form, then >
987 :let fortran_fixed_source=1
988in your .vimrc prior to the :syntax on command.
989
990If the form of the source code depends upon the file extension, then it is
991most convenient to set fortran_free_source in a ftplugin file. For more
992information on ftplugin files, see |ftplugin|. For example, if all your
993fortran files with an .f90 extension are written in free source form and the
994rest in fixed source form, add the following code to your ftplugin file >
995 let s:extfname = expand("%:e")
996 if s:extfname ==? "f90"
997 let fortran_free_source=1
998 unlet! fortran_fixed_source
999 else
1000 let fortran_fixed_source=1
1001 unlet! fortran_free_source
1002 endif
1003Note that this will work only if the "filetype plugin indent on" command
1004precedes the "syntax on" command in your .vimrc file.
1005
1006When you edit an existing fortran file, the syntax script will assume free
1007source form if the fortran_free_source variable has been set, and assumes
1008fixed source form if the fortran_fixed_source variable has been set. If
1009neither of these variables have been set, the syntax script attempts to
1010determine which source form has been used by examining the first five columns
1011of the first 25 lines of your file. If no signs of free source form are
1012detected, then the file is assumed to be in fixed source form. The algorithm
1013should work in the vast majority of cases. In some cases, such as a file that
1014begins with 25 or more full-line comments, the script may incorrectly decide
1015that the fortran code is in fixed form. If that happens, just add a
1016non-comment statement beginning anywhere in the first five columns of the
1017first twenty five lines, save (:w) and then reload (:e!) the file.
1018
1019Tabs in fortran files ~
1020Tabs are not recognized by the Fortran standards. Tabs are not a good idea in
1021fixed format fortran source code which requires fixed column boundaries.
1022Therefore, tabs are marked as errors. Nevertheless, some programmers like
1023using tabs. If your fortran files contain tabs, then you should set the
1024variable fortran_have_tabs in your .vimrc with a command such as >
1025 :let fortran_have_tabs=1
1026placed prior to the :syntax on command. Unfortunately, the use of tabs will
1027mean that the syntax file will not be able to detect incorrect margins.
1028
1029Syntax folding of fortran files ~
1030If you wish to use foldmethod=syntax, then you must first set the variable
1031fortran_fold with a command such as >
1032 :let fortran_fold=1
1033to instruct the syntax script to define fold regions for program units, that
1034is main programs starting with a program statement, subroutines, function
1035subprograms, block data subprograms, interface blocks, and modules. If you
1036also set the variable fortran_fold_conditionals with a command such as >
1037 :let fortran_fold_conditionals=1
1038then fold regions will also be defined for do loops, if blocks, and select
1039case constructs. If you also set the variable
1040fortran_fold_multilinecomments with a command such as >
1041 :let fortran_fold_multilinecomments=1
1042then fold regions will also be defined for three or more consecutive comment
1043lines. Note that defining fold regions can be slow for large files.
1044
1045If fortran_fold, and possibly fortran_fold_conditionals and/or
1046fortran_fold_multilinecomments, have been set, then vim will fold your file if
1047you set foldmethod=syntax. Comments or blank lines placed between two program
1048units are not folded because they are seen as not belonging to any program
1049unit.
1050
1051More precise fortran syntax ~
1052If you set the variable fortran_more_precise with a command such as >
1053 :let fortran_more_precise=1
1054then the syntax coloring will be more precise but slower. In particular,
1055statement labels used in do, goto and arithmetic if statements will be
1056recognized, as will construct names at the end of a do, if, select or forall
1057construct.
1058
1059Non-default fortran dialects ~
1060The syntax script supports five Fortran dialects: f95, f90, f77, the Lahey
1061subset elf90, and the Imagine1 subset F.
1062
1063If you use f77 with extensions, even common ones like do/enddo loops, do/while
1064loops and free source form that are supported by most f77 compilers including
1065g77 (GNU Fortran), then you will probably find the default highlighting
1066satisfactory. However, if you use strict f77 with no extensions, not even free
1067source form or the MIL STD 1753 extensions, then the advantages of setting the
1068dialect to f77 are that names such as SUM are recognized as user variable
1069names and not highlighted as f9x intrinsic functions, that obsolete constructs
1070such as ASSIGN statements are not highlighted as todo items, and that fixed
1071source form will be assumed.
1072
1073If you use elf90 or F, the advantage of setting the dialect appropriately is
1074that f90 features excluded from these dialects will be highlighted as todo
1075items and that free source form will be assumed as required for these
1076dialects.
1077
1078The dialect can be selected by setting the variable fortran_dialect. The
1079permissible values of fortran_dialect are case-sensitive and must be "f95",
1080"f90", "f77", "elf" or "F". Invalid values of fortran_dialect are ignored.
1081
1082If all your fortran files use the same dialect, set fortran_dialect in your
1083.vimrc prior to your syntax on statement. If the dialect depends upon the file
1084extension, then it is most convenient to set it in a ftplugin file. For more
1085information on ftplugin files, see |ftplugin|. For example, if all your
1086fortran files with an .f90 extension are written in the elf subset, your
1087ftplugin file should contain the code >
1088 let s:extfname = expand("%:e")
1089 if s:extfname ==? "f90"
1090 let fortran_dialect="elf"
1091 else
1092 unlet! fortran_dialect
1093 endif
1094Note that this will work only if the "filetype plugin indent on" command
1095precedes the "syntax on" command in your .vimrc file.
1096
1097Finer control is necessary if the file extension does not uniquely identify
1098the dialect. You can override the default dialect, on a file-by-file basis, by
1099including a comment with the directive "fortran_dialect=xx" (where xx=f77 or
1100elf or F or f90 or f95) in one of the first three lines in your file. For
1101example, your older .f files may be written in extended f77 but your newer
1102ones may be F codes, and you would identify the latter by including in the
1103first three lines of those files a Fortran comment of the form >
1104 ! fortran_dialect=F
1105F overrides elf if both directives are present.
1106
1107Limitations ~
1108Parenthesis checking does not catch too few closing parentheses. Hollerith
1109strings are not recognized. Some keywords may be highlighted incorrectly
1110because Fortran90 has no reserved words.
1111
1112For further information related to fortran, see |fortran-indent| and
1113|fortran-plugin|.
1114
1115
1116FVWM CONFIGURATION FILES *fvwm.vim* *fvwm-syntax*
1117
1118In order for Vim to recognize Fvwm configuration files that do not match
1119the patterns *fvwmrc* or *fvwm2rc* , you must put additional patterns
1120appropriate to your system in your myfiletypes.vim file. For these
1121patterns, you must set the variable "b:fvwm_version" to the major version
1122number of Fvwm, and the 'filetype' option to fvwm.
1123
1124For example, to make Vim identify all files in /etc/X11/fvwm2/
1125as Fvwm2 configuration files, add the following: >
1126
1127 :au! BufNewFile,BufRead /etc/X11/fvwm2/* let b:fvwm_version = 2 |
1128 \ set filetype=fvwm
1129
1130If you'd like Vim to highlight all valid color names, tell it where to
1131find the color database (rgb.txt) on your system. Do this by setting
1132"rgb_file" to its location. Assuming your color database is located
1133in /usr/X11/lib/X11/, you should add the line >
1134
1135 :let rgb_file = "/usr/X11/lib/X11/rgb.txt"
1136
1137to your .vimrc file.
1138
1139
1140GSP *gsp.vim*
1141
1142The default coloring style for GSP pages is defined by |html.vim|, and
1143the coloring for java code (within java tags or inline between backticks)
1144is defined by |java.vim|. The following HTML groups defined in |html.vim|
1145are redefined to incorporate and highlight inline java code:
1146
1147 htmlString
1148 htmlValue
1149 htmlEndTag
1150 htmlTag
1151 htmlTagN
1152
1153Highlighting should look fine most of the places where you'd see inline
1154java code, but in some special cases it may not. To add another HTML
1155group where you will have inline java code where it does not highlight
1156correctly, just copy the line you want from |html.vim| and add gspJava
1157to the contains clause.
1158
1159The backticks for inline java are highlighted according to the htmlError
1160group to make them easier to see.
1161
1162
1163GROFF *groff.vim* *groff-syntax*
1164
1165The groff syntax file is a wrapper for |nroff.vim|, see the notes
1166under that heading for examples of use and configuration. The purpose
1167of this wrapper is to set up groff syntax extensions by setting the
1168filetype from a |modeline| or in a personal filetype definitions file
1169(see |filetype.txt|).
1170
1171
1172HASKELL *haskell.vim* *lhaskell.vim* *haskell-syntax*
1173
1174The Haskell syntax files support plain Haskell code as well as literate
1175Haskell code, the latter in both Bird style and TeX style. The Haskell
1176syntax highlighting will also highlight C preprocessor directives.
1177
1178If you want to highlight delimiter characters (useful if you have a
1179light-coloured background), add to your .vimrc: >
1180 :let hs_highlight_delimiters = 1
1181To treat True and False as keywords as opposed to ordinary identifiers,
1182add: >
1183 :let hs_highlight_boolean = 1
1184To also treat the names of primitive types as keywords: >
1185 :let hs_highlight_types = 1
1186And to treat the names of even more relatively common types as keywords: >
1187 :let hs_highlight_more_types = 1
1188If you want to highlight the names of debugging functions, put in
1189your .vimrc: >
1190 :let hs_highlight_debug = 1
1191
1192The Haskell syntax highlighting also highlights C preprocessor
1193directives, and flags lines that start with # but are not valid
1194directives as erroneous. This interferes with Haskell's syntax for
1195operators, as they may start with #. If you want to highlight those
1196as operators as opposed to errors, put in your .vimrc: >
1197 :let hs_allow_hash_operator = 1
1198
1199The syntax highlighting for literate Haskell code will try to
1200automatically guess whether your literate Haskell code contains
1201TeX markup or not, and correspondingly highlight TeX constructs
1202or nothing at all. You can override this globally by putting
1203in your .vimrc >
1204 :let lhs_markup = none
1205for no highlighting at all, or >
1206 :let lhs_markup = tex
1207to force the highlighting to always try to highlight TeX markup.
1208For more flexibility, you may also use buffer local versions of
1209this variable, so e.g. >
1210 :let b:lhs_markup = tex
1211will force TeX highlighting for a particular buffer. It has to be
1212set before turning syntax highlighting on for the buffer or
1213loading a file.
1214
1215
1216HTML *html.vim* *html-syntax*
1217
1218The coloring scheme for tags in the HTML file works as follows.
1219
1220The <> of opening tags are colored differently than the </> of a closing tag.
1221This is on purpose! For opening tags the 'Function' color is used, while for
1222closing tags the 'Type' color is used (See syntax.vim to check how those are
1223defined for you)
1224
1225Known tag names are colored the same way as statements in C. Unknown tag
1226names are colored with the same color as the <> or </> respectively which
1227makes it easy to spot errors
1228
1229Note that the same is true for argument (or attribute) names. Known attribute
1230names are colored differently than unknown ones.
1231
1232Some HTML tags are used to change the rendering of text. The following tags
1233are recognized by the html.vim syntax coloring file and change the way normal
1234text is shown: <B> <I> <U> <EM> <STRONG> (<EM> is used as an alias for <I>,
1235while <STRONG> as an alias for <B>), <H1> - <H6>, <HEAD>, <TITLE> and <A>, but
1236only if used as a link that is, it must include a href as in
1237<A href="somfile.html">).
1238
1239If you want to change how such text is rendered, you must redefine the
1240following syntax groups:
1241
1242 - htmlBold
1243 - htmlBoldUnderline
1244 - htmlBoldUnderlineItalic
1245 - htmlUnderline
1246 - htmlUnderlineItalic
1247 - htmlItalic
1248 - htmlTitle for titles
1249 - htmlH1 - htmlH6 for headings
1250
1251To make this redefinition work you must redefine them all with the exception
1252of the last two (htmlTitle and htmlH[1-6], which are optional) and define the
1253following variable in your vimrc (this is due to the order in which the files
1254are read during initialization) >
1255 :let html_my_rendering=1
1256
1257If you'd like to see an example download mysyntax.vim at
1258http://www.fleiner.com/vim/download.html
1259
1260You can also disable this rendering by adding the following line to your
1261vimrc file: >
1262 :let html_no_rendering=1
1263
1264HTML comments are rather special (see an HTML reference document for the
1265details), and the syntax coloring scheme will highlight all errors.
1266However, if you prefer to use the wrong style (starts with <!-- and
1267ends with --!>) you can define >
1268 :let html_wrong_comments=1
1269
1270JavaScript and Visual Basic embedded inside HTML documents are highlighted as
1271'Special' with statements, comments, strings and so on colored as in standard
1272programming languages. Note that only JavaScript and Visual Basic are currently
1273supported, no other scripting language has been added yet.
1274
1275Embedded and inlined cascading style sheets (CSS) are highlighted too.
1276
1277There are several html preprocessor languages out there. html.vim has been
1278written such that it should be trivial to include it. To do so add the
1279following two lines to the syntax coloring file for that language
1280(the example comes from the asp.vim file):
1281
1282 runtime! syntax/html.vim
1283 syn cluster htmlPreproc add=asp
1284
1285Now you just need to make sure that you add all regions that contain
1286the preprocessor language to the cluster htmlPreproc.
1287
1288
1289HTML/OS (by Aestiva) *htmlos.vim* *htmlos-syntax*
1290
1291The coloring scheme for HTML/OS works as follows:
1292
1293Functions and variable names are the same color by default, because VIM
1294doesn't specify different colors for Functions and Identifiers. To change
1295this (which is recommended if you want function names to be recognizable in a
1296different color) you need to add the following line to either your ~/.vimrc: >
1297 :hi Function term=underline cterm=bold ctermfg=LightGray
1298
1299Of course, the ctermfg can be a different color if you choose.
1300
1301Another issues that HTML/OS runs into is that there is no special filetype to
1302signify that it is a file with HTML/OS coding. You can change this by opening
1303a file and turning on HTML/OS syntax by doing the following: >
1304 :set syntax=htmlos
1305
1306Lastly, it should be noted that the opening and closing characters to begin a
1307block of HTML/OS code can either be << or [[ and >> or ]], respectively.
1308
1309
1310IA64 *ia64.vim* *intel-itanium* *ia64-syntax*
1311
1312Highlighting for the Intel Itanium 64 assembly language. See |asm.vim| for
1313how to recognize this filetype.
1314
1315To have *.inc files be recognized as IA64, add this to your .vimrc file: >
1316 :let g:filetype_inc = "ia64"
1317
1318
1319INFORM *inform.vim* *inform-syntax*
1320
1321Inform highlighting includes symbols provided by the Inform Library, as
1322most programs make extensive use of it. If do not wish Library symbols
1323to be highlighted add this to your vim startup: >
1324 :let inform_highlight_simple=1
1325
1326By default it is assumed that Inform programs are Z-machine targeted,
1327and highlights Z-machine assembly language symbols appropriately. If
1328you intend your program to be targeted to a Glulx/Glk environment you
1329need to add this to your startup sequence: >
1330 :let inform_highlight_glulx=1
1331
1332This will highlight Glulx opcodes instead, and also adds glk() to the
1333set of highlighted system functions.
1334
1335The Inform compiler will flag certain obsolete keywords as errors when
1336it encounters them. These keywords are normally highlighted as errors
1337by Vim. To prevent such error highlighting, you must add this to your
1338startup sequence: >
1339 :let inform_suppress_obsolete=1
1340
1341By default, the language features highlighted conform to Compiler
1342version 6.30 and Library version 6.11. If you are using an older
1343Inform development environment, you may with to add this to your
1344startup sequence: >
1345 :let inform_highlight_old=1
1346
1347
1348JAVA *java.vim* *java-syntax*
1349
1350The java.vim syntax highlighting file offers several options:
1351
1352In Java 1.0.2 it was never possible to have braces inside parens, so this was
1353flagged as an error. Since Java 1.1 this is possible (with anonymous
1354classes), and therefore is no longer marked as an error. If you prefer the old
1355way, put the following line into your vim startup file: >
1356 :let java_mark_braces_in_parens_as_errors=1
1357
1358All identifiers in java.lang.* are always visible in all classes. To
1359highlight them use: >
1360 :let java_highlight_java_lang_ids=1
1361
1362You can also highlight identifiers of most standard java packages if you
1363download the javaid.vim script at http://www.fleiner.com/vim/download.html.
1364If you prefer to only highlight identifiers of a certain package, say java.io
1365use the following: >
1366 :let java_highlight_java_io=1
1367Check the javaid.vim file for a list of all the packages that are supported.
1368
1369Function names are not highlighted, as the way to find functions depends on
1370how you write java code. The syntax file knows two possible ways to highlight
1371functions:
1372
1373If you write function declarations that are always indented by either
1374a tab, 8 spaces or 2 spaces you may want to set >
1375 :let java_highlight_functions="indent"
1376However, if you follow the Java guidelines about how functions and classes are
1377supposed to be named (with respect to upper and lowercase), use >
1378 :let java_highlight_functions="style"
1379If both options do not work for you, but you would still want function
1380declarations to be highlighted create your own definitions by changing the
1381definitions in java.vim or by creating your own java.vim which includes the
1382original one and then adds the code to highlight functions.
1383
1384In java 1.1 the functions System.out.println() and System.err.println() should
Bram Moolenaared203462004-06-16 11:19:22 +00001385only be used for debugging. Therefore it is possible to highlight debugging
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001386statements differently. To do this you must add the following definition in
1387your startup file: >
1388 :let java_highlight_debug=1
1389The result will be that those statements are highlighted as 'Special'
1390characters. If you prefer to have them highlighted differently you must define
1391new highlightings for the following groups.:
1392 Debug, DebugSpecial, DebugString, DebugBoolean, DebugType
1393which are used for the statement itself, special characters used in debug
1394strings, strings, boolean constants and types (this, super) respectively. I
1395have opted to chose another background for those statements.
1396
1397In order to help you to write code that can be easily ported between
1398java and C++, all C++ keywords are marked as error in a java program.
1399However, if you use them regularly, you may want to define the following
1400variable in your .vimrc file: >
1401 :let java_allow_cpp_keywords=1
1402
1403Javadoc is a program that takes special comments out of java program files and
1404creates HTML pages. The standard configuration will highlight this HTML code
1405similarly to HTML files (see |html.vim|). You can even add javascript
1406and CSS inside this code (see below). There are four differences however:
1407 1. The title (all characters up to the first '.' which is followed by
1408 some white space or up to the first '@') is colored differently (to change
1409 the color change the group CommentTitle).
1410 2. The text is colored as 'Comment'.
1411 3. HTML comments are colored as 'Special'
1412 4. The special javadoc tags (@see, @param, ...) are highlighted as specials
1413 and the argument (for @see, @param, @exception) as Function.
1414To turn this feature off add the following line to your startup file: >
1415 :let java_ignore_javadoc=1
1416
1417If you use the special javadoc comment highlighting described above you
1418can also turn on special highlighting for javascript, visual basic
1419scripts and embedded CSS (stylesheets). This makes only sense if you
1420actually have javadoc comments that include either javascript or embedded
1421CSS. The options to use are >
1422 :let java_javascript=1
1423 :let java_css=1
1424 :let java_vb=1
1425
1426In order to highlight nested parens with different colors define colors
1427for javaParen, javaParen1 and javaParen2, for example with >
1428 :hi link javaParen Comment
1429or >
1430 :hi javaParen ctermfg=blue guifg=#0000ff
1431
1432If you notice highlighting errors while scrolling backwards, which are fixed
1433when redrawing with CTRL-L, try setting the "java_minlines" internal variable
1434to a larger number: >
1435 :let java_minlines = 50
1436This will make the syntax synchronization start 50 lines before the first
1437displayed line. The default value is 10. The disadvantage of using a larger
1438number is that redrawing can become slow.
1439
1440
1441LACE *lace.vim* *lace-syntax*
1442
1443Lace (Language for Assembly of Classes in Eiffel) is case insensitive, but the
1444style guide lines are not. If you prefer case insensitive highlighting, just
1445define the vim variable 'lace_case_insensitive' in your startup file: >
1446 :let lace_case_insensitive=1
1447
1448
1449LEX *lex.vim* *lex-syntax*
1450
1451Lex uses brute-force synchronizing as the "^%%$" section delimiter
1452gives no clue as to what section follows. Consequently, the value for >
1453 :syn sync minlines=300
1454may be changed by the user if s/he is experiencing synchronization
1455difficulties (such as may happen with large lex files).
1456
1457
1458LITE *lite.vim* *lite-syntax*
1459
1460There are two options for the lite syntax highlighting.
1461
1462If you like SQL syntax highlighting inside Strings, use this: >
1463
1464 :let lite_sql_query = 1
1465
1466For syncing, minlines defaults to 100. If you prefer another value, you can
1467set "lite_minlines" to the value you desire. Example: >
1468
1469 :let lite_minlines = 200
1470
1471
1472LPC *lpc.vim* *lpc-syntax*
1473
1474LPC stands for a simple, memory-efficient language: Lars Pensj| C. The
1475file name of LPC is usually *.c. Recognizing these files as LPC would bother
1476users writing only C programs. If you want to use LPC syntax in Vim, you
1477should set a variable in your .vimrc file: >
1478
1479 :let lpc_syntax_for_c = 1
1480
1481If it doesn't work properly for some particular C or LPC files, use a
1482modeline. For a LPC file:
1483
1484 // vim:set ft=lpc:
1485
1486For a C file that is recognized as LPC:
1487
1488 // vim:set ft=c:
1489
1490If you don't want to set the variable, use the modeline in EVERY LPC file.
1491
1492There are several implementations for LPC, we intend to support most widely
1493used ones. Here the default LPC syntax is for MudOS series, for MudOS v22
1494and before, you should turn off the sensible modifiers, and this will also
1495asserts the new efuns after v22 to be invalid, don't set this variable when
1496you are using the latest version of MudOS: >
1497
1498 :let lpc_pre_v22 = 1
1499
1500For LpMud 3.2 series of LPC: >
1501
1502 :let lpc_compat_32 = 1
1503
1504For LPC4 series of LPC: >
1505
1506 :let lpc_use_lpc4_syntax = 1
1507
1508For uLPC series of LPC:
1509uLPC has been developed to Pike, so you should use Pike syntax
1510instead, and the name of your source file should be *.pike
1511
1512
1513LUA *lua.vim* *lua-syntax*
1514
1515This syntax file may be used for Lua 4.0 and Lua 5.0 (default). If you are
1516programming in Lua 4.0, use this: >
1517
1518 :let lua_version = 4
1519
1520If lua_version variable doesn't exist, it is set to 5.
1521
1522
1523MAIL *mail.vim*
1524
1525Vim highlights all the standard elements of an email (headers, signatures,
1526quoted text and URLs / email addresses). In keeping with standard conventions,
1527signatures begin in a line containing only "--" followed optionally by
1528whitespaces and end with a newline.
1529
1530Vim treats lines beginning with ']', '}', '|', '>' or a word followed by '>'
1531as quoted text. However Vim highlights headers and signatures in quoted text
1532only if the text is quoted with '>' (optionally followed by one space).
1533
1534By default mail.vim synchronises syntax to 100 lines before the first
1535displayed line. If you have a slow machine, and generally deal with emails
1536with short headers, you can change this to a smaller value: >
1537
1538 :let mail_minlines = 30
1539
1540
1541MAKE *make.vim* *make-syntax*
1542
1543In makefiles, commands are usually highlighted to make it easy for you to spot
1544errors. However, this may be too much coloring for you. You can turn this
1545feature off by using: >
1546
1547 :let make_no_commands = 1
1548
1549
1550MAPLE *maple.vim* *maple-syntax*
1551
1552Maple V, by Waterloo Maple Inc, supports symbolic algebra. The language
1553supports many packages of functions which are selectively loaded by the user.
1554The standard set of packages' functions as supplied in Maple V release 4 may be
1555highlighted at the user's discretion. Users may place in their .vimrc file: >
1556
1557 :let mvpkg_all= 1
1558
1559to get all package functions highlighted, or users may select any subset by
1560choosing a variable/package from the table below and setting that variable to
15611, also in their .vimrc file (prior to sourcing
1562$VIMRUNTIME/syntax/syntax.vim).
1563
1564 Table of Maple V Package Function Selectors >
1565 mv_DEtools mv_genfunc mv_networks mv_process
1566 mv_Galois mv_geometry mv_numapprox mv_simplex
1567 mv_GaussInt mv_grobner mv_numtheory mv_stats
1568 mv_LREtools mv_group mv_orthopoly mv_student
1569 mv_combinat mv_inttrans mv_padic mv_sumtools
1570 mv_combstruct mv_liesymm mv_plots mv_tensor
1571 mv_difforms mv_linalg mv_plottools mv_totorder
1572 mv_finance mv_logic mv_powseries
1573
1574
1575MOO *moo.vim* *moo-syntax*
1576
1577If you use C-style comments inside expressions and find it mangles your
1578highlighting, you may want to use extended (slow!) matches for C-style
1579comments: >
1580
1581 :let moo_extended_cstyle_comments = 1
1582
1583To disable highlighting of pronoun substitution patterns inside strings: >
1584
1585 :let moo_no_pronoun_sub = 1
1586
1587To disable highlighting of the regular expression operator '%|', and matching
1588'%(' and '%)' inside strings: >
1589
1590 :let moo_no_regexp = 1
1591
1592Unmatched double quotes can be recognized and highlighted as errors: >
1593
1594 :let moo_unmatched_quotes = 1
1595
1596To highlight builtin properties (.name, .location, .programmer etc.): >
1597
1598 :let moo_builtin_properties = 1
1599
1600Unknown builtin functions can be recognized and highlighted as errors. If you
1601use this option, add your own extensions to the mooKnownBuiltinFunction group.
1602To enable this option: >
1603
1604 :let moo_unknown_builtin_functions = 1
1605
1606An example of adding sprintf() to the list of known builtin functions: >
1607
1608 :syn keyword mooKnownBuiltinFunction sprintf contained
1609
1610
1611MSQL *msql.vim* *msql-syntax*
1612
1613There are two options for the msql syntax highlighting.
1614
1615If you like SQL syntax highlighting inside Strings, use this: >
1616
1617 :let msql_sql_query = 1
1618
1619For syncing, minlines defaults to 100. If you prefer another value, you can
1620set "msql_minlines" to the value you desire. Example: >
1621
1622 :let msql_minlines = 200
1623
1624
1625NCF *ncf.vim* *ncf-syntax*
1626
1627There is one option for NCF syntax highlighting.
1628
1629If you want to have unrecognized (by ncf.vim) statements highlighted as
1630errors, use this: >
1631
1632 :let ncf_highlight_unknowns = 1
1633
1634If you don't want to highlight these errors, leave it unset.
1635
1636
1637NROFF *nroff.vim* *nroff-syntax*
1638
1639The nroff syntax file works with AT&T n/troff out of the box. You need to
1640activate the GNU groff extra features included in the syntax file before you
1641can use them.
1642
1643For example, Linux and BSD distributions use groff as their default text
1644processing package. In order to activate the extra syntax highlighting
1645features for groff, add the following option to your start-up files: >
1646
1647 :let b:nroff_is_groff = 1
1648
1649Groff is different from the old AT&T n/troff that you may still find in
1650Solaris. Groff macro and request names can be longer than 2 characters and
1651there are extensions to the language primitives. For example, in AT&T troff
1652you access the year as a 2-digit number with the request \(yr. In groff you
1653can use the same request, recognized for compatibility, or you can use groff's
1654native syntax, \[yr]. Furthermore, you can use a 4-digit year directly:
1655\[year]. Macro requests can be longer than 2 characters, for example, GNU mm
1656accepts the requests ".VERBON" and ".VERBOFF" for creating verbatim
1657environments.
1658
1659In order to obtain the best formatted output g/troff can give you, you should
1660follow a few simple rules about spacing and punctuation.
1661
16621. Do not leave empty spaces at the end of lines.
1663
16642. Leave one space and one space only after an end-of-sentence period,
1665 exclamation mark, etc.
1666
16673. For reasons stated below, it is best to follow all period marks with a
1668 carriage return.
1669
1670The reason behind these unusual tips is that g/n/troff have a line breaking
1671algorithm that can be easily upset if you don't follow the rules given above.
1672
1673Unlike TeX, troff fills text line-by-line, not paragraph-by-paragraph and,
1674furthermore, it does not have a concept of glue or stretch, all horizontal and
1675vertical space input will be output as is.
1676
1677Therefore, you should be careful about not using more space between sentences
1678than you intend to have in your final document. For this reason, the common
1679practice is to insert a carriage return immediately after all punctuation
1680marks. If you want to have "even" text in your final processed output, you
1681need to maintaining regular spacing in the input text. To mark both trailing
1682spaces and two or more spaces after a punctuation as an error, use: >
1683
1684 :let nroff_space_errors = 1
1685
1686Another technique to detect extra spacing and other errors that will interfere
1687with the correct typesetting of your file, is to define an eye-catching
1688highlighting definition for the syntax groups "nroffDefinition" and
1689"nroffDefSpecial" in your configuration files. For example: >
1690
1691 hi def nroffDefinition term=italic cterm=italic gui=reverse
1692 hi def nroffDefSpecial term=italic,bold cterm=italic,bold
1693 \ gui=reverse,bold
1694
1695If you want to navigate preprocessor entries in your source file as easily as
1696with section markers, you can activate the following option in your .vimrc
1697file: >
1698
1699 let b:preprocs_as_sections = 1
1700
Bram Moolenaar69a7cb42004-06-20 12:51:53 +00001701As well, the syntax file adds an extra paragraph marker for the extended
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001702paragraph macro (.XP) in the ms package.
1703
1704Finally, there is a |groff.vim| syntax file that can be used for enabling
1705groff syntax highlighting either on a file basis or globally by default.
1706
1707
1708OCAML *ocaml.vim* *ocaml-syntax*
1709
1710The OCaml syntax file handles files having the following prefixes: .ml,
1711.mli, .mll and .mly. By setting the following variable >
1712
1713 :let ocaml_revised = 1
1714
1715you can switch from standard OCaml-syntax to revised syntax as supported
1716by the camlp4 preprocessor. Setting the variable >
1717
1718 :let ocaml_noend_error = 1
1719
1720prevents highlighting of "end" as error, which is useful when sources
1721contain very long structures that Vim does not synchronize anymore.
1722
1723
1724PAPP *papp.vim* *papp-syntax*
1725
1726The PApp syntax file handles .papp files and, to a lesser extend, .pxml
1727and .pxsl files which are all a mixture of perl/xml/html/other using xml
1728as the top-level file format. By default everything inside phtml or pxml
1729sections is treated as a string with embedded preprocessor commands. If
1730you set the variable: >
1731
1732 :let papp_include_html=1
1733
1734in your startup file it will try to syntax-hilight html code inside phtml
1735sections, but this is relatively slow and much too colourful to be able to
1736edit sensibly ;)
1737
1738The newest version of the papp.vim syntax file can usually be found at
1739http://papp.plan9.de.
1740
1741
1742PASCAL *pascal.vim* *pascal-syntax*
1743
1744Files matching "*.p" could be Progress or Pascal. If the automatic detection
1745doesn't work for you, or you don't edit Progress at all, use this in your
1746startup vimrc: >
1747
1748 :let filetype_p = "pascal"
1749
1750The Pascal syntax file has been extended to take into account some extensions
1751provided by Turbo Pascal, Free Pascal Compiler and GNU Pascal Compiler.
1752Delphi keywords are also supported. By default, Turbo Pascal 7.0 features are
1753enabled. If you prefer to stick with the standard Pascal keywords, add the
1754following line to your startup file: >
1755
1756 :let pascal_traditional=1
1757
1758To switch on Delphi specific constructions (such as one-line comments,
1759keywords, etc): >
1760
1761 :let pascal_delphi=1
1762
1763
1764The option pascal_symbol_operator controls whether symbol operators such as +,
1765*, .., etc. are displayed using the Operator color or not. To colorize symbol
1766operators, add the following line to your startup file: >
1767
1768 :let pascal_symbol_operator=1
1769
1770Some functions are highlighted by default. To switch it off: >
1771
1772 :let pascal_no_functions=1
1773
1774Furthermore, there are specific variable for some compiler. Besides
1775pascal_delphi, there are pascal_gpc and pascal_fpc. Default extensions try to
1776match Turbo Pascal. >
1777
1778 :let pascal_gpc=1
1779
1780or >
1781
1782 :let pascal_fpc=1
1783
1784To ensure that strings are defined on a single line, you can define the
1785pascal_one_line_string variable. >
1786
1787 :let pascal_one_line_string=1
1788
1789If you dislike <Tab> chars, you can set the pascal_no_tabs variable. Tabs
1790will be highlighted as Error. >
1791
1792 :let pascal_no_tabs=1
1793
1794
1795
1796PERL *perl.vim* *perl-syntax*
1797
1798There are a number of possible options to the perl syntax highlighting.
1799
1800If you use POD files or POD segments, you might: >
1801
1802 :let perl_include_pod = 1
1803
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00001804The reduce the complexity of parsing (and increase performance) you can switch
1805off two elements in the parsing of variable names and contents. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001806
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00001807To handle package references in variable and function names not differently
1808from the rest of the name (like 'PkgName::' in '$PkgName::VarName'): >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001809
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00001810 :let perl_no_scope_in_variables = 1
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001811
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00001812(In Vim 6.x it was the other way around: "perl_want_scope_in_variables"
1813enabled it.)
1814
1815If you do not want complex things like '@{${"foo"}}' to be parsed: >
1816
1817 :let perl_no_extended_vars = 1
1818
Bram Moolenaar3fdfa4a2004-10-07 21:02:47 +00001819(In Vim 6.x it was the other way around: "perl_extended_vars" enabled it.)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001820
1821The coloring strings can be changed. By default strings and qq friends will be
1822highlighted like the first line. If you set the variable
1823perl_string_as_statement, it will be highlighted as in the second line.
1824
1825 "hello world!"; qq|hello world|;
1826 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^NN^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^N (unlet perl_string_as_statement)
1827 S^^^^^^^^^^^^SNNSSS^^^^^^^^^^^SN (let perl_string_as_statement)
1828
1829(^ = perlString, S = perlStatement, N = None at all)
1830
1831The syncing has 3 options. The first two switch off some triggering of
1832synchronization and should only be needed in case it fails to work properly.
1833If while scrolling all of a sudden the whole screen changes color completely
1834then you should try and switch off one of those. Let me know if you can figure
1835out the line that causes the mistake.
1836
1837One triggers on "^\s*sub\s*" and the other on "^[$@%]" more or less. >
1838
1839 :let perl_no_sync_on_sub
1840 :let perl_no_sync_on_global_var
1841
1842Below you can set the maximum distance VIM should look for starting points for
1843its attempts in syntax highlighting. >
1844
1845 :let perl_sync_dist = 100
1846
1847If you want to use folding with perl, set perl_fold: >
1848
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00001849 :let perl_fold = 1
1850
1851If you want to fold blocks in if statements, etc. as well set the following: >
1852
1853 :let perl_fold_blocks = 1
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00001854
1855
1856PHP3 and PHP4 *php.vim* *php3.vim* *php-syntax* *php3-syntax*
1857
1858[note: previously this was called "php3", but since it now also supports php4
1859it has been renamed to "php"]
1860
1861There are the following options for the php syntax highlighting.
1862
1863If you like SQL syntax highlighting inside Strings: >
1864
1865 let php_sql_query = 1
1866
1867For highlighting the Baselib methods: >
1868
1869 let php_baselib = 1
1870
1871Enable HTML syntax highlighting inside strings: >
1872
1873 let php_htmlInStrings = 1
1874
1875Using the old colorstyle: >
1876
1877 let php_oldStyle = 1
1878
1879Enable highlighting ASP-style short tags: >
1880
1881 let php_asp_tags = 1
1882
1883Disable short tags: >
1884
1885 let php_noShortTags = 1
1886
1887For highlighting parent error ] or ): >
1888
1889 let php_parent_error_close = 1
1890
1891For skipping an php end tag, if there exists an open ( or [ without a closing
1892one: >
1893
1894 let php_parent_error_open = 1
1895
1896Enable folding for classes and functions: >
1897
1898 let php_folding = 1
1899
1900Selecting syncing method: >
1901
1902 let php_sync_method = x
1903
1904x = -1 to sync by search (default),
1905x > 0 to sync at least x lines backwards,
1906x = 0 to sync from start.
1907
1908
1909PPWIZARD *ppwiz.vim* *ppwiz-syntax*
1910
1911PPWizard is a preprocessor for HTML and OS/2 INF files
1912
1913This syntax file has the options:
1914
1915- ppwiz_highlight_defs : determines highlighting mode for PPWizard's
1916 definitions. Possible values are
1917
1918 ppwiz_highlight_defs = 1 : PPWizard #define statements retain the
1919 colors of their contents (e. g. PPWizard macros and variables)
1920
1921 ppwiz_highlight_defs = 2 : preprocessor #define and #evaluate
1922 statements are shown in a single color with the exception of line
1923 continuation symbols
1924
1925 The default setting for ppwiz_highlight_defs is 1.
1926
1927- ppwiz_with_html : If the value is 1 (the default), highlight literal
1928 HTML code; if 0, treat HTML code like ordinary text.
1929
1930
1931PHTML *phtml.vim* *phtml-syntax*
1932
1933There are two options for the phtml syntax highlighting.
1934
1935If you like SQL syntax highlighting inside Strings, use this: >
1936
1937 :let phtml_sql_query = 1
1938
1939For syncing, minlines defaults to 100. If you prefer another value, you can
1940set "phtml_minlines" to the value you desire. Example: >
1941
1942 :let phtml_minlines = 200
1943
1944
1945POSTSCRIPT *postscr.vim* *postscr-syntax*
1946
1947There are several options when it comes to highlighting PostScript.
1948
1949First which version of the PostScript language to highlight. There are
1950currently three defined language versions, or levels. Level 1 is the original
1951and base version, and includes all extensions prior to the release of level 2.
1952Level 2 is the most common version around, and includes its own set of
1953extensions prior to the release of level 3. Level 3 is currently the highest
1954level supported. You select which level of the PostScript language you want
1955highlighted by defining the postscr_level variable as follows: >
1956
1957 :let postscr_level=2
1958
1959If this variable is not defined it defaults to 2 (level 2) since this is
1960the most prevalent version currently.
1961
1962Note, not all PS interpreters will support all language features for a
1963particular language level. In particular the %!PS-Adobe-3.0 at the start of
1964PS files does NOT mean the PostScript present is level 3 PostScript!
1965
1966If you are working with Display PostScript, you can include highlighting of
1967Display PS language features by defining the postscr_display variable as
1968follows: >
1969
1970 :let postscr_display=1
1971
1972If you are working with Ghostscript, you can include highlighting of
1973Ghostscript specific language features by defining the variable
1974postscr_ghostscript as follows: >
1975
1976 :let postscr_ghostscript=1
1977
1978PostScript is a large language, with many predefined elements. While it
1979useful to have all these elements highlighted, on slower machines this can
1980cause Vim to slow down. In an attempt to be machine friendly font names and
1981character encodings are not highlighted by default. Unless you are working
1982explicitly with either of these this should be ok. If you want them to be
1983highlighted you should set one or both of the following variables: >
1984
1985 :let postscr_fonts=1
1986 :let postscr_encodings=1
1987
1988There is a stylistic option to the highlighting of and, or, and not. In
1989PostScript the function of these operators depends on the types of their
1990operands - if the operands are booleans then they are the logical operators,
1991if they are integers then they are binary operators. As binary and logical
1992operators can be highlighted differently they have to be highlighted one way
1993or the other. By default they are treated as logical operators. They can be
1994highlighted as binary operators by defining the variable
1995postscr_andornot_binary as follows: >
1996
1997 :let postscr_andornot_binary=1
1998<
1999
2000 *ptcap.vim*
2001PRINTCAP + TERMCAP *ptcap-syntax* *termcap-syntax* *printcap-syntax*
2002
2003This syntax file applies to the printcap and termcap databases.
2004
2005In order for Vim to recognize printcap/termcap files that do not match
2006the patterns *printcap*, or *termcap*, you must put additional patterns
2007appropriate to your system in your |myfiletypefile| file. For these
2008patterns, you must set the variable "b:ptcap_type" to either "print" or
2009"term", and then the 'filetype' option to ptcap.
2010
2011For example, to make Vim identify all files in /etc/termcaps/ as termcap
2012files, add the following: >
2013
2014 :au BufNewFile,BufRead /etc/termcaps/* let b:ptcap_type = "term" |
2015 \ set filetype=ptcap
2016
2017If you notice highlighting errors while scrolling backwards, which
2018are fixed when redrawing with CTRL-L, try setting the "ptcap_minlines"
2019internal variable to a larger number: >
2020
2021 :let ptcap_minlines = 50
2022
2023(The default is 20 lines.)
2024
2025
2026PROGRESS *progress.vim* *progress-syntax*
2027
2028Files matching "*.w" could be Progress or cweb. If the automatic detection
2029doesn't work for you, or you don't edit cweb at all, use this in your
2030startup vimrc: >
2031 :let filetype_w = "progress"
2032The same happens for "*.i", which could be assembly, and "*.p", which could be
2033Pascal. Use this if you don't use assembly and Pascal: >
2034 :let filetype_i = "progress"
2035 :let filetype_p = "progress"
2036
2037
2038PYTHON *python.vim* *python-syntax*
2039
2040There are four options to control Python syntax highlighting.
2041
2042For highlighted numbers: >
2043 :let python_highlight_numbers = 1
2044
2045For highlighted builtin functions: >
2046 :let python_highlight_builtins = 1
2047
2048For highlighted standard exceptions: >
2049 :let python_highlight_exceptions = 1
2050
2051For highlighted trailing whitespace and mix of spaces and tabs:
2052 :let python_highlight_space_errors = 1
2053
2054If you want all possible Python highlighting (the same as setting the
2055preceding three options): >
2056 :let python_highlight_all = 1
2057
2058
2059QUAKE *quake.vim* *quake-syntax*
2060
2061The Quake syntax definition should work for most any FPS (First Person
2062Shooter) based on one of the Quake engines. However, the command names vary
2063a bit between the three games (Quake, Quake 2, and Quake 3 Arena) so the
2064syntax definition checks for the existence of three global variables to allow
2065users to specify what commands are legal in their files. The three variables
2066can be set for the following effects:
2067
2068set to highlight commands only available in Quake: >
2069 :let quake_is_quake1 = 1
2070
2071set to highlight commands only available in Quake 2: >
2072 :let quake_is_quake2 = 1
2073
2074set to highlight commands only available in Quake 3 Arena: >
2075 :let quake_is_quake3 = 1
2076
2077Any combination of these three variables is legal, but might highlight more
2078commands than are actually available to you by the game.
2079
2080
2081READLINE *readline.vim* *readline-syntax*
2082
2083The readline library is primarily used by the BASH shell, which adds quite a
2084few commands and options to the ones already available. To highlight these
2085items as well you can add the following to your |vimrc| or just type it in the
2086command line before loading a file with the readline syntax: >
2087 let readline_has_bash = 1
2088
2089This will add highlighting for the commands that BASH (version 2.05a and
2090later, and part earlier) adds.
2091
2092
2093REXX *rexx.vim* *rexx-syntax*
2094
2095If you notice highlighting errors while scrolling backwards, which are fixed
2096when redrawing with CTRL-L, try setting the "rexx_minlines" internal variable
2097to a larger number: >
2098 :let rexx_minlines = 50
2099This will make the syntax synchronization start 50 lines before the first
2100displayed line. The default value is 10. The disadvantage of using a larger
2101number is that redrawing can become slow.
2102
2103
2104RUBY *ruby.vim* *ruby-syntax*
2105
2106There are a few options to the Ruby syntax highlighting.
2107
2108By default, the "end" keyword is colorized according to the opening statement
2109of the block it closes. While useful, this feature can be expensive: if you
2110experience slow redrawing (or you are on a terminal with poor color support)
2111you may want to turn it off by defining the "ruby_no_expensive" variable: >
2112 :let ruby_no_expensive = 1
2113In this case the same color will be used for all control keywords.
2114
2115If you do want this feature enabled, but notice highlighting errors while
2116scrolling backwards, which are fixed when redrawing with CTRL-L, try setting
2117the "ruby_minlines" variable to a value larger than 50: >
2118 :let ruby_minlines = 100
2119Ideally, this value should be a number of lines large enough to embrace your
2120largest class or module.
2121
2122Finally, if you do not like to see too many color items around, you can define
2123"ruby_no_identifiers": >
2124 :let ruby_no_identifiers = 1
2125This will prevent highlighting of special identifiers like "ConstantName",
2126"$global_var", "@instance_var", "| iterator |", and ":symbol".
2127
2128
Bram Moolenaar21cf8232004-07-16 20:18:37 +00002129SCHEME *scheme.vim* *scheme-syntax*
2130
2131By default only R5RS keywords are highlighted and properly indented.
2132
2133MzScheme-specific stuff will be used if b:is_mzscheme or g:is_mzscheme
2134variables are defined.
Bram Moolenaar293ee4d2004-12-09 21:34:53 +00002135
2136Also scheme.vim supports keywords of the Chicken Scheme->C compiler. Define
2137b:is_chicken or g:is_chicken, if you need them.
Bram Moolenaar21cf8232004-07-16 20:18:37 +00002138
2139
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002140SDL *sdl.vim* *sdl-syntax*
2141
2142The SDL highlighting probably misses a few keywords, but SDL has so many
2143of them it's almost impossibly to cope.
2144
2145The new standard, SDL-2000, specifies that all identifiers are
2146case-sensitive (which was not so before), and that all keywords can be
2147used either completely lowercase or completely uppercase. To have the
2148highlighting reflect this, you can set the following variable: >
2149 :let sdl_2000=1
2150
2151This also sets many new keywords. If you want to disable the old
2152keywords, which is probably a good idea, use: >
2153 :let SDL_no_96=1
2154
2155
2156The indentation is probably also incomplete, but right now I am very
2157satisfied with it for my own projects.
2158
2159
2160SED *sed.vim* *sed-syntax*
2161
2162To make tabs stand out from regular blanks (accomplished by using Todo
2163highlighting on the tabs), define "highlight_sedtabs" by putting >
2164
2165 :let highlight_sedtabs = 1
2166
2167in the vimrc file. (This special highlighting only applies for tabs
2168inside search patterns, replacement texts, addresses or text included
2169by an Append/Change/Insert command.) If you enable this option, it is
2170also a good idea to set the tab width to one character; by doing that,
2171you can easily count the number of tabs in a string.
2172
2173Bugs:
2174
2175 The transform command (y) is treated exactly like the substitute
2176 command. This means that, as far as this syntax file is concerned,
2177 transform accepts the same flags as substitute, which is wrong.
2178 (Transform accepts no flags.) I tolerate this bug because the
2179 involved commands need very complex treatment (95 patterns, one for
2180 each plausible pattern delimiter).
2181
2182
2183SGML *sgml.vim* *sgml-syntax*
2184
2185The coloring scheme for tags in the SGML file works as follows.
2186
2187The <> of opening tags are colored differently than the </> of a closing tag.
2188This is on purpose! For opening tags the 'Function' color is used, while for
2189closing tags the 'Type' color is used (See syntax.vim to check how those are
2190defined for you)
2191
2192Known tag names are colored the same way as statements in C. Unknown tag
2193names are not colored which makes it easy to spot errors.
2194
2195Note that the same is true for argument (or attribute) names. Known attribute
2196names are colored differently than unknown ones.
2197
2198Some SGML tags are used to change the rendering of text. The following tags
2199are recognized by the sgml.vim syntax coloring file and change the way normal
2200text is shown: <varname> <emphasis> <command> <function> <literal>
2201<replaceable> <ulink> and <link>.
2202
2203If you want to change how such text is rendered, you must redefine the
2204following syntax groups:
2205
2206 - sgmlBold
2207 - sgmlBoldItalic
2208 - sgmlUnderline
2209 - sgmlItalic
2210 - sgmlLink for links
2211
2212To make this redefinition work you must redefine them all and define the
2213following variable in your vimrc (this is due to the order in which the files
2214are read during initialization) >
2215 let sgml_my_rendering=1
2216
2217You can also disable this rendering by adding the following line to your
2218vimrc file: >
2219 let sgml_no_rendering=1
2220
2221(Adapted from the html.vim help text by Claudio Fleiner <claudio@fleiner.com>)
2222
2223
2224SH *sh.vim* *sh-syntax*
2225
2226This covers the "normal" Unix (Bourne) sh, bash and the Korn shell.
2227
2228Vim attempts to determine which shell type is in use by specifying that
2229various filenames are of specific types: >
2230
2231 ksh : .kshrc* *.ksh
2232 bash: .bashrc* bashrc bash.bashrc .bash_profile* *.bash
2233<
2234If none of these cases pertain, then the first line of the file is examined
2235(ex. /bin/sh /bin/ksh /bin/bash). If the first line specifies a shelltype,
2236then that shelltype is used. However some files (ex. .profile) are known to
2237be shell files but the type is not apparent. Furthermore, on many systems
2238sh is symbolically linked to "bash" (linux) or "ksh" (posix).
2239
2240One may specify a global default by instantiating one of the following three
2241variables in your <.vimrc>:
2242
2243 ksh: >
2244 let is_kornshell = 1
2245< bash: >
2246 let is_bash = 1
2247< sh: >
2248 let is_sh = 1
2249
2250If, in your <.vimrc>, you set >
2251 let g:sh_fold_enabled= 1
2252>
2253then various syntax items (HereDocuments and function bodies) become
2254syntax-foldable (see |:syn-fold|).
2255
2256If you notice highlighting errors while scrolling backwards, which are fixed
2257when redrawing with CTRL-L, try setting the "sh_minlines" internal variable
2258to a larger number. Example: >
2259
2260 let sh_minlines = 500
2261
2262This will make syntax synchronization start 500 lines before the first
2263displayed line. The default value is 200. The disadvantage of using a larger
2264number is that redrawing can become slow.
2265
2266If you don't have much to synchronize on, displaying can be very slow. To
2267reduce this, the "sh_maxlines" internal variable can be set. Example: >
2268
2269 let sh_maxlines = 100
2270<
2271The default is to use the twice sh_minlines. Set it to a smaller number to
2272speed up displaying. The disadvantage is that highlight errors may appear.
2273
2274
2275SPEEDUP (AspenTech plant simulator) *spup.vim* *spup-syntax*
2276
2277The Speedup syntax file has some options:
2278
2279- strict_subsections : If this variable is defined, only keywords for
2280 sections and subsections will be highlighted as statements but not
2281 other keywords (like WITHIN in the OPERATION section).
2282
2283- highlight_types : Definition of this variable causes stream types
2284 like temperature or pressure to be highlighted as Type, not as a
2285 plain Identifier. Included are the types that are usually found in
2286 the DECLARE section; if you defined own types, you have to include
2287 them in the syntax file.
2288
2289- oneline_comments : this value ranges from 1 to 3 and determines the
2290 highlighting of # style comments.
2291
2292 oneline_comments = 1 : allow normal Speedup code after an even
2293 number of #s.
2294
2295 oneline_comments = 2 : show code starting with the second # as
2296 error. This is the default setting.
2297
2298 oneline_comments = 3 : show the whole line as error if it contains
2299 more than one #.
2300
2301Since especially OPERATION sections tend to become very large due to
2302PRESETting variables, syncing may be critical. If your computer is
2303fast enough, you can increase minlines and/or maxlines near the end of
2304the syntax file.
2305
2306
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00002307SQL *sql.vim* *sql-syntax*
2308 *sqlinformix.vim* *sqlinformix-syntax*
2309
2310While there is an ANSI standard for SQL, most database engines add their
2311own custom extensions. Vim currently supports the Oracle and Informix
2312dialects of SQL. Vim assumes "*.sql" files are Oracle SQL by default.
2313
2314If you want to use the Informix dialect, put this in your startup vimrc: >
2315 :let g:filetype_sql = "sqlinformix"
2316
2317
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002318TCSH *tcsh.vim* *tcsh-syntax*
2319
2320This covers the shell named "tcsh". It is a superset of csh. See |csh.vim|
2321for how the filetype is detected.
2322
2323Tcsh does not allow \" in strings unless the "backslash_quote" shell variable
2324is set. If you want VIM to assume that no backslash quote constructs exist add
2325this line to your .vimrc: >
2326
2327 :let tcsh_backslash_quote = 0
2328
2329If you notice highlighting errors while scrolling backwards, which are fixed
2330when redrawing with CTRL-L, try setting the "tcsh_minlines" internal variable
2331to a larger number: >
2332
2333 :let tcsh_minlines = 100
2334
2335This will make the syntax synchronization start 100 lines before the first
2336displayed line. The default value is 15. The disadvantage of using a larger
2337number is that redrawing can become slow.
2338
2339
2340TEX *tex.vim* *tex-syntax*
2341
2342Run-on Comments/Math? ~
2343
2344The tex highlighting supports TeX, LaTeX, and some AmsTeX. The
2345highlighting supports three primary zones: normal, texZone, and texMathZone.
2346Although a considerable effort has been made to have these zones terminate
2347properly, zones delineated by $..$ and $$..$$ cannot be synchronized as
2348there's no difference between start and end patterns. Consequently, a
2349special "TeX comment" has been provided >
2350 %stopzone
2351which will forcibly terminate the highlighting of either a texZone or a
2352texMathZone.
2353
2354Slow Syntax Highlighting? ~
2355
2356If you have a slow computer, you may wish to reduce the values for >
2357 :syn sync maxlines=200
2358 :syn sync minlines=50
2359(especially the latter). If your computer is fast, you may wish to
2360increase them. This primarily affects synchronizing (ie. just what group,
2361if any, is the text at the top of the screen supposed to be in?).
2362
2363Excessive Error Highlighting? ~
2364
2365The <tex.vim> supports lexical error checking of various sorts. Thus,
2366although the error checking is ofttimes very useful, it can indicate
2367errors where none actually are. If this proves to be a problem for you,
2368you may put in your <.vimrc> the following statement: >
2369 let tex_no_error=1
2370and all error checking by <tex.vim> will be suppressed.
2371
2372Need a new Math Group? ~
2373
2374If you want to include a new math group in your LaTeX, the following
2375code shows you an example as to how you might do so: >
2376
2377 syn cluster texMathZones add=texMathZoneLOCAL
2378 syn region texMathZoneLOCAL start="\\begin\s*{\s*LOCALMATH\s*}"
2379 \ end="\\end\s*{\s*LOCALMATH\s*}" keepend
2380 \ contains=@texMathZoneGroup
2381 if !exists("tex_no_math")
2382 syn sync match texSyncMathZoneLOCAL grouphere texMathZoneLOCAL
2383 \ "\\begin\s*{\s*LOCALMATH\*\s*}"
2384 syn sync match texSyncMathZoneLOCAL groupthere NONE
2385 \ "\\end\s*{\s*LOCALMATH\*\s*}"
2386 endif
2387 hi link texMathZoneLOCAL texMath
2388<
2389You'll need to change LOCALMATH to the name of your new math group,
2390and then to put it into .vim/after/syntax/tex.vim.
2391
2392Starting a New Style? ~
2393
2394One may use "\makeatletter" in *.tex files, thereby making the use of "@" in
2395commands available. However, since the *.tex file doesn't have one of the
2396following suffices: sty cls clo dtx ltx, the syntax highlighting will flag
2397such use of @ as an error. To solve this: >
2398
2399 :let b:tex_stylish = 1
2400 :set ft=tex
2401
2402Putting "let g:tex_stylish=1" into your <.vimrc> will make <syntax/tex.vim>
2403always accept such use of @.
2404
2405
2406TF *tf.vim* *tf-syntax*
2407
2408There is one option for the tf syntax highlighting.
2409
2410For syncing, minlines defaults to 100. If you prefer another value, you can
2411set "tf_minlines" to the value you desire. Example: >
2412
2413 :let tf_minlines = your choice
2414
2415
2416VIM *vim.vim* *vim-syntax*
2417
2418There is a tradeoff between more accurate syntax highlighting versus
2419screen updating speed. To improve accuracy, you may wish to increase
2420the g:vim_minlines variable. The g:vim_maxlines variable may be used
2421to improve screen updating rates (see |:syn-sync| for more on this).
2422
2423 g:vim_minlines : used to set synchronization minlines
2424 g:vim_maxlines : used to set synchronization maxlines
2425
2426The g:vimembedscript option allows for somewhat faster loading of syntax
2427highlighting for vim scripts at the expense of supporting syntax highlighting
2428for external scripting languages (currently perl, python, ruby, and tcl).
2429
2430 g:vimembedscript == 1 (default) <vim.vim> will allow highlighting
2431 g:vimembedscript doesn't exist of supported embedded scripting
2432 languages: perl, python, ruby and
2433 tcl.
2434
2435 g:vimembedscript == 0 Syntax highlighting for embedded
2436 scripting languages will not be
2437 loaded.
2438
2439
2440XF86CONFIG *xf86conf.vim* *xf86conf-syntax*
2441
2442The syntax of XF86Config file differs in XFree86 v3.x and v4.x. Both
2443variants are supported. Automatic detection is used, but is far from perfect.
2444You may need to specify the version manually. Set the variable
2445xf86conf_xfree86_version to 3 or 4 according to your XFree86 version in
2446your .vimrc. Example: >
2447 :let xf86conf_xfree86_version=3
2448When using a mix of versions, set the b:xf86conf_xfree86_version variable.
2449
2450Note that spaces and underscores in option names are not supported. Use
2451"SyncOnGreen" instead of "__s yn con gr_e_e_n" if you want the option name
2452highlighted.
2453
2454
2455XML *xml.vim* *xml-syntax*
2456
2457Xml namespaces are highlighted by default. This can be inhibited by
2458setting a global variable: >
2459
2460 :let g:xml_namespace_transparent=1
2461<
2462 *xml-folding*
2463The xml syntax file provides syntax |folding| (see |:syn-fold|) between
2464start and end tags. This can be turned on by >
2465
2466 :let g:xml_syntax_folding = 1
2467 :set foldmethod=syntax
2468
2469Note: syntax folding might slow down syntax highlighting significantly,
2470especially for large files.
2471
2472
2473X Pixmaps (XPM) *xpm.vim* *xpm-syntax*
2474
2475xpm.vim creates its syntax items dynamically based upon the contents of the
2476XPM file. Thus if you make changes e.g. in the color specification strings,
2477you have to source it again e.g. with ":set syn=xpm".
2478
2479To copy a pixel with one of the colors, yank a "pixel" with "yl" and insert it
2480somewhere else with "P".
2481
2482Do you want to draw with the mouse? Try the following: >
2483 :function! GetPixel()
2484 : let c = getline(line("."))[col(".") - 1]
2485 : echo c
2486 : exe "noremap <LeftMouse> <LeftMouse>r".c
2487 : exe "noremap <LeftDrag> <LeftMouse>r".c
2488 :endfunction
2489 :noremap <RightMouse> <LeftMouse>:call GetPixel()<CR>
2490 :set guicursor=n:hor20 " to see the color beneath the cursor
2491This turns the right button into a pipette and the left button into a pen.
2492It will work with XPM files that have one character per pixel only and you
2493must not click outside of the pixel strings, but feel free to improve it.
2494
2495It will look much better with a font in a quadratic cell size, e.g. for X: >
2496 :set guifont=-*-clean-medium-r-*-*-8-*-*-*-*-80-*
2497
2498==============================================================================
24995. Defining a syntax *:syn-define* *E410*
2500
2501Vim understands three types of syntax items:
2502
25031. Keyword.
2504 It can only contain keyword characters, according to the 'iskeyword'
2505 option. It cannot contain other syntax items. It will only match with a
2506 complete word (there are no keyword characters before or after the match).
2507 The keyword "if" would match in "if(a=b)", but not in "ifdef x", because
2508 "(" is not a keyword character and "d" is.
2509
25102. Match.
2511 This is a match with a single regexp pattern.
2512
25133. Region.
2514 This starts at a match of the "start" regexp pattern and ends with a match
2515 with the "end" regexp pattern. Any other text can appear in between. A
2516 "skip" regexp pattern can be used to avoid matching the "end" pattern.
2517
2518Several syntax ITEMs can be put into one syntax GROUP. For a syntax group
2519you can give highlighting attributes. For example, you could have an item
2520to define a "/* .. */" comment and another one that defines a "// .." comment,
2521and put them both in the "Comment" group. You can then specify that a
2522"Comment" will be in bold font and have a blue color. You are free to make
2523one highlight group for one syntax item, or put all items into one group.
2524This depends on how you want to specify your highlighting attributes. Putting
2525each item in its own group results in having to specify the highlighting
2526for a lot of groups.
2527
2528Note that a syntax group and a highlight group are similar. For a highlight
2529group you will have given highlight attributes. These attributes will be used
2530for the syntax group with the same name.
2531
2532In case more than one item matches at the same position, the one that was
2533defined LAST wins. Thus you can override previously defined syntax items by
2534using an item that matches the same text. But a keyword always goes before a
2535match or region. And a keyword with matching case always goes before a
2536keyword with ignoring case.
2537
2538
2539PRIORITY *:syn-priority*
2540
2541When several syntax items may match, these rules are used:
2542
25431. When multiple Match or Region items start in the same position, the item
2544 defined last has priority.
25452. A Keyword has priority over Match and Region items.
25463. An item that starts in an earlier position has priority over items that
2547 start in later positions.
2548
2549
2550DEFINING CASE *:syn-case* *E390*
2551
2552:sy[ntax] case [match|ignore]
2553 This defines if the following ":syntax" commands will work with
2554 matching case, when using "match", or with ignoring case, when using
2555 "ignore". Note that any items before this are not affected, and all
2556 items until the next ":syntax case" command are affected.
2557
2558
2559DEFINING KEYWORDS *:syn-keyword*
2560
2561:sy[ntax] keyword {group-name} [{options}] {keyword} .. [{options}]
2562
2563 This defines a number of keywords.
2564
2565 {group-name} Is a syntax group name such as "Comment".
2566 [{options}] See |:syn-arguments| below.
2567 {keyword} .. Is a list of keywords which are part of this group.
2568
2569 Example: >
2570 :syntax keyword Type int long char
2571<
2572 The {options} can be given anywhere in the line. They will apply to
2573 all keywords given, also for options that come after a keyword.
2574 These examples do exactly the same: >
2575 :syntax keyword Type contained int long char
2576 :syntax keyword Type int long contained char
2577 :syntax keyword Type int long char contained
2578<
2579 When you have a keyword with an optional tail, like Ex commands in
2580 Vim, you can put the optional characters inside [], to define all the
2581 variations at once: >
2582 :syntax keyword vimCommand ab[breviate] n[ext]
2583<
2584 Don't forget that a keyword can only be recognized if all the
2585 characters are included in the 'iskeyword' option. If one character
2586 isn't, the keyword will never be recognized.
2587 Multi-byte characters can also be used. These do not have to be in
2588 'iskeyword'.
2589
2590 A keyword always has higher priority than a match or region, the
2591 keyword is used if more than one item matches. Keywords do not nest
2592 and a keyword can't contain anything else.
2593
2594 Note that when you have a keyword that is the same as an option (even
2595 one that isn't allowed here), you can not use it. Use a match
2596 instead.
2597
2598 The maximum length of a keyword is 80 characters.
2599
2600 The same keyword can be defined multiple times, when its containment
2601 differs. For example, you can define the keyword once not contained
2602 and use one highlight group, and once contained, and use a different
2603 highlight group. Example: >
2604 :syn keyword vimCommand tag
2605 :syn keyword vimSetting contained tag
2606< When finding "tag" outside of any syntax item, the "vimCommand"
2607 highlight group is used. When finding "tag" in a syntax item that
2608 contains "vimSetting", the "vimSetting" group is used.
2609
2610
2611DEFINING MATCHES *:syn-match*
2612
2613:sy[ntax] match {group-name} [{options}] [excludenl] {pattern} [{options}]
2614
2615 This defines one match.
2616
2617 {group-name} A syntax group name such as "Comment".
2618 [{options}] See |:syn-arguments| below.
2619 [excludenl] Don't make a pattern with the end-of-line "$"
2620 extend a containing match or region. Must be
2621 given before the pattern. |:syn-excludenl|
2622 {pattern} The search pattern that defines the match.
2623 See |:syn-pattern| below.
2624 Note that the pattern may match more than one
2625 line, which makes the match depend on where
2626 Vim starts searching for the pattern. You
2627 need to make sure syncing takes care of this.
2628
2629 Example (match a character constant): >
2630 :syntax match Character /'.'/hs=s+1,he=e-1
2631<
2632
2633DEFINING REGIONS *:syn-region* *:syn-start* *:syn-skip* *:syn-end*
2634 *E398* *E399*
2635:sy[ntax] region {group-name} [{options}]
2636 [matchgroup={group-name}]
2637 [keepend]
2638 [extend]
2639 [excludenl]
2640 start={start_pattern} ..
2641 [skip={skip_pattern}]
2642 end={end_pattern} ..
2643 [{options}]
2644
2645 This defines one region. It may span several lines.
2646
2647 {group-name} A syntax group name such as "Comment".
2648 [{options}] See |:syn-arguments| below.
2649 [matchgroup={group-name}] The syntax group to use for the following
2650 start or end pattern matches only. Not used
2651 for the text in between the matched start and
2652 end patterns. Use NONE to reset to not using
2653 a different group for the start or end match.
2654 See |:syn-matchgroup|.
2655 keepend Don't allow contained matches to go past a
2656 match with the end pattern. See
2657 |:syn-keepend|.
2658 extend Override a "keepend" for an item this region
2659 is contained in. See |:syn-extend|.
2660 excludenl Don't make a pattern with the end-of-line "$"
2661 extend a containing match or item. Only
2662 useful for end patterns. Must be given before
2663 the patterns it applies to. |:syn-excludenl|
2664 start={start_pattern} The search pattern that defines the start of
2665 the region. See |:syn-pattern| below.
2666 skip={skip_pattern} The search pattern that defines text inside
2667 the region where not to look for the end
2668 pattern. See |:syn-pattern| below.
2669 end={end_pattern} The search pattern that defines the end of
2670 the region. See |:syn-pattern| below.
2671
2672 Example: >
2673 :syntax region String start=+"+ skip=+\\"+ end=+"+
2674<
2675 The start/skip/end patterns and the options can be given in any order.
2676 There can be zero or one skip pattern. There must be one or more
2677 start and end patterns. This means that you can omit the skip
2678 pattern, but you must give at least one start and one end pattern. It
2679 is allowed to have white space before and after the equal sign
2680 (although it mostly looks better without white space).
2681
2682 When more than one start pattern is given, a match with one of these
2683 is sufficient. This means there is an OR relation between the start
2684 patterns. The last one that matches is used. The same is true for
2685 the end patterns.
2686
2687 The search for the end pattern starts right after the start pattern.
2688 Offsets are not used for this. This implies that the match for the
2689 end pattern will never overlap with the start pattern.
2690
2691 The skip and end pattern can match across line breaks, but since the
2692 search for the pattern can start in any line it often does not do what
2693 you want. The skip pattern doesn't avoid a match of an end pattern in
2694 the next line. Use single-line patterns to avoid trouble.
2695
2696 Note: The decision to start a region is only based on a matching start
2697 pattern. There is no check for a matching end pattern. This does NOT
2698 work: >
2699 :syn region First start="(" end=":"
2700 :syn region Second start="(" end=";"
2701< The Second always matches before the First (last defined pattern has
2702 higher priority). The Second region then continues until the next
2703 ';', no matter if there is a ':' before it. Using a match does work: >
2704 :syn match First "(\_.\{-}:"
2705 :syn match Second "(\_.\{-};"
2706< This pattern matches any character or line break with "\_." and
2707 repeats that with "\{-}" (repeat as few as possible).
2708
2709 *:syn-keepend*
2710 By default, a contained match can obscure a match for the end pattern.
2711 This is useful for nesting. For example, a region that starts with
2712 "{" and ends with "}", can contain another region. An encountered "}"
2713 will then end the contained region, but not the outer region:
2714 { starts outer "{}" region
2715 { starts contained "{}" region
2716 } ends contained "{}" region
2717 } ends outer "{} region
2718 If you don't want this, the "keepend" argument will make the matching
2719 of an end pattern of the outer region also end any contained item.
2720 This makes it impossible to nest the same region, but allows for
2721 contained items to highlight parts of the end pattern, without causing
2722 that to skip the match with the end pattern. Example: >
2723 :syn match vimComment +"[^"]\+$+
2724 :syn region vimCommand start="set" end="$" contains=vimComment keepend
2725< The "keepend" makes the vimCommand always end at the end of the line,
2726 even though the contained vimComment includes a match with the <EOL>.
2727
2728 When "keepend" is not used, a match with an end pattern is retried
2729 after each contained match. When "keepend" is included, the first
2730 encountered match with an end pattern is used, truncating any
2731 contained matches.
2732 *:syn-extend*
2733 The "keepend" behavior can be changed by using the "extend" argument.
2734 When an item with "extend" is contained in an item that uses
2735 "keepend", the "keepend" is ignored and the containing region will be
2736 extended.
2737 This can be used to have some contained items extend a region while
2738 others don't. Example: >
2739
2740 :syn region htmlRef start=+<a>+ end=+</a>+ keepend contains=htmlItem,htmlScript
2741 :syn match htmlItem +<[^>]*>+ contained
2742 :syn region htmlScript start=+<script+ end=+</script[^>]*>+ contained extend
2743
2744< Here the htmlItem item does not make the htmlRef item continue
2745 further, it is only used to highlight the <> items. The htmlScript
2746 item does extend the htmlRef item.
2747
2748 Another example: >
2749 :syn region xmlFold start="<a>" end="</a>" fold transparent keepend extend
2750< This defines a region with "keepend", so that its end cannot be
2751 changed by contained items, like when the "</a>" is matched to
2752 highlight it differently. But when the xmlFold region is nested (it
2753 includes itself), the "extend" applies, so that the "</a>" of a nested
2754 region only ends that region, and not the one it is contained in.
2755
2756 *:syn-excludenl*
2757 When a pattern for a match or end pattern of a region includes a '$'
2758 to match the end-of-line, it will make a region item that it is
2759 contained in continue on the next line. For example, a match with
2760 "\\$" (backslash at the end of the line) can make a region continue
2761 that would normally stop at the end of the line. This is the default
2762 behavior. If this is not wanted, there are two ways to avoid it:
2763 1. Use "keepend" for the containing item. This will keep all
2764 contained matches from extending the match or region. It can be
2765 used when all contained items must not extend the containing item.
2766 2. Use "excludenl" in the contained item. This will keep that match
2767 from extending the containing match or region. It can be used if
2768 only some contained items must not extend the containing item.
2769 "excludenl" must be given before the pattern it applies to.
2770
2771 *:syn-matchgroup*
2772 "matchgroup" can be used to highlight the start and/or end pattern
2773 differently than the body of the region. Example: >
2774 :syntax region String matchgroup=Quote start=+"+ skip=+\\"+ end=+"+
2775< This will highlight the quotes with the "Quote" group, and the text in
2776 between with the "String" group.
2777 The "matchgroup" is used for all start and end patterns that follow,
2778 until the next "matchgroup". Use "matchgroup=NONE" to go back to not
2779 using a matchgroup.
2780
2781 In a start or end pattern that is highlighted with "matchgroup" the
2782 contained items of the region are not used. This can be used to avoid
2783 that a contained item matches in the start or end pattern match. When
2784 using "transparent", this does not apply to a start or end pattern
2785 match that is highlighted with "matchgroup".
2786
2787 Here is an example, which highlights three levels of parentheses in
2788 different colors: >
2789 :sy region par1 matchgroup=par1 start=/(/ end=/)/ contains=par2
2790 :sy region par2 matchgroup=par2 start=/(/ end=/)/ contains=par3 contained
2791 :sy region par3 matchgroup=par3 start=/(/ end=/)/ contains=par1 contained
2792 :hi par1 ctermfg=red guifg=red
2793 :hi par2 ctermfg=blue guifg=blue
2794 :hi par3 ctermfg=darkgreen guifg=darkgreen
2795
2796==============================================================================
27976. :syntax arguments *:syn-arguments*
2798
2799The :syntax commands that define syntax items take a number of arguments.
2800The common ones are explained here. The arguments may be given in any order
2801and may be mixed with patterns.
2802
2803Not all commands accept all arguments. This table shows which arguments
2804can not be used for all commands:
2805 *E395* *E396*
2806 contains oneline fold display extend ~
2807:syntax keyword - - - - -
2808:syntax match yes - yes yes yes
2809:syntax region yes yes yes yes yes
2810
2811These arguments can be used for all three commands:
2812 contained
2813 containedin
2814 nextgroup
2815 transparent
2816 skipwhite
2817 skipnl
2818 skipempty
2819
2820
2821contained *:syn-contained*
2822
2823When the "contained" argument is given, this item will not be recognized at
2824the top level, but only when it is mentioned in the "contains" field of
2825another match. Example: >
2826 :syntax keyword Todo TODO contained
2827 :syntax match Comment "//.*" contains=Todo
2828
2829
2830display *:syn-display*
2831
2832If the "display" argument is given, this item will be skipped when the
2833detected highlighting will not be displayed. This will speed up highlighting,
2834by skipping this item when only finding the syntax state for the text that is
2835to be displayed.
2836
2837Generally, you can use "display" for match and region items that meet these
2838conditions:
2839- The item does not continue past the end of a line. Example for C: A region
2840 for a "/*" comment can't contain "display", because it continues on the next
2841 line.
2842- The item does not contain items that continue past the end of the line or
2843 make it continue on the next line.
2844- The item does not change the size of any item it is contained in. Example
2845 for C: A match with "\\$" in a preprocessor match can't have "display",
2846 because it may make that preprocessor match shorter.
2847- The item does not allow other items to match that didn't match otherwise,
2848 and that item may extend the match too far. Example for C: A match for a
2849 "//" comment can't use "display", because a "/*" inside that comment would
2850 match then and start a comment which extends past the end of the line.
2851
2852Examples, for the C language, where "display" can be used:
2853- match with a number
2854- match with a label
2855
2856
2857transparent *:syn-transparent*
2858
2859If the "transparent" argument is given, this item will not be highlighted
2860itself, but will take the highlighting of the item it is contained in. This
2861is useful for syntax items that don't need any highlighting but are used
2862only to skip over a part of the text.
2863
2864The "contains=" argument is also inherited from the item it is contained in,
2865unless a "contains" argument is given for the transparent item itself. To
2866avoid that unwanted items are contained, use "contains=NONE". Example, which
2867highlights words in strings, but makes an exception for "vim": >
2868 :syn match myString /'[^']*'/ contains=myWord,myVim
2869 :syn match myWord /\<[a-z]*\>/ contained
2870 :syn match myVim /\<vim\>/ transparent contained contains=NONE
2871 :hi link myString String
2872 :hi link myWord Comment
2873Since the "myVim" match comes after "myWord" it is the preferred match (last
2874match in the same position overrules an earlier one). The "transparent"
2875argument makes the "myVim" match use the same highlighting as "myString". But
2876it does not contain anything. If the "contains=NONE" argument would be left
2877out, then "myVim" would use the contains argument from myString and allow
2878"myWord" to be contained, which will be highlighted as a Constant. This
2879happens because a contained match doesn't match inside itself in the same
2880position, thus the "myVim" match doesn't overrule the "myWord" match here.
2881
2882When you look at the colored text, it is like looking at layers of contained
2883items. The contained item is on top of the item it is contained in, thus you
2884see the contained item. When a contained item is transparent, you can look
2885through, thus you see the item it is contained in. In a picture:
2886
2887 look from here
2888
2889 | | | | | |
2890 V V V V V V
2891
2892 xxxx yyy more contained items
2893 .................... contained item (transparent)
2894 ============================= first item
2895
2896The 'x', 'y' and '=' represent a highlighted syntax item. The '.' represent a
2897transparent group.
2898
2899What you see is:
2900
2901 =======xxxx=======yyy========
2902
2903Thus you look through the transparent "....".
2904
2905
2906oneline *:syn-oneline*
2907
2908The "oneline" argument indicates that the region does not cross a line
2909boundary. It must match completely in the current line. However, when the
2910region has a contained item that does cross a line boundary, it continues on
2911the next line anyway. A contained item can be used to recognize a line
2912continuation pattern. But the "end" pattern must still match in the first
2913line, otherwise the region doesn't even start.
2914
2915When the start pattern includes a "\n" to match an end-of-line, the end
2916pattern must be found in the same line as where the start pattern ends. The
2917end pattern may also include an end-of-line. Thus the "oneline" argument
2918means that the end of the start pattern and the start of the end pattern must
2919be within one line. This can't be changed by a skip pattern that matches a
2920line break.
2921
2922
2923fold *:syn-fold*
2924
2925The "fold" argument makes the fold level increased by one for this item.
2926Example: >
2927 :syn region myFold start="{" end="}" transparent fold
2928 :syn sync fromstart
2929 :set foldmethod=syntax
2930This will make each {} block form one fold.
2931
2932The fold will start on the line where the item starts, and end where the item
2933ends. If the start and end are within the same line, there is no fold.
2934The 'foldnestmax' option limits the nesting of syntax folds.
2935{not available when Vim was compiled without |+folding| feature}
2936
2937
2938 *:syn-contains* *E405* *E406* *E407* *E408* *E409*
2939contains={groupname},..
2940
2941The "contains" argument is followed by a list of syntax group names. These
2942groups will be allowed to begin inside the item (they may extend past the
2943containing group's end). This allows for recursive nesting of matches and
2944regions. If there is no "contains" argument, no groups will be contained in
2945this item. The group names do not need to be defined before they can be used
2946here.
2947
2948contains=ALL
2949 If the only item in the contains list is "ALL", then all
2950 groups will be accepted inside the item.
2951
2952contains=ALLBUT,{group-name},..
2953 If the first item in the contains list is "ALLBUT", then all
2954 groups will be accepted inside the item, except the ones that
2955 are listed. Example: >
2956 :syntax region Block start="{" end="}" ... contains=ALLBUT,Function
2957
2958contains=TOP
2959 If the first item in the contains list is "TOP", then all
2960 groups will be accepted that don't have the "contained"
2961 argument.
2962contains=TOP,{group-name},..
2963 Like "TOP", but excluding the groups that are listed.
2964
2965contains=CONTAINED
2966 If the first item in the contains list is "CONTAINED", then
2967 all groups will be accepted that have the "contained"
2968 argument.
2969contains=CONTAINED,{group-name},..
2970 Like "CONTAINED", but excluding the groups that are
2971 listed.
2972
2973
2974The {group-name} in the "contains" list can be a pattern. All group names
2975that match the pattern will be included (or excluded, if "ALLBUT" is used).
2976The pattern cannot contain white space or a ','. Example: >
2977 ... contains=Comment.*,Keyw[0-3]
2978The matching will be done at moment the syntax command is executed. Groups
2979that are defined later will not be matched. Also, if the current syntax
2980command defines a new group, it is not matched. Be careful: When putting
2981syntax commands in a file you can't rely on groups NOT being defined, because
2982the file may have been sourced before, and ":syn clear" doesn't remove the
2983group names.
2984
2985The contained groups will also match in the start and end patterns of a
2986region. If this is not wanted, the "matchgroup" argument can be used
2987|:syn-matchgroup|. The "ms=" and "me=" offsets can be used to change the
2988region where contained items do match. Note that this may also limit the
2989area that is highlighted
2990
2991
2992containedin={groupname}... *:syn-containedin*
2993
2994The "containedin" argument is followed by a list of syntax group names. The
2995item will be allowed to begin inside these groups. This works as if the
2996containing item has a "contains=" argument that includes this item.
2997
2998The {groupname}... can be used just like for "contains", as explained above.
2999
3000This is useful when adding a syntax item afterwards. An item can be told to
3001be included inside an already existing item, without changing the definition
3002of that item. For example, to highlight a word in a C comment after loading
3003the C syntax: >
3004 :syn keyword myword HELP containedin=cComment contained
3005Note that "contained" is also used, to avoid that the item matches at the top
3006level.
3007
3008Matches for "containedin" are added to the other places where the item can
3009appear. A "contains" argument may also be added as usual. Don't forget that
3010keywords never contain another item, thus adding them to "containedin" won't
3011work.
3012
3013
3014nextgroup={groupname},.. *:syn-nextgroup*
3015
3016The "nextgroup" argument is followed by a list of syntax group names,
3017separated by commas (just like with "contains", so you can also use patterns).
3018
3019If the "nextgroup" argument is given, the mentioned syntax groups will be
3020tried for a match, after the match or region ends. If none of the groups have
3021a match, highlighting continues normally. If there is a match, this group
3022will be used, even when it is not mentioned in the "contains" field of the
3023current group. This is like giving the mentioned group priority over all
3024other groups. Example: >
3025 :syntax match ccFoobar "Foo.\{-}Bar" contains=ccFoo
3026 :syntax match ccFoo "Foo" contained nextgroup=ccFiller
3027 :syntax region ccFiller start="." matchgroup=ccBar end="Bar" contained
3028
3029This will highlight "Foo" and "Bar" differently, and only when there is a
3030"Bar" after "Foo". In the text line below, "f" shows where ccFoo is used for
3031highlighting, and "bbb" where ccBar is used. >
3032
3033 Foo asdfasd Bar asdf Foo asdf Bar asdf
3034 fff bbb fff bbb
3035
3036Note the use of ".\{-}" to skip as little as possible until the next Bar.
3037when ".*" would be used, the "asdf" in between "Bar" and "Foo" would be
3038highlighted according to the "ccFoobar" group, because the ccFooBar match
3039would include the first "Foo" and the last "Bar" in the line (see |pattern|).
3040
3041
3042skipwhite *:syn-skipwhite*
3043skipnl *:syn-skipnl*
3044skipempty *:syn-skipempty*
3045
3046These arguments are only used in combination with "nextgroup". They can be
3047used to allow the next group to match after skipping some text:
3048 skipwhite skip over space and Tab characters
3049 skipnl skip over the end of a line
3050 skipempty skip over empty lines (implies a "skipnl")
3051
3052When "skipwhite" is present, the white space is only skipped if there is no
3053next group that matches the white space.
3054
3055When "skipnl" is present, the match with nextgroup may be found in the next
3056line. This only happens when the current item ends at the end of the current
3057line! When "skipnl" is not present, the nextgroup will only be found after
3058the current item in the same line.
3059
3060When skipping text while looking for a next group, the matches for other
3061groups are ignored. Only when no next group matches, other items are tried
3062for a match again. This means that matching a next group and skipping white
3063space and <EOL>s has a higher priority than other items.
3064
3065Example: >
3066 :syn match ifstart "\<if.*" nextgroup=ifline skipwhite skipempty
3067 :syn match ifline "[^ \t].*" nextgroup=ifline skipwhite skipempty contained
3068 :syn match ifline "endif" contained
3069Note that the "[^ \t].*" match matches all non-white text. Thus it would also
3070match "endif". Therefore the "endif" match is put last, so that it takes
3071precedence.
3072Note that this example doesn't work for nested "if"s. You need to add
3073"contains" arguments to make that work (omitted for simplicity of the
3074example).
3075
3076==============================================================================
30777. Syntax patterns *:syn-pattern* *E401* *E402*
3078
3079In the syntax commands, a pattern must be surrounded by two identical
3080characters. This is like it works for the ":s" command. The most common to
3081use is the double quote. But if the pattern contains a double quote, you can
3082use another character that is not used in the pattern. Examples: >
3083 :syntax region Comment start="/\*" end="\*/"
3084 :syntax region String start=+"+ end=+"+ skip=+\\"+
3085
3086See |pattern| for the explanation of what a pattern is. Syntax patterns are
3087always interpreted like the 'magic' options is set, no matter what the actual
3088value of 'magic' is. And the patterns are interpreted like the 'l' flag is
3089not included in 'cpoptions'. This was done to make syntax files portable and
3090independent of 'compatible' and 'magic' settings.
3091
3092Try to avoid patterns that can match an empty string, such as "[a-z]*".
3093This slows down the highlighting a lot, because it matches everywhere.
3094
3095 *:syn-pattern-offset*
3096The pattern can be followed by a character offset. This can be used to
3097change the highlighted part, and to change the text area included in the
3098match or region (which only matters when trying to match other items). Both
3099are relative to the matched pattern. The character offset for a skip
3100pattern can be used to tell where to continue looking for an end pattern.
3101
3102The offset takes the form of "{what}={offset}"
3103The {what} can be one of seven strings:
3104
3105ms Match Start offset for the start of the matched text
3106me Match End offset for the end of the matched text
3107hs Highlight Start offset for where the highlighting starts
3108he Highlight End offset for where the highlighting ends
3109rs Region Start offset for where the body of a region starts
3110re Region End offset for where the body of a region ends
3111lc Leading Context offset past "leading context" of pattern
3112
3113The {offset} can be:
3114
3115s start of the matched pattern
3116s+{nr} start of the matched pattern plus {nr} chars to the right
3117s-{nr} start of the matched pattern plus {nr} chars to the left
3118e end of the matched pattern
3119e+{nr} end of the matched pattern plus {nr} chars to the right
3120e-{nr} end of the matched pattern plus {nr} chars to the left
3121{nr} (for "lc" only): start matching {nr} chars to the left
3122
3123Examples: "ms=s+1", "hs=e-2", "lc=3".
3124
3125Although all offsets are accepted after any pattern, they are not always
3126meaningful. This table shows which offsets are actually used:
3127
3128 ms me hs he rs re lc ~
3129match item yes yes yes yes - - yes
3130region item start yes - yes - yes - yes
3131region item skip - yes - - - - yes
3132region item end - yes - yes - yes yes
3133
3134Offsets can be concatenated, with a ',' in between. Example: >
3135 :syn match String /"[^"]*"/hs=s+1,he=e-1
3136<
3137 some "string" text
3138 ^^^^^^ highlighted
3139
3140Notes:
3141- There must be no white space between the pattern and the character
3142 offset(s).
3143- The highlighted area will never be outside of the matched text.
3144- A negative offset for an end pattern may not always work, because the end
3145 pattern may be detected when the highlighting should already have stopped.
3146- The start of a match cannot be in a line other than where the pattern
3147 matched. This doesn't work: "a\nb"ms=e. You can make the highlighting
3148 start in another line, this does work: "a\nb"hs=e.
3149
3150Example (match a comment but don't highlight the /* and */): >
3151 :syntax region Comment start="/\*"hs=e+1 end="\*/"he=s-1
3152<
3153 /* this is a comment */
3154 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ highlighted
3155
3156A more complicated Example: >
3157 :syn region Exa matchgroup=Foo start="foo"hs=s+2,rs=e+2 matchgroup=Bar end="bar"me=e-1,he=e-1,re=s-1
3158<
3159 abcfoostringbarabc
3160 mmmmmmmmmmm match
3161 ssrrrreee highlight start/region/end ("Foo", "Exa" and "Bar")
3162
3163Leading context *:syn-lc* *:syn-leading* *:syn-context*
3164
3165Note: This is an obsolete feature, only included for backwards compatibility
3166with previous Vim versions. It's now recommended to use the |/\@<=| construct
3167in the pattern.
3168
3169The "lc" offset specifies leading context -- a part of the pattern that must
3170be present, but is not considered part of the match. An offset of "lc=n" will
3171cause Vim to step back n columns before attempting the pattern match, allowing
3172characters which have already been matched in previous patterns to also be
3173used as leading context for this match. This can be used, for instance, to
3174specify that an "escaping" character must not precede the match: >
3175
3176 :syn match ZNoBackslash "[^\\]z"ms=s+1
3177 :syn match WNoBackslash "[^\\]w"lc=1
3178 :syn match Underline "_\+"
3179<
3180 ___zzzz ___wwww
3181 ^^^ ^^^ matches Underline
3182 ^ ^ matches ZNoBackslash
3183 ^^^^ matches WNoBackslash
3184
3185The "ms" offset is automatically set to the same value as the "lc" offset,
3186unless you set "ms" explicitly.
3187
3188
3189Multi-line patterns *:syn-multi-line*
3190
3191The patterns can include "\n" to match an end-of-line. Mostly this works as
3192expected, but there are a few exceptions.
3193
3194When using a start pattern with an offset, the start of the match is not
3195allowed to start in a following line. The highlighting can start in a
3196following line though.
3197
3198The skip pattern can include the "\n", but the search for an end pattern will
3199continue in the first character of the next line, also when that character is
3200matched by the skip pattern. This is because redrawing may start in any line
3201halfway a region and there is no check if the skip pattern started in a
3202previous line. For example, if the skip pattern is "a\nb" and an end pattern
3203is "b", the end pattern does match in the second line of this: >
3204 x x a
3205 b x x
3206Generally this means that the skip pattern should not match any characters
3207after the "\n".
3208
3209
3210External matches *:syn-ext-match*
3211
3212These extra regular expression items are available in region patterns:
3213
3214 */\z(* */\z(\)* *E50* *E52*
3215 \z(\) Marks the sub-expression as "external", meaning that it is can
3216 be accessed from another pattern match. Currently only usable
3217 in defining a syntax region start pattern.
3218
3219 */\z1* */\z2* */\z3* */\z4* */\z5*
3220 \z1 ... \z9 */\z6* */\z7* */\z8* */\z9* *E66* *E67*
3221 Matches the same string that was matched by the corresponding
3222 sub-expression in a previous start pattern match.
3223
3224Sometimes the start and end patterns of a region need to share a common
3225sub-expression. A common example is the "here" document in Perl and many Unix
3226shells. This effect can be achieved with the "\z" special regular expression
3227items, which marks a sub-expression as "external", in the sense that it can be
3228referenced from outside the pattern in which it is defined. The here-document
3229example, for instance, can be done like this: >
3230 :syn region hereDoc start="<<\z(\I\i*\)" end="^\z1$"
3231
3232As can be seen here, the \z actually does double duty. In the start pattern,
3233it marks the "\(\I\i*\)" sub-expression as external; in the end pattern, it
3234changes the \1 back-reference into an external reference referring to the
3235first external sub-expression in the start pattern. External references can
3236also be used in skip patterns: >
3237 :syn region foo start="start \(\I\i*\)" skip="not end \z1" end="end \z1"
3238
3239Note that normal and external sub-expressions are completely orthogonal and
3240indexed separately; for instance, if the pattern "\z(..\)\(..\)" is applied
3241to the string "aabb", then \1 will refer to "bb" and \z1 will refer to "aa".
3242Note also that external sub-expressions cannot be accessed as back-references
3243within the same pattern like normal sub-expressions. If you want to use one
3244sub-expression as both a normal and an external sub-expression, you can nest
3245the two, as in "\(\z(...\)\)".
3246
3247Note that only matches within a single line can be used. Multi-line matches
3248cannot be referred to.
3249
3250==============================================================================
32518. Syntax clusters *:syn-cluster* *E400*
3252
3253:sy[ntax] cluster {cluster-name} [contains={group-name}..]
3254 [add={group-name}..]
3255 [remove={group-name}..]
3256
3257This command allows you to cluster a list of syntax groups together under a
3258single name.
3259
3260 contains={group-name}..
3261 The cluster is set to the specified list of groups.
3262 add={group-name}..
3263 The specified groups are added to the cluster.
3264 remove={group-name}..
3265 The specified groups are removed from the cluster.
3266
3267A cluster so defined may be referred to in a contains=.., nextgroup=.., add=..
3268or remove=.. list with a "@" prefix. You can also use this notation to
3269implicitly declare a cluster before specifying its contents.
3270
3271Example: >
3272 :syntax match Thing "# [^#]\+ #" contains=@ThingMembers
3273 :syntax cluster ThingMembers contains=ThingMember1,ThingMember2
3274
3275As the previous example suggests, modifications to a cluster are effectively
3276retroactive; the membership of the cluster is checked at the last minute, so
3277to speak: >
3278 :syntax keyword A aaa
3279 :syntax keyword B bbb
3280 :syntax cluster AandB contains=A
3281 :syntax match Stuff "( aaa bbb )" contains=@AandB
3282 :syntax cluster AandB add=B " now both keywords are matched in Stuff
3283
3284This also has implications for nested clusters: >
3285 :syntax keyword A aaa
3286 :syntax keyword B bbb
3287 :syntax cluster SmallGroup contains=B
3288 :syntax cluster BigGroup contains=A,@SmallGroup
3289 :syntax match Stuff "( aaa bbb )" contains=@BigGroup
3290 :syntax cluster BigGroup remove=B " no effect, since B isn't in BigGroup
3291 :syntax cluster SmallGroup remove=B " now bbb isn't matched within Stuff
3292
3293==============================================================================
32949. Including syntax files *:syn-include* *E397*
3295
3296It is often useful for one language's syntax file to include a syntax file for
3297a related language. Depending on the exact relationship, this can be done in
3298two different ways:
3299
3300 - If top-level syntax items in the included syntax file are to be
3301 allowed at the top level in the including syntax, you can simply use
3302 the |:runtime| command: >
3303
3304 " In cpp.vim:
3305 :runtime! syntax/c.vim
3306 :unlet b:current_syntax
3307
3308< - If top-level syntax items in the included syntax file are to be
3309 contained within a region in the including syntax, you can use the
3310 ":syntax include" command:
3311
3312:sy[ntax] include [@{grouplist-name}] {file-name}
3313
3314 All syntax items declared in the included file will have the
3315 "contained" flag added. In addition, if a group list is specified,
3316 all top-level syntax items in the included file will be added to
3317 that list. >
3318
3319 " In perl.vim:
3320 :syntax include @Pod <sfile>:p:h/pod.vim
3321 :syntax region perlPOD start="^=head" end="^=cut" contains=@Pod
3322<
3323 When {file-name} is an absolute path (starts with "/", "c:", "$VAR"
3324 or "<sfile>") that file is sourced. When it is a relative path
3325 (e.g., "syntax/pod.vim") the file is searched for in 'runtimepath'.
3326 All matching files are loaded. Using a relative path is
3327 recommended, because it allows a user to replace the included file
3328 with his own version, without replacing the file that does the ":syn
3329 include".
3330
3331==============================================================================
333210. Synchronizing *:syn-sync* *E403* *E404*
3333
3334Vim wants to be able to start redrawing in any position in the document. To
3335make this possible it needs to know the syntax state at the position where
3336redrawing starts.
3337
3338:sy[ntax] sync [ccomment [group-name] | minlines={N} | ...]
3339
3340There are four ways to synchronize:
33411. Always parse from the start of the file.
3342 |:syn-sync-first|
33432. Based on C-style comments. Vim understands how C-comments work and can
3344 figure out if the current line starts inside or outside a comment.
3345 |:syn-sync-second|
33463. Jumping back a certain number of lines and start parsing there.
3347 |:syn-sync-third|
33484. Searching backwards in the text for a pattern to sync on.
3349 |:syn-sync-fourth|
3350
3351 *:syn-sync-maxlines* *:syn-sync-minlines*
3352For the last three methods, the line range where the parsing can start is
3353limited by "minlines" and "maxlines".
3354
3355If the "minlines={N}" argument is given, the parsing always starts at least
3356that many lines backwards. This can be used if the parsing may take a few
3357lines before it's correct, or when it's not possible to use syncing.
3358
3359If the "maxlines={N}" argument is given, the number of lines that are searched
3360for a comment or syncing pattern is restricted to N lines backwards (after
3361adding "minlines"). This is useful if you have few things to sync on and a
3362slow machine. Example: >
3363 :syntax sync ccomment maxlines=500
3364<
3365 *:syn-sync-linebreaks*
3366When using a pattern that matches multiple lines, a change in one line may
3367cause a pattern to no longer match in a previous line. This means has to
3368start above where the change was made. How many lines can be specified with
3369the "linebreaks" argument. For example, when a pattern may include one line
3370break use this: >
3371 :syntax sync linebreaks=1
3372The result is that redrawing always starts at least one line before where a
3373change was made. The default value for "linebreaks" is zero. Usually the
3374value for "minlines" is bigger than "linebreaks".
3375
3376
3377First syncing method: *:syn-sync-first*
3378>
3379 :syntax sync fromstart
3380
3381The file will be parsed from the start. This makes syntax highlighting
3382accurate, but can be slow for long files. Vim caches previously parsed text,
3383so that it's only slow when parsing the text for the first time. However,
3384when making changes some part of the next needs to be parsed again (worst
3385case: to the end of the file).
3386
3387Using "fromstart" is equivalent to using "minlines" with a very large number.
3388
3389
3390Second syncing method: *:syn-sync-second* *:syn-sync-ccomment*
3391
3392For the second method, only the "ccomment" argument needs to be given.
3393Example: >
3394 :syntax sync ccomment
3395
3396When Vim finds that the line where displaying starts is inside a C-style
3397comment, the last region syntax item with the group-name "Comment" will be
3398used. This requires that there is a region with the group-name "Comment"!
3399An alternate group name can be specified, for example: >
3400 :syntax sync ccomment javaComment
3401This means that the last item specified with "syn region javaComment" will be
3402used for the detected C comment region. This only works properly if that
3403region does have a start pattern "\/*" and an end pattern "*\/".
3404
3405The "maxlines" argument can be used to restrict the search to a number of
3406lines. The "minlines" argument can be used to at least start a number of
3407lines back (e.g., for when there is some construct that only takes a few
3408lines, but it hard to sync on).
3409
3410Note: Syncing on a C comment doesn't work properly when strings are used
3411that cross a line and contain a "*/". Since letting strings cross a line
3412is a bad programming habit (many compilers give a warning message), and the
3413chance of a "*/" appearing inside a comment is very small, this restriction
3414is hardly ever noticed.
3415
3416
3417Third syncing method: *:syn-sync-third*
3418
3419For the third method, only the "minlines={N}" argument needs to be given.
3420Vim will subtract {N} from the line number and start parsing there. This
3421means {N} extra lines need to be parsed, which makes this method a bit slower.
3422Example: >
3423 :syntax sync minlines=50
3424
3425"lines" is equivalent to "minlines" (used by older versions).
3426
3427
3428Fourth syncing method: *:syn-sync-fourth*
3429
3430The idea is to synchronize on the end of a few specific regions, called a
3431sync pattern. Only regions can cross lines, so when we find the end of some
3432region, we might be able to know in which syntax item we are. The search
3433starts in the line just above the one where redrawing starts. From there
3434the search continues backwards in the file.
3435
3436This works just like the non-syncing syntax items. You can use contained
3437matches, nextgroup, etc. But there are a few differences:
3438- Keywords cannot be used.
3439- The syntax items with the "sync" keyword form a completely separated group
3440 of syntax items. You can't mix syncing groups and non-syncing groups.
3441- The matching works backwards in the buffer (line by line), instead of
3442 forwards.
3443- A line continuation pattern can be given. It is used to decide which group
3444 of lines need to be searched like they were one line. This means that the
3445 search for a match with the specified items starts in the first of the
3446 consecutive that contain the continuation pattern.
3447- When using "nextgroup" or "contains", this only works within one line (or
3448 group of continued lines).
3449- When using a region, it must start and end in the same line (or group of
3450 continued lines). Otherwise the end is assumed to be at the end of the
3451 line (or group of continued lines).
3452- When a match with a sync pattern is found, the rest of the line (or group of
3453 continued lines) is searched for another match. The last match is used.
3454 This is used when a line can contain both the start end the end of a region
3455 (e.g., in a C-comment like /* this */, the last "*/" is used).
3456
3457There are two ways how a match with a sync pattern can be used:
34581. Parsing for highlighting starts where redrawing starts (and where the
3459 search for the sync pattern started). The syntax group that is expected
3460 to be valid there must be specified. This works well when the regions
3461 that cross lines cannot contain other regions.
34622. Parsing for highlighting continues just after the match. The syntax group
3463 that is expected to be present just after the match must be specified.
3464 This can be used when the previous method doesn't work well. It's much
3465 slower, because more text needs to be parsed.
3466Both types of sync patterns can be used at the same time.
3467
3468Besides the sync patterns, other matches and regions can be specified, to
3469avoid finding unwanted matches.
3470
3471[The reason that the sync patterns are given separately, is that mostly the
3472search for the sync point can be much simpler than figuring out the
3473highlighting. The reduced number of patterns means it will go (much)
3474faster.]
3475
3476 *syn-sync-grouphere* *E393* *E394*
3477 :syntax sync match {sync-group-name} grouphere {group-name} "pattern" ..
3478
3479 Define a match that is used for syncing. {group-name} is the
3480 name of a syntax group that follows just after the match. Parsing
3481 of the text for highlighting starts just after the match. A region
3482 must exist for this {group-name}. The first one defined will be used.
3483 "NONE" can be used for when there is no syntax group after the match.
3484
3485 *syn-sync-groupthere*
3486 :syntax sync match {sync-group-name} groupthere {group-name} "pattern" ..
3487
3488 Like "grouphere", but {group-name} is the name of a syntax group that
3489 is to be used at the start of the line where searching for the sync
3490 point started. The text between the match and the start of the sync
3491 pattern searching is assumed not to change the syntax highlighting.
3492 For example, in C you could search backwards for "/*" and "*/". If
3493 "/*" is found first, you know that you are inside a comment, so the
3494 "groupthere" is "cComment". If "*/" is found first, you know that you
3495 are not in a comment, so the "groupthere" is "NONE". (in practice
3496 it's a bit more complicated, because the "/*" and "*/" could appear
3497 inside a string. That's left as an exercise to the reader...).
3498
3499 :syntax sync match ..
3500 :syntax sync region ..
3501
3502 Without a "groupthere" argument. Define a region or match that is
3503 skipped while searching for a sync point.
3504
3505 :syntax sync linecont {pattern}
3506
3507 When {pattern} matches in a line, it is considered to continue in
3508 the next line. This means that the search for a sync point will
3509 consider the lines to be concatenated.
3510
3511If the "maxlines={N}" argument is given too, the number of lines that are
3512searched for a match is restricted to N. This is useful if you have very
3513few things to sync on and a slow machine. Example: >
3514 :syntax sync maxlines=100
3515
3516You can clear all sync settings with: >
3517 :syntax sync clear
3518
3519You can clear specific sync patterns with: >
3520 :syntax sync clear {sync-group-name} ..
3521
3522==============================================================================
352311. Listing syntax items *:syntax* *:sy* *:syn* *:syn-list*
3524
3525This commands lists all the syntax items: >
3526
3527 :sy[ntax] [list]
3528
3529To show the syntax items for one syntax group: >
3530
3531 :sy[ntax] list {group-name}
3532
3533To list the syntax groups in one cluster: *E392* >
3534
3535 :sy[ntax] list @{cluster-name}
3536
3537See above for other arguments for the ":syntax" command.
3538
3539Note that the ":syntax" command can be abbreviated to ":sy", although ":syn"
3540is mostly used, because it looks better.
3541
3542==============================================================================
354312. Highlight command *:highlight* *:hi* *E28* *E411* *E415*
3544
3545There are three types of highlight groups:
3546- The ones used for specific languages. For these the name starts with the
3547 name of the language. Many of these don't have any attributes, but are
3548 linked to a group of the second type.
3549- The ones used for all syntax languages.
3550- The ones used for the 'highlight' option.
3551 *hitest.vim*
3552You can see all the groups currently active with this command: >
3553 :so $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/hitest.vim
3554This will open a new window containing all highlight group names, displayed
3555in their own color.
3556
3557 *:colo* *:colorscheme* *E185*
3558:colo[rscheme] {name} Load color scheme {name}. This searches 'runtimepath'
3559 for the file "colors/{name}.vim. The first one that
3560 is found is loaded.
3561 To see the name of the currently active color scheme
3562 (if there is one): >
3563 :echo g:colors_name
3564< Doesn't work recursively, thus you can't use
3565 ":colorscheme" in a color scheme script.
Bram Moolenaarcfbc5ee2004-07-02 15:38:35 +00003566 After the color scheme has been loaded the
3567 |ColorScheme| autocommand event is triggered.
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +00003568 For info about writing a colorscheme file: >
3569 :edit $VIMRUNTIME/colors/README.txt
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00003570
3571:hi[ghlight] List all the current highlight groups that have
3572 attributes set.
3573
3574:hi[ghlight] {group-name}
3575 List one highlight group.
3576
3577:hi[ghlight] clear Reset all highlighting to the defaults. Removes all
3578 highlighting for groups added by the user!
3579 Uses the current value of 'background' to decide which
3580 default colors to use.
3581
3582:hi[ghlight] clear {group-name}
3583:hi[ghlight] {group-name} NONE
3584 Disable the highlighting for one highlight group. It
3585 is _not_ set back to the default colors.
3586
3587:hi[ghlight] [default] {group-name} {key}={arg} ..
3588 Add a highlight group, or change the highlighting for
3589 an existing group.
3590 See |highlight-args| for the {key}={arg} arguments.
3591 See |:highlight-default| for the optional [default]
3592 argument.
3593
3594Normally a highlight group is added once when starting up. This sets the
3595default values for the highlighting. After that, you can use additional
3596highlight commands to change the arguments that you want to set to non-default
3597values. The value "NONE" can be used to switch the value off or go back to
3598the default value.
3599
3600A simple way to change colors is with the |:colorscheme| command. This loads
3601a file with ":highlight" commands such as this: >
3602
3603 :hi Comment gui=bold
3604
3605Note that all settings that are not included remain the same, only the
3606specified field is used, and settings are merged with previous ones. So, the
3607result is like this single command has been used: >
3608 :hi Comment term=bold ctermfg=Cyan guifg=#80a0ff gui=bold
3609<
3610 *highlight-args* *E416* *E417* *E423*
3611There are three types of terminals for highlighting:
3612term a normal terminal (vt100, xterm)
3613cterm a color terminal (MS-DOS console, color-xterm, these have the "Co"
3614 termcap entry)
3615gui the GUI
3616
3617For each type the highlighting can be given. This makes it possible to use
3618the same syntax file on all terminals, and use the optimal highlighting.
3619
36201. highlight arguments for normal terminals
3621
3622term={attr-list} *attr-list* *highlight-term* *E418*
3623 attr-list is a comma separated list (without spaces) of the
3624 following items (in any order):
3625 bold
3626 underline
3627 reverse
3628 inverse same as reverse
3629 italic
3630 standout
3631 NONE no attributes used (used to reset it)
3632
3633 Note that "bold" can be used here and by using a bold font. They
3634 have the same effect.
3635
3636start={term-list} *highlight-start* *E422*
3637stop={term-list} *term-list* *highlight-stop*
3638 These lists of terminal codes can be used to get
3639 non-standard attributes on a terminal.
3640
3641 The escape sequence specified with the "start" argument
3642 is written before the characters in the highlighted
3643 area. It can be anything that you want to send to the
3644 terminal to highlight this area. The escape sequence
3645 specified with the "stop" argument is written after the
3646 highlighted area. This should undo the "start" argument.
3647 Otherwise the screen will look messed up.
3648
3649 The {term-list} can have two forms:
3650
3651 1. A string with escape sequences.
3652 This is any string of characters, except that it can't start with
3653 "t_" and blanks are not allowed. The <> notation is recognized
3654 here, so you can use things like "<Esc>" and "<Space>". Example:
3655 start=<Esc>[27h;<Esc>[<Space>r;
3656
3657 2. A list of terminal codes.
3658 Each terminal code has the form "t_xx", where "xx" is the name of
3659 the termcap entry. The codes have to be separated with commas.
3660 White space is not allowed. Example:
3661 start=t_C1,t_BL
3662 The terminal codes must exist for this to work.
3663
3664
36652. highlight arguments for color terminals
3666
3667cterm={attr-list} *highlight-cterm*
3668 See above for the description of {attr-list} |attr-list|.
3669 The "cterm" argument is likely to be different from "term", when
3670 colors are used. For example, in a normal terminal comments could
3671 be underlined, in a color terminal they can be made Blue.
3672 Note: Many terminals (e.g., DOS console) can't mix these attributes
3673 with coloring. Use only one of "cterm=" OR "ctermfg=" OR "ctermbg=".
3674
3675ctermfg={color-nr} *highlight-ctermfg* *E421*
3676ctermbg={color-nr} *highlight-ctermbg*
3677 The {color-nr} argument is a color number. Its range is zero to
3678 (not including) the number given by the termcap entry "Co".
3679 The actual color with this number depends on the type of terminal
3680 and its settings. Sometimes the color also depends on the settings of
3681 "cterm". For example, on some systems "cterm=bold ctermfg=3" gives
3682 another color, on others you just get color 3.
3683
3684 For an xterm this depends on your resources, and is a bit
3685 unpredictable. See your xterm documentation for the defaults. The
3686 colors for a color-xterm can be changed from the .Xdefaults file.
3687 Unfortunately this means that it's not possible to get the same colors
3688 for each user. See |xterm-color| for info about color xterms.
3689
3690 The MSDOS standard colors are fixed (in a console window), so these
3691 have been used for the names. But the meaning of color names in X11
3692 are fixed, so these color settings have been used, to make the
3693 highlighting settings portable (complicated, isn't it?). The
3694 following names are recognized, with the color number used:
3695
3696 *cterm-colors*
3697 NR-16 NR-8 COLOR NAME ~
3698 0 0 Black
3699 1 4 DarkBlue
3700 2 2 DarkGreen
3701 3 6 DarkCyan
3702 4 1 DarkRed
3703 5 5 DarkMagenta
3704 6 3 Brown, DarkYellow
3705 7 7 LightGray, LightGrey, Gray, Grey
3706 8 0* DarkGray, DarkGrey
3707 9 4* Blue, LightBlue
3708 10 2* Green, LightGreen
3709 11 6* Cyan, LightCyan
3710 12 1* Red, LightRed
3711 13 5* Magenta, LightMagenta
3712 14 3* Yellow, LightYellow
3713 15 7* White
3714
3715 The number under "NR-16" is used for 16-color terminals ('t_Co'
3716 greater than or equal to 16). The number under "NR-8" is used for
3717 8-color terminals ('t_Co' less than 16). The '*' indicates that the
3718 bold attribute is set for ctermfg. In many 8-color terminals (e.g.,
3719 "linux"), this causes the bright colors to appear. This doesn't work
3720 for background colors! Without the '*' the bold attribute is removed.
3721 If you want to set the bold attribute in a different way, put a
3722 "cterm=" argument AFTER the "ctermfg=" or "ctermbg=" argument. Or use
3723 a number instead of a color name.
3724
3725 The case of the color names is ignored.
3726 Note that for 16 color ansi style terminals (including xterms), the
3727 numbers in the NR-8 column is used. Here '*' means 'add 8' so that Blue
3728 is 12, DarkGray is 8 etc.
3729
3730 Note that for some color terminals these names may result in the wrong
3731 colors!
3732
3733 *:hi-normal-cterm*
3734 When setting the "ctermfg" or "ctermbg" colors for the Normal group,
3735 these will become the colors used for the non-highlighted text.
3736 Example: >
3737 :highlight Normal ctermfg=grey ctermbg=darkblue
3738< When setting the "ctermbg" color for the Normal group, the
3739 'background' option will be adjusted automatically. This causes the
3740 highlight groups that depend on 'background' to change! This means
3741 you should set the colors for Normal first, before setting other
3742 colors.
3743 When a colorscheme is being used, changing 'background' causes it to
3744 be reloaded, which may reset all colors (including Normal). First
3745 delete the "colors_name" variable when you don't want this.
3746
3747 When you have set "ctermfg" or "ctermbg" for the Normal group, Vim
3748 needs to reset the color when exiting. This is done with the "op"
3749 termcap entry |t_op|. If this doesn't work correctly, try setting the
3750 't_op' option in your .vimrc.
3751 *E419* *E420*
3752 When Vim knows the normal foreground and background colors, "fg" and
3753 "bg" can be used as color names. This only works after setting the
3754 colors for the Normal group and for the MS-DOS console. Example, for
3755 reverse video: >
3756 :highlight Visual ctermfg=bg ctermbg=fg
3757< Note that the colors are used that are valid at the moment this
3758 command are given. If the Normal group colors are changed later, the
3759 "fg" and "bg" colors will not be adjusted.
3760
3761
37623. highlight arguments for the GUI
3763
3764gui={attr-list} *highlight-gui*
3765 These give the attributes to use in the GUI mode.
3766 See |attr-list| for a description.
3767 Note that "bold" can be used here and by using a bold font. They
3768 have the same effect.
3769 Note that the attributes are ignored for the "Normal" group.
3770
3771font={font-name} *highlight-font*
3772 font-name is the name of a font, as it is used on the system Vim
3773 runs on. For X11 this is a complicated name, for example: >
3774 font=-misc-fixed-bold-r-normal--14-130-75-75-c-70-iso8859-1
3775<
3776 The font-name "NONE" can be used to revert to the default font.
3777 When setting the font for the "Normal" group, this becomes the default
3778 font (until the 'guifont' option is changed; the last one set is
3779 used).
3780 The following only works with Motif and Athena, not with other GUIs:
3781 When setting the font for the "Menu" group, the menus will be changed.
3782 When setting the font for the "Tooltip" group, the tooltips will be
3783 changed.
3784 All fonts used, except for Menu and Tooltip, should be of the same
3785 character size as the default font! Otherwise redrawing problems will
3786 occur.
3787
3788guifg={color-name} *highlight-guifg*
3789guibg={color-name} *highlight-guibg*
3790 These give the foreground (guifg) and background (guibg) color to
3791 use in the GUI. There are a few special names:
3792 NONE no color (transparent)
3793 bg use normal background color
3794 background use normal background color
3795 fg use normal foreground color
3796 foreground use normal foreground color
3797 To use a color name with an embedded space or other special character,
3798 put it in single quotes. The single quote cannot be used then.
3799 Example: >
3800 :hi comment guifg='salmon pink'
3801<
3802 *gui-colors*
3803 Suggested color names (these are available on most systems):
3804 Red LightRed DarkRed
3805 Green LightGreen DarkGreen SeaGreen
3806 Blue LightBlue DarkBlue SlateBlue
3807 Cyan LightCyan DarkCyan
3808 Magenta LightMagenta DarkMagenta
3809 Yellow LightYellow Brown DarkYellow
3810 Gray LightGray DarkGray
3811 Black White
3812 Orange Purple Violet
3813
3814 In the Win32 GUI version, additional system colors are available. See
3815 |win32-colors|.
3816
3817 You can also specify a color by its Red, Green and Blue values.
3818 The format is "#rrggbb", where
3819 "rr" is the Red value
3820 "bb" is the Blue value
3821 "gg" is the Green value
3822 All values are hexadecimal, range from "00" to "ff". Examples: >
3823 :highlight Comment guifg=#11f0c3 guibg=#ff00ff
3824<
3825 *highlight-groups* *highlight-default*
3826These are the default highlighting groups. These groups are used by the
3827'highlight' option default. Note that the highlighting depends on the value
3828of 'background'. You can see the current settings with the ":highlight"
3829command.
3830 *hl-Cursor*
3831Cursor the character under the cursor
3832 *hl-CursorIM*
3833CursorIM like Cursor, but used when in IME mode |CursorIM|
3834 *hl-Directory*
3835Directory directory names (and other special names in listings)
3836 *hl-DiffAdd*
3837DiffAdd diff mode: Added line |diff.txt|
3838 *hl-DiffChange*
3839DiffChange diff mode: Changed line |diff.txt|
3840 *hl-DiffDelete*
3841DiffDelete diff mode: Deleted line |diff.txt|
3842 *hl-DiffText*
3843DiffText diff mode: Changed text within a changed line |diff.txt|
3844 *hl-ErrorMsg*
3845ErrorMsg error messages on the command line
3846 *hl-VertSplit*
3847VertSplit the column separating vertically split windows
3848 *hl-Folded*
3849Folded line used for closed folds
3850 *hl-FoldColumn*
3851FoldColumn 'foldcolumn'
3852 *hl-SignColumn*
3853SignColumn column where |signs| are displayed
3854 *hl-IncSearch*
3855IncSearch 'incsearch' highlighting; also used for the text replaced with
3856 ":s///c"
3857 *hl-LineNr*
3858LineNr line number for ":number" and ":#" commands, and when 'number'
3859 option is set.
3860 *hl-ModeMsg*
3861ModeMsg 'showmode' message (e.g., "-- INSERT --")
3862 *hl-MoreMsg*
3863MoreMsg |more-prompt|
3864 *hl-NonText*
3865NonText '~' and '@' at the end of the window, characters from
3866 'showbreak' and other characters that do not really exist in
3867 the text (e.g., ">" displayed when a double-wide character
3868 doesn't fit at the end of the line).
3869 *hl-Normal*
3870Normal normal text
3871 *hl-Question*
3872Question |hit-enter| prompt and yes/no questions
3873 *hl-Search*
3874Search Last search pattern highlighting (see 'hlsearch').
3875 Also used for highlighting the current line in the quickfix
3876 window and similar items that need to stand out.
3877 *hl-SpecialKey*
3878SpecialKey Meta and special keys listed with ":map", also for text used
3879 to show unprintable characters in the text, 'listchars'.
3880 Generally: text that is displayed differently from what it
3881 really is.
3882 *hl-StatusLine*
3883StatusLine status line of current window
3884 *hl-StatusLineNC*
3885StatusLineNC status lines of not-current windows
3886 Note: if this is equal to "StatusLine" Vim will use "^^^" in
3887 the status line of the current window.
3888 *hl-Title*
3889Title titles for output from ":set all", ":autocmd" etc.
3890 *hl-Visual*
3891Visual Visual mode selection
3892 *hl-VisualNOS*
3893VisualNOS Visual mode selection when vim is "Not Owning the Selection".
3894 Only X11 Gui's |gui-x11| and |xterm-clipboard| supports this.
3895 *hl-WarningMsg*
3896WarningMsg warning messages
3897 *hl-WildMenu*
3898WildMenu current match in 'wildmenu' completion
3899
3900 *hl-User1* *hl-User1..9*
3901The 'statusline' syntax allows the use of 9 different highlights in the
3902statusline and ruler (via 'rulerformat'). The names are User1 to User9.
3903
3904For the GUI you can use these groups to set the colors for the menu,
3905scrollbars and tooltips. They don't have defaults. This doesn't work for the
3906Win32 GUI. Only three highlight arguments have any effect here: font, guibg,
3907and guifg.
3908
3909 *hl-Menu*
3910Menu Current font, background and foreground colors of the menus.
3911 Also used for the toolbar.
3912 Applicable highlight arguments: font, guibg, guifg.
3913
3914 NOTE: For Motif and Athena the font argument actually
3915 specifies a fontset at all times, no matter if 'guifontset' is
3916 empty, and as such it is tied to the current |:language| when
3917 set.
3918
3919 *hl-Scrollbar*
3920Scrollbar Current background and foreground of the main window's
3921 scrollbars.
3922 Applicable highlight arguments: guibg, guifg.
3923
3924 *hl-Tooltip*
3925Tooltip Current font, background and foreground of the tooltips.
3926 Applicable highlight arguments: font, guibg, guifg.
3927
3928 NOTE: For Motif and Athena the font argument actually
3929 specifies a fontset at all times, no matter if 'guifontset' is
3930 empty, and as such it is tied to the current |:language| when
3931 set.
3932
3933==============================================================================
393413. Linking groups *:hi-link* *:highlight-link* *E412* *E413*
3935
3936When you want to use the same highlighting for several syntax groups, you
3937can do this more easily by linking the groups into one common highlight
3938group, and give the color attributes only for that group.
3939
3940To set a link:
3941
3942 :hi[ghlight][!] [default] link {from-group} {to-group}
3943
3944To remove a link:
3945
3946 :hi[ghlight][!] [default] link {from-group} NONE
3947
3948Notes: *E414*
3949- If the {from-group} and/or {to-group} doesn't exist, it is created. You
3950 don't get an error message for a non-existing group.
3951- As soon as you use a ":highlight" command for a linked group, the link is
3952 removed.
3953- If there are already highlight settings for the {from-group}, the link is
3954 not made, unless the '!' is given. For a ":highlight link" command in a
3955 sourced file, you don't get an error message. This can be used to skip
3956 links for groups that already have settings.
3957
3958 *:hi-default* *:highlight-default*
3959The [default] argument is used for setting the default highlighting for a
3960group. If highlighting has already been specified for the group the command
3961will be ignored. Also when there is an existing link.
3962
3963Using [default] is especially useful to overrule the highlighting of a
3964specific syntax file. For example, the C syntax file contains: >
3965 :highlight default link cComment Comment
3966If you like Question highlighting for C comments, put this in your vimrc file: >
3967 :highlight link cComment Question
3968Without the "default" in the C syntax file, the highlighting would be
3969overruled when the syntax file is loaded.
3970
3971==============================================================================
397214. Cleaning up *:syn-clear* *E391*
3973
3974If you want to clear the syntax stuff for the current buffer, you can use this
3975command: >
3976 :syntax clear
3977
3978This command should be used when you want to switch off syntax highlighting,
3979or when you want to switch to using another syntax. It's normally not needed
3980in a syntax file itself, because syntax is cleared by the autocommands that
3981load the syntax file.
3982The command also deletes the "b:current_syntax" variable, since no syntax is
3983loaded after this command.
3984
3985If you want to disable syntax highlighting for all buffers, you need to remove
3986the autocommands that load the syntax files: >
3987 :syntax off
3988
3989What this command actually does, is executing the command >
3990 :source $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/nosyntax.vim
3991See the "nosyntax.vim" file for details. Note that for this to work
3992$VIMRUNTIME must be valid. See |$VIMRUNTIME|.
3993
3994To clean up specific syntax groups for the current buffer: >
3995 :syntax clear {group-name} ..
3996This removes all patterns and keywords for {group-name}.
3997
3998To clean up specific syntax group lists for the current buffer: >
3999 :syntax clear @{grouplist-name} ..
4000This sets {grouplist-name}'s contents to an empty list.
4001
4002 *:syntax-reset* *:syn-reset*
4003If you have changed the colors and messed them up, use this command to get the
4004defaults back: >
4005
4006 :syntax reset
4007
4008This doesn't change the colors for the 'highlight' option.
4009
4010Note that the syntax colors that you set in your vimrc file will also be reset
4011back to their Vim default.
4012Note that if you are using a color scheme, the colors defined by the color
4013scheme for syntax highlighting will be lost.
4014
4015What this actually does is: >
4016
4017 let g:syntax_cmd = "reset"
4018 runtime! syntax/syncolor.vim
4019
4020Note that this uses the 'runtimepath' option.
4021
4022 *syncolor*
4023If you want to use different colors for syntax highlighting, you can add a Vim
4024script file to set these colors. Put this file in a directory in
4025'runtimepath' which comes after $VIMRUNTIME, so that your settings overrule
4026the default colors. This way these colors will be used after the ":syntax
4027reset" command.
4028
4029For Unix you can use the file ~/.vim/after/syntax/syncolor.vim. Example: >
4030
4031 if &background == "light"
4032 highlight comment ctermfg=darkgreen guifg=darkgreen
4033 else
4034 highlight comment ctermfg=green guifg=green
4035 endif
4036
Bram Moolenaarc0197e22004-09-13 20:26:32 +00004037 *E679*
4038Do make sure this syncolor.vim script does not use a "syntax on", set the
4039'background' option or uses a "colorscheme" command, because it results in an
4040endless loop.
4041
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00004042Note that when a color scheme is used, there might be some confusion whether
4043your defined colors are to be used or the colors from the scheme. This
4044depends on the color scheme file. See |:colorscheme|.
4045
4046 *syntax_cmd*
4047The "syntax_cmd" variable is set to one of these values when the
4048syntax/syncolor.vim files are loaded:
4049 "on" ":syntax on" command. Highlight colors are overruled but
4050 links are kept
4051 "enable" ":syntax enable" command. Only define colors for groups that
4052 don't have highlighting yet. Use ":syntax default".
4053 "reset" ":syntax reset" command or loading a color scheme. Define all
4054 the colors.
4055 "skip" Don't define colors. Used to skip the default settings when a
4056 syncolor.vim file earlier in 'runtimepath' has already set
4057 them.
4058
4059==============================================================================
406015. Highlighting tags *tag-highlight*
4061
4062If you want to highlight all the tags in your file, you can use the following
4063mappings.
4064
4065 <F11> -- Generate tags.vim file, and highlight tags.
4066 <F12> -- Just highlight tags based on existing tags.vim file.
4067>
4068 :map <F11> :sp tags<CR>:%s/^\([^ :]*:\)\=\([^ ]*\).*/syntax keyword Tag \2/<CR>:wq! tags.vim<CR>/^<CR><F12>
4069 :map <F12> :so tags.vim<CR>
4070
4071WARNING: The longer the tags file, the slower this will be, and the more
4072memory Vim will consume.
4073
4074Only highlighting typedefs, unions and structs can be done too. For this you
4075must use Exuberant ctags (found at http://ctags.sf.net).
4076
4077Put these lines in your Makefile:
4078
4079# Make a highlight file for types. Requires Exuberant ctags and awk
4080types: types.vim
4081types.vim: *.[ch]
4082 ctags -i=gstuS -o- *.[ch] |\
4083 awk 'BEGIN{printf("syntax keyword Type\t")}\
4084 {printf("%s ", $$1)}END{print ""}' > $@
4085
4086And put these lines in your .vimrc: >
4087
4088 " load the types.vim highlighting file, if it exists
4089 autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.[ch] let fname = expand('<afile>:p:h') . '/types.vim'
4090 autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.[ch] if filereadable(fname)
4091 autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.[ch] exe 'so ' . fname
4092 autocmd BufRead,BufNewFile *.[ch] endif
4093
4094==============================================================================
409516. Color xterms *xterm-color* *color-xterm*
4096
4097Most color xterms have only eight colors. If you don't get colors with the
4098default setup, it should work with these lines in your .vimrc: >
4099 :if &term =~ "xterm"
4100 : if has("terminfo")
4101 : set t_Co=8
4102 : set t_Sf=<Esc>[3%p1%dm
4103 : set t_Sb=<Esc>[4%p1%dm
4104 : else
4105 : set t_Co=8
4106 : set t_Sf=<Esc>[3%dm
4107 : set t_Sb=<Esc>[4%dm
4108 : endif
4109 :endif
4110< [<Esc> is a real escape, type CTRL-V <Esc>]
4111
4112You might want to change the first "if" to match the name of your terminal,
4113e.g. "dtterm" instead of "xterm".
4114
4115Note: Do these settings BEFORE doing ":syntax on". Otherwise the colors may
4116be wrong.
4117 *xiterm* *rxvt*
4118The above settings have been mentioned to work for xiterm and rxvt too.
4119But for using 16 colors in an rxvt these should work with terminfo: >
4120 :set t_AB=<Esc>[%?%p1%{8}%<%t25;%p1%{40}%+%e5;%p1%{32}%+%;%dm
4121 :set t_AF=<Esc>[%?%p1%{8}%<%t22;%p1%{30}%+%e1;%p1%{22}%+%;%dm
4122<
4123 *colortest.vim*
4124To test your color setup, a file has been included in the Vim distribution.
4125To use it, execute these commands: >
4126 :e $VIMRUNTIME/syntax/colortest.vim
4127 :so %
4128
4129Some versions of xterm (and other terminals, like the linux console) can
4130output lighter foreground colors, even though the number of colors is defined
4131at 8. Therefore Vim sets the "cterm=bold" attribute for light foreground
4132colors, when 't_Co' is 8.
4133
4134 *xfree-xterm*
4135To get 16 colors or more, get the newest xterm version (which should be
4136included with Xfree86 3.3 and later). You can also find the latest version
4137at: >
4138 http://invisible-island.net/xterm/xterm.html
4139Here is a good way to configure it. This uses 88 colors and enables the
4140termcap-query feature, which allows Vim to ask the xterm how many colors it
4141supports. >
4142 ./configure --disable-bold-color --enable-88-color --enable-tcap-query
4143If you only get 8 colors, check the xterm compilation settings.
4144(Also see |UTF8-xterm| for using this xterm with UTF-8 character encoding).
4145
4146This xterm should work with these lines in your .vimrc (for 16 colors): >
4147 :if has("terminfo")
4148 : set t_Co=16
4149 : set t_AB=<Esc>[%?%p1%{8}%<%t%p1%{40}%+%e%p1%{92}%+%;%dm
4150 : set t_AF=<Esc>[%?%p1%{8}%<%t%p1%{30}%+%e%p1%{82}%+%;%dm
4151 :else
4152 : set t_Co=16
4153 : set t_Sf=<Esc>[3%dm
4154 : set t_Sb=<Esc>[4%dm
4155 :endif
4156< [<Esc> is a real escape, type CTRL-V <Esc>]
4157
4158Without |+terminfo|, Vim will recognize these settings, and automatically
4159translate cterm colors of 8 and above to "<Esc>[9%dm" and "<Esc>[10%dm".
4160Colors above 16 are also translated automatically.
4161
4162For 256 colors this has been reported to work: >
4163
4164 :set t_AB=<Esc>[48;5;%dm
4165 :set t_AF=<Esc>[38;5;%dm
4166
4167Or just set the TERM environment variable to "xterm-color" or "xterm-16color"
4168and try if that works.
4169
4170You probably want to use these X resources (in your ~/.Xdefaults file):
4171 XTerm*color0: #000000
4172 XTerm*color1: #c00000
4173 XTerm*color2: #008000
4174 XTerm*color3: #808000
4175 XTerm*color4: #0000c0
4176 XTerm*color5: #c000c0
4177 XTerm*color6: #008080
4178 XTerm*color7: #c0c0c0
4179 XTerm*color8: #808080
4180 XTerm*color9: #ff6060
4181 XTerm*color10: #00ff00
4182 XTerm*color11: #ffff00
4183 XTerm*color12: #8080ff
4184 XTerm*color13: #ff40ff
4185 XTerm*color14: #00ffff
4186 XTerm*color15: #ffffff
4187 Xterm*cursorColor: Black
4188
4189[Note: The cursorColor is required to work around a bug, which changes the
4190cursor color to the color of the last drawn text. This has been fixed by a
4191newer version of xterm, but not everybody is it using yet.]
4192
4193To get these right away, reload the .Xdefaults file to the X Option database
4194Manager (you only need to do this when you just changed the .Xdefaults file): >
4195 xrdb -merge ~/.Xdefaults
4196<
4197 *xterm-blink* *xterm-blinking-cursor*
4198To make the cursor blink in an xterm, see tools/blink.c. Or use Thomas
4199Dickey's xterm above patchlevel 107 (see above for where to get it), with
4200these resources:
4201 XTerm*cursorBlink: on
4202 XTerm*cursorOnTime: 400
4203 XTerm*cursorOffTime: 250
4204 XTerm*cursorColor: White
4205
4206 *hpterm-color*
4207These settings work (more or less) for a hpterm, which only supports 8
4208foreground colors: >
4209 :if has("terminfo")
4210 : set t_Co=8
4211 : set t_Sf=<Esc>[&v%p1%dS
4212 : set t_Sb=<Esc>[&v7S
4213 :else
4214 : set t_Co=8
4215 : set t_Sf=<Esc>[&v%dS
4216 : set t_Sb=<Esc>[&v7S
4217 :endif
4218< [<Esc> is a real escape, type CTRL-V <Esc>]
4219
4220 *Eterm* *enlightened-terminal*
4221These settings have been reported to work for the Enlightened terminal
4222emulator, or Eterm. They might work for all xterm-like terminals that use the
4223bold attribute to get bright colors. Add an ":if" like above when needed. >
4224 :set t_Co=16
4225 :set t_AF=^[[%?%p1%{8}%<%t3%p1%d%e%p1%{22}%+%d;1%;m
4226 :set t_AB=^[[%?%p1%{8}%<%t4%p1%d%e%p1%{32}%+%d;1%;m
4227<
4228 *TTpro-telnet*
4229These settings should work for TTpro telnet. Tera Term Pro is a freeware /
4230open-source program for MS-Windows. >
4231 set t_Co=16
4232 set t_AB=^[[%?%p1%{8}%<%t%p1%{40}%+%e%p1%{32}%+5;%;%dm
4233 set t_AF=^[[%?%p1%{8}%<%t%p1%{30}%+%e%p1%{22}%+1;%;%dm
4234Also make sure TTpro's Setup / Window / Full Color is enabled, and make sure
4235that Setup / Font / Enable Bold is NOT enabled.
4236(info provided by John Love-Jensen <eljay@Adobe.COM>)
4237
4238 vim:tw=78:sw=4:ts=8:ft=help:norl: