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Bram Moolenaar68e65602019-05-26 21:33:31 +02001*repeat.txt* For Vim version 8.1. Last change: 2019 May 22
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +00002
3
4 VIM REFERENCE MANUAL by Bram Moolenaar
5
6
7Repeating commands, Vim scripts and debugging *repeating*
8
9Chapter 26 of the user manual introduces repeating |usr_26.txt|.
10
Bram Moolenaar4f3f6682016-03-26 23:01:59 +0100111. Single repeats |single-repeat|
122. Multiple repeats |multi-repeat|
133. Complex repeats |complex-repeat|
144. Using Vim scripts |using-scripts|
155. Using Vim packages |packages|
166. Creating Vim packages |package-create|
177. Debugging scripts |debug-scripts|
188. Profiling |profiling|
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000019
20==============================================================================
211. Single repeats *single-repeat*
22
23 *.*
24. Repeat last change, with count replaced with [count].
25 Also repeat a yank command, when the 'y' flag is
Bram Moolenaard4755bb2004-09-02 19:12:26 +000026 included in 'cpoptions'. Does not repeat a
27 command-line command.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000028
29Simple changes can be repeated with the "." command. Without a count, the
30count of the last change is used. If you enter a count, it will replace the
Bram Moolenaar92dff182014-02-11 19:15:50 +010031last one. |v:count| and |v:count1| will be set.
32
33If the last change included a specification of a numbered register, the
34register number will be incremented. See |redo-register| for an example how
35to use this.
36
37Note that when repeating a command that used a Visual selection, the same SIZE
38of area is used, see |visual-repeat|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000039
40 *@:*
41@: Repeat last command-line [count] times.
42 {not available when compiled without the
43 |+cmdline_hist| feature}
44
45
46==============================================================================
472. Multiple repeats *multi-repeat*
48
Bram Moolenaarf84b1222017-06-10 14:29:52 +020049 *:g* *:global* *E148*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000050:[range]g[lobal]/{pattern}/[cmd]
51 Execute the Ex command [cmd] (default ":p") on the
52 lines within [range] where {pattern} matches.
53
54:[range]g[lobal]!/{pattern}/[cmd]
55 Execute the Ex command [cmd] (default ":p") on the
56 lines within [range] where {pattern} does NOT match.
57
58 *:v* *:vglobal*
59:[range]v[global]/{pattern}/[cmd]
60 Same as :g!.
61
Bram Moolenaarc81e5e72007-05-05 18:24:42 +000062Instead of the '/' which surrounds the {pattern}, you can use any other
Bram Moolenaare2db6952013-07-24 19:53:36 +020063single byte character, but not an alphabetic character, '\', '"' or '|'.
Bram Moolenaarc81e5e72007-05-05 18:24:42 +000064This is useful if you want to include a '/' in the search pattern or
65replacement string.
66
67For the definition of a pattern, see |pattern|.
68
Bram Moolenaar32efaf62014-11-05 17:02:17 +010069NOTE [cmd] may contain a range; see |collapse| and |edit-paragraph-join| for
70examples.
71
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000072The global commands work by first scanning through the [range] lines and
73marking each line where a match occurs (for a multi-line pattern, only the
74start of the match matters).
Bram Moolenaar03413f42016-04-12 21:07:15 +020075In a second scan the [cmd] is executed for each marked line, as if the cursor
76was in that line. For ":v" and ":g!" the command is executed for each not
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000077marked line. If a line is deleted its mark disappears.
78The default for [range] is the whole buffer (1,$). Use "CTRL-C" to interrupt
79the command. If an error message is given for a line, the command for that
80line is aborted and the global command continues with the next marked or
81unmarked line.
Bram Moolenaarf84b1222017-06-10 14:29:52 +020082 *E147*
83When the command is used recursively, it only works on one line. Giving a
84range is then not allowed. This is useful to find all lines that match a
85pattern and do not match another pattern: >
86 :g/found/v/notfound/{cmd}
87This first finds all lines containing "found", but only executes {cmd} when
88there is no match for "notfound".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000089
Bram Moolenaarf84b1222017-06-10 14:29:52 +020090To execute a non-Ex command, you can use the `:normal` command: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +000091 :g/pat/normal {commands}
92Make sure that {commands} ends with a whole command, otherwise Vim will wait
93for you to type the rest of the command for each match. The screen will not
94have been updated, so you don't know what you are doing. See |:normal|.
95
96The undo/redo command will undo/redo the whole global command at once.
97The previous context mark will only be set once (with "''" you go back to
98where the cursor was before the global command).
99
100The global command sets both the last used search pattern and the last used
101substitute pattern (this is vi compatible). This makes it easy to globally
102replace a string:
103 :g/pat/s//PAT/g
104This replaces all occurrences of "pat" with "PAT". The same can be done with:
105 :%s/pat/PAT/g
106Which is two characters shorter!
107
Bram Moolenaar864207d2008-06-24 22:14:38 +0000108When using "global" in Ex mode, a special case is using ":visual" as a
109command. This will move to a matching line, go to Normal mode to let you
110execute commands there until you use |Q| to return to Ex mode. This will be
111repeated for each matching line. While doing this you cannot use ":global".
112To abort this type CTRL-C twice.
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +0000113
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000114==============================================================================
1153. Complex repeats *complex-repeat*
116
117 *q* *recording*
118q{0-9a-zA-Z"} Record typed characters into register {0-9a-zA-Z"}
119 (uppercase to append). The 'q' command is disabled
120 while executing a register, and it doesn't work inside
Bram Moolenaara0ed84a2015-11-19 17:56:13 +0100121 a mapping and |:normal|.
122
123 Note: If the register being used for recording is also
124 used for |y| and |p| the result is most likely not
125 what is expected, because the put will paste the
126 recorded macro and the yank will overwrite the
Bram Moolenaara6c27c42019-05-09 19:16:22 +0200127 recorded macro.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000128
129q Stops recording. (Implementation note: The 'q' that
130 stops recording is not stored in the register, unless
Bram Moolenaara6c27c42019-05-09 19:16:22 +0200131 it was the result of a mapping)
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000132
133 *@*
Bram Moolenaar61d35bd2012-03-28 20:51:51 +0200134@{0-9a-z".=*+} Execute the contents of register {0-9a-z".=*+} [count]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000135 times. Note that register '%' (name of the current
136 file) and '#' (name of the alternate file) cannot be
Bram Moolenaar2a8a3ec2011-01-08 16:06:37 +0100137 used.
138 The register is executed like a mapping, that means
139 that the difference between 'wildchar' and 'wildcharm'
140 applies.
141 For "@=" you are prompted to enter an expression. The
142 result of the expression is then executed.
Bram Moolenaara6c27c42019-05-09 19:16:22 +0200143 See also |@:|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000144
Bram Moolenaar26a60b42005-02-22 08:49:11 +0000145 *@@* *E748*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000146@@ Repeat the previous @{0-9a-z":*} [count] times.
147
Bram Moolenaar61d35bd2012-03-28 20:51:51 +0200148:[addr]*{0-9a-z".=+} *:@* *:star*
149:[addr]@{0-9a-z".=*+} Execute the contents of register {0-9a-z".=*+} as an Ex
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000150 command. First set cursor at line [addr] (default is
151 current line). When the last line in the register does
152 not have a <CR> it will be added automatically when
153 the 'e' flag is present in 'cpoptions'.
154 Note that the ":*" command is only recognized when the
155 '*' flag is present in 'cpoptions'. This is NOT the
156 default when 'nocompatible' is used.
157 For ":@=" the last used expression is used. The
158 result of evaluating the expression is executed as an
159 Ex command.
160 Mappings are not recognized in these commands.
Bram Moolenaara6c27c42019-05-09 19:16:22 +0200161 Future: Will execute the register for each line in the
162 address range.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000163
164 *:@:*
165:[addr]@: Repeat last command-line. First set cursor at line
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +0200166 [addr] (default is current line).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000167
Bram Moolenaar7e1479b2016-09-11 15:07:27 +0200168:[addr]@ *:@@*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000169:[addr]@@ Repeat the previous :@{0-9a-z"}. First set cursor at
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +0200170 line [addr] (default is current line).
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000171
172==============================================================================
1734. Using Vim scripts *using-scripts*
174
175For writing a Vim script, see chapter 41 of the user manual |usr_41.txt|.
176
177 *:so* *:source* *load-vim-script*
178:so[urce] {file} Read Ex commands from {file}. These are commands that
179 start with a ":".
Bram Moolenaar1f35bf92006-03-07 22:38:47 +0000180 Triggers the |SourcePre| autocommand.
Bram Moolenaar68e65602019-05-26 21:33:31 +0200181 *:source!*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000182:so[urce]! {file} Read Vim commands from {file}. These are commands
183 that are executed from Normal mode, like you type
184 them.
185 When used after |:global|, |:argdo|, |:windo|,
186 |:bufdo|, in a loop or when another command follows
187 the display won't be updated while executing the
188 commands.
Bram Moolenaar68e65602019-05-26 21:33:31 +0200189 Cannot be used in the |sandbox|.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000190
191 *:ru* *:runtime*
Bram Moolenaar8dcf2592016-03-12 22:47:14 +0100192:ru[ntime][!] [where] {file} ..
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000193 Read Ex commands from {file} in each directory given
Bram Moolenaar8dcf2592016-03-12 22:47:14 +0100194 by 'runtimepath' and/or 'packpath'. There is no error
195 for non-existing files.
196
197 Example: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000198 :runtime syntax/c.vim
199
200< There can be multiple {file} arguments, separated by
201 spaces. Each {file} is searched for in the first
202 directory from 'runtimepath', then in the second
203 directory, etc. Use a backslash to include a space
204 inside {file} (although it's better not to use spaces
205 in file names, it causes trouble).
206
207 When [!] is included, all found files are sourced.
208 When it is not included only the first found file is
209 sourced.
210
Bram Moolenaar8dcf2592016-03-12 22:47:14 +0100211 When [where] is omitted only 'runtimepath' is used.
212 Other values:
213 START search under "start" in 'packpath'
214 OPT search under "opt" in 'packpath'
215 PACK search under "start" and "opt" in
216 'packpath'
217 ALL first use 'runtimepath', then search
218 under "start" and "opt" in 'packpath'
219
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000220 When {file} contains wildcards it is expanded to all
221 matching files. Example: >
222 :runtime! plugin/*.vim
223< This is what Vim uses to load the plugin files when
Bram Moolenaar13fcaaf2005-04-15 21:13:42 +0000224 starting up. This similar command: >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000225 :runtime plugin/*.vim
226< would source the first file only.
227
228 When 'verbose' is one or higher, there is a message
229 when no file could be found.
230 When 'verbose' is two or higher, there is a message
231 about each searched file.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000232
Bram Moolenaarbe82c252016-03-06 14:44:08 +0100233 *:pa* *:packadd* *E919*
Bram Moolenaar328da0d2016-03-04 22:22:32 +0100234:pa[ckadd][!] {name} Search for an optional plugin directory in 'packpath'
235 and source any plugin files found. The directory must
236 match:
237 pack/*/opt/{name} ~
238 The directory is added to 'runtimepath' if it wasn't
239 there yet.
Bram Moolenaar26852122016-05-24 20:02:38 +0200240 If the directory pack/*/opt/{name}/after exists it is
241 added at the end of 'runtimepath'.
Bram Moolenaardae8d212016-02-27 22:40:16 +0100242
Bram Moolenaarf0b03c42017-12-17 17:17:07 +0100243 If loading packages from "pack/*/start" was skipped,
244 then this directory is searched first:
245 pack/*/start/{name} ~
246
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100247 Note that {name} is the directory name, not the name
Bram Moolenaar03413f42016-04-12 21:07:15 +0200248 of the .vim file. All the files matching the pattern
249 pack/*/opt/{name}/plugin/**/*.vim ~
250 will be sourced. This allows for using subdirectories
251 below "plugin", just like with plugins in
252 'runtimepath'.
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100253
Bram Moolenaar328da0d2016-03-04 22:22:32 +0100254 If the filetype detection was not enabled yet (this
255 is usually done with a "syntax enable" or "filetype
256 on" command in your .vimrc file), this will also look
257 for "{name}/ftdetect/*.vim" files.
258
259 When the optional ! is added no plugin files or
260 ftdetect scripts are loaded, only the matching
261 directories are added to 'runtimepath'. This is
262 useful in your .vimrc. The plugins will then be
263 loaded during initialization, see |load-plugins|.
264
265 Also see |pack-add|.
Bram Moolenaar6dc819b2018-07-03 16:42:19 +0200266 {only available when compiled with |+eval|}
Bram Moolenaar328da0d2016-03-04 22:22:32 +0100267
Bram Moolenaare18c0b32016-03-20 21:08:34 +0100268 *:packl* *:packloadall*
Bram Moolenaar03413f42016-04-12 21:07:15 +0200269:packl[oadall][!] Load all packages in the "start" directory under each
270 entry in 'packpath'.
271
272 First all the directories found are added to
273 'runtimepath', then the plugins found in the
274 directories are sourced. This allows for a plugin to
275 depend on something of another plugin, e.g. an
276 "autoload" directory. See |packload-two-steps| for
277 how this can be useful.
278
Bram Moolenaare18c0b32016-03-20 21:08:34 +0100279 This is normally done automatically during startup,
280 after loading your .vimrc file. With this command it
281 can be done earlier.
Bram Moolenaar03413f42016-04-12 21:07:15 +0200282
Bram Moolenaar8dcf2592016-03-12 22:47:14 +0100283 Packages will be loaded only once. After this command
284 it won't happen again. When the optional ! is added
285 this command will load packages even when done before.
Bram Moolenaar03413f42016-04-12 21:07:15 +0200286
Bram Moolenaar7db8f6f2016-03-29 23:12:46 +0200287 An error only causes sourcing the script where it
Bram Moolenaare18c0b32016-03-20 21:08:34 +0100288 happens to be aborted, further plugins will be loaded.
Bram Moolenaar8dcf2592016-03-12 22:47:14 +0100289 See |packages|.
Bram Moolenaar6dc819b2018-07-03 16:42:19 +0200290 {only available when compiled with |+eval|}
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100291
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000292:scripte[ncoding] [encoding] *:scripte* *:scriptencoding* *E167*
293 Specify the character encoding used in the script.
294 The following lines will be converted from [encoding]
295 to the value of the 'encoding' option, if they are
296 different. Examples: >
297 scriptencoding iso-8859-5
298 scriptencoding cp932
299<
300 When [encoding] is empty, no conversion is done. This
301 can be used to restrict conversion to a sequence of
302 lines: >
303 scriptencoding euc-jp
304 ... lines to be converted ...
305 scriptencoding
306 ... not converted ...
307
308< When conversion isn't supported by the system, there
Bram Moolenaar6f1d9a02016-07-24 14:12:38 +0200309 is no error message and no conversion is done. When a
310 line can't be converted there is no error and the
311 original line is kept.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000312
313 Don't use "ucs-2" or "ucs-4", scripts cannot be in
314 these encodings (they would contain NUL bytes).
315 When a sourced script starts with a BOM (Byte Order
Bram Moolenaar06b5d512010-05-22 15:37:44 +0200316 Mark) in utf-8 format Vim will recognize it, no need
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000317 to use ":scriptencoding utf-8" then.
318
Bram Moolenaar3df01732017-02-17 22:47:16 +0100319 If you set the 'encoding' option in your |.vimrc|,
320 `:scriptencoding` must be placed after that. E.g.: >
321 set encoding=utf-8
322 scriptencoding utf-8
323<
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000324
Bram Moolenaar558ca4a2019-04-04 18:15:38 +0200325:scriptv[ersion] {version} *:scriptv* *:scriptversion*
326 *E999* *E984*
Bram Moolenaar62e1bb42019-04-08 16:25:07 +0200327 Specify the version of Vim for the lines that follow
328 in the same file. Only applies at the toplevel of
329 sourced scripts, not inside functions.
Bram Moolenaar558ca4a2019-04-04 18:15:38 +0200330
331 If {version} is higher than what the current Vim
332 version supports E999 will be given. You either need
333 to rewrite the script to make it work with an older
334 Vim version, or update Vim to a newer version. See
335 |vimscript-version| for what changed between versions.
336
Bram Moolenaar8feef4f2015-01-07 16:57:10 +0100337 *:scr* *:scriptnames*
338:scr[iptnames] List all sourced script names, in the order they were
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000339 first sourced. The number is used for the script ID
340 |<SID>|.
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +0200341 {not available when compiled without the |+eval|
342 feature}
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000343
Bram Moolenaar07dc18f2018-11-30 22:48:32 +0100344:scr[iptnames][!] {scriptId} *:script*
Bram Moolenaar9d87a372018-12-18 21:41:50 +0100345 Edit script {scriptId}. Although ":scriptnames name"
346 works, using ":script name" is recommended.
347 When the current buffer can't be |abandon|ed and the !
348 is not present, the command fails.
Bram Moolenaar07dc18f2018-11-30 22:48:32 +0100349
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000350 *:fini* *:finish* *E168*
351:fini[sh] Stop sourcing a script. Can only be used in a Vim
352 script file. This is a quick way to skip the rest of
353 the file. If it is used after a |:try| but before the
354 matching |:finally| (if present), the commands
355 following the ":finally" up to the matching |:endtry|
356 are executed first. This process applies to all
357 nested ":try"s in the script. The outermost ":endtry"
Bram Moolenaar25c9c682019-05-05 18:13:34 +0200358 then stops sourcing the script.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000359
360All commands and command sequences can be repeated by putting them in a named
361register and then executing it. There are two ways to get the commands in the
362register:
363- Use the record command "q". You type the commands once, and while they are
364 being executed they are stored in a register. Easy, because you can see
365 what you are doing. If you make a mistake, "p"ut the register into the
366 file, edit the command sequence, and then delete it into the register
367 again. You can continue recording by appending to the register (use an
368 uppercase letter).
369- Delete or yank the command sequence into the register.
370
371Often used command sequences can be put under a function key with the ':map'
372command.
373
374An alternative is to put the commands in a file, and execute them with the
375':source!' command. Useful for long command sequences. Can be combined with
376the ':map' command to put complicated commands under a function key.
377
378The ':source' command reads Ex commands from a file line by line. You will
379have to type any needed keyboard input. The ':source!' command reads from a
380script file character by character, interpreting each character as if you
381typed it.
382
383Example: When you give the ":!ls" command you get the |hit-enter| prompt. If
384you ':source' a file with the line "!ls" in it, you will have to type the
385<Enter> yourself. But if you ':source!' a file with the line ":!ls" in it,
386the next characters from that file are read until a <CR> is found. You will
387not have to type <CR> yourself, unless ":!ls" was the last line in the file.
388
389It is possible to put ':source[!]' commands in the script file, so you can
390make a top-down hierarchy of script files. The ':source' command can be
391nested as deep as the number of files that can be opened at one time (about
39215). The ':source!' command can be nested up to 15 levels deep.
393
394You can use the "<sfile>" string (literally, this is not a special key) inside
395of the sourced file, in places where a file name is expected. It will be
396replaced by the file name of the sourced file. For example, if you have a
397"other.vimrc" file in the same directory as your ".vimrc" file, you can source
398it from your ".vimrc" file with this command: >
399 :source <sfile>:h/other.vimrc
400
401In script files terminal-dependent key codes are represented by
402terminal-independent two character codes. This means that they can be used
403in the same way on different kinds of terminals. The first character of a
404key code is 0x80 or 128, shown on the screen as "~@". The second one can be
405found in the list |key-notation|. Any of these codes can also be entered
406with CTRL-V followed by the three digit decimal code. This does NOT work for
407the <t_xx> termcap codes, these can only be used in mappings.
408
409 *:source_crnl* *W15*
410MS-DOS, Win32 and OS/2: Files that are read with ":source" normally have
411<CR><NL> <EOL>s. These always work. If you are using a file with <NL> <EOL>s
412(for example, a file made on Unix), this will be recognized if 'fileformats'
413is not empty and the first line does not end in a <CR>. This fails if the
414first line has something like ":map <F1> :help^M", where "^M" is a <CR>. If
415the first line ends in a <CR>, but following ones don't, you will get an error
416message, because the <CR> from the first lines will be lost.
417
Bram Moolenaar520470a2005-06-16 21:59:56 +0000418Mac Classic: Files that are read with ":source" normally have <CR> <EOL>s.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000419These always work. If you are using a file with <NL> <EOL>s (for example, a
420file made on Unix), this will be recognized if 'fileformats' is not empty and
421the first line does not end in a <CR>. Be careful not to use a file with <NL>
422linebreaks which has a <CR> in first line.
423
424On other systems, Vim expects ":source"ed files to end in a <NL>. These
425always work. If you are using a file with <CR><NL> <EOL>s (for example, a
426file made on MS-DOS), all lines will have a trailing <CR>. This may cause
427problems for some commands (e.g., mappings). There is no automatic <EOL>
428detection, because it's common to start with a line that defines a mapping
429that ends in a <CR>, which will confuse the automaton.
430
431 *line-continuation*
432Long lines in a ":source"d Ex command script file can be split by inserting
433a line continuation symbol "\" (backslash) at the start of the next line.
434There can be white space before the backslash, which is ignored.
435
436Example: the lines >
437 :set comments=sr:/*,mb:*,el:*/,
438 \://,
439 \b:#,
440 \:%,
441 \n:>,
442 \fb:-
443are interpreted as if they were given in one line:
444 :set comments=sr:/*,mb:*,el:*/,://,b:#,:%,n:>,fb:-
445
446All leading whitespace characters in the line before a backslash are ignored.
447Note however that trailing whitespace in the line before it cannot be
448inserted freely; it depends on the position where a command is split up
449whether additional whitespace is allowed or not.
450
Bram Moolenaar8f3f58f2010-01-06 20:52:26 +0100451When a space is required it's best to put it right after the backslash. A
452space at the end of a line is hard to see and may be accidentally deleted. >
453 :syn match Comment
454 \ "very long regexp"
455 \ keepend
456
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000457There is a problem with the ":append" and ":insert" commands: >
458 :1append
459 \asdf
460 .
461The backslash is seen as a line-continuation symbol, thus this results in the
462command: >
463 :1appendasdf
464 .
465To avoid this, add the 'C' flag to the 'cpoptions' option: >
466 :set cpo+=C
467 :1append
468 \asdf
469 .
470 :set cpo-=C
471
472Note that when the commands are inside a function, you need to add the 'C'
473flag when defining the function, it is not relevant when executing it. >
474 :set cpo+=C
475 :function Foo()
476 :1append
477 \asdf
478 .
479 :endfunction
480 :set cpo-=C
Bram Moolenaar67f8ab82018-09-11 22:37:29 +0200481<
482 *line-continuation-comment*
Bram Moolenaar95bafa22018-10-02 13:26:25 +0200483To add a comment in between the lines start with '"\ '. Notice the space
484after the backslash. Example: >
Bram Moolenaar67f8ab82018-09-11 22:37:29 +0200485 let array = [
486 "\ first entry comment
487 \ 'first',
488 "\ second entry comment
489 \ 'second',
490 \ ]
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000491
492Rationale:
493 Most programs work with a trailing backslash to indicate line
494 continuation. Using this in Vim would cause incompatibility with Vi.
495 For example for this Vi mapping: >
496 :map xx asdf\
497< Therefore the unusual leading backslash is used.
498
Bram Moolenaar67f8ab82018-09-11 22:37:29 +0200499 Starting a comment in a continuation line results in all following
500 continuation lines to be part of the comment. Since it was like this
501 for a long time, when making it possible to add a comment halfway a
502 sequence of continuation lines, it was not possible to use \", since
503 that was a valid continuation line. Using '"\ ' comes closest, even
504 though it may look a bit weird. Requiring the space after the
505 backslash is to make it very unlikely this is a normal comment line.
506
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000507==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +01005085. Using Vim packages *packages*
509
510A Vim package is a directory that contains one or more plugins. The
511advantages over normal plugins:
512- A package can be downloaded as an archive and unpacked in its own directory.
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100513 Thus the files are not mixed with files of other plugins. That makes it
514 easy to update and remove.
Bram Moolenaar91715872016-03-03 17:13:03 +0100515- A package can be a git, mercurial, etc. repository. That makes it really
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100516 easy to update.
517- A package can contain multiple plugins that depend on each other.
518- A package can contain plugins that are automatically loaded on startup and
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100519 ones that are only loaded when needed with `:packadd`.
520
521
522Using a package and loading automatically ~
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100523
524Let's assume your Vim files are in the "~/.vim" directory and you want to add a
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100525package from a zip archive "/tmp/foopack.zip":
526 % mkdir -p ~/.vim/pack/foo
527 % cd ~/.vim/pack/foo
528 % unzip /tmp/foopack.zip
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100529
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100530The directory name "foo" is arbitrary, you can pick anything you like.
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100531
532You would now have these files under ~/.vim:
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100533 pack/foo/README.txt
Bram Moolenaaraf1a0e32016-03-09 22:19:26 +0100534 pack/foo/start/foobar/plugin/foo.vim
535 pack/foo/start/foobar/syntax/some.vim
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100536 pack/foo/opt/foodebug/plugin/debugger.vim
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100537
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100538When Vim starts up, after processing your .vimrc, it scans all directories in
Bram Moolenaar03413f42016-04-12 21:07:15 +0200539'packpath' for plugins under the "pack/*/start" directory. First all those
540directories are added to 'runtimepath'. Then all the plugins are loaded.
541See |packload-two-steps| for how these two steps can be useful.
Bram Moolenaarf3654822016-03-04 22:12:23 +0100542
Bram Moolenaaraf1a0e32016-03-09 22:19:26 +0100543In the example Vim will find "pack/foo/start/foobar/plugin/foo.vim" and adds
544"~/.vim/pack/foo/start/foobar" to 'runtimepath'.
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100545
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100546If the "foobar" plugin kicks in and sets the 'filetype' to "some", Vim will
547find the syntax/some.vim file, because its directory is in 'runtimepath'.
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100548
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100549Vim will also load ftdetect files, if there are any.
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100550
Bram Moolenaar4f3f6682016-03-26 23:01:59 +0100551Note that the files under "pack/foo/opt" are not loaded automatically, only the
Bram Moolenaaraf1a0e32016-03-09 22:19:26 +0100552ones under "pack/foo/start". See |pack-add| below for how the "opt" directory
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100553is used.
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100554
Bram Moolenaar8dcf2592016-03-12 22:47:14 +0100555Loading packages automatically will not happen if loading plugins is disabled,
556see |load-plugins|.
557
558To load packages earlier, so that 'runtimepath' gets updated: >
559 :packloadall
560This also works when loading plugins is disabled. The automatic loading will
561only happen once.
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100562
Bram Moolenaar26852122016-05-24 20:02:38 +0200563If the package has an "after" directory, that directory is added to the end of
564'runtimepath', so that anything there will be loaded later.
565
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100566
567Using a single plugin and loading it automatically ~
568
569If you don't have a package but a single plugin, you need to create the extra
570directory level:
Bram Moolenaaraf1a0e32016-03-09 22:19:26 +0100571 % mkdir -p ~/.vim/pack/foo/start/foobar
572 % cd ~/.vim/pack/foo/start/foobar
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100573 % unzip /tmp/someplugin.zip
574
575You would now have these files:
Bram Moolenaaraf1a0e32016-03-09 22:19:26 +0100576 pack/foo/start/foobar/plugin/foo.vim
577 pack/foo/start/foobar/syntax/some.vim
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100578
579From here it works like above.
580
581
582Optional plugins ~
583 *pack-add*
584To load an optional plugin from a pack use the `:packadd` command: >
585 :packadd foodebug
586This searches for "pack/*/opt/foodebug" in 'packpath' and will find
587~/.vim/pack/foo/opt/foodebug/plugin/debugger.vim and source it.
588
Bram Moolenaar4f3f6682016-03-26 23:01:59 +0100589This could be done if some conditions are met. For example, depending on
590whether Vim supports a feature or a dependency is missing.
591
592You can also load an optional plugin at startup, by putting this command in
593your |.vimrc|: >
594 :packadd! foodebug
Bram Moolenaarc95a3022016-06-12 23:01:46 +0200595The extra "!" is so that the plugin isn't loaded if Vim was started with
Bram Moolenaar4f3f6682016-03-26 23:01:59 +0100596|--noplugin|.
Bram Moolenaar5f148ec2016-03-07 22:59:26 +0100597
598It is perfectly normal for a package to only have files in the "opt"
599directory. You then need to load each plugin when you want to use it.
600
Bram Moolenaar4f3f6682016-03-26 23:01:59 +0100601
602Where to put what ~
603
604Since color schemes, loaded with `:colorscheme`, are found below
605"pack/*/start" and "pack/*/opt", you could put them anywhere. We recommend
606you put them below "pack/*/opt", for example
607".vim/pack/mycolors/opt/dark/colors/very_dark.vim".
608
609Filetype plugins should go under "pack/*/start", so that they are always
610found. Unless you have more than one plugin for a file type and want to
611select which one to load with `:packadd`. E.g. depending on the compiler
612version: >
613 if foo_compiler_version > 34
614 packadd foo_new
615 else
616 packadd foo_old
617 endif
618
619The "after" directory is most likely not useful in a package. It's not
620disallowed though.
621
Bram Moolenaarf6fee0e2016-02-21 23:02:49 +0100622==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaar4f3f6682016-03-26 23:01:59 +01006236. Creating Vim packages *package-create*
624
625This assumes you write one or more plugins that you distribute as a package.
626
627If you have two unrelated plugins you would use two packages, so that Vim
628users can chose what they include or not. Or you can decide to use one
629package with optional plugins, and tell the user to add the ones he wants with
630`:packadd`.
631
632Decide how you want to distribute the package. You can create an archive or
633you could use a repository. An archive can be used by more users, but is a
634bit harder to update to a new version. A repository can usually be kept
635up-to-date easily, but it requires a program like "git" to be available.
636You can do both, github can automatically create an archive for a release.
637
638Your directory layout would be like this:
639 start/foobar/plugin/foo.vim " always loaded, defines commands
640 start/foobar/plugin/bar.vim " always loaded, defines commands
641 start/foobar/autoload/foo.vim " loaded when foo command used
642 start/foobar/doc/foo.txt " help for foo.vim
643 start/foobar/doc/tags " help tags
644 opt/fooextra/plugin/extra.vim " optional plugin, defines commands
645 opt/fooextra/autoload/extra.vim " loaded when extra command used
646 opt/fooextra/doc/extra.txt " help for extra.vim
647 opt/fooextra/doc/tags " help tags
648
649This allows for the user to do: >
650 mkdir ~/.vim/pack/myfoobar
651 cd ~/.vim/pack/myfoobar
652 git clone https://github.com/you/foobar.git
653
654Here "myfoobar" is a name that the user can choose, the only condition is that
655it differs from other packages.
656
657In your documentation you explain what the plugins do, and tell the user how
658to load the optional plugin: >
659 :packadd! fooextra
660
661You could add this packadd command in one of your plugins, to be executed when
662the optional plugin is needed.
663
664Run the `:helptags` command to generate the doc/tags file. Including this
665generated file in the package means that the user can drop the package in his
666pack directory and the help command works right away. Don't forget to re-run
667the command after changing the plugin help: >
668 :helptags path/start/foobar/doc
669 :helptags path/opt/fooextra/doc
670
Bram Moolenaar03413f42016-04-12 21:07:15 +0200671
672Dependencies between plugins ~
673 *packload-two-steps*
Bram Moolenaarc95a3022016-06-12 23:01:46 +0200674Suppose you have two plugins that depend on the same functionality. You can
Bram Moolenaar03413f42016-04-12 21:07:15 +0200675put the common functionality in an autoload directory, so that it will be
676found automatically. Your package would have these files:
677
678 pack/foo/start/one/plugin/one.vim >
679 call foolib#getit()
680< pack/foo/start/two/plugin/two.vim >
681 call foolib#getit()
682< pack/foo/start/lib/autoload/foolib.vim >
683 func foolib#getit()
684
685This works, because loading packages will first add all found directories to
686'runtimepath' before sourcing the plugins.
687
Bram Moolenaar4f3f6682016-03-26 23:01:59 +0100688==============================================================================
6897. Debugging scripts *debug-scripts*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000690
691Besides the obvious messages that you can add to your scripts to find out what
692they are doing, Vim offers a debug mode. This allows you to step through a
693sourced file or user function and set breakpoints.
694
695NOTE: The debugging mode is far from perfect. Debugging will have side
696effects on how Vim works. You cannot use it to debug everything. For
697example, the display is messed up by the debugging messages.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000698
699An alternative to debug mode is setting the 'verbose' option. With a bigger
700number it will give more verbose messages about what Vim is doing.
701
702
703STARTING DEBUG MODE *debug-mode*
704
705To enter debugging mode use one of these methods:
7061. Start Vim with the |-D| argument: >
707 vim -D file.txt
708< Debugging will start as soon as the first vimrc file is sourced. This is
709 useful to find out what is happening when Vim is starting up. A side
710 effect is that Vim will switch the terminal mode before initialisations
711 have finished, with unpredictable results.
712 For a GUI-only version (Windows, Macintosh) the debugging will start as
713 soon as the GUI window has been opened. To make this happen early, add a
714 ":gui" command in the vimrc file.
715 *:debug*
7162. Run a command with ":debug" prepended. Debugging will only be done while
717 this command executes. Useful for debugging a specific script or user
718 function. And for scripts and functions used by autocommands. Example: >
719 :debug edit test.txt.gz
720
7213. Set a breakpoint in a sourced file or user function. You could do this in
722 the command line: >
723 vim -c "breakadd file */explorer.vim" .
724< This will run Vim and stop in the first line of the "explorer.vim" script.
725 Breakpoints can also be set while in debugging mode.
726
727In debugging mode every executed command is displayed before it is executed.
728Comment lines, empty lines and lines that are not executed are skipped. When
729a line contains two commands, separated by "|", each command will be displayed
730separately.
731
732
733DEBUG MODE
734
735Once in debugging mode, the usual Ex commands can be used. For example, to
736inspect the value of a variable: >
737 echo idx
738When inside a user function, this will print the value of the local variable
739"idx". Prepend "g:" to get the value of a global variable: >
740 echo g:idx
741All commands are executed in the context of the current function or script.
742You can also set options, for example setting or resetting 'verbose' will show
743what happens, but you might want to set it just before executing the lines you
744are interested in: >
745 :set verbose=20
746
747Commands that require updating the screen should be avoided, because their
748effect won't be noticed until after leaving debug mode. For example: >
749 :help
750won't be very helpful.
751
752There is a separate command-line history for debug mode.
753
754The line number for a function line is relative to the start of the function.
755If you have trouble figuring out where you are, edit the file that defines
756the function in another Vim, search for the start of the function and do
757"99j". Replace "99" with the line number.
758
759Additionally, these commands can be used:
760 *>cont*
761 cont Continue execution until the next breakpoint is hit.
762 *>quit*
763 quit Abort execution. This is like using CTRL-C, some
764 things might still be executed, doesn't abort
765 everything. Still stops at the next breakpoint.
766 *>next*
767 next Execute the command and come back to debug mode when
768 it's finished. This steps over user function calls
769 and sourced files.
770 *>step*
771 step Execute the command and come back to debug mode for
772 the next command. This steps into called user
773 functions and sourced files.
774 *>interrupt*
775 interrupt This is like using CTRL-C, but unlike ">quit" comes
776 back to debug mode for the next command that is
777 executed. Useful for testing |:finally| and |:catch|
778 on interrupt exceptions.
779 *>finish*
780 finish Finish the current script or user function and come
781 back to debug mode for the command after the one that
782 sourced or called it.
Bram Moolenaarf1f60f82016-01-16 15:40:53 +0100783 *>bt*
784 *>backtrace*
785 *>where*
786 backtrace Show the call stacktrace for current debugging session.
787 bt
788 where
789 *>frame*
Bram Moolenaar38a55632016-02-15 22:07:32 +0100790 frame N Goes to N backtrace level. + and - signs make movement
Bram Moolenaarf1f60f82016-01-16 15:40:53 +0100791 relative. E.g., ":frame +3" goes three frames up.
792 *>up*
793 up Goes one level up from call stacktrace.
794 *>down*
795 down Goes one level down from call stacktrace.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000796
797About the additional commands in debug mode:
798- There is no command-line completion for them, you get the completion for the
799 normal Ex commands only.
Bram Moolenaardae8d212016-02-27 22:40:16 +0100800- You can shorten them, up to a single character, unless more than one command
Bram Moolenaarf1f60f82016-01-16 15:40:53 +0100801 starts with the same letter. "f" stands for "finish", use "fr" for "frame".
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000802- Hitting <CR> will repeat the previous one. When doing another command, this
803 is reset (because it's not clear what you want to repeat).
804- When you want to use the Ex command with the same name, prepend a colon:
805 ":cont", ":next", ":finish" (or shorter).
806
Bram Moolenaarf1f60f82016-01-16 15:40:53 +0100807The backtrace shows the hierarchy of function calls, e.g.:
808 >bt ~
809 3 function One[3] ~
810 2 Two[3] ~
811 ->1 Three[3] ~
812 0 Four ~
813 line 1: let four = 4 ~
814
815The "->" points to the current frame. Use "up", "down" and "frame N" to
816select another frame.
817
818In the current frame you can evaluate the local function variables. There is
819no way to see the command at the current line yet.
820
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000821
822DEFINING BREAKPOINTS
823 *:breaka* *:breakadd*
824:breaka[dd] func [lnum] {name}
825 Set a breakpoint in a function. Example: >
826 :breakadd func Explore
827< Doesn't check for a valid function name, thus the breakpoint
828 can be set before the function is defined.
829
830:breaka[dd] file [lnum] {name}
831 Set a breakpoint in a sourced file. Example: >
832 :breakadd file 43 .vimrc
833
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +0000834:breaka[dd] here
835 Set a breakpoint in the current line of the current file.
836 Like doing: >
837 :breakadd file <cursor-line> <current-file>
838< Note that this only works for commands that are executed when
839 sourcing the file, not for a function defined in that file.
840
Bram Moolenaarc6f9f732018-02-11 19:06:26 +0100841:breaka[dd] expr {expression}
842 Sets a breakpoint, that will break whenever the {expression}
843 evaluates to a different value. Example: >
844 :breakadd expr g:lnum
845
846< Will break, whenever the global variable lnum changes.
847 Note if you watch a |script-variable| this will break
848 when switching scripts, since the script variable is only
849 valid in the script where it has been defined and if that
850 script is called from several other scripts, this will stop
851 whenever that particular variable will become visible or
852 unaccessible again.
853
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000854The [lnum] is the line number of the breakpoint. Vim will stop at or after
855this line. When omitted line 1 is used.
856
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000857 *:debug-name*
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000858{name} is a pattern that is matched with the file or function name. The
859pattern is like what is used for autocommands. There must be a full match (as
860if the pattern starts with "^" and ends in "$"). A "*" matches any sequence
861of characters. 'ignorecase' is not used, but "\c" can be used in the pattern
862to ignore case |/\c|. Don't include the () for the function name!
863
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000864The match for sourced scripts is done against the full file name. If no path
865is specified the current directory is used. Examples: >
866 breakadd file explorer.vim
867matches "explorer.vim" in the current directory. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000868 breakadd file *explorer.vim
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000869matches ".../plugin/explorer.vim", ".../plugin/iexplorer.vim", etc. >
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000870 breakadd file */explorer.vim
Bram Moolenaar843ee412004-06-30 16:16:41 +0000871matches ".../plugin/explorer.vim" and "explorer.vim" in any other directory.
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000872
873The match for functions is done against the name as it's shown in the output
874of ":function". For local functions this means that something like "<SNR>99_"
875is prepended.
876
Bram Moolenaar2ce06f62005-01-31 19:19:04 +0000877Note that functions are first loaded and later executed. When they are loaded
878the "file" breakpoints are checked, when they are executed the "func"
879breakpoints.
880
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000881
882DELETING BREAKPOINTS
883 *:breakd* *:breakdel* *E161*
884:breakd[el] {nr}
885 Delete breakpoint {nr}. Use |:breaklist| to see the number of
886 each breakpoint.
887
Bram Moolenaarf461c8e2005-06-25 23:04:51 +0000888:breakd[el] *
889 Delete all breakpoints.
890
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000891:breakd[el] func [lnum] {name}
892 Delete a breakpoint in a function.
893
894:breakd[el] file [lnum] {name}
895 Delete a breakpoint in a sourced file.
896
Bram Moolenaarf4b8e572004-06-24 15:53:16 +0000897:breakd[el] here
898 Delete a breakpoint at the current line of the current file.
899
Bram Moolenaar071d4272004-06-13 20:20:40 +0000900When [lnum] is omitted, the first breakpoint in the function or file is
901deleted.
902The {name} must be exactly the same as what was typed for the ":breakadd"
903command. "explorer", "*explorer.vim" and "*explorer*" are different.
904
905
906LISTING BREAKPOINTS
907 *:breakl* *:breaklist*
908:breakl[ist]
909 List all breakpoints.
910
911
912OBSCURE
913
914 *:debugg* *:debuggreedy*
915:debugg[reedy]
916 Read debug mode commands from the normal input stream, instead
917 of getting them directly from the user. Only useful for test
918 scripts. Example: >
919 echo 'q^Mq' | vim -e -s -c debuggreedy -c 'breakadd file script.vim' -S script.vim
920
921:0debugg[reedy]
922 Undo ":debuggreedy": get debug mode commands directly from the
923 user, don't use typeahead for debug commands.
924
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000925==============================================================================
Bram Moolenaar4f3f6682016-03-26 23:01:59 +01009268. Profiling *profile* *profiling*
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000927
Bram Moolenaar996343d2010-07-04 22:20:21 +0200928Profiling means that Vim measures the time that is spent on executing
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000929functions and/or scripts. The |+profile| feature is required for this.
930It is only included when Vim was compiled with "huge" features.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000931
Bram Moolenaar433f7c82006-03-21 21:29:36 +0000932You can also use the |reltime()| function to measure time. This only requires
933the |+reltime| feature, which is present more often.
934
Bram Moolenaar16ea3672013-07-28 16:02:18 +0200935For profiling syntax highlighting see |:syntime|.
936
Bram Moolenaar76f3b1a2014-03-27 22:30:07 +0100937For example, to profile the one_script.vim script file: >
938 :profile start /tmp/one_script_profile
939 :profile file one_script.vim
940 :source one_script.vim
941 :exit
942
Bram Moolenaar16ea3672013-07-28 16:02:18 +0200943
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000944:prof[ile] start {fname} *:prof* *:profile* *E750*
945 Start profiling, write the output in {fname} upon exit.
Bram Moolenaar0a63ded2015-04-15 13:31:24 +0200946 "~/" and environment variables in {fname} will be expanded.
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +0000947 If {fname} already exists it will be silently overwritten.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000948 The variable |v:profiling| is set to one.
949
Bram Moolenaar9b2200a2006-03-20 21:55:45 +0000950:prof[ile] pause
951 Don't profile until the following ":profile continue". Can be
952 used when doing something that should not be counted (e.g., an
953 external command). Does not nest.
954
955:prof[ile] continue
956 Continue profiling after ":profile pause".
957
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000958:prof[ile] func {pattern}
959 Profile function that matches the pattern {pattern}.
960 See |:debug-name| for how {pattern} is used.
961
962:prof[ile][!] file {pattern}
963 Profile script file that matches the pattern {pattern}.
964 See |:debug-name| for how {pattern} is used.
965 This only profiles the script itself, not the functions
966 defined in it.
967 When the [!] is added then all functions defined in the script
Bram Moolenaar76f3b1a2014-03-27 22:30:07 +0100968 will also be profiled.
969 Note that profiling only starts when the script is loaded
970 after this command. A :profile command in the script itself
971 won't work.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000972
973
Bram Moolenaard9fba312005-06-26 22:34:35 +0000974:profd[el] ... *:profd* *:profdel*
975 Stop profiling for the arguments specified. See |:breakdel|
976 for the arguments.
977
978
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000979You must always start with a ":profile start fname" command. The resulting
980file is written when Vim exits. Here is an example of the output, with line
981numbers prepended for the explanation:
982
983 1 FUNCTION Test2() ~
984 2 Called 1 time ~
985 3 Total time: 0.155251 ~
986 4 Self time: 0.002006 ~
987 5 ~
988 6 count total (s) self (s) ~
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +0000989 7 9 0.000096 for i in range(8) ~
990 8 8 0.153655 0.000410 call Test3() ~
991 9 8 0.000070 endfor ~
992 10 " Ask a question ~
993 11 1 0.001341 echo input("give me an answer: ") ~
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +0000994
995The header (lines 1-4) gives the time for the whole function. The "Total"
996time is the time passed while the function was executing. The "Self" time is
997the "Total" time reduced by time spent in:
998- other user defined functions
999- sourced scripts
1000- executed autocommands
1001- external (shell) commands
1002
1003Lines 7-11 show the time spent in each executed line. Lines that are not
1004executed do not count. Thus a comment line is never counted.
1005
1006The Count column shows how many times a line was executed. Note that the
1007"for" command in line 7 is executed one more time as the following lines.
1008That is because the line is also executed to detect the end of the loop.
1009
1010The time Vim spends waiting for user input isn't counted at all. Thus how
1011long you take to respond to the input() prompt is irrelevant.
1012
1013Profiling should give a good indication of where time is spent, but keep in
1014mind there are various things that may clobber the results:
1015
1016- The accuracy of the time measured depends on the gettimeofday() system
1017 function. It may only be as accurate as 1/100 second, even though the times
1018 are displayed in micro seconds.
1019
1020- Real elapsed time is measured, if other processes are busy they may cause
1021 delays at unpredictable moments. You may want to run the profiling several
1022 times and use the lowest results.
1023
1024- If you have several commands in one line you only get one time. Split the
1025 line to see the time for the individual commands.
1026
1027- The time of the lines added up is mostly less than the time of the whole
1028 function. There is some overhead in between.
1029
1030- Functions that are deleted before Vim exits will not produce profiling
1031 information. You can check the |v:profiling| variable if needed: >
Bram Moolenaarc9b4b052006-04-30 18:54:39 +00001032 :if !v:profiling
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001033 : delfunc MyFunc
1034 :endif
1035<
Bram Moolenaar8cd06ca2005-02-28 22:44:58 +00001036- Profiling may give weird results on multi-processor systems, when sleep
1037 mode kicks in or the processor frequency is reduced to save power.
Bram Moolenaar05159a02005-02-26 23:04:13 +00001038
Bram Moolenaarc81e5e72007-05-05 18:24:42 +00001039- The "self" time is wrong when a function is used recursively.
1040
1041
Bram Moolenaar91f84f62018-07-29 15:07:52 +02001042 vim:tw=78:ts=8:noet:ft=help:norl: